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A chilling legal thriller that offers deep insights into the aviation industry.

The  protagonist of Jean Chardon’s​​ Reaching for Polaris is beautiful,  smart, clever, creative, and she won’t tolerate any BS. Besides her  masterful understanding of aviation, Captain Elizabeth Stewart possesses  a rich knowledge of opera, horseback riding, fine wine, fine food, and  physics. As a federal informant, this dazzling airline pilot gambles her  career—and her life—in pursuit of airline safety. She also seeks to  recoup millions of dollars fraudulently charged to the United States  Government—by schemers hell-bent on stopping her. Elizabeth Stewart is  capable of everything and anything—if she survives.  Reaching for  Polaris is a powerful first novel!  Get busy, Ms. Chardon. We want  more. 
—Leonard Nash, You Can’t Get There from Here and Other Stories

More  than a story, Jean Chardon’s Reaching for Polaris offers a realistic  and gripping affirmation of gross airline maintenance practices, the  mechanisms of legal remedies, and an individual’s daring pursuits to  protect the general public. Interesting, historical, and beautifully  written!
—Konrad Kuczak, Esq.  

Jean  Chardon’s Reaching for Polaris exposes the frightening dark side of  American aviation. The courageous whistle-blowing Captain Elizabeth  Stewart leads us through unscrupulous airline practices and an unspoken  conspiracy between government agencies in allowing poorly maintained  airplanes to fly within US airspace. The captivating story reveals the  stress and consequences of an honest, knowledgeable, proficient aviator  who risks everything in her attempt to unveil the criminal acts of a  nefarious employer whose motto is profit above everything, especially  safety.  Reaching for Polaris is a compelling novel.
—George A. Kokus, Esq.

A  female pilot heroically confronts safety issues as airplanes and  corporate America converge in this hair-raising thriller.  You will be  breathless. Reaching for Polaris needs to be a film. Kudos to first-time  author Jean Chardon for her deep insights into the underbelly of the  commercial airline industry. 
—Jo Ann Lederman, M.S.

Convincing,  suspenseful, and educational, Reaching for Polaris provides an intense  social reminder that business practices often compromise safety. It’s a  chilling story and an astute disclosure of problematic aircraft.
—Klara Farkas, Photographer; Miami, Florida  

“Compelling reading … Chardon exposes the dangerous secrets of the aviation industry … the riveting
intricacies of the plot are testament to her professional credibility as an airline pilot.”
— Virginia Sward, M.S.

​Veteran  pilot Elizabeth Stewart exposes corporate corruption within a  multi-billion-dollar Postal contract.  As an informant for the  Department of Justice, Elizabeth strives to protect citizens from  derelict aviation maintenance practices—and shelter the U.S. Government  from egregious billing.  She is besieged by company executives,  attorneys, federal marshals, and the solitude of protective custody  while recovering from a near-fatal gunshot wound—probable retaliation  for her filing a federal qui tam complaint, alleging violations pursuant  to The False Claim Act.

Woven  into this riveting plot is Elizabeth’s involvement with Alex Ward, a  fellow pilot and manager, with whom she is determined to develop a  meaningful, committed relationship from one borne out of clandestine, sexually  charged encounters in airport hotels. Elizabeth’s bittersweet journey  will captivate and inspire readers buoyed by the courage of a strong,  intelligent female patriot, an ethical professional “reaching  for Polaris.”