The Firefall: A Murder in Yosemite (Paperback or Softback)

A vandal's final act in Yosemite National Park uncovers a hidden message—and a deadly legacy.

When a graffiti artist defaces part of Yosemite National Park, Special Agents Clarence Johnson and Alison Nance expect a straightforward case. But when the suspect falls to her death from Glacier Point—just as another member of her synagogue did years earlier—the investigation takes on a far more ominous meaning.

The eerie coincidence hints at a deeper, darker truth behind the artist's final work. As Johnson and Nance unravel the layers, their search points to a historical puzzle stretching back to 1938, when a Jewish violinist, fleeing the shadows of Nazi Germany, disappeared into the park's vast wilderness, carrying a secret that could alter the course of history.

Decades later, the past refuses to remain hidden. The agents begin to link the contemporary murder to the long-unsolved disappearance and a mysterious legacy hidden in Yosemite's rugged terrain. But as they close in on the truth, they realize they are not the only ones searching. A relentless adversary is also on the trail, willing to kill to claim the secret and reignite a dark chapter of history. Now, Johnson and Nance must outwit a ruthless enemy before history's darkest forces rise again.

In The Firefall, Mark Thielman delivers a gripping tale where history's buried secrets collide with a modern-day investigation. With a masterful blend of mystery, suspense, and historical intrigue, this dual-timeline thriller is perfect for fans of Steve Berry and Gary McAvoy.

Award-winning author Mark Thielman has published short stories and novellas in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery magazine, Black Cat Weekly, and Mystery magazine, as well as numerous anthologies. He draws upon his career as both a criminal magistrate judge and as a prosecutor in his writings.