Touring Vladimir Central Prison

We were the first Americans to tour Vladimir Central, a prison located about 2 hours by train from Moscow. My son Ian and I were welcomed warmly, if quizzically. I explained to the staff of the museum located inside the prison, that the purpose of my visit was to conduct research for a book. We were shown many exhibits - including this one featuring Francis Gary Powers - the U2 pilot shot down and then exchanged for a Soviet spy during the cold war.

Researching our trip to Russia

Today is the first day of my new blog - "Traveling with the Muse." I'm going to get started by posting some of the wonderful material about Russia I have found on the web while preparing for the upcoming trip.

My son, Ian, and I will be traveling to Moscow, St. Petersburg and several other locations in Russia, as I look for settings for my second mystery novel, working title: "The Last Matryoshka." Here's a link to my first book, Ask the Dead, if you're curious.

We'll also be interviewing writers and artists about what their lives are like now in Russia and how they feel about the past.