The Mysterious Valley

by Christopher O'Brien

A resident of the San Luis Valley examines the unusual events that have occurred there, including the strange rumbling noises coming from underground, a crystal skull found on the Baca, and the truth about the UFO sightings. Original.

Genres: Nonfiction, Book Club

300 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1996

About the author

Investigator on paranormal events in the San Luis Valley—located in south-central Colorado/north-central New Mexico.

O'Brien has investigated UFO reports, cryptozoology, cattle mutilations, secret military activity and folklore.

Reviews

[Steven Howes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about the author while watching another television show. His documentation of strange events occurring in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado and northern New Mexico sounded intriguing as I have traveled through that area a number of times in the past. Most of the events described involve cattle mutilations (now referred to UAD's -unusual animal deaths), unidentified flying objects (now referred to as UAP's-unidentified aerial phenomena), unusual lights and aircraft movements, and strange animal observations seem to happen regularly in the area and have been witnessed by many people. All of this is interesting but I guess I would have to witness some of these occurrences my self in order to be convinced.

[Jaye Sudar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so glad that I finished this book! It was a book club choice, and to be honest, it was like reading a 'how to write for the National Enquirer'. Gads!

Worst part? It's written about an area 70 miles from me. I've heard about all these things for years. I remember a teacher in the school district talking about the UFO which turned out to be a weather balloon. I also know that the military has used our end of the state for years as a training ground for war in the Middle East and Afghanistan. So, blinking lights, etc... yeah...

It was an interesting exercise on how things can be morphed into the surreal.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m from Detroit, Michigan, but I visited Colorado and heard many tales and stories of unnatural things happening around the San Luis Valley, and I must say that regardless of any being false, it was still fascinating. This book was gifted to me and I loved it. Sort of oddly written and jambled around with how it’s presented, but it was still an entertaining read.

[Danny Mccaffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

strange_phenomena-pilled.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book on cattle mutilations and strage occurrences on St. Louis Valley.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the numerous UFO and cattle mutilation reports in the San Luis Valley of Colorado in the 1990s. The first half gives good details on the cases and the problems caused by the hysteria and confusion regarding cattle mutilations from the 1970s to the 1990s. The additional number of high-strangeness UFO accounts that O'Brien cites in the vicinity at that time add to the unusual Fortean experiences in that area.

But, the book falls apart in the last half. O'Brien seems to cobble together a bunch of anecdotes and sightings without any coherence or finality.

[Maryse · Rating 2 out of 5]

An OK read. Interesting but not very convincing