The Valley Walker [Kindle Edition]

T. W. Dittmer (Author)

Book Description

"Yeah, though I walk through the valley... "

Special Investigator Teri Altro is a hard-case member of the Drug Interdiction Task Force. Cold and aloof, there is no room in her life for personal entanglements. No one is allowed to call her by her first name. No form of physical contact is acceptable. Altro is a driven woman, and people who work with her learn to keep up or stay out of her way. She carries a gun in her shoulder bag.

When Altro first notices the man staring at her, he doesn't seem like anything special... just some guy in the drugstore. But when three men walk in the door to assassinate her, he kills them all with fluid ease, so quickly that she doesn't even have time to pull her own gun. The confrontation is so eerily violent that it leaves Altro wondering just who... or what... the man is.

Over the next four days she learns that the man is John Walker Michaels, a man known to the Hmong of Laos as the Valley Walker, a man the army has classified as a deserter. He is an openly emotional man who draws her out of her shell and into the world of Hmong mysticism. At the end of this time... even after talking to him, learning his history and meeting his family... Altro can only shake her head when asked about him.

She had touched him and felt his warmth. She knew he was real.

Or was he?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers Favorite Rating 4.0 Stars

T. W. Dittmer has created a mystical tale that fluctuates from war story to ancient legend. Just when you are caught up in his story of dragons and ancient magic, he weaves us back into the present reality of criminal investigation and political injustice. More than once I found myself analyzing the symbolic meaning behind the descriptions and the true meaning of the military mantra of "two salt tablets, a canteen of water and push on grunt."
             
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers Favorite Rating 5.0 Stars

The past and the future join together in the "The Valley Walker" in a mystical and very real way. T. W. Dittmer has written a book that takes us from reality deep into the paranormal. I found myself pulled into the story and wanting more. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys reading about war, criminal investigation and political overtones but who also enjoys the paranormal. T. W. Dittmer has provided it all in a well-written and exciting book. "The Valley Walker" is a sure winner.             

Reviewed by Alice D.  for Readers Favorite Rating 5.0 Stars

"Valley Walker" is one of those rare, notable stories that will stay with the reader long after the book ends. It is well-written and well-edited with pace and action par non. The characters of Teri Altro, Bill Mallory, Doolee, beautiful Bao and Ka and all the others are totally believable and three dimensional, but it is John Walker Michaels' character that is beyond greatness.

Product Details

• File Size: 490 KB
• Print Length: 374 pages
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007Z3U62C
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,673 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Valley Walker - Amazing! September 30, 2012

By Maddie Cochere

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The story begins and ends with a painting. Not just any masterpiece - a masterpiece with a spirit. Yet this fascinating book is not about the painting.

Tim Dittmer has written a fast-paced, action-filled novel that is definitely a page turner. Other reviewers have given a summary of the story; I want to focus on the experience. The chapters are short. I've never read a book with so many chapters, but it works well here as the story toggles between past, present, and the people who are all connected in some way by John Walker Michaels. There was subtle humor throughout befitting the tone of the book. I found myself smiling often. *I* wanted to know Walker. *I* wanted to feel his warmth. I shed a few tears at the end of the book only to find it wasn't the end. A few more short chapters brought about an even more amazing ending.

I tend to read chick-lit and mysteries. I'm not one for paranormal or horror, and I would not classify this book as such. The mysticism in this book is fascinating and real. It's well-written with believable characters and great dialogue. Buy it! You'll enjoy this unique novel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling read! February 12, 2013

By Erik Gustafson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is my first read from this author and I am glad I took the time to read this one! The Valley Walker is well-written novel that kept me turning pages all the way to the end. I am a very slow reader, so that is saying a lot. The Valley Walker and Altro are two characters that captured my attention. I loved the way Altro grew and evolved through the book. Not wanting to reveal any spoilers, this one has a mystical quality to it that is sure to leave you spellbound!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The power of words January 29, 2013

By Dannie Hill

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Valley Walker by T.W. Dittmer is one of the best stories I've read in a while. It has a paranormal touch, but of a different sort that drew me in from the first page.

Perhaps it has to do with my love for Southeast Asia and the knowledge that Mr. Dittmer was also there during a time of strife. Or the fact we both have a keen interest in the hill tribe- Hmong- people.

This story moves from Walker's life among the Hmong to Michigan where he protects Special Investigator Teri Altro from forces she does not understand, forces from Walker's old life.

The Valley Walker is such a powerful, well-written and grasping story I wasn't able to put it down until the end. It held me long after I finished reading.

Author T.W. Dittmer is an author of note and not one to be missed! The Valley Walker is a book you will want to read a feel the power of words.

More About the Author

T. W. Dittmer's full name is Timothy Watson Dittmer.

He was raised in Gary, Indiana, the son of a steel worker who turned to preaching the Gospel. After high school he joined the army and volunteered for service in Vietnam. When his time with the army was over he studied music, digital electronics and information technology.

He started writing music and poetry in high school, and has carried the love of those arts through his life. That love shines through in his prose.

He now lives quietly with his wife in Michigan, where he is busy working on his next book.