Pierce Mostyn and Antarctica

I’ve been in love with Antarctica since I was a kid. It all started when I got a National Geographic map of the ice-covered continent.

Shackleton’s failed 1914 Antarctic expedition is one of the most thrilling tales of endurance and heroism ever.

Vaughan Williams’ Sinfonia Antarctica is one of my favorite symphonies.

I even collect pictures of the place!

Why I didn’t pursue getting a job at McMurdo Station when I was young is beyond me. Now I’m too old.

So is it any wonder that Pierce Mostyn finds himself on the icy continent in his latest investigation? Maybe some vicarious experience going on.

HP Lovecraft’s short novel, At the Mountains of Madness, takes place in Antarctica. At the time HPL wrote the story in 1931, not much was known about the continent. Much of it hadn’t even been explored. That was certainly the case with the interior.

So it is very surprising that Lovecraft was so accurate in his description of the place. Of course, a lot was made up. That is what writers do: make things up. But much of what HPL described is quite accurate.

The location he chose for the Mountains of Madness is almost identical to that of the sub-glacial Gamburtsev Mountains. Coincidence?

And the lake HPL describes? Well, Lake Vostok is also close by. Another coincidence?

I’ve read and written enough mysteries to know that coincidences don’t happen all that often. So how did Lovecraft know all this stuff? Did he have special access to information that others didn’t?

I have my own theory as to how he knew what things were like, and you can read all about it in the latest Pierce Mostyn Paranormal Investigation: In the Shadow of the Mountains of Madness. Which goes on sale Thursday, March 25th.

Until then, if you have any theories as to how HPL was so spot on, drop them in the comments. And until next time, happy reading!