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John Sinclair Mystery #1
The Explorer's Code
Award-winning CNN journalist Kitty Pilgrim turns her talents to print in The Explorer's Code, an exciting international thriller that revolves around the quest for a land deed valuable enough to kill for. When the renowned young oceanographer
Cordelia Stapleton receives an invitation to accept an award on behalf of her great-great-grandfather, a famous Victorian polar explorer, she has no idea her life is about to change dramatically. John Sinclair - a dashing, wealthy archaeologist and philanthropist - presents Cordelia with the award at the glamorous Oceanographic Institute Ball in Monaco. He also gives her a journal that her greatgreat- grandfather wrote in 1908. An orphan with very few family belongings, Cordelia is amazingly touched to have this precious heirloom. Once the journal is in her possession, Cordelia learns that she is heir to the land on which the Global Seed Vault in Norway sits. The valuable deed for this land, or at least a clue to its whereabouts, may be hidden in the journal.
When the journal disappears from Cordelia's stateroom on the Queen Victoria and Cordelia receives threatening e-mails, it becomes clear that she is in danger. John Sinclair comes to Cordelia's aid, helping her search for the missing journal and land deed, and capturing her heart. As they race to find the deed, Cordelia and Sinclair encounter a team of British virologists trying to decode the genome of the 1918 influenza pandemic, but unearthing infected tissue samples may prove more lethal than curative. Cordelia and Sinclair sail through the Mediterranean from Monaco to an archaeological site in Ephesus, Turkey. They travel to a beautiful old Parisian home and a lavish estate in the British countryside. Their search culminates in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, not far from the North Pole. Behind them every step of the way are a consortium of Russian underworld criminals, religious fanatics from Texas, a sinister botanist, and a sexy American spy, all hunting for the deed, all pursuing Cordelia.
The Explorer's Code is a satisfying blend of historical detail, fast-paced action, scientific discovery, and the thrill of exploration that informs as well as entertains. The breathtaking ending in the high Arctic is as chilling as a polar breeze.
Cordelia Stapleton receives an invitation to accept an award on behalf of her great-great-grandfather, a famous Victorian polar explorer, she has no idea her life is about to change dramatically. John Sinclair - a dashing, wealthy archaeologist and philanthropist - presents Cordelia with the award at the glamorous Oceanographic Institute Ball in Monaco. He also gives her a journal that her greatgreat- grandfather wrote in 1908. An orphan with very few family belongings, Cordelia is amazingly touched to have this precious heirloom. Once the journal is in her possession, Cordelia learns that she is heir to the land on which the Global Seed Vault in Norway sits. The valuable deed for this land, or at least a clue to its whereabouts, may be hidden in the journal.
When the journal disappears from Cordelia's stateroom on the Queen Victoria and Cordelia receives threatening e-mails, it becomes clear that she is in danger. John Sinclair comes to Cordelia's aid, helping her search for the missing journal and land deed, and capturing her heart. As they race to find the deed, Cordelia and Sinclair encounter a team of British virologists trying to decode the genome of the 1918 influenza pandemic, but unearthing infected tissue samples may prove more lethal than curative. Cordelia and Sinclair sail through the Mediterranean from Monaco to an archaeological site in Ephesus, Turkey. They travel to a beautiful old Parisian home and a lavish estate in the British countryside. Their search culminates in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, not far from the North Pole. Behind them every step of the way are a consortium of Russian underworld criminals, religious fanatics from Texas, a sinister botanist, and a sexy American spy, all hunting for the deed, all pursuing Cordelia.
The Explorer's Code is a satisfying blend of historical detail, fast-paced action, scientific discovery, and the thrill of exploration that informs as well as entertains. The breathtaking ending in the high Arctic is as chilling as a polar breeze.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published June 28, 2011
20 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 11, 2012
Well then. A VERY watered down international mystery/murder meets VERY watered down romance. I actually bought this at the grocery store on a Sunday (library is closed!) prior to heading out to a water park with my teenaged daughter and a friend. I knew I’d be on my own for the day so was hoping for a fast-paced, mindless, international crime/murder page turner. Mindless, check. The rest, not so much.
To be honest, I was ok for a hundred pages or so. We’ve got characters in Ephesus, Norway, Monaco, and London—a few assassins, cadavers, a Russian oligarch, and the 1918 flu. Sounds good! But oh man what happens to the story after that is just sad. It’s a WASP romance (Cordelia Stapleton and John Sinclair! Please, my clotted cream is curdling). And long descriptions of touching hands and shy Victorian glances over sumptuous 4-course meals in English country estates, rustic Turkish mountain retreats, and Mediterranean cruise ships.
Plus the main character (Cordelia our heroine!), has to “put her foot down” when the men around her keep her in the dark about the danger surrounding her…“But we’re only trying to protect you!” say the handsome, tanned, well-educated, gourmet, architecture appreciating, anthropology expert, fencing champions. “But I am a woman and a successful marine biologist and perfectly capable of protecting myself!” says Cordelia impertinently (after basking in the chivalry of men opening doors for her and cooking for her and wrapping expensive tweed coats around her tan, muscular shoulders when she gets chilly.)
A very patronizing book with a plot that ends 1/8 of the way through. Nothing against grocery store books but this one is BAD.
To be honest, I was ok for a hundred pages or so. We’ve got characters in Ephesus, Norway, Monaco, and London—a few assassins, cadavers, a Russian oligarch, and the 1918 flu. Sounds good! But oh man what happens to the story after that is just sad. It’s a WASP romance (Cordelia Stapleton and John Sinclair! Please, my clotted cream is curdling). And long descriptions of touching hands and shy Victorian glances over sumptuous 4-course meals in English country estates, rustic Turkish mountain retreats, and Mediterranean cruise ships.
Plus the main character (Cordelia our heroine!), has to “put her foot down” when the men around her keep her in the dark about the danger surrounding her…“But we’re only trying to protect you!” say the handsome, tanned, well-educated, gourmet, architecture appreciating, anthropology expert, fencing champions. “But I am a woman and a successful marine biologist and perfectly capable of protecting myself!” says Cordelia impertinently (after basking in the chivalry of men opening doors for her and cooking for her and wrapping expensive tweed coats around her tan, muscular shoulders when she gets chilly.)
A very patronizing book with a plot that ends 1/8 of the way through. Nothing against grocery store books but this one is BAD.
August 4, 2011
Author Kitty Pilgrim does a terrific job setting up the locations within her debut novel " The Explorer's Code". While I've never been to Monaco, Turkey or the English countryside, Pilgrim is at her best in establishing the locales for mystery-adventure, and connecting the reader to these beautiful locations. One will pick up a strong sense of the mystery and allure of a Turkish bazaar, and the outrageous wealth and glamour of the Monaco coastline.
Unfortunately, the thin plot and inconsistent characterizations weaken a promising book.
I really wanted to like it. The story was right up my alley and it seemed like a terrific summertime beach-read. Pilgrim spends a lot of time on vapid dialogue, without providing strong enough emotional associations between characters and readers. The plot is interesting, but 1/3 through the book feels more tv-movie-of-the-week rather than blockbuster, and it was clear 2/3 of the way through that there would be no strong finish.
If you’re looking for something very lightweight, this might not be a bad choice. The book really isn’t terrible…it’s just not very good.
Unfortunately, the thin plot and inconsistent characterizations weaken a promising book.
I really wanted to like it. The story was right up my alley and it seemed like a terrific summertime beach-read. Pilgrim spends a lot of time on vapid dialogue, without providing strong enough emotional associations between characters and readers. The plot is interesting, but 1/3 through the book feels more tv-movie-of-the-week rather than blockbuster, and it was clear 2/3 of the way through that there would be no strong finish.
If you’re looking for something very lightweight, this might not be a bad choice. The book really isn’t terrible…it’s just not very good.
June 3, 2019
I really wanted to give this a higher rating, as I enjoyed the book, but really had a problem with the search for the flu samples really going nowhere. Finished reading the book feeling the story was incomplete.
February 24, 2012
This summer , while in an air port I noticed this book. It totally caught my interest so I put it on my list. Well, I just finished reading it and I have to say it did not meet expectation. The book is about a young female scientist who lives on a submarine. She has dedicated herself to her work. Being an orphan, she has learned how to depend on herself until her great grandfather (who was a polar explorer in the artic) is honored for his life's work and she has to go to Monaco to accept the honor. So far so good, right? Well, then the American's, the Russians and the Noregians as well as a radical religous group all get involved chasing her down because she gets a diary that will possibly lead them all to the deed to a plot of land where the International Seed Vault is located. Still good. Problem is the story became a far fetched and silly caper. It had all of the makings for an awesome story but the characters were less then interesting and too many things happened in a very short span of time. I just ended up bored. Oh well..... I had GREAT hopes but the seeds never germinated!
July 6, 2014
Cordelia Stapleton is an Busy Oceanographer whose work is interrupted when she is invited to accept an award to be given posthumously to her great-great-grandfather. Her friends convince her to go and she heads of to Monaco to accept. At the ceremony she meets the head of the foundation presenting the award and there seems to be a connection between them. John Sinclair is a bit of a playboy and an archeologist and along with the award he gives Cordelia a Journal that was kept by her G_G-grandfather. Cordelia also discovers that she has inherited a town house in London and is also the sole owner of a deed to some land in Norway on which sits the Global Seed vault. All this is new to her and it comes with several groups who all want to get possession of the deed and some are willing to go as far as murder to get it. John follows her on a cruise where she is to give a lecture and helps her when the Journal goes missing from her cabin. Much more transpires as the various groups attempt to get the Deed and the action moves right along. I wasn't too sure about this one till I started reading, but was soon entangled and wanting to keep reading to the end.
July 25, 2017
The premise of the book is solid: an orphan oceanographer goes to accept an award being present posthumously to her great-great-grandfather, and in the process, receives a journal that several organizations and governments believe will lead to an extremely valuable land deed with international implications. The follow-through was where I began to have problems with the story.
I was looking for a treasure hunting thriller in the vein of Indiana Jones and Nathan Drake when I found this book, so I didn't have the highest expectations for deep plots and amazing character arcs as much as I did for strong adventure and interesting set pieces, but I still feel like I was let down a little bit on both of those fronts.
I'll start with some some quick praise. I'll definitely say that Pilgrim does a good job in her scene-setting and general location descriptions. The visuals were decent, and I enjoyed those parts of the writing, at least.
I was hesitant to express my thoughts on the protagonist, but I found similar opinions in other reviews, so I feel safe that I'm not alone in this line of thought. Cordelia Stapleton is a wishy-washy person, demanding independence and respect as a woman when it suits her, and then turning around to fall into the arms of the gorgeous leading man whenever she needs to feel protected. She actually made this 180-degree turn within twenty-four hours, enjoying Sinclair's comforting, take-charge attitude when her life was threatened, and then the very next day yelling at him for taking the same attitude in negotiations with a very threatening spook-type character.
John Sinclair himself is a little bit of a cardboard cutout. He doesn't seem to do a whole lot, and he seems to be present mainly for his good looks and large muscles. I just don't have much to say about him because beyond his introduction has a super-rich philanthropist who likes to hang out at dig sites and go fencing, there doesn't seem to be all that much to him.
The addition of the 1918 flu sub-plot came out of left field, in my opinion, and was truthfully more interesting than the main plot at some moments.
There were also some editing and formatting mistakes in the text that were pretty jarring. Every book has errors, so I won't harp on that, but there were mistakes that stood out pretty sharply.
My biggest complaint was the quality of the dialogue. The things Cordelia and Sinclair said to each other felt very stilted and unnatural. I couldn't imagine people actually having conversations like that. Sinclair's dialogue in particular frequently had this quality of sounding like he's fawning over Cordelia in an almost paternal manner that's a little uncomfortable, and his phrases are almost always free of contractions, which makes his lines read like a high school English paper.
I wanted to like the book, and I found pieces that I enjoyed, but the whole work just kind of let me down once I got about 100 pages into the story. I was shocked, considering the overall decent ratings the book has both here and on Amazon. I don't think I could recommend this book to a friend. I feel bad leaving a poor review but I just didn't like this book.
I was looking for a treasure hunting thriller in the vein of Indiana Jones and Nathan Drake when I found this book, so I didn't have the highest expectations for deep plots and amazing character arcs as much as I did for strong adventure and interesting set pieces, but I still feel like I was let down a little bit on both of those fronts.
I'll start with some some quick praise. I'll definitely say that Pilgrim does a good job in her scene-setting and general location descriptions. The visuals were decent, and I enjoyed those parts of the writing, at least.
I was hesitant to express my thoughts on the protagonist, but I found similar opinions in other reviews, so I feel safe that I'm not alone in this line of thought. Cordelia Stapleton is a wishy-washy person, demanding independence and respect as a woman when it suits her, and then turning around to fall into the arms of the gorgeous leading man whenever she needs to feel protected. She actually made this 180-degree turn within twenty-four hours, enjoying Sinclair's comforting, take-charge attitude when her life was threatened, and then the very next day yelling at him for taking the same attitude in negotiations with a very threatening spook-type character.
John Sinclair himself is a little bit of a cardboard cutout. He doesn't seem to do a whole lot, and he seems to be present mainly for his good looks and large muscles. I just don't have much to say about him because beyond his introduction has a super-rich philanthropist who likes to hang out at dig sites and go fencing, there doesn't seem to be all that much to him.
The addition of the 1918 flu sub-plot came out of left field, in my opinion, and was truthfully more interesting than the main plot at some moments.
There were also some editing and formatting mistakes in the text that were pretty jarring. Every book has errors, so I won't harp on that, but there were mistakes that stood out pretty sharply.
My biggest complaint was the quality of the dialogue. The things Cordelia and Sinclair said to each other felt very stilted and unnatural. I couldn't imagine people actually having conversations like that. Sinclair's dialogue in particular frequently had this quality of sounding like he's fawning over Cordelia in an almost paternal manner that's a little uncomfortable, and his phrases are almost always free of contractions, which makes his lines read like a high school English paper.
I wanted to like the book, and I found pieces that I enjoyed, but the whole work just kind of let me down once I got about 100 pages into the story. I was shocked, considering the overall decent ratings the book has both here and on Amazon. I don't think I could recommend this book to a friend. I feel bad leaving a poor review but I just didn't like this book.
October 30, 2012
A romantic suspense involving an archeologist and an oceanographer when she inherits a family legacy.
My Take
The concept and the characters are great. Unfortunately, the story's execution, in so very many senses of that word, is too surface and immature.
It's---eventually---a sweet romance that finds Cordelia and John entangled in international intrigue with numerous attacks. The odd thing is that the attackers are all so inept and it's a good thing that Pilgrim keeps telling us what everyone is feeling and thinking because you'd never know from the storyline. Pilgrim doesn't bother with developing the story or creating any depth to make us feel what's happening or that would lead us to conclude for ourselves, instead she relies upon words to tell us that Cordelia is attracted. That John is falling in love. That Frost...gimme a break...thinks John could be a good agent. I really don't get that one. That comment was so out of the blue.
It reads more like a really developed outline. As though Pilgrim started out with a basic outline and then kept building up the outline. She just forgot to include the flesh, the meat for this story.
I probably should have given this a "2", but she really did make an effort and she certainly had a lot of help. I have to wonder just how bad it was if this was the best all those professionals could help her create. I wonder if she had so much help and, perhaps, a really tight deadline. That all that help kept throwing "oh, ya gotta have a world-threatening conspiracy" and "ya gotta have…", one after the other and she just kept adding these extra bits in because ya just gotta have. The food descriptions feel like they were plopped in because "they gotta be there". Whoever proofread did a really nice job.
I never really did understand the purpose of Peter Oakley and his quest for the flu samples. Sure, it's a great opportunity for a few dead bodies and some tension, but how did this play into the primary plot? Even the bit about the people who fall sick doesn't really go anywhere. There's all this possibility that just gets wasted. Why bother bringing Oleg into this?
The whole money thing as it relates to Cordelia is confusing. She claims that Gardiner must have spent his own money to fill in the blanks when she was growing up, yet she is running an oceanographic research project at twenty-seven and money doesn't seem to be a problem. When she finds out about her unexpected inheritance, she's running out to all sorts of fancy stores and buying shopping bags of clothes. This just doesn't compute.
John keeps having these insightful moments that just don't ring true. Then there's Cordelia. Oh, brother, she behaves more like she's thirteen instead of like an intelligent adult. Between the emotional, social, and security issues, she's not very believable. Then there's John's little snit at the end... Pilgrim needs to put some work into this.
On the plus side, I do like that Pilgrim chose out-of-the-way locations for the pivotal areas of her story. Not many write about Longyearbyen or Ephesus. And I do have a passion for archeology, well the anthropological aspect of it anyway!
The Story
An orphan, Cordelia is used to being alone. She's really only happy when she's on the research boat, diving, exploring, performing the research that is her raison d'etre. It practically takes a nuclear blast to force her to go to the awards ceremony where her great-great-grandfather, Elliott Stapleton, is being honored for his work in the Arctic.
It's where her life will change. Meeting John Sinclair, the Mediterranean cruise, the inheritance from the only other Stapleton, the clumsy spies tracking her every move...
The Characters
Cordelia Stapleton is the sole remaining family member after a distant cousin, Peter Stapleton, keels over. Jules Verne and her great-great-grandfather, Elliott Stapleton, have influenced her career choice and she is at the top of her field of oceanography. And, oh man, is she ever twitchy and socially inept! Joel and Susan are part of her crew. Jim Gardiner is the lawyer who has been more father to her than her legal guardian ever since her parents died when she was twelve years old.
John Sinclair made his fortune and now he spends his time working the dig at Ephesus in Turkey. There's nothing for him in America and only Charles Bonnard, the friend who runs John's Herodotus Foundation, can get him to leave the dig. Malik is his helper in Turkey. Shari is his internationally famous model girlfriend. The Contessa Giorgiana Brindisi is another old girlfriend. Valkyrie is his Norwegian elkhound at the dig.
Oleg and Evgeny are Russians whose business empires have been run into the ground and they're both desperate to retrieve part of Cordelia's legacy in return for which the Russian government will bail them out of at least some of their problems. Evgeny has hired two couples to help: Vlad and Anna are Russian, flashy and plastic while Bob and Marlene are fat Americans with a religious agenda. Lance is one of Bob's people. Such nice Christians. They have no problem killing others for their own aims.
Paul Oakley is a British researcher specializing in the pandemic of 1918. He is one of the foremost authorities in the world and he and Miles are working to recover viable samples so they can create a cure.
Thaddeus Frost is the executive director of the Bio-Diversity Trust. He's also an undercover operative for the U.S. government. Erin Burke is the agent who will serve as bait. Gjertrud is a fellow passenger on the Queen Victoria. And an agent for the Norwegian government. And wasn't her cover and approach a lame one? This started to feel like a classy Keystone Kops. Clothilde is Charles' disabled sister.
Elliott Stapleton is the world-renowned polar explorer from the turn of the twentieth century. Sir James Skye Russell and Percival Spence III were his partners. Tom and Marian Skye Russell are old friends of the Stapleton family (Oh yeah? Then where were they when Delia was orphaned??) and live at Cliffmere, an organic farming operation in Oxfordshire.
The Cover
The cover is a fabulous combination of a bright colonial blue with a longitude and latitude of the world softly overlaying it, representing Cordelia's area of expertise while the ruined façade of Ephesus is in stark contrast upholding John's chosen career. It also has more depth than the story.
The title refers to Cordelia's grandfather and the steps he took to protect his legacy, The Explorer's Code, which presents a challenge to everyone involved.
My Take
The concept and the characters are great. Unfortunately, the story's execution, in so very many senses of that word, is too surface and immature.
It's---eventually---a sweet romance that finds Cordelia and John entangled in international intrigue with numerous attacks. The odd thing is that the attackers are all so inept and it's a good thing that Pilgrim keeps telling us what everyone is feeling and thinking because you'd never know from the storyline. Pilgrim doesn't bother with developing the story or creating any depth to make us feel what's happening or that would lead us to conclude for ourselves, instead she relies upon words to tell us that Cordelia is attracted. That John is falling in love. That Frost...gimme a break...thinks John could be a good agent. I really don't get that one. That comment was so out of the blue.
It reads more like a really developed outline. As though Pilgrim started out with a basic outline and then kept building up the outline. She just forgot to include the flesh, the meat for this story.
I probably should have given this a "2", but she really did make an effort and she certainly had a lot of help. I have to wonder just how bad it was if this was the best all those professionals could help her create. I wonder if she had so much help and, perhaps, a really tight deadline. That all that help kept throwing "oh, ya gotta have a world-threatening conspiracy" and "ya gotta have…", one after the other and she just kept adding these extra bits in because ya just gotta have. The food descriptions feel like they were plopped in because "they gotta be there". Whoever proofread did a really nice job.
I never really did understand the purpose of Peter Oakley and his quest for the flu samples. Sure, it's a great opportunity for a few dead bodies and some tension, but how did this play into the primary plot? Even the bit about the people who fall sick doesn't really go anywhere. There's all this possibility that just gets wasted. Why bother bringing Oleg into this?
The whole money thing as it relates to Cordelia is confusing. She claims that Gardiner must have spent his own money to fill in the blanks when she was growing up, yet she is running an oceanographic research project at twenty-seven and money doesn't seem to be a problem. When she finds out about her unexpected inheritance, she's running out to all sorts of fancy stores and buying shopping bags of clothes. This just doesn't compute.
John keeps having these insightful moments that just don't ring true. Then there's Cordelia. Oh, brother, she behaves more like she's thirteen instead of like an intelligent adult. Between the emotional, social, and security issues, she's not very believable. Then there's John's little snit at the end... Pilgrim needs to put some work into this.
On the plus side, I do like that Pilgrim chose out-of-the-way locations for the pivotal areas of her story. Not many write about Longyearbyen or Ephesus. And I do have a passion for archeology, well the anthropological aspect of it anyway!
The Story
An orphan, Cordelia is used to being alone. She's really only happy when she's on the research boat, diving, exploring, performing the research that is her raison d'etre. It practically takes a nuclear blast to force her to go to the awards ceremony where her great-great-grandfather, Elliott Stapleton, is being honored for his work in the Arctic.
It's where her life will change. Meeting John Sinclair, the Mediterranean cruise, the inheritance from the only other Stapleton, the clumsy spies tracking her every move...
The Characters
Cordelia Stapleton is the sole remaining family member after a distant cousin, Peter Stapleton, keels over. Jules Verne and her great-great-grandfather, Elliott Stapleton, have influenced her career choice and she is at the top of her field of oceanography. And, oh man, is she ever twitchy and socially inept! Joel and Susan are part of her crew. Jim Gardiner is the lawyer who has been more father to her than her legal guardian ever since her parents died when she was twelve years old.
John Sinclair made his fortune and now he spends his time working the dig at Ephesus in Turkey. There's nothing for him in America and only Charles Bonnard, the friend who runs John's Herodotus Foundation, can get him to leave the dig. Malik is his helper in Turkey. Shari is his internationally famous model girlfriend. The Contessa Giorgiana Brindisi is another old girlfriend. Valkyrie is his Norwegian elkhound at the dig.
Oleg and Evgeny are Russians whose business empires have been run into the ground and they're both desperate to retrieve part of Cordelia's legacy in return for which the Russian government will bail them out of at least some of their problems. Evgeny has hired two couples to help: Vlad and Anna are Russian, flashy and plastic while Bob and Marlene are fat Americans with a religious agenda. Lance is one of Bob's people. Such nice Christians. They have no problem killing others for their own aims.
Paul Oakley is a British researcher specializing in the pandemic of 1918. He is one of the foremost authorities in the world and he and Miles are working to recover viable samples so they can create a cure.
Thaddeus Frost is the executive director of the Bio-Diversity Trust. He's also an undercover operative for the U.S. government. Erin Burke is the agent who will serve as bait. Gjertrud is a fellow passenger on the Queen Victoria. And an agent for the Norwegian government. And wasn't her cover and approach a lame one? This started to feel like a classy Keystone Kops. Clothilde is Charles' disabled sister.
Elliott Stapleton is the world-renowned polar explorer from the turn of the twentieth century. Sir James Skye Russell and Percival Spence III were his partners. Tom and Marian Skye Russell are old friends of the Stapleton family (Oh yeah? Then where were they when Delia was orphaned??) and live at Cliffmere, an organic farming operation in Oxfordshire.
The Cover
The cover is a fabulous combination of a bright colonial blue with a longitude and latitude of the world softly overlaying it, representing Cordelia's area of expertise while the ruined façade of Ephesus is in stark contrast upholding John's chosen career. It also has more depth than the story.
The title refers to Cordelia's grandfather and the steps he took to protect his legacy, The Explorer's Code, which presents a challenge to everyone involved.
February 5, 2018
I was very surprised to see such low rating reviews on this book that almost deterred me from reading it. I am very glad I didn’t! I quite enjoyed its fast pace from taking us on a journey through so many different countries but pieces it all wonderfully together with an exciting and thriller plot line. I was a little confused in the beginning with each chapter being some different character in a different location, but it soon comes together and flows nicely and I do like the fact that it had many different viewpoints instead of just from one or two characters. It was a definite adventure read that kept me turning the page. The attention to detail of scenery in each place made me feel like I was right there experiencing the cruise on the Mediterranean, the excavation site in Ephesus, the lush rich farmland of Cliffmere and the chilling land to the North in Svalbard. I loved the history included as well as current landmarks and such (I had no idea the Interantional Seed Vault existed, super interesting to research up on!); and I was very pleased with the amount of dogs and the roles they play in the book (being a lover of dogs, it was a sweet addition to detail). The only two things that kind of disappointed me was: I still didn’t feel like I had a good grasp on Cordelia’s character, maybe a little more backstory could’ve helped? And then how the whole upset of the avian flu and discovering live virus samples kind of petered out and was left as an afterthought when I thought there was more to it. I might have, also, been on the fence in how it ended, but at least you can either come to a solid conclusion or even continue on to finish the John Sinclair series, which I highly intend to do! Overall I really really liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2018
There were good things and bad things about this book. I really enjoyed the characters and the variety of settings. The author did an amazing job describing the scenery and how the characters interacted with the setting/atmosphere around them. I liked the character development.
I also loved the way the code was solved and the mystery surrounding that.
What I thought was bad was the entire plot. It was really week. The intentions of the multiple antagonists were repeated multiple times throughout the book. If the reader doesn't understand a plainly-stated plot the first time it's explained, it's probably not strong to begin with. With is unfortunate, because I liked everything else. It was just too big of a letdown for me to ignore.
I also loved the way the code was solved and the mystery surrounding that.
What I thought was bad was the entire plot. It was really week. The intentions of the multiple antagonists were repeated multiple times throughout the book. If the reader doesn't understand a plainly-stated plot the first time it's explained, it's probably not strong to begin with. With is unfortunate, because I liked everything else. It was just too big of a letdown for me to ignore.
March 4, 2017
Cordelias great-great-grandfather leaves her a journal with clues to a land deed, to land that the seed vault sits on.
The trouble is that there are people looking for the same deed and they are willing to kill for it. Will she find the deed and survive in the process.
Delia meets John Sinclaire, a rich archeologists comes to her aid when she receives threats. Will they fall in love?
While the story was well written it lacked a real sense of action. It read more like a romance novel with a good dose of history thrown in. I am hoping that in the next book there will be more action. This was a good story none the less.
The trouble is that there are people looking for the same deed and they are willing to kill for it. Will she find the deed and survive in the process.
Delia meets John Sinclaire, a rich archeologists comes to her aid when she receives threats. Will they fall in love?
While the story was well written it lacked a real sense of action. It read more like a romance novel with a good dose of history thrown in. I am hoping that in the next book there will be more action. This was a good story none the less.
May 30, 2022
I’m on a quest for my own holy grail: a great adventure book. So far, I think such a book may be, like the Holy Grail itself, just a myth. For some reason, these stories work so much better on screen and in games than on the page and I can’t figure out why.
This book was a mess and I spent weeks trying to force myself to finish it. The lead characters were not compelling, the side characters were lazy caricatures, subplots got dropped left and right, the romance was not very romantic and the suspense wasn’t very suspenseful.
As a reward for finishing, I’m releasing myself from the burden of trying to read the sequel.
This book was a mess and I spent weeks trying to force myself to finish it. The lead characters were not compelling, the side characters were lazy caricatures, subplots got dropped left and right, the romance was not very romantic and the suspense wasn’t very suspenseful.
As a reward for finishing, I’m releasing myself from the burden of trying to read the sequel.
May 12, 2018
I took this historical novel with me for my three-day weekend getaway! I loved the romance and determination between an oceanographer and an anthropologist as they courageously overcame obstacles to find the deed before the land was placed in the wrong hands. I could easily picture the characters, and settings and wanted to be a dinner guest so many times at all the exotic places the female protagonist, Cordelia Stapleton dined at or a houseguest of John Sinclair’s—at his sweet bungalow. This was definitely a great vacation read to escape to!
January 19, 2025
I was really close to saying I loved this book, but it felt like it ended a bit abruptly. The majority was fantastic. The pacing reminded me of Dan Brown books where there were moments of details and then chapters that was less than a page. The story was given from different perspectives and so you knew more than the characters. It was definitely suspenseful, and the last few chapters was very engrossing because you had to know what was going to happen. And then it just ended. There were some details that hints at what may happen, but it didn’t feel like a complete conclusion.
January 16, 2018
Do you enjoy a good mystery with a just little romance? A fascinating story line that takes you to interesting places in the world. Perhaps even learning a little of the most note-worthy events in history. Then, mixing it up with an array characters that help take you into the story and leave you there until you turn the last page. This author knows how to incorporate her years of experience on CNN with the ability to conjure up a great imaginative story.
November 18, 2020
It started off good, but an editor needed to tell her to limit the plot (why was the 1918 flu stuff in there-did not need to be) and further develop the characters. We meet one character (Erin) in the middle and then she dies and the characters are so moved but they didn't know her that long....I wanted Cordelia to be smarter too. It was a distraction though....
June 17, 2018
Excellent read. Good pace and keeps you interested throughout. The characters are good and the topic interesting.
September 6, 2018
Didn't appreciate the sexual reference. Didn't belong. Wanted an interesting book. Discarded.
September 24, 2018
Not enough substance too many threads not enough rope
July 24, 2022
This is, hands down, the worst book I've ever read.
September 6, 2011
"Award-winning CNN journalist Kitty Pilgrim turns her talents to print in The Explorer’s Code, an exciting international thriller that revolves around the quest for a land deed valuable enough to kill for. When the renowned young oceanographer
Cordelia Stapleton receives an invitation to accept an award on behalf of her great-great-grandfather, a famous Victorian polar explorer, she has no idea her life is about to change dramatically"
When one reads a debut novel, especially one by a public figure, there is always a feeling of the unknown. Is this book published due to its merits or the fame of its author? I am happy to report that The Explorer’s Code by former CNN anchor Kitty Pilgrim is very much falls into the latter category. The Explorer’s Code is quite simply a magnificent book, one that rockets Ms. Pilgrim into the upper echelon of novelists.
It would be easy to pigeon-hole The Explorer’s Code as just a "thriller" but that would be greatly unfair. This is a book that certainly is a superb international thriller, with the reader glued to the action, but it is so much more. The plot, sub-plots and array of characters and locations that Ms. Pilgrim expertly paints with words transports the reader into a veritable literary journey. While Ms. Pilgrim has certainly traveled extensively during her CNN career, it is one thing to visit a place and quite another skill to be able to put that location into such exceptional words that the reader feels as if they are actually there- in Monaco, Turkey, England ect.
There is little doubt that Ms. Pilgrim has this "word picture" skill in abundance!
Cordelia Stapleton and David Sinclair, the main protagonists in the novel are far from your stereotypical characters. Each has been made so real, with all the human strengths and weaknesses that we all have, courtesy of the superb literary skills of Ms. Pilgrim. We, the readers, feel a real connection to them and their plights, something few authors can attain. The many other characters, Russian Criminals, Texas Fanatics and especially a fascinating and quite intriguing botanist are all equally well done. This is a novel with many characters- yet the reader is never overwhelmed because Ms. Pilgrim is able to make each an individual- another rare and quite amazing feat for a debut writer.
The main plot- a deed for a Global Seed Vault in Norway- contained in
a long ago written Journal- which disappears- and places Cordelia in peril (I do not want to go into too much detail as the plot contains so many ingenious twists and turns- I fear saying anymore will spoil it for the reader!!) and which brings David Sinclair into her life, is so very original. The subplots, British Virologists, Genomes, the 1918 Influenza Pandemic,the previous mentioned characters and a sexy American spy - all in search of that mysterious and missing deed,make this a true page-turner in every sense of the word. Why is the deed so terribly sought? That I will leave to the reader to find out- needless to say- the conclusion is a knockout!!
Kitty Pilgrim should be quite proud of this achievement. After reading The Explorer’s Code - she will never only be thought of as a former CNN journalist- her resume will read KITTY PILGRIM- FIRST RATE WRITER!!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Cordelia Stapleton receives an invitation to accept an award on behalf of her great-great-grandfather, a famous Victorian polar explorer, she has no idea her life is about to change dramatically"
When one reads a debut novel, especially one by a public figure, there is always a feeling of the unknown. Is this book published due to its merits or the fame of its author? I am happy to report that The Explorer’s Code by former CNN anchor Kitty Pilgrim is very much falls into the latter category. The Explorer’s Code is quite simply a magnificent book, one that rockets Ms. Pilgrim into the upper echelon of novelists.
It would be easy to pigeon-hole The Explorer’s Code as just a "thriller" but that would be greatly unfair. This is a book that certainly is a superb international thriller, with the reader glued to the action, but it is so much more. The plot, sub-plots and array of characters and locations that Ms. Pilgrim expertly paints with words transports the reader into a veritable literary journey. While Ms. Pilgrim has certainly traveled extensively during her CNN career, it is one thing to visit a place and quite another skill to be able to put that location into such exceptional words that the reader feels as if they are actually there- in Monaco, Turkey, England ect.
There is little doubt that Ms. Pilgrim has this "word picture" skill in abundance!
Cordelia Stapleton and David Sinclair, the main protagonists in the novel are far from your stereotypical characters. Each has been made so real, with all the human strengths and weaknesses that we all have, courtesy of the superb literary skills of Ms. Pilgrim. We, the readers, feel a real connection to them and their plights, something few authors can attain. The many other characters, Russian Criminals, Texas Fanatics and especially a fascinating and quite intriguing botanist are all equally well done. This is a novel with many characters- yet the reader is never overwhelmed because Ms. Pilgrim is able to make each an individual- another rare and quite amazing feat for a debut writer.
The main plot- a deed for a Global Seed Vault in Norway- contained in
a long ago written Journal- which disappears- and places Cordelia in peril (I do not want to go into too much detail as the plot contains so many ingenious twists and turns- I fear saying anymore will spoil it for the reader!!) and which brings David Sinclair into her life, is so very original. The subplots, British Virologists, Genomes, the 1918 Influenza Pandemic,the previous mentioned characters and a sexy American spy - all in search of that mysterious and missing deed,make this a true page-turner in every sense of the word. Why is the deed so terribly sought? That I will leave to the reader to find out- needless to say- the conclusion is a knockout!!
Kitty Pilgrim should be quite proud of this achievement. After reading The Explorer’s Code - she will never only be thought of as a former CNN journalist- her resume will read KITTY PILGRIM- FIRST RATE WRITER!!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
September 14, 2011
I have actually debated posting this as I find it very difficult to denigrate an author's hard work. Having said that, know that I am considering every word before I post.
This book looked so promising. Just my sort of thing. Adventure, an oceanographer, archeology, the opportunity for romance, some science thrown in...
Unfortunately, The Explorer's Code fell sadly flat. A good story should have an organic feel to it--*This* is the way it happened. This is the way it *had* to happen... Not so in The Explorer's Code. The author's machinations are obvious. One knows in advance that *something* is going to happen. And then, little surprise to anyone, it does. Writing instructors often tell their students to "complicate" their characters' lives. It strikes me that Ms Pilgrim was repeatedly given this same suggestion. Suggestion given, action takes place. Suggestion, action. Suggestion...
The characters,too, were a disappointment. Never once did Cordelia Stapleton, the female protagonist, an oceanographer, flip a fin in the ocean. Being out of the water she shows no sign of missing it. It would appear she feels this way or that way because it is imperative to the story, not because it is integral to her being. In truth, she and the other characters remind me of those those felt boards they use in preschools--a vague cut-out of a person with "characteristics" slapped on top of the amorphous outline.
As for the science aspects--truly, there wasn't very much science though virology does raise its head here and there.
All in all, I hoped for so much from this book but I didn't find it. The ending does, however, allow for a sequel. Perhaps it will be better than the first book. That often happens. And Cordelia would seem to be such an interesting young woman if only she could come to life.
This book looked so promising. Just my sort of thing. Adventure, an oceanographer, archeology, the opportunity for romance, some science thrown in...
Unfortunately, The Explorer's Code fell sadly flat. A good story should have an organic feel to it--*This* is the way it happened. This is the way it *had* to happen... Not so in The Explorer's Code. The author's machinations are obvious. One knows in advance that *something* is going to happen. And then, little surprise to anyone, it does. Writing instructors often tell their students to "complicate" their characters' lives. It strikes me that Ms Pilgrim was repeatedly given this same suggestion. Suggestion given, action takes place. Suggestion, action. Suggestion...
The characters,too, were a disappointment. Never once did Cordelia Stapleton, the female protagonist, an oceanographer, flip a fin in the ocean. Being out of the water she shows no sign of missing it. It would appear she feels this way or that way because it is imperative to the story, not because it is integral to her being. In truth, she and the other characters remind me of those those felt boards they use in preschools--a vague cut-out of a person with "characteristics" slapped on top of the amorphous outline.
As for the science aspects--truly, there wasn't very much science though virology does raise its head here and there.
All in all, I hoped for so much from this book but I didn't find it. The ending does, however, allow for a sequel. Perhaps it will be better than the first book. That often happens. And Cordelia would seem to be such an interesting young woman if only she could come to life.
December 29, 2014
Overall:
I like the idea of the plot and the various locations that were used. The author had strong writing in a few points and it appears that she definitely did research...
However, this book had luke warm writing overall and the characters were a bit off putting. For maybe the first 100 pages I had hope it would be a good one, but it turned out false.
Good:
The main characters are somewhat likeable and have a little bit of depth. The various locations appeared to be well researched and it's always nice to read about places that are never written about (such as The Seed Vault). I enjoyed learning about various places and some of their history.
Bad:
I felt like the characters are just meh.. They weren't strongly written and they seemed a bit one dimensional. Its like she tried to write strong characters, but didn't succeed. I'm also a bit annoyed how Cordelia at first seemed to be a strong female character, but turned out to be quite the opposite when she falls "in love".
The pace was too fast. For everything. The romance was too fast, the adventure was too fast, just everything too fast. The characters had roughly three weeks together and they fall in love?? Blechhh No.
Her transitions were weak. More than once I would go to the next page and be a bit lost on what was happening. It felt like she left out many important details.
Their romance was just awful. Normally when I read a book that has any type of romance, I get all warm and fuzzy when the two people I like start to date or do cutesy things. That didn't happen. I think it was because it was just out of the blue. There was no" John leaned closer to me and I could feel his strong hands on my hips". It was just "he leaned and kissed me". Blech. Normally that would be forgivable, but a side genre of the book is romance.
I like the idea of the plot and the various locations that were used. The author had strong writing in a few points and it appears that she definitely did research...
However, this book had luke warm writing overall and the characters were a bit off putting. For maybe the first 100 pages I had hope it would be a good one, but it turned out false.
Good:
The main characters are somewhat likeable and have a little bit of depth. The various locations appeared to be well researched and it's always nice to read about places that are never written about (such as The Seed Vault). I enjoyed learning about various places and some of their history.
Bad:
I felt like the characters are just meh.. They weren't strongly written and they seemed a bit one dimensional. Its like she tried to write strong characters, but didn't succeed. I'm also a bit annoyed how Cordelia at first seemed to be a strong female character, but turned out to be quite the opposite when she falls "in love".
The pace was too fast. For everything. The romance was too fast, the adventure was too fast, just everything too fast. The characters had roughly three weeks together and they fall in love?? Blechhh No.
Her transitions were weak. More than once I would go to the next page and be a bit lost on what was happening. It felt like she left out many important details.
Their romance was just awful. Normally when I read a book that has any type of romance, I get all warm and fuzzy when the two people I like start to date or do cutesy things. That didn't happen. I think it was because it was just out of the blue. There was no" John leaned closer to me and I could feel his strong hands on my hips". It was just "he leaned and kissed me". Blech. Normally that would be forgivable, but a side genre of the book is romance.
November 29, 2014
Follow Cordelia Stapleton on her personal quest to recover and claim the deed to the land left her by her great-great-grandfather. That is the premise of The Explorer's Code.Obviously it i not that simple.This is an international thriller, with locales and characters in Monaco,England,Turkey, America,Paris,Russia and Norway.And let's not forget the high seas!
There is a variety of characters interested in Cordelia's inheritance, most of them nefarious.Hence the thriller part.Unfortunately, the villains instead of being evil-doers, come off as caricatures of themselves. Truly the race for possession of the treasured deed descends into a Three Stooges/Keystone Kops routine.
Her journey to self discovery is one of the more interesting parts of the story.Having been orphaned very young she has had to rely on herself for the most part. Being introduced to and living with families in the story line shows her what being part of a family is all about. There were a couple truly poignant moments.
The other part that the author got very right was the description of the locales in the book.I really could taste the heat and dust at the archaeological dig in Ephesus. The bitter cold of Norway and beauty of the Northern Lights were easily felt and seen. The author's day job as CNN journalist does her proud in putting the reader into the physical scene.Now if she would just do that with her plot line.
There is a variety of characters interested in Cordelia's inheritance, most of them nefarious.Hence the thriller part.Unfortunately, the villains instead of being evil-doers, come off as caricatures of themselves. Truly the race for possession of the treasured deed descends into a Three Stooges/Keystone Kops routine.
Her journey to self discovery is one of the more interesting parts of the story.Having been orphaned very young she has had to rely on herself for the most part. Being introduced to and living with families in the story line shows her what being part of a family is all about. There were a couple truly poignant moments.
The other part that the author got very right was the description of the locales in the book.I really could taste the heat and dust at the archaeological dig in Ephesus. The bitter cold of Norway and beauty of the Northern Lights were easily felt and seen. The author's day job as CNN journalist does her proud in putting the reader into the physical scene.Now if she would just do that with her plot line.
August 8, 2012
Cordelia Stapleton is thrust into a high-stakes Arctic land grap when she reluctantly accepts an award for her great-grandfather from the Herodotus Foundation, whose founder and director are none other than dashing Archeologist John Sinclair. What follows are increasingly sinister complications that result in inexplicable deaths while a rag-tag group of mercenaries chases Cordelia and John in their race to find the mysterious Arctic land deed. The plot is exciting and engaging, the characters nicely drawn and believable. The one element that kept me from thoroughly enjoying this international thriller was the lady protagonist herself. Cordelia Stapleton is unapologetically narcissistic in her dealings with friends and co-workers, sometimes to the point where she's not exactly likeable. When pushed to the wall, she lashes out in fury, making her seem cold and unapproachable. John is inexplicably drawn to her, although after his last girlfriend cuckolded him in a humiliating fashion, I guess that would make even Paris Hilton preferable. I would have loved to have given this a five-star rating, but in order for me to do that, Ms. Stapleton would have had to lighten up a bit and learn to sometimes put others first.
August 6, 2012
Oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton is contacted to receive an award on behalf of for her great-great grandfather, a famous arctic explorer, at the Oceanographic Institute Ball in Monaco. She reluctantly accepts but is surprised with her great-great grandfathers journal at the ceremony by the suave archeologist John Sinclair. Unfortunately, the journal holds the key to the location of a land deed to an internationally desired piece of the arctic that now belongs to Cordelia - if she can find the deed. The setting of the story is stunning and I enjoyed the travels of the characters through Monaco, Turkey, the English countryside, and of course the Arctic. However, the plot had some major inconsistencies. For example, part of the plot line veered off to a early twentieth century flu pandemic that was never fully developed. Many of the characters chasing the deed were also greatly underdeveloped, perhaps because there were so many characters. If the book focused less on subplots and eliminated half of the characters, it would have warranted more stars. However, this was still a fairly fast paced, interesting read and a good debut from Kitty Pilgrim.
Check out my blog, Not Just a Librarian, for additional reviews and more!
Check out my blog, Not Just a Librarian, for additional reviews and more!
October 25, 2011
This inaugural book by Kitty Pilgrim was filled with adventure, suspense, intrigue and romance. Oceanographer Cordelia Stapleton finds that her life is turned upside down when she accepts an award posthumously for her great-great-grandfather, a famous Victorian polar explorer. The award is presented by handsome and dashing John Sinclair at the Oceanographic Institute Ball in Monaco. Along with the award, she is given a journal that her great-great-grandfather wrote in 1908. Cordelia discovers that many people from different countries are also interested in the journal and not all for good reasons. She also discovers that her life and her family inheritance of some land in Norway are in danger. John is determined to protect her and help her find the deed to the property so that she can rightfully claim it.
The action in this novel is very fast-paced and the author vividly depicts the mainly locales around the world in which the story takes place. Thank you Goodreads First Reads and Simon and Schuster for the gift of this book and for introducing me to a promising new author whose books I will definitely be watching for in the future.
The action in this novel is very fast-paced and the author vividly depicts the mainly locales around the world in which the story takes place. Thank you Goodreads First Reads and Simon and Schuster for the gift of this book and for introducing me to a promising new author whose books I will definitely be watching for in the future.
February 14, 2015
This is a debut novel for Kitty Pilgrim, a former CNN broadcast journalist. I enjoyed her foray into writing an international thriller set in exotic locales and full of international good guys and bad guys, sparing nations vying for land rights, and ties back to the early 20th century when the Artic Circle was the new frontier. While many characters are the type of 'stock characters' you expect to find in a thriller, she throws in come curve balls to keep the reader on his/her toes. The book moves quickly; most chapters are short and the action keeps you turning the page and picking it up to read 'just one more quick chapter' before retiring for the night.
I'm have already purchased her second novel, The Stolen Chalice, and I'm looking forward to reading more about main characters John Sinclair and Codelia Stapleton!
I'm have already purchased her second novel, The Stolen Chalice, and I'm looking forward to reading more about main characters John Sinclair and Codelia Stapleton!
November 16, 2011
A relunctant oceanographer accepts an honor on behalf of her great-grandfather, she also receives a family legacy. This is now her only tangible link to her family, but it holds secrets that others want and show no mercy in attaining it. Jumping from archeological digs in Ephesus to the glitz of Monaco to the serenity of the English countryside and finally to the arctic tundra in Norway, the explorers try to solve the mystery surrounding the journal.
I enjoyed this book, and the only thing I really had a problem with was the ending. Or rather disappointing last couple of chapters. It seemed that it was pushed for a tidy end, which just left me feeling that something really wasn't right or that it was too tidy.
I received this book through the GoodReads First Read.
I enjoyed this book, and the only thing I really had a problem with was the ending. Or rather disappointing last couple of chapters. It seemed that it was pushed for a tidy end, which just left me feeling that something really wasn't right or that it was too tidy.
I received this book through the GoodReads First Read.
November 19, 2011
Received this through a Goodreads giveaway. I really wanted to like this book. The overall plot was interesting enough although at times a tad implausible, and this could have been a really good book - in fact, it started out as a really good book. Then I had to push myself to plod through the rest of it. I wasn't invested in any of the characters. They were poorly developed, and there were too many of them that had no bearing on the storyline. Relationships between characters seemed to be way too intense way too soon. But my biggest issue was with the dialogue between characters - stiff, cliche, and so melodramatic I actually rolled my eyes. It was just too distracting and kept me from enjoying any other aspect of the book.
March 19, 2015
How good was it? Let me put it this way, I'm a speed reader, and the last 44 pages took less than 10 minutes. I liked the character development on the main characters. The "bad guys" were a little cut out for me, but the mains... wow. Well done, Miss Pilgrim. The story runs the gamut of chase novel, detective story, and puzzle mystery. Although the actual code was pretty easy to recognize as the clues started lining up, the usage of Victorian Codes was well done, and very much appreciated by this reader.
I bought The Stolen Chalice and then realized it was the second in a series. Time and studies slowed down my reading of this book, but now I'm back on track. The Explorer's Code was great, and now on to The Stolen Chalice by Kitty Pilgrim.
I bought The Stolen Chalice and then realized it was the second in a series. Time and studies slowed down my reading of this book, but now I'm back on track. The Explorer's Code was great, and now on to The Stolen Chalice by Kitty Pilgrim.
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