opinionated

Sherpa Alison will be leading a more intense tour this year, now we're (she's) got a clearer idea of where things are. We'll be spending at least two days visiting sites related to David Hewson's books. Our first visit amazed us by the proximity of the churches, palaces and villas mentioned in the books, but they were often found unexpectedly; we'd look up from the map expecting to be somewhere else, but THERE WE WERE! Can anyone suggest a sensible route, taking in all the sites? Would anyone like to join us?

Greece is special in so many ways. Very personal to me, but the history and beliefs of Greece is pivotal to who we are as Europeans. And thereby, Americans... Who now influence the world.

Read Thucydides and Herodotus to understand how classical Greeks saw their world. But who is now writing books set in Greece - books that make you feel you know what to expect when you make that seemingly predetermined visit?

A Season for the Dead, David Hewson (and the others of that series) (Rome, Italy)

The Neon Rain, James Lee Burke (and other Dave Robicheaux stories) (Louisiana, USA)

In the Moon of the Red Ponies, James Lee Burke (Montana, USA)

An Affair of the Heart, Dilys Powell, (Perachora, Greece)

The Blessing Way, Tony Hillerman (and other Leaphorn/Chee stories) (Navajo country, USA)

But there are so many more!