KITTY PILGRIM

Author of the international thriller The Explorer's Code

The Victorian tradition

By

I love the Victorian urge to explore and also to write extensively about impressions in the field.  These field notes –  paintings, novels or scientific observations – are always thrilling to see.  First-hand encounters have such primacy.

The Stolen Chalice

By

Some of the scenes in the upcoming book THE STOLEN CHALICE (release June 26) are in the Enlightenment Galleries at the British Museum.  There are expedition notes from the great explorers VonHumboldt, Cook, Darwin. 

Inside the Tomb

By

The beautiful tombs at Saquarra have carving all over the walls and ceiling.  The Stolen Chalice take place partly in Egypt.  It will be released June 26,  2012.    

Old Cairo

By

Taking an afternoon walk through the old section of Cairo looking for inspriation.  One doesn’t have to search very far.    

The Queen Victoria

By

I do a lot of writing on ocean liners – Cunard’s Queen Mary (for transatlantic crossings), the Queen Elizabeth, and the Queen Victoria.  If you area aboard, The Explorer’s Code can be found in the ship’s library.

Soaking up your Surroundings

By

My ideal research trip is to stay about 10 days in a place, such as Venice to not only see the sights, but note the tempo and mood. Then when I write the scene, I can recall all the details of that place more easily.

A handful of Dust

By

The Cairo Museum is gloriously large, dusty and filled with treasures.  While lacking the polish of other museums, the contents of the cases are so astonishing, I could easily spend a week here.  Great place to research The Sardonyx Cup.

Living the Scene Through the Senses

By

My character John Sinclair is an archaeologist who works on many ancient sites.  In THE EXPLORER’S CODE I describe him reading the ancient carvings with his hands, like braille.  In Saquarra Egypt the stones of the ancient tomb are warm in the sun.