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The Valley Walker
"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?
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?
Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
T.W. Dittmer
2 books39 followersT. 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, volunteered for service in Vietnam, then reenlisted for 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.
He now lives quietly with his wife in Michigan.
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, volunteered for service in Vietnam, then reenlisted for 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.
He now lives quietly with his wife in Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 5, 2025
This is a riveting multi-layered thriller embracing the long held beliefs of ancient cultures, the manipulation of the rich and powerful of those they enslave or bend to their will, and the hidden agendas of governments.
For one young soldier all these elements come into play during his time in Vietnam where he discovers his patriotism comes at a very high price. The only truth and honour he finds is within the warmth and magic of the Hmong people who have been fighting for survival for centuries. Their influence and wide-ranging power for good is life changing, and leads to a transformational shift in the way he faces his future. His allegiance is now to these downtrodden people and to the annihilation of those who misuse them as he becomes the Valley Walker. Revered by those he has sworn to defend but much feared by those he wreaks vengeance upon.
The drug trade, and its devastating effects on the young of any country, is always the focus of a concentrated effort by law enforcement in a seemingly futile attempts to stem the tide. With a task force set up to discover yet another batch of contaminated heroin killing young students, one investigator in particular will be drawn into the violent battle between good and evil.
The main characters are complex and have secrets or events in their lives which lay heavy on their shoulders. The action starts from the first pages of the book and those secrets begin to be revealed as more and more mysterious players are identified, some close to home and others in the hills of Laos, where most of the carnage originated from and now is being orchestrated from.
The paranormal aspects to this story are far from subtle, but they do add a brilliant element to what might just be another murder or vengeance based thriller. The belief in the ancient spirits and the importance to the Hmong people is a thread running through the book. This aspect is very well written and allows for some dramatic and combustible clashes between the various factions.
All this leads to an exciting climax to the story and a resolution of decades of trauma for the main characters involved. And also a better understanding of family, loyalty and honour.
This is an excellent read and I can highly recommend.
For one young soldier all these elements come into play during his time in Vietnam where he discovers his patriotism comes at a very high price. The only truth and honour he finds is within the warmth and magic of the Hmong people who have been fighting for survival for centuries. Their influence and wide-ranging power for good is life changing, and leads to a transformational shift in the way he faces his future. His allegiance is now to these downtrodden people and to the annihilation of those who misuse them as he becomes the Valley Walker. Revered by those he has sworn to defend but much feared by those he wreaks vengeance upon.
The drug trade, and its devastating effects on the young of any country, is always the focus of a concentrated effort by law enforcement in a seemingly futile attempts to stem the tide. With a task force set up to discover yet another batch of contaminated heroin killing young students, one investigator in particular will be drawn into the violent battle between good and evil.
The main characters are complex and have secrets or events in their lives which lay heavy on their shoulders. The action starts from the first pages of the book and those secrets begin to be revealed as more and more mysterious players are identified, some close to home and others in the hills of Laos, where most of the carnage originated from and now is being orchestrated from.
The paranormal aspects to this story are far from subtle, but they do add a brilliant element to what might just be another murder or vengeance based thriller. The belief in the ancient spirits and the importance to the Hmong people is a thread running through the book. This aspect is very well written and allows for some dramatic and combustible clashes between the various factions.
All this leads to an exciting climax to the story and a resolution of decades of trauma for the main characters involved. And also a better understanding of family, loyalty and honour.
This is an excellent read and I can highly recommend.
February 14, 2022
When I started reading this book, I did not expect three things. The first thing I didn’t expect was such exquisite writing. The author carefully crafted the characterizations and scene descriptions so the reader feels a part of the story. I have never read some of the different ways that Mr. Dittmar describes the surroundings and how the characters move and interact in those surroundings. His skill is at a literary fiction offering level, yet his story is a compelling suspense thriller.
The second thing I did not expect was how carefully the story comes together using historical, mystic, and paranormal elements. The book opens with a prologue of sorts where we get an idea that the Valley Walker is no ordinary man. He served in Viet Nam in the US Army and decimated his enemies yet felt a strong bond with them as fellow soldiers. We also get a glimpse of his background and the fact that the Valley Walker has aligned himself spiritually with the Hmong peoples of Laos. He becomes their adopted son, and in turn, gets the strength of a dragon formulated by using his anger. We also find out later he has many gifts.
The third thing I did not expect was the introduction of the cast of characters throughout is a masterpiece. The reader gets to know each from multiple facets. The set-up is the Governor creates a special task force to find a way to stop drug overdoses at Michigan State University. A former CIA operative leads it. One of the five members is Teri Altro, a no-nonsense special investigator for the Attorney General’s Office. Rather than go into each character, suffice it to say that Teri has a significant role to play in that a drug lord in Laos has targeted her for death. So, the Valley Walker has deep reasons to save her life.
This review is difficult to write while avoiding spoilers, so I will leave the plot there. If you enjoy stories with an element of surprise and are of exceptional quality, this is one for you. I cannot recommend it enough.
The second thing I did not expect was how carefully the story comes together using historical, mystic, and paranormal elements. The book opens with a prologue of sorts where we get an idea that the Valley Walker is no ordinary man. He served in Viet Nam in the US Army and decimated his enemies yet felt a strong bond with them as fellow soldiers. We also get a glimpse of his background and the fact that the Valley Walker has aligned himself spiritually with the Hmong peoples of Laos. He becomes their adopted son, and in turn, gets the strength of a dragon formulated by using his anger. We also find out later he has many gifts.
The third thing I did not expect was the introduction of the cast of characters throughout is a masterpiece. The reader gets to know each from multiple facets. The set-up is the Governor creates a special task force to find a way to stop drug overdoses at Michigan State University. A former CIA operative leads it. One of the five members is Teri Altro, a no-nonsense special investigator for the Attorney General’s Office. Rather than go into each character, suffice it to say that Teri has a significant role to play in that a drug lord in Laos has targeted her for death. So, the Valley Walker has deep reasons to save her life.
This review is difficult to write while avoiding spoilers, so I will leave the plot there. If you enjoy stories with an element of surprise and are of exceptional quality, this is one for you. I cannot recommend it enough.
June 13, 2025
The downfall of the drug lord freed the oppressed Hmong people in T. W. Dittmer's mystery fiction novel, "The Valley Walker."
An unexpected gun shooting at the drugstore almost took Teri Altro's life, but a mysterious masked man backed her up, killing three gunmen with his breakneck shooting skills. This unwanted incident alarms Altro and leads to a rigorous crime investigation by her task force team that even uncovers the history and culture of the oppressed people under the rule of the vicious drug lord, Khun Pao. Altro found out that the man who saved her is adored by the Hmong clan, whom they called Valley Walker. Not only did he save her, but also the lives of these people, especially Lo Bao, who has been treated like an object by the cruel man, Chiong.
A multitude of characters play an important role, driving the book to its allure, as with Neng Cheng, who adopted John Walker Michaels as her son, who protects their clan. The supporting cast matters, especially the team of Altro, including Jessica, Sammy, Doolee, and others who work to unravel the mystery behind the real identity of John and his antagonists.
The plot is unpredictable, peeling layer by layer until the characters reveal their secrets and intentions. It's surprising how Dittmer develops them to engage his readers, as with the exciting twist about Woodley's connection to Khun Pao, Brain, and Sledge, whose names bring trouble.
With the touch of magic, mystery, and suspense, Dittmer made his protagonist a hero who defeated his nemesis by his extraordinary abilities. And the ivory tile given to Altro is one big mystery as well, sending some message every time she holds it.
Elsewhere, the backstories of the women, especially those linked with John, add depth to the story, including Andrea Shellers and Ka. Indeed, Dittmer excels in his storytelling, making The Valley Walker a wonderful read. Fans of crime fiction will adore this book, savoring its steady pace and descriptive prose with themes of teamwork, friendship, family, and love to enjoy. Now, I'm one of the enthusiastic readers of Dittmer's books!
An unexpected gun shooting at the drugstore almost took Teri Altro's life, but a mysterious masked man backed her up, killing three gunmen with his breakneck shooting skills. This unwanted incident alarms Altro and leads to a rigorous crime investigation by her task force team that even uncovers the history and culture of the oppressed people under the rule of the vicious drug lord, Khun Pao. Altro found out that the man who saved her is adored by the Hmong clan, whom they called Valley Walker. Not only did he save her, but also the lives of these people, especially Lo Bao, who has been treated like an object by the cruel man, Chiong.
A multitude of characters play an important role, driving the book to its allure, as with Neng Cheng, who adopted John Walker Michaels as her son, who protects their clan. The supporting cast matters, especially the team of Altro, including Jessica, Sammy, Doolee, and others who work to unravel the mystery behind the real identity of John and his antagonists.
The plot is unpredictable, peeling layer by layer until the characters reveal their secrets and intentions. It's surprising how Dittmer develops them to engage his readers, as with the exciting twist about Woodley's connection to Khun Pao, Brain, and Sledge, whose names bring trouble.
With the touch of magic, mystery, and suspense, Dittmer made his protagonist a hero who defeated his nemesis by his extraordinary abilities. And the ivory tile given to Altro is one big mystery as well, sending some message every time she holds it.
Elsewhere, the backstories of the women, especially those linked with John, add depth to the story, including Andrea Shellers and Ka. Indeed, Dittmer excels in his storytelling, making The Valley Walker a wonderful read. Fans of crime fiction will adore this book, savoring its steady pace and descriptive prose with themes of teamwork, friendship, family, and love to enjoy. Now, I'm one of the enthusiastic readers of Dittmer's books!
October 29, 2022
This impressive book certainly captured my attention. Teri Altro is part of a government task force looking into a rash of drug deaths in Michigan. She’s competent, hard-shelled, and a bit of a rogue. She’s also the target of an attempted assassination. But as three men close in on her, someone gets in the way, and in a strange manipulation of reality, the three killers end up dead. That someone is John Walker Michaels, a Vietnam deserter who shouldn’t exist, and who possesses the mystical powers of the Hmong people that became his family. The Laotians call him the Valley Walker.
What follows is an investigation into the drug deaths that extends from the streets and governing halls of Michigan to the jungles of Laos, from the present time back to the dark days of the Viet Nam war. The scenes of war are eerily visceral, reminiscent of Apocalypse Now. The Laotian mysticism adds an otherworldly surrealism that connects the timelines.
Characterization is impressive with each member of the task force wonderfully unique. Peripheral characters are also fully realized and distinct. Though Michaels participates in the multiple POVs, he retains his mysterious aura, and it's through his relationships with other characters and his dialog and action that I came to understand him.
The author served in Viet Nam and the authenticity he brought to the story was riveting. It also didn’t hurt that his writing is polished and well-paced with just the right amount of description. A complex plot comes together with little difficulty and several twists kept me on my toes. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy complex stories about war, power, and justice, topped with a metaphysical twist.
What follows is an investigation into the drug deaths that extends from the streets and governing halls of Michigan to the jungles of Laos, from the present time back to the dark days of the Viet Nam war. The scenes of war are eerily visceral, reminiscent of Apocalypse Now. The Laotian mysticism adds an otherworldly surrealism that connects the timelines.
Characterization is impressive with each member of the task force wonderfully unique. Peripheral characters are also fully realized and distinct. Though Michaels participates in the multiple POVs, he retains his mysterious aura, and it's through his relationships with other characters and his dialog and action that I came to understand him.
The author served in Viet Nam and the authenticity he brought to the story was riveting. It also didn’t hurt that his writing is polished and well-paced with just the right amount of description. A complex plot comes together with little difficulty and several twists kept me on my toes. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy complex stories about war, power, and justice, topped with a metaphysical twist.
February 20, 2013
The Valley Walker is not for the faint of heart. It is for those who are not afraid to feel, and those with imagination.
Mr. Dittmer’s writing is exquisitely sound and deep, catapulting the reader into a world of mysticism, grit, and intrigue.
Two worlds collide, that of mysterious deserter John Walker Michaels, and brilliant Special Investigator Teri Altro. From Walker’s shell-shocked past in wartime Vietnam to the scattered present in the War on Drugs in Michigan, there is an abundance of clever action interspersed with intricate suspense, which not only engages the reader but envelopes the mind.
Spanning rampant events is the unwavering beauty of ancient Asia, encompassing the purity of the Hmong people and their fascinating guardian...Walker. In some ways he is a simple man, a champion of peace and integrity. In others, he is an unreadable being forever shrouded by a thick layer of complexity.
One thing remains certain...Walker is otherworldly in that he is magnificently true and loyal to those he loves, and he stops at nothing to protect them.
Investigator Altro is the one trying to make sense of it all, the voice of reason amongst the magical chaos. Yet, even she is consumed by Walker’s charismatic unknown.
He opens her to the majesty beyond the tangible. Altro’s transformation from the no-nonsense hard-ass to the believer of passion unfolds gorgeously, reminding us all that it is imperative to simply let go in life.
I was thoroughly impressed by Dittmer’s artistry. The Valley Walker was unique, enigmatic, and powerful.
Go ahead and give it a go!
Britt Skrabanek
http://brittskrabanek.com
Mr. Dittmer’s writing is exquisitely sound and deep, catapulting the reader into a world of mysticism, grit, and intrigue.
Two worlds collide, that of mysterious deserter John Walker Michaels, and brilliant Special Investigator Teri Altro. From Walker’s shell-shocked past in wartime Vietnam to the scattered present in the War on Drugs in Michigan, there is an abundance of clever action interspersed with intricate suspense, which not only engages the reader but envelopes the mind.
Spanning rampant events is the unwavering beauty of ancient Asia, encompassing the purity of the Hmong people and their fascinating guardian...Walker. In some ways he is a simple man, a champion of peace and integrity. In others, he is an unreadable being forever shrouded by a thick layer of complexity.
One thing remains certain...Walker is otherworldly in that he is magnificently true and loyal to those he loves, and he stops at nothing to protect them.
Investigator Altro is the one trying to make sense of it all, the voice of reason amongst the magical chaos. Yet, even she is consumed by Walker’s charismatic unknown.
He opens her to the majesty beyond the tangible. Altro’s transformation from the no-nonsense hard-ass to the believer of passion unfolds gorgeously, reminding us all that it is imperative to simply let go in life.
I was thoroughly impressed by Dittmer’s artistry. The Valley Walker was unique, enigmatic, and powerful.
Go ahead and give it a go!
Britt Skrabanek
http://brittskrabanek.com
January 6, 2023
This is an intense book. The key scenes are described in slow motion and replayed multiple times. The main characters' emotions are vividly rendered. Even routine exchanges between characters are examined in detail. The book has many of the characteristics of a thriller, involving military actions in Vietnam and bodies such as the FBI and CIA, as well as thoroughly evil bad guys and shadowy good guys. But the central character, John Walker Michaels, is something else altogether.
The plot unrolls in an almost ceremonial way. After the first third or so, I suspected it wasn't going to follow the standard thriller script. While there is a fair bit of (richly deserved) violence, the focus also embraces the dynamics of an investigative team comprising two men and two women. Each have their quirks and learn to work together to achieve their goal, even when the goal morphs from its original form. (I must say I did get a bit tired of all the references to the guys checking out the women's butts. OK, I got it already; no need to keep reminding me.) Investigator Teri Altro undergoes a fundamental transformation in the process. In addition, there is a theme of what it means to be a member of a family, and some insights into Hmong culture and beliefs.
Altogether, this is a book in which the good guy is unbelievably good, and the bad guys are irredeemably bad, but it's also intriguing and hopeful.
The plot unrolls in an almost ceremonial way. After the first third or so, I suspected it wasn't going to follow the standard thriller script. While there is a fair bit of (richly deserved) violence, the focus also embraces the dynamics of an investigative team comprising two men and two women. Each have their quirks and learn to work together to achieve their goal, even when the goal morphs from its original form. (I must say I did get a bit tired of all the references to the guys checking out the women's butts. OK, I got it already; no need to keep reminding me.) Investigator Teri Altro undergoes a fundamental transformation in the process. In addition, there is a theme of what it means to be a member of a family, and some insights into Hmong culture and beliefs.
Altogether, this is a book in which the good guy is unbelievably good, and the bad guys are irredeemably bad, but it's also intriguing and hopeful.
March 25, 2015
I enjoy books that transcend easy classification, and T.W. Dittmer's 'The Valley Walker' is among this rare breed. Part thriller and part mystical journey, this is a novel to be savoured: the hard-bitten meets the paranormal as the past and present collide.
Highly recommended for those readers who are bored with formulaic novels, and like their fiction unusual.
Highly recommended for those readers who are bored with formulaic novels, and like their fiction unusual.
January 30, 2013
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.
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.
February 13, 2013
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!
August 8, 2012
was gripped from start to finish - annoyed when real life stole reading time..
February 3, 2015
Nicely done.
September 5, 2024
The Valley Walker is the first novel I read by this author and it was an excellent read. The opening scene pulls you right into both the drama and the supernatural element of the story with a young soldier who is badly injured and who is being nurtured and cared for by an elderly woman. Her care is unorthodox and indicates the possession of the young man's body by another power in the form of a Great Dragon.
From this highly exciting and evocative start, the story progresses to a setting in a pharmacy in the USA where a man is watching a woman he knows is named Teri Altro. He also knows that three men are coming to the pharmacy to kill her and he is there to intervene. The prospective killers are the soldiers of General Khun Pao, a drug lord who rules a heroine empire in Laos. From this point, the story plunges into a turbulent and fast paced battle between the man, called the Valley Walker who controls the Great Dragon in terms of Laos lore, and the drug lord and his soldiers.
Teri Altro is part of a team that has been appointed to try to track down and shut down the drug dealers. The entire team of interesting and specialised people become involved in Teri's attempted murder and the aftermath. I particularly enjoyed Jessica Harmon, a young and beautiful woman who is part of the team. She is very clever, competent and hardworking and is also feminine and dresses beautifully. I enjoyed that presentation of female achievers as opposed to Teri who was the typical power dressing, ball-breaking woman who feels a need to present herself to the world in a masculine and unfeminine way. Hooray for Jessica as a great example of feminine and pretty females in high powered positions.
For the men, there is the mysterious Bill Mallory who appears to be a good man but does some strange and possibly questionable things throughout the book. There are also the two young men, Sam Lu and Doolee, who are both clever, innovative, loyal and good fun.
This book is imaginative, fast moving and packed with interesting characters who evolve and make surprising decisions. The Valley Walker has an influence over everyone he comes into contact with, both evil and working for justice. It is a fascinating storyline and, although complex, the story is well written and easy to follow.
From this highly exciting and evocative start, the story progresses to a setting in a pharmacy in the USA where a man is watching a woman he knows is named Teri Altro. He also knows that three men are coming to the pharmacy to kill her and he is there to intervene. The prospective killers are the soldiers of General Khun Pao, a drug lord who rules a heroine empire in Laos. From this point, the story plunges into a turbulent and fast paced battle between the man, called the Valley Walker who controls the Great Dragon in terms of Laos lore, and the drug lord and his soldiers.
Teri Altro is part of a team that has been appointed to try to track down and shut down the drug dealers. The entire team of interesting and specialised people become involved in Teri's attempted murder and the aftermath. I particularly enjoyed Jessica Harmon, a young and beautiful woman who is part of the team. She is very clever, competent and hardworking and is also feminine and dresses beautifully. I enjoyed that presentation of female achievers as opposed to Teri who was the typical power dressing, ball-breaking woman who feels a need to present herself to the world in a masculine and unfeminine way. Hooray for Jessica as a great example of feminine and pretty females in high powered positions.
For the men, there is the mysterious Bill Mallory who appears to be a good man but does some strange and possibly questionable things throughout the book. There are also the two young men, Sam Lu and Doolee, who are both clever, innovative, loyal and good fun.
This book is imaginative, fast moving and packed with interesting characters who evolve and make surprising decisions. The Valley Walker has an influence over everyone he comes into contact with, both evil and working for justice. It is a fascinating storyline and, although complex, the story is well written and easy to follow.
April 26, 2025
This book came as a real surprise.
The Valley Walker of the title is John Walker Michaels, a combatant in the Vietnam war who was assumed to be a deserter.
In the present day, a secret task force of five people is set up to put a stop to the drugs flooding a college campus resulting in tragic overdoses. One of the members of this group is Teri Altro, a forceful woman with no time for social niceties. We first see her in a pharmacy where she is being watched by John who is there to prevent her assassination. The speed and methods used to protect her defy human understanding and the hostile Altro, having shot him, almost immediately finds herself drawn towards him as well. This scene brings together many of the elements of the book. There’s thrilling action, violence, suspicion and an excellently conveyed mysticism.
The author is a superb wordsmith and the scenes are described in a manner that bring them to vivid life. This description doesn’t slow down the action, but lends a depth and subtlety to it that is convincing and compelling. The characters are all well-rounded and distinct and I particularly liked the coming together of the team to share their talents, views and friendship.
The war detail has an authenticity that spoke of personal experience and, whilst brutal, doesn’t glorify war. Similarly, the description of the Hmong families in Laos and their culture and traditions reveal the strength to be found in kinship, faith and loyalty. An unmistakable aspect of John Michaels is his connection with the paranormal. The scenes where this is manifest are beautiful and terrifying; rendered in a way that makes the unbelievable wholly believable.
The Valley Walker represents a force of honour in a world that is corrupted by drugs, greed and by corruption in high places. Throughout the book, I was on edge because I couldn’t be sure who to trust.
This is one of those books that sweeps you along, turning the pages to uncover the truth. It’s an action thriller with a huge, beating heart and I recommend it wholeheartedly to you.
The Valley Walker of the title is John Walker Michaels, a combatant in the Vietnam war who was assumed to be a deserter.
In the present day, a secret task force of five people is set up to put a stop to the drugs flooding a college campus resulting in tragic overdoses. One of the members of this group is Teri Altro, a forceful woman with no time for social niceties. We first see her in a pharmacy where she is being watched by John who is there to prevent her assassination. The speed and methods used to protect her defy human understanding and the hostile Altro, having shot him, almost immediately finds herself drawn towards him as well. This scene brings together many of the elements of the book. There’s thrilling action, violence, suspicion and an excellently conveyed mysticism.
The author is a superb wordsmith and the scenes are described in a manner that bring them to vivid life. This description doesn’t slow down the action, but lends a depth and subtlety to it that is convincing and compelling. The characters are all well-rounded and distinct and I particularly liked the coming together of the team to share their talents, views and friendship.
The war detail has an authenticity that spoke of personal experience and, whilst brutal, doesn’t glorify war. Similarly, the description of the Hmong families in Laos and their culture and traditions reveal the strength to be found in kinship, faith and loyalty. An unmistakable aspect of John Michaels is his connection with the paranormal. The scenes where this is manifest are beautiful and terrifying; rendered in a way that makes the unbelievable wholly believable.
The Valley Walker represents a force of honour in a world that is corrupted by drugs, greed and by corruption in high places. Throughout the book, I was on edge because I couldn’t be sure who to trust.
This is one of those books that sweeps you along, turning the pages to uncover the truth. It’s an action thriller with a huge, beating heart and I recommend it wholeheartedly to you.
January 28, 2025
This book is a perfect mix of history, Asian cultures, human psychology, corruption, greed, and paranormal. I loved it. I was drawn in from the beginning of the prologue to the final page of the story.
The story is well-written, descriptive and progresses at an even pace throughout. The author's military expertise shines through in this work.
John Michaels was one of the many MIA's or KIA's during the Vietnam war. But did he really die? Is a Hmong Shaman powerful enough to weave his soul back together with the help of dragon medicine? Well, you'll have to read the book to find the answer to that.
The story opens with a literal bang with an assassination attempt on Special Agent Teri Altro. She's a part of an elite team created to put an end to the drug trafficking and overdose deaths on the University campus. What Ms. Altro witnesses during those few minutes of the attempt on her life changes her forever. Can she trust what her eyes tell her?
John Michaels is known as The Valley Walker. His entire purpose in life is to eliminate evil and empower people to take their lives back from those who manipulate and use them. He has a big heart and a singular mindset. Evil is not allowed to continue to flourish. The corruption bleeds over into government (that's believable for sure), and greed overpowers morals.
This excerpt from the book says it all:
"They used me, Andy. In the war. They used us all."
"They?"
"Powerful men. Men without honor. Men motivated only by profit and power. They will stop at nothing."
I loved all the characters in this story. The author did a great job creating them and letting me "see" them. The scenes are set in a descriptive way that put me inside them. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
The story is well-written, descriptive and progresses at an even pace throughout. The author's military expertise shines through in this work.
John Michaels was one of the many MIA's or KIA's during the Vietnam war. But did he really die? Is a Hmong Shaman powerful enough to weave his soul back together with the help of dragon medicine? Well, you'll have to read the book to find the answer to that.
The story opens with a literal bang with an assassination attempt on Special Agent Teri Altro. She's a part of an elite team created to put an end to the drug trafficking and overdose deaths on the University campus. What Ms. Altro witnesses during those few minutes of the attempt on her life changes her forever. Can she trust what her eyes tell her?
John Michaels is known as The Valley Walker. His entire purpose in life is to eliminate evil and empower people to take their lives back from those who manipulate and use them. He has a big heart and a singular mindset. Evil is not allowed to continue to flourish. The corruption bleeds over into government (that's believable for sure), and greed overpowers morals.
This excerpt from the book says it all:
"They used me, Andy. In the war. They used us all."
"They?"
"Powerful men. Men without honor. Men motivated only by profit and power. They will stop at nothing."
I loved all the characters in this story. The author did a great job creating them and letting me "see" them. The scenes are set in a descriptive way that put me inside them. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
May 9, 2025
John Walker Michaels is a mysterious man: an alleged Army deserter from the Vietnam War, a respected savior in the Hmong community, and a warrior with skills that defy explanation. When he saves Special Investigator Terry Altro from assassination in a drugstore, he can no longer hide from his enemies. The U.S. Army wants to prosecute him for desertion, and General Khun Pao, an infamous drug lord in Laos, wants him dead.
Altro, a member of the Michigan Attorney General’s Drug Interdiction Task Force, connects with Michaels on a deeply spiritual level. She witnessed his transformation into a mystical dragon with the power to annihilate his prey with phenomenal fury and speed. Although she doesn’t understand what she saw, she wants to learn more about it. Working with her team of investigators, and not sure whom she can trust, Altro learns to rely on Michaels and his mystical power to complete their mission to stop the flow of heroin into Michigan and bring down the drug lord responsible.
Thirteen years after its initial publication, The Valley Walker remains a beloved work by readers, praised for its beautifully written and expertly crafted narrative that seamlessly blends elements of the paranormal with military action, political intrigue, and historical suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and gave it a resounding five-star rating.
Altro, a member of the Michigan Attorney General’s Drug Interdiction Task Force, connects with Michaels on a deeply spiritual level. She witnessed his transformation into a mystical dragon with the power to annihilate his prey with phenomenal fury and speed. Although she doesn’t understand what she saw, she wants to learn more about it. Working with her team of investigators, and not sure whom she can trust, Altro learns to rely on Michaels and his mystical power to complete their mission to stop the flow of heroin into Michigan and bring down the drug lord responsible.
Thirteen years after its initial publication, The Valley Walker remains a beloved work by readers, praised for its beautifully written and expertly crafted narrative that seamlessly blends elements of the paranormal with military action, political intrigue, and historical suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and gave it a resounding five-star rating.
February 12, 2024
"Valley Walker" by T W Dittmer is a captivating and unique read. This book captivated me from the first page, with its well-written prose, compelling characters, and gripping plot.
Set against the backdrop of Vietnam's turbulent history and the scourge of drugs that resulted, the novel follows a task force determined to bring down a heroin drug lord who will stop at nothing to maintain his power. The portrayal of people affected by the drug trade in Vietnam was heartbreaking, serving as a stark reminder of the devastation caused by addiction. The Valley Walker was a fascinating character, shrouded in mystery and ambiguity.
T W Dittmer has created a fast-paced, action-packed story that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The short chapters and seamless transitions between past and present heightened the tension, while the subtle humor sprinkled throughout provided moments of levity amidst the darkness.
"Valley Walker" is a remarkable novel that defies categorization, combining elements of mystery, thriller, and fantasy to create a captivating story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Set against the backdrop of Vietnam's turbulent history and the scourge of drugs that resulted, the novel follows a task force determined to bring down a heroin drug lord who will stop at nothing to maintain his power. The portrayal of people affected by the drug trade in Vietnam was heartbreaking, serving as a stark reminder of the devastation caused by addiction. The Valley Walker was a fascinating character, shrouded in mystery and ambiguity.
T W Dittmer has created a fast-paced, action-packed story that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The short chapters and seamless transitions between past and present heightened the tension, while the subtle humor sprinkled throughout provided moments of levity amidst the darkness.
"Valley Walker" is a remarkable novel that defies categorization, combining elements of mystery, thriller, and fantasy to create a captivating story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. I can't recommend it highly enough.
September 27, 2023
Teri Altro who is a part of a government drug enforcement team, is almost gunned down at a store. A mysterious man steps in, saves her, and then disappears. This man turns out to be John Walker Micheals, who is an ex-Vietnam vet. John also has close ties to the Hmong community who call him the Valley Walker. He is wanted by the government for desertion, but Teri is protective of the man who not only saved her life, but she shot. The settings and descriptions of the Vietnam War and the Hmong culture were very detailed and added a depth that made this story hard to put down. The flowing time and locations in the book include mysticism, politics, and powerful drug traffickers. Teri worked hard but forgot about her heart. John's character is unpredictable until the end. I loved how this complex tale unfolded so skillfully on many levels. It is a story I can easily recommend.
March 4, 2024
Having read Dittmer’s Five-Toed Tigress and loved it, I sought out The Valley Walker and wasn’t disappointed. Dittmer is a gifted writer and his skill in crafting characters and scenes is nothing short of brilliant.
The story itself is complex, intense, and thought-provoking. Part war, part mysticism, part political thriller, Dittmer takes the reader into the Hmong people’s lives and that of the young soldiers fighting the Vietnam War. Corruption and horror contrast starkly with the innocent and brave in this book. And that was, at times, both shocking and heartbreaking.
This character-driven story left me spellbound by Dittmer’s skill and, quite frankly, his own service to his country. He could not have written this masterful story without having walked the talk. Bravo for this well-crafted achievement!
The story itself is complex, intense, and thought-provoking. Part war, part mysticism, part political thriller, Dittmer takes the reader into the Hmong people’s lives and that of the young soldiers fighting the Vietnam War. Corruption and horror contrast starkly with the innocent and brave in this book. And that was, at times, both shocking and heartbreaking.
This character-driven story left me spellbound by Dittmer’s skill and, quite frankly, his own service to his country. He could not have written this masterful story without having walked the talk. Bravo for this well-crafted achievement!
March 28, 2025
The Valley Walker by T. W. Dittmer is a wonderful and life changing read. One of the best books, I have ever read. The Valley Walker by T.W. Dittmer is a deeply immersive and contemplative novel that touches on the delicate balance between the human spirit and the natural world. Set in the scenic and often mystical landscapes of the American West, the story follows a man, known only as the “Walker,” on a solitary journey through the valleys and mountains, seeking not only physical solitude but a deeper connection to himself and the world around him. Continue reading https://writingthroughthesoul.org/202...
June 23, 2024
T.W. Dittmer's "The Valley Walker" is a gripping thriller that follows Special Investigator Teri Altro, a tough and detached member of the Drug Interdiction Task Force. Her world turns upside down when a mysterious man, John Walker Michaels, saves her from an assassination attempt with supernatural skill. As Altro delves into Michaels' enigmatic background and the mysticism of the Hmong of Laos, she finds herself drawn out of her rigid shell. My wife and daughters were captivated by this intriguing blend of suspense, mysticism, and character development
February 18, 2013
First of all, I was given this book in exchange of a review.
Second, I thought I would have enjoyed this book but it turned out that it wasn't my thing. Hence, the rating.
The story: Teri Altro, a tough woman who preferred to be called by her last name, met this man who saved her life at a drug store by killing men instantly with a little paranormal activity. <---- Paranormal - I tend to be interested whenever there are elements of the activity. I'll admit, there were some mysticism going on and it ended up making me want to ask more questions about it - which I think is good as it helped me to finish the book.
Honestly, it's a book that has flashbacks of Vietnam war and how it happened to this man who has this power. Another character in Altro's team (Task Force to figure out where these college students' deaths were coming from) knew that man. So generally when I read something about wars, I tend to snooze so again, it's not my thing. I knew there would be something about the wars but I didn't expect it to be this much. There were also many perspectives from him, people who care about him, Altro, Mallory, Mo, and other characters - it felt like a little too much at some points, at least on my part.
The book - the writing was definitely interesting even though sometimes it makes me go what... Overboard a little as some point in the beginning of the book where it was described that Mallory was struck with indigestion and needed to go to bathroom then proceeded to contact the members of Task Force. There were a few parts that I didn't feel were relevant to the story but I think they were added regardless because the author wanted to give them realistic lives. High-fives that many, I don't know. It sounds like a little goofy. I wonder if Altro did have a thing for a certain person on the team even though it wasn't shown clearly in the end or was it purely friendship even though an aspect of it sounds that she was a little romantically interested. So I felt there were a few loose ends but overall, it wasn't bad. By Goodreads rating system, I clicked on 2 stars because it said "It was ok" and it's true. It's ok but did I like it? No. But I definitely can see that this book would be more appreciated by other readers than I was, so enjoy it if you could! :)
Second, I thought I would have enjoyed this book but it turned out that it wasn't my thing. Hence, the rating.
The story: Teri Altro, a tough woman who preferred to be called by her last name, met this man who saved her life at a drug store by killing men instantly with a little paranormal activity. <---- Paranormal - I tend to be interested whenever there are elements of the activity. I'll admit, there were some mysticism going on and it ended up making me want to ask more questions about it - which I think is good as it helped me to finish the book.
Honestly, it's a book that has flashbacks of Vietnam war and how it happened to this man who has this power. Another character in Altro's team (Task Force to figure out where these college students' deaths were coming from) knew that man. So generally when I read something about wars, I tend to snooze so again, it's not my thing. I knew there would be something about the wars but I didn't expect it to be this much. There were also many perspectives from him, people who care about him, Altro, Mallory, Mo, and other characters - it felt like a little too much at some points, at least on my part.
The book - the writing was definitely interesting even though sometimes it makes me go what... Overboard a little as some point in the beginning of the book where it was described that Mallory was struck with indigestion and needed to go to bathroom then proceeded to contact the members of Task Force. There were a few parts that I didn't feel were relevant to the story but I think they were added regardless because the author wanted to give them realistic lives. High-fives that many, I don't know. It sounds like a little goofy. I wonder if Altro did have a thing for a certain person on the team even though it wasn't shown clearly in the end or was it purely friendship even though an aspect of it sounds that she was a little romantically interested. So I felt there were a few loose ends but overall, it wasn't bad. By Goodreads rating system, I clicked on 2 stars because it said "It was ok" and it's true. It's ok but did I like it? No. But I definitely can see that this book would be more appreciated by other readers than I was, so enjoy it if you could! :)
July 23, 2015
Interesting premise of a Vietnam War vet who, through the intervention of an old Hmong woman, becomes transformed into a mystical being. With this power, John Walker Michaels has the strength to take on a violent drug cartel, one cushioned by layers of corruption where it’s not always easy to tell good guy from bad. Pivotal to this takedown is Teri Altro, a tough investigator who’s kept the world at bay for so long, she struggles with normal human interaction.
It was interesting to read about Hmong practices as well as the difficulties and dangers faced by Vietnam War soldiers, many of whom were barely out of boyhood. Dittmer captures this horror well and paints no false pictures of the atrocities faced by these young soldiers. This book should appeal to fans of war novels and political thrillers, with a dose of mysticism on the side.
It was interesting to read about Hmong practices as well as the difficulties and dangers faced by Vietnam War soldiers, many of whom were barely out of boyhood. Dittmer captures this horror well and paints no false pictures of the atrocities faced by these young soldiers. This book should appeal to fans of war novels and political thrillers, with a dose of mysticism on the side.
September 3, 2024
A very interesting and different read for me. Well written, great characters, and a good plot line. Vietnam was a bad place in history and the drugs that came from it just as bad. A task force that was set up to bring down the heroin drug lord, killing college students, mix in politicians and wealthy bunch. Add in the character of the Valley Walker makes it interesting and kept me reading. I don't know about guns, but the author describes several in detail. The people from Vietnam, so sad what the drug lord did them. Hate drugs. Bad people who are in charge of the drugs. The Valley Walker is a fascinating character. A ghost? A hero? A spirit? A fantasy? He's bewildering even to the agents looking for him and to get rid of him. But he saved an agent, Altro. It seemed she fell for his soft side. I highly recommend it.
April 28, 2024
What an intense movie this would make! Characters from the Vietnam war, including a drug lord and mystical Hmong people who were caught up in both, along with John Walker Michaels (the Valley Walker) and the drug war in today's world. Characters from both time lines, much of the time using vulgar language, try to come to terms with events beyond their comprehension. The story is broken into Facing the Dragon, Chasing the Dragon, Slaying the Dragon, and In the Dragon's Wake. Yes, a dragon, along with drumming and chanting of the Hmong people involved.
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