Chuck Bender is the archaeologist in Scott Graham’s National Park Mystery series. His fieldwork brings him to national parks where a death or other crime interrupts the work and makes his knowledge of the landscape useful to the investigation.
His wife Janelle Ortega and daughters Carmelita and Rosie recur as the setting changes from book to book. Begin with Grand Canyon Sacrifice and follow the National Park Mystery reading order for the family continuity, even though each park has its own case.
Reading Order#
See the complete National Park Mystery reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chuck Bender?
Chuck Bender is an archaeologist who works in America’s national parks and keeps finding himself caught up in murder investigations. He is the protagonist of Scott Graham’s National Park Mystery series.
What order should I read the Chuck Bender books?
Read in publication order starting with Canyon Sacrifice (2014). Each book is set in a different national park, and publication order follows Chuck’s life and family developments.
How many Chuck Bender books are there?
The National Park Mystery guide lists ten books featuring Chuck Bender, each built around a different U.S. national park setting.