Four ambitious climbers hike into the Kentucky wilderness. Seven months later, three mangled bodies are discovered. Were their deaths simple accidents or the result of something more sinister?
This Wretched Valley is the debut novel by Jenny Kiefer, an American horror author and avid rock climber. The story follows four friends—Dylan, a rock climber; her boyfriend Luke; geologist Clay; and his research assistant Sylvia—who venture into the Kentucky wilderness to explore an untouched cliff face discovered by Clay. Their expedition takes a horrifying turn when they become stranded, facing increasingly dire and surreal circumstances. Seven months later, three bodies are found in varying states of decay, but Dylan remains missing, leaving the mystery of their fate unresolved. The novel blends elements of survival, supernatural, and body horror, drawing inspiration from real-life events like the Dyatlov Pass incident. Kiefer's vivid descriptions and character development maintain a sense of unease and tension throughout the narrative. In addition to her writing, Kiefer owns and manages Butcher Cabin Books, a horror bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky.
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