In my first Dutch novel I used my home town as a backdrop for the frightening events.

My readers and my publisher were so enthusiastic about it that I’ve used my hometown as a background ever since.

Readers even go on sight seeing tours to see the places with their own eyes. So, if I describe a scene it must be authentic.

Today, I need an eerie lane, and since my heroine ends up there after sundown, the sun is already setting when I mount my bike and ride to the woods.

Alone... because my heroine will be alone.

It’s getting dusk when I turn into the desolate lane next to a deserted railway line. An eerie chill creeps over my back.

Good grief, this path looks a lot nicer in broad daylight!

But this is exactly what I need, right? I want to feel my heroine’s nervousness, get her goose bumps, live through her panic.

I take a deep breath as my heartbeat increases, and I courageously ride on, moving deeper and deeper into the woods.

Horrifying patches of fog float between dark trunks, and an unearthly rustling sounds from the inky brushwood alongside the road.

All of a sudden, a pitch-dark shadow jumps in front of my bike, forcing me to stop.

Help!

I turn my bicycle and rush off as if the Yeti himself is behind me.

After a few yards I peek over my shoulder to look back. I must know if IT is following me. I must!

IT isn’t. And IT doesn’t look very dangerous either...

It’s a roe deer, a harmless cute little roe deer.

My heart’s still pounding fiercely at the inside of my throat as I go back home.

Mission accomplished. I’ve found my eerie lane!

Greetings from The Netherlands,

    :-) Anita Verkerk.