Durango, signings scheduled in Farmington

Author Scott Graham’s latest book, The Saguaro Sanction, explores not only Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona, but the controversy and dangers of immigrants trying to cross the harsh landscape of the Sonoran Desert to seek asylum in the United States. I am also looking for

This book, published by Torrey House Press, is the eighth in Graham’s National Park Mysteries series. Graham’s last few books are also set in the national parks of Four Corners, Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, and Arches National Park, addressing the social and environmental issues associated with the parks.

Graham kicks off his book launch tour with a book signing at Maria’s bookstore in his hometown of Durango on Tuesday, March 7th at 6pm. Halfway through his book launch tour, Graham will hold a reading and book signing at his Amy’s Bookcase in Farmington on Saturday, March 18th at 1pm.

Saguaro Sanction follows the familiar Chuck Bender Janelle Ortega and her two daughters. Not only will they learn about the archaeological features of the region, but they will be forced to confront complex family relationships and the dangers of border conflicts.

A highlight of the Saguaro Sanction is the ancient Hohokam petroglyphs found throughout the Sonoran Desert. Graham mixes fact and fiction, with Tohono setting scenes at actual petroglyph locations such as the Babo Kivari of his Oodum settlement, and fictional locations such as petroglyph-covered monuments containing hidden messages. Create a.

Before writing the book, Graham said he spent time in Saguaro National Park and familiarized himself with the area. Graham said Google Maps could be helpful, but nothing beats visiting and experiencing the area to be able to present a more complete level of detail.

By visiting the park, Graham said, “I can give people a real sense of the place in the most realistic way I can.” He hopes the description will inspire people to visit the places in the book and learn more about the area.

“Saguaro Sanction” also addresses social issues in the region, delving into the personal dimensions of immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.

A family of two teenage characters, Janelle Ortega, seeks asylum through the Sonoran Desert to the United States. The journey proves deadly, and the characters become involved in a murder investigation and a race to save the lives of survivors.

Scott Graham’s new novel Saguaro Sanction is set in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson. (journal file photo)

Graham not only wants to introduce people to national parks, but he also wants readers to understand that these are real places facing real problems, so in his books, social and environmental He said that he would not hesitate to take on public issues.

In 2019, the Tucson area saw between 20 and 100 asylum seekers per day, Rates have increased to around 400 per day In December 2022, Pima County Communications Director Mark Evans said in a recent interview: human borders Since November 2021, 3,790 migrants have reportedly died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert, according to the website. 226 remains From the Sonoran Desert, a record number of divisions. Migrant deaths are a serious problem for the region with few long-term solutions.

Graham became familiar with immigration issues in southern Arizona several years ago. new york times An article about immigrants who died trying to cross the border through the Tohono O’odham Reservation. The journalist traced the man’s journey back to his relatives in Guatemala, highlighting the dangerous situation facing migrants.

Graham’s interest was further piqued by the work his son did in South Texas a few years earlier. He worked at the Texas-Mexico border as a paralegal for children seeking asylum. Listening to them emphasized the need to discuss the struggles facing immigrants and made him more aware of the organizations working on both sides of this issue.

When Graham and his wife visited the park before writing the book, they saw the water station that Human Borders provides for immigrants. Similar stations have been installed throughout the border states, but they are not universally supported and are frequently destroyed.

Water stations are also a point of contention in the “saguaro sanctions”. One such station serves as the book’s murder scene, providing an opportunity for characters to express different views on the practice. Graham says he wants to use the characters’ different opinions to provide a balanced perspective on the issue.

We see research, immigration stories, visits to his own parks to experience brutal conditions, and organizational efforts to help or hinder immigrant journeys to put the problem squarely in the face.

“It was the most personal story I’ve ever written,” said Graham.

One of Graham’s goals in writing the series is, “Through the power of stories, we want to speak to the real parts of our lives that affect us all. I think it’s a great way to challenge yourself.”