This Wretched Valley

Indie Next Recommendation

Take only pictures. Leave only bones.

This trip is going to be Dylan’s big break. Her geologist friend Clay has discovered an untouched cliff face in the Kentucky wilderness, and she is going to be the first person to climb it. Together with Clay, his research assistant Sylvia, and Dylan’s boyfriend Luke, Dylan is going to document her achievement on Instagram and finally cement her place as the next rising star in rock climbing.

Seven months later, three bodies are discovered in the trees just off the highway. All are in various states of decay: one a stark, white skeleton; the second emptied of its organs; and the third a mutilated corpse with the tongue, eyes, ears, and fingers removed.

But Dylan is still missing—and no trace of her, dead or alive, has been discovered.

Were the climbers murdered? Did they succumb to cannibalism? Or are their impossible bodies the work of an even more sinister force?

This dread-inducing debut builds to a bloodcurdling climax, and will leave you shocked by the final twist.

©2024 Jenny Kiefer (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

The Shining (movie) in the woods

The opening scene immediately grabs you and, despite being after the story, makes you want to know more. The main story is well-written slow-burn tale that ascends to terror, physical and psychological, and gore.
Definitely influenced by movies like the Shining.

Reflux Obsession

The author is *really* obsessed with GI reflux. You could play a drinking game with this audiobook. Take a drink every time a character’s stomach is upset by coffee, or they taste bile, or they have acid reflux, or they have a metallic taste from reflux. It ultimately becomes distracting because instead of focusing on the plot, you start wondering about the author’s ability to be more creative about describing human reaction to stress/horror.

could have been a good book

this book missed a good chance. to be good story. the idea of haunted r crossed land has been told for years but. this story missed the mark

A bit redundant and long

This started out remotely interesting, but several descriptive and memorable phrases were used more than once. I think it was about twice as long as it should have been.

very fun!

this story was very fun to listen too from start to finish! the narrator was excellent!