The Book
When nature takes charge, sparks fly
On the beautiful island of Capri, a royal princess begins a secret love affair, oblivious to the dangers that surround her. Internationally renowned novelist Kitty Pilgrim chronicles a modern thriller based in the historic volcanic region of Southern Italy. Her characters, archaeologist John Sinclair and oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton, team up once again for a tale of glamour and romance that spans every level of society—from the dangerous criminal underworld of Naples to the jet set of Europe.
Author Q &A
How did your 24 year career as a journalist help you to start writing novels?
In the course of reporting for CNN, I had the opportunity to travel widely and research a variety of subjects. In many ways the old adage that “Truth is Stranger than Fiction” applies. The craft of reporting is not very far from the craft of storytelling. I wanted to try my hand in spinning an entertaining story from a strong factual base.
Your novels – The Explorer’s Code and The Stolen Chalice are a great balance between a page-turner with James Bond-esque action, and an old-fashioned love story. Why was it important for you to strike that balance?
I have read a lot of popular fiction, mostly grabbing something from a shelf at the airport while heading off on assignment. I love the adventure and technical details of a good breathtaking thriller. And I also enjoy the luxury of curling up with a good old-fashioned romance. My novels are a blend of both.
Your novels take readers around the world to interesting, exotic and sometimes relatively unknown places. How do you choose particular locales for your books?
At the end of a long day, reading should be a pleasant experience. I want to make my novels escapist in the fullest sense of the word. Both The Explorer’s Code and The Stolen Chalice have adventurous places- such as the high Norwegian arctic, or an infectious disease unit in Cairo. But luxury is an essential ingredient…from a glorious country estate in England, to Mediterranean cruise, to a beautiful Parisian apartment on the left bank.
Why did you decide to write about Egypt in The Stolen Chalice?
I have always been fascinated with Ancient Egypt. Last year, in preparation for writing the novel, I had planned to travel to Cairo and visit some of the archaeological sites. With the demonstrations in Tahrir Square I had to delay my trip until things quieted down. Egypt was totally changed by the time I got there. In some respects, I felt like I was back on reporting assignment again. I managed to get my research done and also pick up new information about political change in the Middle East. More and more I am finding that there really isn’t much difference between reporting and researching a novel.
Do you always travel to each of the places you write about?
I put myself on assignment to the most beautiful glamorous and interesting places I can think of and travel to the places that I write about, so they are true to life. It comes from being a reporter. I can’t report the scene without being “on the ground.” Perhaps I lack imagination, but I think going to each place gives it authenticity that it doesn’t have if you make it up in your head.
Many of the characters in the book are explorers of some kind. You are an active member of the historic Explorer’s Club? When did you passion for exploring begin? Where does it come from?
I have always loved the whole romantic ideal of the great age of exploration. To me civilization is at its best when we go on a quest to find out more about our physical world in medecine, geology, space travel, ocean exploration. Technology is developing so rapidly to expand our horizons.
In your novels what is fact and how much is fiction?
I try to write fact-based fiction. Many details are true to life. For example in The Stolen Chalice the finale of the book takes place at an infectious disease medical center in Cairo. I traveled there to research how they might treat an outbreak of a biochemical attack. In The Explorer’s Code I consulted with real scientists on the decoding of the 1918 pandemic genome, the Alvin submersible. Unless I needed to change something for purposes of plot, the descriptions and science in the book is as true to life as possible.
Are the characters based on real people?
I feel it is important to create my own characters, with their own personalities, quirks and physical characteristics and not borrow details from real people. I don’t think that is fair to the people (or the characters) to try to blend personalities. Also if I kill anyone in the course of the story, I won’t have to apologize to anyone.
Ships are often in your books. Why?
I spent a lot of time on the water. During the summer months I am on a boat most of July and August and even do part of my book tour by boat. I also travel frequently on Cunard ocean liners – particularly transatlantic on the Queen Mary and through the Mediterranean on the Queen Elizabeth, or the Queen Victoria. Boats are wonderful places to write. They are quiet, peaceful and the view is wonderful.
What’s in store for you next?
I am continuing to write every day. Sometimes I blog on my web-blog PILGRIMAGE about political situations or travel. Other times I am spinning a new fictional adventure for Sinclair and Cordelia. There is no telling what happens next!
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The Author
Kitty Pilgrim worked as a CNN correspondent and news anchor for 24 years. As a New York-based reporter her normal beat included politics and economics but her assignments also have taken her around the world – Russia, China, Venezuela, Cuba, the Middle East, Korea and South Africa. Pilgrim anchored her own CNN morning show, “Early Edition” in 1998-1999 and was anchor for prime time broadcasts at CNN from 2001-2010. Pilgrim is the recipient of an Overseas Press Club Award, a Peabody Award, An Emmy, and New York Society of Black Journalists Award. She is a member of the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations, and is a member of the Explorer’s Club of New York.
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