Hal Graff Launches First Novel in Harold Gatewood Espionage Series

"Love and Death at the Encierro" kicks off 31-volume mystery thriller series

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Author Hal Graff has released "Love and Death at the Encierro," a political espionage, mystery thriller, and romance novel that introduces Harold Gatewood, a former professional baseball player turned secret agent. The novel follows Gatewood as he becomes embroiled in a series of life-threatening events during Spain's Festival of San Toro de Lidia, known for the "Running of the Bulls."

Why it matters

Graff's new series explores themes of political espionage, romance, heroism, and international intrigue, reflecting the author's growing international readership. The novel is now available in six languages, including English, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese.

The details

In the novel, after a successful nine-year baseball career, Gatewood travels to Spain's famous "Running of the Bulls" festival, where he becomes embroiled in encounters with a sociopathic serial killer, a female companion's former lover, and a Basque terrorist organization targeting the festival. Gatewood's actions with local authorities and intelligence agencies elevate him to an "Accidental Hero," setting the stage for future adventures in the series.

  • The novel was released on February 14, 2026.

The players

Hal Graff

The author of "Love and Death at the Encierro" and the 31-volume "Love and Death Mysteries" series. Graff holds a doctorate in business administration and twelve professional insurance designations, and is a former professional baseball player, father, and grandfather. He has published 118 novels and over 8.4 million words, writing for Christian values and the glorification of God.

Harold Gatewood

The protagonist of Graff's new series, a former professional baseball player who becomes a secret agent. In the first novel, Gatewood becomes embroiled in a series of life-threatening events during Spain's "Running of the Bulls" festival.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Readers can expect more adventures featuring Harold Gatewood in future installments of the "Love and Death Mysteries" series from Hal Graff.

The takeaway

Graff's new political espionage thriller series showcases his versatility as an author, blending mystery, romance, and international intrigue into an engaging narrative that is resonating with readers around the world.