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| The Lost City (La Ciudad Perdido) some say rivals Machu Picchu |
By Jamie Freveletti
My novels are all set in dangerous places. Emma Caldridge can most often be found in failing nations, because once the governmental structure of a country fails, everything else begins to fall like dominoes. Food becomes scarce, violence escalates and war, either civil or with an invading insurgency, erupts.
But for my first novel, Running From The Devil, I picked a place that had been in upheaval for decades; Colombia. Beginning in 1964, when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) engaged in its first clash with Colombian military, these insurgents and the government have been battling it out.
I chose Colombia not only because of its continuing clash with the FARC and the land mines and kidnappings that are their trademark, but also because it has a vibrant, beautiful culture and stunning jungle terrain dotted with mysterious sites that few have seen. One of those sites is the Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida) which is an ancient sacred place only discovered by the non- indigenous in the 1970’s. Few people have gone there, because it requires a two day trek through the rain forest and some years ago trekkers were kidnapped while attempting it. Its history remains shrouded in mystery, and it’s believed to be the home of the Tayrona people, but was abandoned during the Spanish Conquest. Indigenous mamo (shaman or priest) go to leave offerings and official trekking guides exist for those adventurous enough to wish to hike there. A quick overview; in Running From The Devil, Emma Caldridge is on a plane from Miami to Bogota that is downed in the Colombian jungle. Thrown free of the wreckage, Emma watches as the surviving passengers are taken hostage. Caught in the jungle, where foliage blocks the sun and makes it impossible to gauge direction and surrounded by land mines, Emma tracks behind the guerrillas to disrupt their plans.
I wanted to experience Colombia as Emma did, but kidnappings were common in the country, and my Colombian friend advised me not to travel the road between Bogota and Cartagena. She said one only flies over, never using the highway. She also told me that at the height of the kidnappings many Colombians kept a spare pair of running shoes in their trunk in case they were taken and forced to march through the jungle.
I flew to Cartagena, a tourist town in Colombia and the location for the movie Romancing The Stone. The winding streets and colorful plazas were wonderful, but hotel guards armed with machine guns and German Shepherd dogs were a constant reminder of the danger lurking just a few miles away. There were few North Americans and fewer English speakers, but the food was fresh and the people friendly. I decided to rent a car to head to the beach not far away where Emma makes her last stand, but the Concierge informed me that a kidnapping had taken place just days before and suggested I stay put. While I was there, President Uribe declared war on kidnappings and lined the road to Cartagena with the Colombian equivalent of the National Guard. Over the next few days an endless stream of armored Range Rovers pulled up to our hotel, as the Colombians took advantage of one of the first times that they’d been able to drive to their favorite beach town.
Location can add to a novel in ways that are exciting and unique. If you’re writing a thriller it adds immeasurably to the thrum of the conflict and the suspense. I enjoy learning about new cultures and the geopolitical challenges of areas around the world, but travel alone can lead to some interesting stories. If you have a travel story of your own I’d love to hear about it!
Jamie – and I thought I was brave for going to Europe after the terror attacks. Hats off to you. Great story of how you researched the location for Running from the Devil. Did you make it to the beach?
These pictures are to die for. I need to reassess Colombia–it's fixed forever in my mind as one of the few postings that was "unaccompanied," meaning you had to leave your family behind and live in housing with internal safe zones if you were an Agency employee, during the height of the drug wars. Clearly, the place has evolved. Thanks, Jamie–
Hi Guys! No, never made it to the beach. Stayed in the safer areas. And as for an "internal safe zone" I guess it makes a lot of sense, because everyone was a potential kidnap target.
Jamie, I loved Running From The Devil. In fact, after reading the book, I made a note on my manuscript that read, "Add visceral details about setting–see Jamie's RFTD." You did an amazing job describing the feel of the jungle–not to mention the heart-pounding plot!
Thanks Sonja! Colombia made for some fascinating plot points.
Wow – great story, Jamie — and what a brave soul you are to do such "personal research" to bring your locations along with the ever-present tensions and threats out so vividly in your great writing. Kudos to you! Is there another dangerous location planned for a future thriller? Keep us posted.
I have always wanted to go to South America. I especially love the story about President Uribe declaring war on kidnappings and the Columbians' pilgrimage to the beach in their armored Range Rovers. I can just picture this. Fascinating research!
H, Jamie. Yes. I remember Emma's story in this Running from the Devil. Now that you've mentioned it I'm going read the book again. Your characters connect with the reader. And the locations are exotic.
This is fascinating, Jamie. I love the way you use location as character! Gayle
Hi Karen–Thanks- RFTD will always have a special place in my heart because it was my debut!
Jamie, I'm fascinated by FARC and its history of kidnapping. Very compelling story. And I love Romancing the Stone. Best movie ever, Joan Wilder!