Synopses & Reviews
Award-winning CNN journalist Kitty Pilgrim’s debut novel is an international adventure story centered around the quest to find a land deed valuable enough to kill for.Kitty Pilgrim has worked for CNN for twenty-four years as a correspondent and anchor, specializing in international affairs. Her years of travel on international assignment provide experiences and information that she used to craft this exciting thriller, reminiscent of the high-stakes adventures of a James Bond novel.
When the prominent young oceanographer, Cordelia Stapleton, is invited to a glamorous gala in Monaco, she has no idea her life is about to change. Wealthy philanthropist and dashing archaeologist, John Sinclair, presents her with a posthumous award for her great great-grandfather, Elliot Stapleton, who was a famous Victorian polar explorer, and with Stapleton’s personal journal from 1908. Cordelia learns she is heir to a missing land deed—a valuable document that is also sought by consortium of underworld criminals.
Cordelia and John Sinclair team up to search for the deed in some of the most sophisticated and romantic places in the world—the principality of Monaco, a Mediterranean voyage on the Queen Victoria ocean liner, a lavish country estate outside of London, and a palatial apartment in Paris. Chased by a gang of ruthless killers, the search continues to exotic locales including the archaeological ruins of Ephesus, Turkey, and the high arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway. Along the way Cordelia and Sinclair encounter a team of British virologists trying to decode the genome of the 1918 pandemic, a Russian oligarch and his entourage, a famous supermodel, a world champion fencer, and a cult of religious fanatics. Filled with high adventure, elegant lifestyle, and international intrigue, The Explorer’s Code is a welcome addition to the successful tradition of romantic thrillers.
Review
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE EXPLORER’S CODE:
“An intelligent thriller based on discovery, exploration, and real scientists….Wonderful characters lead us on a merry chase through some of the most glamorous and sophisticated places in the world. I learned a lot, and couldn’t put it down." —Paula Zahn
Review
“What a page turner! I always knew Kitty Pilgrim could write down and report the facts. Now she has turned her journalistic skills and keen understanding of the world to pen an exciting novel. The Explorer’s Code takes you on a wild ride to exotic places filled with greed, intrigue, suspense and colorful characters -- rich, beautiful people and villains worth hating. Oh - and the heroes are science geeks! There’s nothing more I could ask for from a thriller.” -- Miles O’Brien, Science Correspondent, PBS New Hour
Review
"Captivating characters, scientific intrigue, polar exploration, and romantic tension all wrapped up in a mad dash around the world that will leave you breathless! Only Kitty Pilgrim could so deftly bring together this story of Russian oligarchs, the 1918 flu epidemic, St Paul's letter to the Ephesians, the twisted roads of the Cote D’Azur, and the rarified air of the well-heeled into such a vivid and unforgettable novel. I could not put it down.".
-- Christine Romans, CNN host and author of Smart is the New Rich
Review
“Kitty Pilgrim crafts a rollicking good read in The Explorer’s Code, an intelligent thriller that races from one romantic and exotic dateline to the next, propelled by characters who are smart, sexy and sinister. A must read for anyone who loves adventure with a brain. Guaranteed to leave you chilled, breathless and demanding a sequel!” -- Martin Savidge, International Correspondent, CNN
Review
“By land, by air, by sea...Kitty Pilgrim spins a fast-paced mystery packed with roller-coaster ups and downs and an irresistible heroine like no other -- Cordelia Stapleton.” —Nancy Grace, Television host and author of Destiny on the D-List
Review
“I love a journey filled with adventure, intrigue and twists and turns. In The Explorers Code, Kitty nailed it. Her character development is flawless and in Cordelia Stapleton is an irresistible intellect and strength that draws you into each moment, page by page. You are just waiting for her to fall in love. This adventure surely doesn't disappoint! I'm already looking forward to what's next from Kitty!” --
AJ Hammer, "Showbiz Tonight" CNN Headline News
Review
"A masterful debut sure to appeal to fans of Iris Johansen and Sandra Brown." —Carol Haggas, Booklist
Review
"CNN correspondent Pilgrim's entertaining debut focuses on a classic theme: the search for missing treasure…(There’s) a whirlwind hunt from one exotic locale to the next…a storybook romance, odious and loathsome villains, Hollywood settings--it all works, providing a heady and highly engaging mix." —Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
The secrets of an explorer’s journal lead a beautiful oceanographer and a dashing archaeologist on a heart-pounding quest. . . .
When renowned young oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton accepts an award on behalf of her greatgreat- grandfather—a famous Victorian polar explorer—at the dazzling Oceanographic Institute Ball in Monaco, she has no idea of the dramatic changes the night will bring. After the banquet, wealthy archaeologist John Sinclair presents her with a long-lost family heirloom—an Arctic exploration journal from 1908 holding the clue to a valuable land deed. The multi-million-dollar legacy is hers to claim, if she can find the deed. She and John team up for an explosive hunt that sweeps from the glamorous Queen Victoria ocean liner to a dig site in Turkey, from a beautiful old Parisian home to a lavish estate in the British countryside, culminating in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Behind them every step of the way are a consortium of Russian underworld criminals, Texan religious fanatics, a sinister botanist, and a sexy American spy, all hunting for the deed . . . and all pursuing Cordelia.
Synopsis
From a veteran CNN anchor and correspondent comes an international thriller with old-fashioned romance and adventure that takes readers from Monaco to Norway in an attempt to find a long-lost property deed that is valuable enough to kill for. When prominent young oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton is invited to a glamorous gala in Monaco, she has no idea her life is about to change. After wealthy philanthropist and dashing archaeologist John Sinclair presents her with her great-great-grandfather’s personal journal from 1908, Cordelia learns she is heir to a missing land deed—a valuable document that is also sought by underworld criminals.
Cordelia and John team up to search for the deed in some of the most sophisticated and romantic places in the world—from the principality of Monaco, to the lush countryside of London. Along the way they encounter a team of British virologists trying to decode the genome of the 1918 flu pandemic, a Russian oligarch and his entourage, a famous supermodel, a world champion fencer, and a cult of religious fanatics. Filled with high adventure, elegant lifestyle, and international intrigue, The Explorer’s Code is a welcome addition to the successful tradition of romantic thrillers.
About the Author
Award-winning CNN correspondent and anchor for CNN news Kitty Pilgrim traveled to the farthest reaches of the world on assignment. After twenty-four years as a broadcast journalist, Kitty has taken on an exciting new assignment—writing novels. Pilgrim is the recipient of an Overseas Press Club Award, a Peabody Award, The New York Society of Black Journalists Award, and is currently on the U.S. advisory board of Reporters Without Borders , and a full member of the historic Explorer’s Club. She is a single mother of two sons and lives in New York City and Rhinecliff, New York.