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We've all been in those places where you get "weirded out." Maybe it's because you feel out of place, but it strikes you as bizarre, something out of your every day experience. One such place for me was the underground cities at Cappadocia in Turkey. I just couldn't quite wrap my mind around living in a cave for extended periods of time. But many folks in biblical times did just that. Living below the surface of the earth protected the dwellers from their barbarian enemies.

I crawled and scuttled through the tunnels, churches, and rooms carved out of the soft stone formations that appear in the two photographs. If you have claustrophobia, as I have a mild case of, you might want to think twice about taking the tour. The space grows cramped and pressing in on you fast. Plus when the electric lights are turned out, it's inky dark.

But I survived and made it out alive, just more amazed. Cappadocia made a lasting impression on me. When I began to learn how to write novels, I knew I wanted to use such a vivid setting. So, a few years later, I set one of my P.I. Frank Johnson crime novels, Troglodytes, in Cappadocia. THE LANSING STATE JOURNAL reviewed Troglodytes: "The diligent private eye gets assistance and has unexpected results, leading to a realistic, satisfying conclusion." You can read the full pro review here: http://is.gd/wvaTQv



(Photo credits: Goreme Ottoman House Hotel Cappadocia and Wikipedia)