At a Glance
- A.J. Landau’s third novel, Pressure Point, arrives fall 2026
- Special Agent Michael Walker faces a volcanic eruption, an arms dealer, and a century-old murder
- The case spirals from Crater Lake to Hawaii’s volcanoes and hints at a John Muir connection
- Why it matters: Fans of eco-thrillers get the next high-stakes installment set inside America’s most iconic parks
The writing duo of Jeff Ayers and Jon Lindstrom-known collectively as A.J. Landau-will release their third national-parks thriller, Pressure Point, in fall 2026, News Of Losangeles has learned exclusively.
Plot Reveal
The new entry thrusts National Park Service Special Agent Michael Walker into a pulse-pounding investigation triggered by an unexpected volcanic eruption at Crater Lake. The blast kills a wanted international munitions dealer and exposes previously undiscovered murders.
“We can’t wait to share with readers our reverence for the national parks, set to a pulse-pounding adventure for Special Agent Michael Walker,” the authors said in a statement to News Of Losangeles. “Think James Bond goes to Yellowstone in a desperate race to save humanity.”
Series Context
Pressure Point continues a series that blends crime and environmental themes inside America’s protected landscapes.
Previous installments:
- Leave No Trace – Walker investigates terrorist attacks on U.S. landmarks
- Cold Burn – Walker tackles a missing-scientist case in Alaska, a murdered intern in the Everglades, and a sunken submarine
New Stakes
According to the official synopsis:
- Walker is called to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to track an arms dealer
- The fugitive falls into a volcano with C4 explosives, ending that threat-or so Walker believes
- A century-old murder victim surfaces, possibly tied to naturalist John Muir
- The historic crime links to the modern conspiracy behind the Crater Lake eruption
- With a tight deadline, Walker must decode the connection before thousands of lives are endangered
Release Details
Minotaur Books will publish Pressure Point in fall 2026. Pre-orders are open now through all major retailers.
Key Takeaways
- A.J. Landau’s eco-thriller series returns with higher stakes and a cross-country park backdrop
- Crater Lake’s volcanic eruption kicks off a dual timeline mystery
- Special Agent Walker’s investigation spans Crater Lake, Hawaii’s volcanoes, and a potential John Muir cold case
- The novel lands in fall 2026, continuing the national-parks crime franchise
