RACE TO TIBET by Sophie Schiller

ELEVATOR PITCH: An intrepid band of explorers race against the odds to be the first Europeans to reach Lhasa. 

GENRE:  Historical thriller

STORY SUMMARY:  In 1889, Tibet is the last great unexplored country in the world. Gabriel Bonvalot, France’s most famous explorer, is determined to reach Lhasa but lacks a sponsor. When the Duke of Chartres promises to finance the entire expedition, he gives Bonvalot one simple caveat: take along his wayward son, Prince Henri d’Orléans, whose reckless behavior threatens to derail the entire expedition. Bonvalot meets up with Camille Dancourt, the beautiful, strong-willed wife of a missing explorer who disappeared inside Tibet, who desperately wants to join the expedition. Along the way the explorers are besieged by freezing temperatures, violent winds, altitude sickness, hostile Tibetans, duplicitous Chinese Mandarins, and a beguiling Tibetan Buddhist princess with a deadly secret. When they reach Tibet they discover a land of mystery and intrigue, a land of danger that promises them only one thing: death. On the verge of collapse, Bonvalot realizes they must resort to force if they ever wish to escape Tibet alive.

TIME PERIOD: 1889-1890

LOCATION: Paris, Sinkiang Province, Tibet

CHARACTERS:

• Gabriel Bonvalot: 35 year old handsome, rugged Frenchman. One of the most celebrated and talked about explorers in Europe. Willing to take big risks and shoot his way to Lhasa if necessary.  Benedict Cumberbatch or Jamie Dornan type.
• Prince Henri d’Orléans: 22 year old blond, jaded, French aristocrat who loves big game hunting and the glory of exploring without the loss of luxury. Chord Overstreet type.
• Father Constant Dedeken: 37 year old Chinese-speaking Belgian Missionary who rides and shoots like an expert. Not afraid to take risks. Matt Bomer, James Franco type.
• Camille Dancourt: 24 year old Frenchwoman who goes to Tibet in search of her missing husband. Falls in love with Bonvalot. AnnaSophie Robb type.
• Princess Pema: 18 year old Tibetan princess, daughter of the Panchen Lama. She is being persecuted by the Mandarins and is being spirited to Lhasa by Bonvalot and Prince Henri, with whom she has fallen in love. Gorgeous young Chinese actress like Liu Yi Fei would be suitable. Not much knowledge of English required.

ADDITIONAL INFO: To be published December 2014. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22728999-race-to-tibet

CONTACT: The author at bodner dot rachel at gmail dot com