Mark Thielman
The Firefall | A Murder in Yosemite | A Johnson and Nance Mystery

Next in the Johnson and Nance Series

The Firefall

““Thielman has created another complex mystery set in a breathtaking national park…”  Library Journal

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.

 

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Available from Severn River Publishing

Johnson and Nance Mysteries

National Park Investigators Clarence Johnson and Alison Nance fight crimes in the most picturesque of settings.

Dogged Pursuit | A Johnson and Nance Mysteries Short Story

Start with Johnson and Nance Here!

Detective Clarence Johnson is sidelined from the homicide desk, nursing an injury and restless for purpose. A visit to the Humane Society pairs him with a wary rescue dog—and an unexpected new partner.

Dogged Pursuit is a gripping tie-in to Mark Thielman’s acclaimed Johnson and Nance Mysteries; a must-read for longtime fans and the perfect introduction for new readers who like expertly crafted mysteries with heart. Available free using the link below!

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The Devil's Kitchen Book Cover | Written by Mark Thielman

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The Hidden River Book Cover | Written by Mark Thielman

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The Firefall | A Murder in Yosemite | A Johnson and Nance Mystery

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Mark Thielman Photo

Hi! I’m…

Mark Thielman

Crime Fiction Author

Mark Thielman writes primarily crime fiction and serves as a magistrate judge in Ft. Worth, Texas. His debut novel, The Devil’s Kitchen, will be released in April 2025. His second novel, The Hidden River, is scheduled for October 2025. Both books are part of the Johnson and Nance series, published by Severn River Publishing.

Mark’s short fiction pieces have been named to the honor roll of America’s best mysteries on multiple occasions. The Wolfe Pack, the Nero Wolfe Literary Society, twice has named him the recipient of the Black Orchid Novella Award. His story, “A Meter of Murder,” received the award in December 2015. It appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and became Mark’s first published work of fiction. His second Black Orchid Novella Award came in 2017 for “The Black Drop of Venus.” Since then, his many short stories have been published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and a number of anthologies.

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Also from Mark Thielman

Short Stories

Since 2016, Mark Thielman has been publishing some of the best crime fiction around.

Mark Thielman | The Best American Mystery and Suspense, Edited by Megan Abbott

Slow Burn

The Best American Mystery and Suspense

Mark Thielman | Boots, BBQ, and Bloodshed

The Thou Shalt Knot

Boots, BBQ, and Bloodshed

Mark Thielman | Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, "Potatoes Au Rotten"

Potatoes Au Rotten

Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine,
July/August 2026

Mark Thielman | Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, "Paradise Stolen"

Paradise Stolen

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
December 2025

Reviews

Learn what people are saying about the writing of Mark Thielman.

Thielman’s novel offers something for nearly every reader: art history, the French Revolution, the United States’ westward expansion, a treasure hunt, and of course, murder and a good police procedural set in beautiful Yellowstone National Park. May appeal to fans of Dan Brown, Meg Gardiner, and Ace Atkins.

George Lichman
Library Journal, 1/1/2025

With a plot that weaves an ancient conspiracy tied to a relic of the French Revolution, the novel is a fast-paced thriller that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Yellowstone, “The Devil’s Kitchen” is more than just a crime novel; it’s a journey into the hidden and dangerous depths of one of America’s most iconic national parks. 

Steve Montoya
Fort Worth Magazine, 12/30/2024

The Devil’s Kitchen ticks all the boxes–it’s exciting, intriguing, and illuminating. Author Mark Thielman brings history to life in this can’t-put-it-down mystery. Beautifully written, slyly crafted.

Jane Cleland
Multiple award-winning author