Synopses & Reviews
When journalist Cormac Easton is selected to document the first manned mission into deep space, he dreams of securing his place in history as one of humanity's great explorers.
But in space, nothing goes according to plan.
The crew wake from hypersleep to discover their captain dead in his allegedly fail-proof safety pod. They mourn, and Cormac sends a beautifully written eulogy back to Earth. The word from ground control is unequivocal: no matter what happens, the mission must continue.
But as the body count begins to rise, Cormac finds himself alone and spiraling toward his own inevitable death... unless he can do something to stop it.
Review
“Beautifully written, creepy as hell. The Explorer is as clever in its unravelling as it is breathlessly claustrophobic.” Lauren Beukes, author of Zoo City
Review
“Science fiction is best when it does what we least expect, when it transforms narrative into something you dont see coming….Its a trick not every writer can master, but Smythe makes a marvel of this world, and these characters, and makes this reader want the sequel now.” Romantic Times BOOKclub (Top Pick!)
Review
“The Explorer is smart, scary and seductive. Like its protagonist, it explores the queasy strangeness of space-time, and puts the reader at the heart of a tale of watching and fearing that comes off like a collaboration between Hitchcock and Heinlein. Excellent stuff.” Lloyd Shepherd, author of The English Monster
Review
“Dark, cold, claustrophobic, and oh so very scary. The Explorer is literary science fiction at its blackest best.” Adam Christopher, author of Empire State and Seven Wonders
Review
“The Explorer is essentially exemplary: a short, sharp shock of a story from an author who deserves to do as well for himself as he does by us. It's perfectly plotted, smartly characterized and rife with insight and excitement.” Tor.com
Review
“This is a remarkable book: a state-of-the-art spacecraft constructed from ideas, and propelled by a powerful story. Gripping, terrifying and audacious — an exploration in every sense of the word.” Charles Yu, author of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
Review
“A challenging and stimulating read.” Booklist
Review
“There have been teachers in space, senators, and the wealthy who buy tickets. But never has a journalist been launched over the atmosphere. Until Smythe's gripping novel.” New York Post
Review
“A] mind-bending, heart-wrenching, avalanche of a reading experience…an oasis for readers thirsty to find an engaging book…books like this are the kind that create fans, and I'm proud to be one.” SF Signal
Review
“The first person perspective and unpretentious prose style are enhanced by accomplished pacing.” SFX (UK)
Review
“The Explorer by James Smythe is quiet, dark book which focuses on the dark and quiet of space….It may not be a flashy…but it is a fascinating character study that could only exist in a science-fictional world.” io9.com
Review
“A brilliant book funny, desperate, desolate, sad, all in equal measure.” Chuck Wendig
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“Unsettling.” Daily Telegraph (London)
Review
“The Explorer has the dreamlike detachment of an Ishiguro novel…reminiscent of a 1970s space movie, where the darkness of the void mirrors the darkness of the human soul.” Financial Times
Review
“A wonderful examination of coping with loss, time and death.” SFX
Review
“As if Philip K. Dick and David Mitchell collaborated on an episode of The West Wing. Unsettling, gripping and hugely thought-provoking.” FHM
About the Author
James Smythe was born in London in 1980. Since completing a Ph.D. at Cardiff University, he has taught creative writing, and is currently writer/narrative designer for a major forthcoming video game. He lives on the grounds of a boarding school in West Sussex.