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This Cursed Valley
"Including previously unpublished material"--Cover.
442 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2012
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28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 18, 2019
We bought a house in this valley 2 years ago. The valley is magical and beautiful to me and I was hesitant to read the book as I didn’t want to think of it as cursed. I shouldn’t have worried. The story is engaging and mystical. I loved picturing the scenery and events unfolding around me and our new home. I’m not sure if it was special to me because I live here, but I do recommend it, especially for those captured by western history.
April 30, 2022
Amazing story! I love historical fiction and having traveled to many of the towns in this book only endeared this story to me more. I highly recommend this book!
June 6, 2025
Larry K. Meredith’s This Cursed Valley is a sweeping historical novel that traces the rugged, complex life of Will Martin, a restless cowboy whose journey westward brings him through the heart of 19th-century America and into a valley marked by tragedy, transformation, and myth.
The novel opens with a haunting prologue featuring Owl Man, a Ute Native American endowed with mystical powers, who, in the aftermath of the Meeker Massacre, foresees the doom of his homeland. In a dramatic and symbolic act, he places a curse on the valley—a foreboding thread that quietly weaves through the rest of the narrative.
Will Martin, born in Texas and shaped by the hardships of cattle ranching, sets out in search of something greater. His westward trek takes him through the iconic town of Dodge City, where he crosses paths with legendary figures like Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday. But trouble finds him in the form of Nathan Peabody, a ruthless saloon owner whose shadow looms large as the story unfolds.
Will’s journey eventually lands him in Colorado, particularly in towns like Crystal City, Marble, Aspen, and the Roaring Fork River Valley. The vivid portrayal of this rugged frontier, combined with Meredith’s skillful incorporation of regional history, gives the book its strongest sense of place. As Will carves out a life in the valley—building a family, grappling with hardship, and returning again and again to Owl Point to reflect—his fate becomes inextricably linked with the land’s legacy and Owl Man’s ancient curse.
Covering the years 1879 to 1929, the novel masterfully overlaps personal narrative with broader historical events. Readers will encounter a host of real-life figures, from Henry Gillespie and J.C. Osgood to President Theodore Roosevelt. Meredith blends these cameos seamlessly into Will Martin’s life story, making history feel lived-in and immediate.
At 566 pages, the prose is solid and functional—perhaps not lyrical, but effective enough to keep the reader engaged through most of the book. While the story occasionally slows, the overall pace and ambition of the novel are impressive. This is a book with real scope and substance.
This Cursed Valley may be a one-time masterpiece for Meredith, but it’s one that makes a strong mark. It’s a rewarding read for fans of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in the American West and Colorado’s past. If Meredith ever pens another novel, I’ll be the first in line—but if not, this one stands tall on its own.
The novel opens with a haunting prologue featuring Owl Man, a Ute Native American endowed with mystical powers, who, in the aftermath of the Meeker Massacre, foresees the doom of his homeland. In a dramatic and symbolic act, he places a curse on the valley—a foreboding thread that quietly weaves through the rest of the narrative.
Will Martin, born in Texas and shaped by the hardships of cattle ranching, sets out in search of something greater. His westward trek takes him through the iconic town of Dodge City, where he crosses paths with legendary figures like Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday. But trouble finds him in the form of Nathan Peabody, a ruthless saloon owner whose shadow looms large as the story unfolds.
Will’s journey eventually lands him in Colorado, particularly in towns like Crystal City, Marble, Aspen, and the Roaring Fork River Valley. The vivid portrayal of this rugged frontier, combined with Meredith’s skillful incorporation of regional history, gives the book its strongest sense of place. As Will carves out a life in the valley—building a family, grappling with hardship, and returning again and again to Owl Point to reflect—his fate becomes inextricably linked with the land’s legacy and Owl Man’s ancient curse.
Covering the years 1879 to 1929, the novel masterfully overlaps personal narrative with broader historical events. Readers will encounter a host of real-life figures, from Henry Gillespie and J.C. Osgood to President Theodore Roosevelt. Meredith blends these cameos seamlessly into Will Martin’s life story, making history feel lived-in and immediate.
At 566 pages, the prose is solid and functional—perhaps not lyrical, but effective enough to keep the reader engaged through most of the book. While the story occasionally slows, the overall pace and ambition of the novel are impressive. This is a book with real scope and substance.
This Cursed Valley may be a one-time masterpiece for Meredith, but it’s one that makes a strong mark. It’s a rewarding read for fans of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in the American West and Colorado’s past. If Meredith ever pens another novel, I’ll be the first in line—but if not, this one stands tall on its own.
August 17, 2018
Where I found this book:
On vacation in Colorado at a local coffee shop in Aspen. (The baristas assured me it had been sitting in lost and found for six months so I was welcome to take it) :D
What this book is about:
In the lat 19th century, a Ute Indian places a curse on a remote valley in the Rocky Mountains that haunts the area and its occupants for the next 50 years. Real locations are featured in the book, as are true historical figures who are woven in with fictional characters.
What I thought:
Ordinarily, I'm not a big fan of Western(ish) stories and the book is long: 423 pages. And yet, I found myself rather enjoying it once I got pulled into the story. The historical setting is fascinating and there's some great action along the way. The story itself is pretty amazing, deep, and the ending left me wondering if the curse would still linger. Altogether, 4.4 stars!
On vacation in Colorado at a local coffee shop in Aspen. (The baristas assured me it had been sitting in lost and found for six months so I was welcome to take it) :D
What this book is about:
In the lat 19th century, a Ute Indian places a curse on a remote valley in the Rocky Mountains that haunts the area and its occupants for the next 50 years. Real locations are featured in the book, as are true historical figures who are woven in with fictional characters.
What I thought:
Ordinarily, I'm not a big fan of Western(ish) stories and the book is long: 423 pages. And yet, I found myself rather enjoying it once I got pulled into the story. The historical setting is fascinating and there's some great action along the way. The story itself is pretty amazing, deep, and the ending left me wondering if the curse would still linger. Altogether, 4.4 stars!
January 31, 2024
As someone who grew up in this valley, the story enraptured me. I’m not usually one for historical fiction but it was easy when imagining the setting in a place I know well. I’ve heard about the curse for years. I, and many, believe in its presence. The valley is a magical place which constantly pulls you home.
July 8, 2017
One of my favorite books. I've always loved the history of the American west and to read it as historical fiction makes it come to life for me. My son lives here and we've spent some time in the valley. Fascinating history and memorable characters.
August 30, 2019
Read it because of the geography. Enjoyable at times. A bit fragmented. Hard to see the place I know.
February 4, 2016
It was interesting to learn some of the history of that beautiful valley. The story was fun and exciting in parts, but it got really long in parts too. It was an overall good read, I just didn't like the ending. It kind of ruined it for me.
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February 1, 2016Good book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews