'Nicely blends historical events with engaging characters and a suspenseful plot ... Thomas proves a dogged, creative and insightful sleuth.' Publishers Weekly

The falconer is on the hunt once more.

Thomas Finbow, a widowed father, is falconer to Sir Robert Vicary of Petbury, a Berkshire knight who aspires to increase his status and influence. When invited to attend the Barrowhill Pleasures at the seat of the extravagant and pompous Earl of Reigate, Sir Robert brings Thomas along with him to enjoy the festivities.

But no-one expected three of the Earl’s guests to be murdered, or for their deaths to be quickly covered up by the Earl himself. To maintain morale among his visitors, the Earl plans to host a dramatic re-enactment of the Spanish Armada, with the promise of Queen Elizabeth attending the spectacle.

But things begin to unravel when the Earl himself becomes the next target of the murderer.

Sir Robert, eager to find the truth and protect himself, asks keen-eyed Thomas to uncover the mystery and track down the killer – before it’s too late.

Recommended for fans of CJ Sansom, Rory Clements and Michael Jecks.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv, He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series, including The Ruffler's Child and A Ruinous Wind.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries.’ Library Journal

‘This latest entry in Pilkington’s Thomas the Falconer series is a vigorous adventure featuring a likeable hero, an intriguing plot and a fine sense of period ambience.’ Booklist

‘Pilkington’s third Thomas the Falconer historical offers a real treat… This tale gives an authentic sense of Elizabethan life’s visceral side with all its lawlessness and brutality, including a climactic battle.’ Publishers Weekly

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

Thomas the Falconer Mystery Series - Book 5

"English history fans who don't know the Thomas the Falconer series should get up to speed quickly." Booklist

Thomas the Falconer confronts ancient fears and hostilities in the hunt for a murderer.

In the isolated village of Lambourn there is great excitement when a family of itinerant bell-founders arrives to forge a new church bell. But the peace of a summer’s night is shattered when churchwarden Will Stubbs – a saintly old man without enemies – is found dead in the woods.

Thomas is charged by his master to find answers.

Unease stalks the Downs as old rivalries surface – and when the village constable is also found dead, panic ensues. Thomas finds himself trying to restore order in the community. Suspicion falls on everyone from the finders of Stubbs’s body to the hot-tempered son of the bellfounder himself.

Following a tortuous trail, Thomas uncovers dark matters: a feral child, a closet Papist, and family secrets long hidden.

Only after the raising of the great bell itself is the truth at last revealed – along with the unmasking of a most unlikely killer.

Recommended for fans of CJ Sansom, Rory Clements and Steven Veerapen.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv. He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries.’ Library Journal

‘Pilkington’s third Thomas the Falconer historical offers a real treat… This tale gives an authentic sense of Elizabethan life’s visceral side with all its lawlessness and brutality, including a climactic battle.’ Publishers Weekly

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

Thomas the Falconer Mystery series - Book 1

'The story moves at a great pace ... it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

Thomas Finbow is more than just a humble falconer, in the service of Sir Robert Vicary and Lady Margaret. He is a widowed father, a skilled ex-soldier and tenacious hunter.

Far from the court and corruption of London, Thomas resides in the picturesque Berkshire Downs.

All is as it should be until Lady Margaret’s loathsome brother is found murdered.

To distract from her mourning, Lady Margaret travels to London, in search of gryfalcons, with Thomas accompanying her. However, when they reach the city things take a dark turn. Secrets begin to unravel and it becomes clear that the murder of Lady Margaret’s brother is only a small piece of a greater puzzle.

Once Thomas starts to put the pieces together, he realises that he, and his Mistress, are in grave danger.

With a target on his back, Thomas must come face to face with some of London’s most fearsome criminals. Chasing the truth at all costs, the falconer’s wits and strength are put to the test.

A tale of murder, lust and courage, Thomas Finbow must reveal secrets of the past in order to make sense of the present.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv. He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries’ Library Journal

‘This latest entry in Pilkington’s Thomas the Falconer series is a vigorous adventure featuring a likeable hero, an intriguing plot and a fine sense of period ambience.’ Booklist

Thomas the Falconer Mystery Series - Book 7

'English history fans who don't know the Thomas the Falconer series should get up to speed quickly.' Booklist

Thomas Finbow, keen-eyed falconer to Sir Robert Vicary of Petbury Manor, confronts the most terrible adversary he has ever faced.

Thomas’s master Sir Robert is charged by Queen Elizabeth’s Council to host an important guest to help valuable trade relations: Grigori Stanic, ambassador of distant Muscovy, in Russia.

Not only will Thomas entertain Stanic’s party, His Excellency being a keen hawking man - he must also guard a priceless gift for Boris Godunov, the most important man at the Tsar’s Court: a magnificent gold chain with jewelled pendant.

But no sooner has it arrived at Petbury than it is stolen, risking a disastrous diplomatic incident.

As the desperate hunt for the Muscovy Chain begins, a shadowy figure is seen on the Downs, sowing fear in the community. Is he the thief – or worse, is he responsible for a murder, the victim having been brutally tortured?

The cause of the Chain’s disappearance, however, turns out to be more than one of mere theft, when bitter secrets emerge among Stanic’s divided followers.

But for Thomas the finding of the precious gift is not the end. This time he meets his match – and faces his possible death.

Recommended for fans of CJ Sansom, Michael Jecks and Rory Clements.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries’ Library Journal

‘This latest entry in Pilkington’s Thomas the Falconer series is a vigorous adventure featuring a likeable hero, an intriguing plot and a fine sense of period ambience.’ Booklist

Thomas the Falconer Mystery Series - Book 6

‘A truly fine historical series, Pilkington makes Elizabethan London come vividly alive. Recommended.’ Library Journal

Thomas the Falconer unravels a plot that strikes at the very heart of Tudor England.

In the depths of winter the body of a young woman, cruelly mutilated, is found washed up beside the Thames.

Meanwhile Thomas arrives in London on a sensitive mission: to persuade his master Sir Robert to give up his foolish infatuation with a notorious woman of the Court.

But the Lady Imogen’s intrigues are more serious than even Thomas realizes, until he’s caught up in a bizarre series of events including the theft of a corpse, and even his own imprisonment.

Thomas’s old friend, the streetwise jingler (horse-dealer) Ben Mallam, returns to aid him after a run of bad luck.

Together they risk everything to foil a deadly scheme that threatens the succession to the throne – leading to the biggest gamble of Thomas’s life.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv. He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries.’ Library Journal

‘Pilkington’s third Thomas the Falconer historical offers a real treat… This tale gives an authentic sense of Elizabethan life’s visceral side with all its lawlessness and brutality, including a climactic battle.’ Publishers Weekly

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

Thomas the Falconer Mystery Series - Book 4

“Pilkington’s latest takes this long-running and popular series to a new level.” Booklist

Thomas the Falconer is drawn into a web of intrigue that tests him as never before.

A tragic fire at one of his master’s tenant farms is just the start of a tortuous trail for Thomas Finbow – for when the body of Simon Haylock is dragged from the blazing barn, it becomes clear that he was dead before the fire started.

Soon a chilling series of murders, seemingly unrelated, is spreading fear across the Berkshire Downs, baffling the authorities. Plague is raging in London and suspicion falls on strangers in the area, like the dour mapmaker Christopher Mead and the outrageous travelling showman Paulo Schweiz, whom Thomas rescues from the stocks.

Thomas finds himself matching wits with a cunning and elusive adversary. With the help of Paulo’s astonishing magic lantern show he finally exposes a killer, along with a brutal crime that has lain unsolved for years.

Only then can he unravel the bitter trail of revenge that has led to the murders – with surprising results, until a brutal crime that has lain hidden for years is brought to light by astonishing means - and with terrible consequences.

Recommended for fans of Michael Jecks, CJ Samson and Rory Clements.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv, He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series, including The Ruffler's Child and A Ruinous Wind.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries.’ Library Journal

‘Pilkington’s third Thomas the Falconer historical offers a real treat… This tale gives an authentic sense of Elizabethan life’s visceral side with all its lawlessness and brutality, including a climactic battle.’ Publishers Weekly

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

Thomas the Falconer Mystery series - Book 3

'This tale gives an authentic sense of Elizabethan life's visceral side with all its lawlessness and brutality, including a climatic battle.' Publishers Weekly

Thomas the Falconer confronts the most terrible foe he has ever faced.

On remote Salisbury Plain villagers toil to get the harvest in, unaware that a murderer has come amongst them.

Thomas Finbow, falconer to Sir Robert Vicary, is sent to the Plain by his master to assist the impoverished Sir Giles Buckeridge, who struggles with debts and the failure to provide dowries for his three spirited daughters.

Thomas is here to train a ramage hawk – an immature, half-wild bird – and to teach the arts of falconry to Sir Giles’s young ward, Gervase.

But no sooner has he arrived than Sir Giles’s eldest daughter Jane vanishes.

She is betrothed against her wishes to a wealthy older man, Stephen Ridley – has she simply run away?

Thomas is called in to help find the missing girl. But the search soon turns into a dangerous game, involving hidden gold – and as the body count rises and fear grips the land, Thomas has no choice but to follow the trail to its bitter end.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv, He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series, including The Ruffler's Child and A Ruinous Wind.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries.’ Library Journal

‘This latest entry in Pilkington’s Thomas the Falconer series is a vigorous adventure featuring a likeable hero, an intriguing plot and a fine sense of period ambience.’ Booklist

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

‘A seventeenth century James Bond... a gripping, entertaining page-turner.’ Booklist

England, 1600.

In the twilight years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign the nation is at war on two fronts, and fears of a Spanish invasion are never far away.

In this febrile atmosphere, spymaster Sir Robert Cecil calls in Martin Marbeck – his best, if most undisciplined agent – to unmask a double agent who is feeding secrets to the enemy. Marbeck has been under a cloud since a failed mission in Flanders, and is eager to be on the trail.

But the traitor - codename Mulberry – proves maddeningly elusive. Soon Marbeck must leave England for France and venture into the lion’s den, following a tortuous path that winds back to London. With the help of his fellow-agent, the unruly Joseph Gifford, a trap is laid to ensnare Mulberry - with deadly and unforeseen results.

The spy network has been compromised, which means all intelligence reports could be suspect, and the nation in grave danger. So Marbeck must use all his skills to confront the secret forces of the mighty Spanish empire, which pits him against the cleverest and most ruthless opponent he has ever faced.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv. He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series.

Praise for John Pilkington:

'Away from the corruption of London and no longer a Justice, but that doesn’t stop Belstrang uncovering dark deeds in this Jacobean thriller. A joy from mysterious beginnings to a satisfying conclusion by a master storyteller.' Paul Walker

'In The Witching Pool, John Pilkington once again puts us in the amiable company of retired Jacobean Justice, Robert Belstrang, familiar from his earlier historical thriller Legacy. In this adventure, Belstrang forsakes the mean streets of London in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot, for the rural byways of Worcestershire nearer home. But instead of treason, he finds himself confronted with murder, witchcraft, unmentionable crimes and a quest for legendary gold. Breath-takingly tense and gripping. Simply impossible to put down.' Peter Tonkin

'A wonderfully humane, and all-too human, central character.' Roger Morris

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries.’ Library Journal

‘Pilkington’s third Thomas the Falconer historical offers a real treat… This tale gives an authentic sense of Elizabethan life’s visceral side with all its lawlessness and brutality, including a climactic battle.’ Publishers Weekly

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

‘A spellbinding journey through the stinking slums and glittering palaces of Jacobean England.’ Steven Veerapen

‘Pilkington introduces an intriguing new hero in the dashing Marbeck.’ Kirkus Reviews

‘The second book in this fine series provides all the derring-do and historical interest to keep readers entranced.’ Kirkus Review

England, 1603.

Queen Elizabeth is dying.

Her assumed successor King James waits in Scotland – but will any transition of power be peaceful?

Rumours of plots to seize the throne abound, and Sir Robert Cecil, Secretary of State and spymaster, fears insurrection.

He needs all his agents to do their duty– but Martin Marbeck, his best and most loyal, has been wrongly accused of treachery.

Desperate to clear his name and shunned by Cecil, Marbeck leaves London to track down the son of his friend and lover Lady Celia Scroop, who has joined a fanatical Puritan sect led by the firebrand preacher Isaac Gow.

Events move fast, however, as Gow’s real aims come to light – and soon Marbeck finds himself in peril. Aided by his fellow intelligencer Edward Poyns, he must confront two plots, that threaten the very fabric of England itself.

Marbeck must fight for his life, his reputation - and England.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv. He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series and the Justice Belstrang Mystery series.

Praise for John Pilkington:

‘Fast-paced and suspenseful, with the feel of a contemporary thriller… the series could have a long run.’ Booklist Online

‘A seventeenth century James Bond... a gripping, entertaining page-turner.’ Booklist

‘The fast-moving plot makes the prospect of more Marbecks welcome.’ Publishers Weekly

'Away from the corruption of London and no longer a Justice, but that doesn’t stop Belstrang uncovering dark deeds in this Jacobean thriller. A joy from mysterious beginnings to a satisfying conclusion by a master storyteller.' Paul Walker

'In The Witching Pool, John Pilkington once again puts us in the amiable company of retired Jacobean Justice, Robert Belstrang, familiar from his earlier historical thriller Legacy. In this adventure, Belstrang forsakes the mean streets of London in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot, for the rural byways of Worcestershire nearer home. But instead of treason, he finds himself confronted with murder, witchcraft, unmentionable crimes and a quest for legendary gold. Breath-takingly tense and gripping. Simply impossible to put down.' Peter Tonkin

'A wonderfully humane, and all-too human, central character.' Roger Morris

‘A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries.’ Library Journal

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

‘A spellbinding journey through the stinking slums and glittering palaces of Jacobean England.’ Steven Veerapen

‘The third in the Marbeck 17th century spy series once again succeeds. Perfect for readers who delight in political intrigue and secret agent shenanigans.’ Library Journal

England, 1604.

All eyes are on London, as a high-powered delegation arrives to initiate vital treaty talks, to bring an end to almost twenty years of bitter warfare with Spain.

King James wants to be known as The Peacemaker King – but there are ruthless men who profit from war, and who will stop at nothing to sabotage the negotiations.

Marbeck, Lord Secretary Cecil’s best intelligencer, is feeling underused. So, when the new spymaster, dour Levinus Monk, orders him to keep a watch on Somerset House where the talks will be held, he sets to the task with alacrity. But almost at once things start to go awry, when an attempt is made on the life of the Spanish ambassador.

Under a cloud, Marbeck utilises his underworld contacts and follows a suspicion he holds, which takes him from the Thameside wharfs to distant Weymouth, an almost lawless haunt of corsairs and smugglers. Here he faces the murderous John Buck, associate of a corrupt nobleman who runs a fleet of wild privateers named the Sea Locusts.

Caught up in a web of intrigue, helped one moment and betrayed the next, Marbeck finds himself in a savage battle on windswept Chesil Beach.

Thereafter, in his most dangerous challenge yet, the agent is pushed to the limits of his powers, in which survival is the only goal left.

John Pilkington was born in Preston, into one of the oldest Lancashire families. He writes historical fiction as well as drama which has been adapted for radio, theatre and tv. He is the author of the Thomas the Falconer Mystery series and the Justice Belstrang Mystery series.

Praise for John Pilkington:

'Away from the corruption of London and no longer a Justice, but that doesn’t stop Belstrang uncovering dark deeds in this Jacobean thriller. A joy from mysterious beginnings to a satisfying conclusion by a master storyteller.' Paul Walker, author of The Queen’s Spy

'In The Witching Pool, John Pilkington once again puts us in the amiable company of retired Jacobean Justice, Robert Belstrang, familiar from his earlier historical thriller Legacy. In this adventure, Belstrang forsakes the mean streets of London in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot, for the rural byways of Worcestershire nearer home. But instead of treason, he finds himself confronted with murder, witchcraft, unmentionable crimes and a quest for legendary gold. Breath-takingly tense and gripping. Simply impossible to put down.' Peter Tonkin, author of the Tom Musgrave series

'A wonderfully humane, and all-too human, central character.' Roger Morris, author of Fortune’s Hand

‘Pilkington’s third Thomas the Falconer historical offers a real treat… This tale gives an authentic sense of Elizabethan life’s visceral side with all its lawlessness and brutality, including a climactic battle.’ Publishers Weekly

'The story moves at a great pace… it made a welcome change to discover Elizabethan England through the eyes of a lesser mortal.' The Historical Novels Review

‘A spellbinding journey through the stinking slums and glittering palaces of Jacobean England.