The Lost Valley

by William Meikle

A remote high valley in the Canadian Rockies hides an ecosystem that has been lost in time.

A small team of prospectors and their local guides are looking for gold.

What they find is blood and terror and death.

The valley's monstrous inhabitants are not about to let go of its secrets lightly.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2019

About the author

I'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.

My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.

For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not care for this at all. My biggest issue was that the author stuck to a narrator point of view, despite making every other chapter titled after Jess or Danny. One would assume that when a chapter is named after a character, it would be from their point of view, which none of it was. Between that, mixed in with other chapters jumping back to the original exploration of this valley which was more or less a repeat of the present day story, the general structure was very messy. I also felt that while the author kept a decent pace, there was little to no description of the feelings of the characters, even among life threatening circumstances, which was a big missed opportunity. Even some brief internal monologue would have helped deepen the superficial group we follow here. The addition of the prehistoric creatures was ok, but by that point, the story had already lost me. I also felt the author tried to cram a ton of lore and plot points into a very short story. So as things moved too quickly, it all lacked a certain level of necessary depth. I read a few other reviews, which stated that this was a basic repeat of some of the author’s other books, so I’m unsure if some of those were prerequisites to this. Needless to say, this was my first reading experience with William Meikle, and, despite hearing a good deal of praise, I am unsure if I would explore more of his works.

[Anna Catharina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, das war ein überraschend packendes und gruseliges Buch. Ich hätte nie erwartet, dass es mich so fesselt und ich es innerhalb weniger Stunden in einem Rutsch durchlese. Auch wenn die Handlung nicht gerade die innovativste ist (in einem verwunschenen Tal haben Kreaturen aus grauer Vorzeit die Jahrtausende überlebt), so war die Geschichte doch unheimlich spannend erzählt, immer mit klarem Fokus und ohne irgendwelche seitenfüllenden Nebenhandlungen.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining adventure listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account.

Six people depart on an hiking adventure in the Canadian Rockies only two will return! Up and up they go until they find the lost valley and the fun begins. A man 🚹 falls off the cliff, another is attacked by a saber tooth tiger, and they find what they came for. Another man 🚹dies and another.They manage to escape.

I would highly recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of high adventure novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😀

[Kapitelweise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Säbelzahntiger, Mammuts, Neandertaler...dieses Buch ist zwar ein kurzes, aber ein unglaublich spannendes und intensives Abenteuer. Für mich ganz klar eine Leseempfehlung!

[Irene O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

The feed of man verses the unknown

This book is brilliant, along the same lines as Conan-Doyle.
Feeling up the mountains is no problem for Gus and Danny, taking novices up is another thing altogether. It is only when they reach the Cabin high on the mountainside that they are made aware of the real reason for the trek. The others are looking for a hidden valley, supposed to have a good mine in it.
What they don't realise is that the journal they are following doesn't fully explain the difficulties in the valley
Creatures and people who abiding exist are living side by side and none of them are happy to see the intruders. How many will make it out?
A must read for all lovers of the world of dinosaurs.

[Kathy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this has been on the list for quite a while and finally read it tonight.

It is quick paced action from start to finish. Quite a ride, for sure. There were a few things that disappointed me but overall an interesting change of pace for me. Lots of beasts in this one, average gore for the most part.

Characters were well rounded with character studies that at first I found a bit annoying but didn't hamper the story. If you like saber-toothed tigers, wooly mammoths, and other creatures from a time long past - this one is for you.

[B Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two experienced guides/hunters lead 4 civilians into an unknown valley. Instead of finding the gold they are seeking, they find prehistoric beasts and Neanderthals. I liked it. Good escape. The only thing I didn't like is the reading app. There were no chapter numbers. Instead the author used the names of the characters but he repeated their names as chapter headings so it was very hard to find my way back to where I left off. I read the Kindle ebook. Copyright September 2019.

[M.H. Thaung]

Another reliable creature feature, this one has a Lost World setup but is set in contemporary times. Not that modern techology is much help… The action is interspersed with a journal from a long-dead explorer. I’m not sure how necessary that was, and it made the current-day narrative feel a tad rushed. Overall, a lot of fun.

Overall: As usual, mild horror and a lot of fun.

[Mark Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a bit generous with the 3*

A rather generic by the numbers pulpy thriller with thinly crafted characters and a rather formulaic plot.

Pretty predictable and sometimes baffling.
A quick read though.

Didn't really care if any of the characters lived, harsh I know.

If you're into this stuff........... you've read one, you've read 'em all.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus and Danny are leading a group up into the mountains of Canada, although the group are not there to enjoy the surroundings. Good book, along the lines of The Lost World, as the group step back in time and a heap of trouble.

[The Smoog · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Meikle knows how to write a good Lost World- themed story, and this one is no exception. Although you can point to who’s going to survive almost from page 1, it’s a well-paced story with a satisfying outcome.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a great little story.

[John R. Dailey Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A HECK OF AN ADVENTURE IT IS..

Hello, this is a really good story. It is very well written and entertaining to read. I wish it could have been longer. Good stuff. Thanks.

[Tauriel89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read.

[Crystal Fenerty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a good book but if you have read this authors other books you find the exact same catch phrases repeating and situations used to escape danger with identical wording. It really takes from the story in that regard. The author really needs to show more creativity than this if he is planning to do more books as it gets very tedious to read the Exact Same Thing in completely different books.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believable

The story was very believable that it could have been true, would read more by this author. Re Recommend it

[BERNARD ANDREWS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written but derivative

It's really not necessary to be original to be able to create a very enjoyable book. The "lost valley with prehistoric creatures" is somewhat predictable but there's enough tense situations to stop it getting dull.

[Norm S · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Two guides lead a group up into the Canadian mountains looking for a lost gold mine in a hidden valley. What they find is animals and people thought long extinct. This book kept my interest a little strong language which wasn't needed but all in all a good book.

[Randa sperling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I rated this as five stars because of the interesting storyline and great content. Initially I wondered who would survive, when, why, and would there be a background love story. I was pleased with the outcome and interested in getting the next book ASAP!

[patricia a lamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lost Valley of Ancient Life!

Adventure Guides lead a group of ragtag men that have a map and a journal that will lead them into a land of unknown arctic mountains where a green valley containes a cave with a massive vein of gold. A very good story with a new twist.

[Kathy D Dodge]

Enjoyed it

Really did enjoyed this book. It is a must read if you like the genre. Did leave me wanting more!