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The Maiden Bell
The Thomas the Falconer Mysteries (Book 5)
- Author
- John Pilkington
- Narrator
- Simon Mattacks
- Publisher
- Boldwood Books
- Publish Date
- 30 January 2026
- Run Time
- 7 hours 43 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
What to expect
'English history fans who don’t know the Thomas the Falconer series should get up to speed quickly.' Booklist
AN INSTINCT TO KILL!
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 excitement soon turns to terror when churchwarden Will Stubbs - a saintly old man - is found dead in the woods.
Thomas the Falconer is charged by his master to find answers, but instead finds himself trying to restore order in the community when the village constable is also found dead. Suspicion falls on many, and Thomas must battle ancient fears and hostilities in the hunt for a murderer.
As panic ensues, Thomas does what he does best - following the trail and hunting his prey. But will it take the raising of the great bell itself to allow the pieces to fall into place at last - and reveal the killer?
Praise for the Thomas the Falconer series:
‘Larger-than-life characters and authentic 16th-century ambience… Pilkington successfully draws readers into his world and keeps them turning the pages.’ - 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 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 quality of the writing and evocation of the Elizabethan Age is right up there with C J Sansom - and that could be no higher recommendation. I devoured it with relish and a buzz of contentment! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
Brilliant! A master of descriptive prose! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
Interesting tale of intrigue, murder and mystery. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
I was gripped from start to finish. A very well crafted read which was unputdownable. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
Well-drawn characters in a colourful and dangerous world, drawn into a plot that will keep you guessing (and keep the pages flying by). Thoroughly recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- John Pilkington
- Narrator
- Simon Mattacks
- Duration
- 7 hours 43 minutes
- Release Date
- 30 January 2026
- ISBN
- 9781806009206
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Boldwood Books
- Genre
- Historical crime and mysteries, Fiction: general and literary, Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives, Historical fiction
Synopsis
Pick up the next adventure in John Pilkington's incredibly intriguing Thomas the Falconer Tudor mystery series! Perfect for fans of S. J. Parris and Andrew Taylor. 🩸🔍'English history fans who don’t know the Thomas the Falconer series should get up to speed quickly.' BooklistAN INSTINCT TO KILL!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 excitement soon turns to terror when churchwarden Will Stubbs - a saintly old man - is found dead in the woods.Thomas the Falconer is charged by his master to find answers, but instead finds himself trying to restore order in the community when the village constable is also found dead. Suspicion falls on many, and Thomas must battle ancient fears and hostilities in the hunt for a murderer.As panic ensues, Thomas does what he does best - following the trail and hunting his prey. But will it take the raising of the great bell itself to allow the pieces to fall into place at last - and reveal the killer?Praise for the Thomas the Falconer series:‘Larger-than-life characters and authentic 16th-century ambience… Pilkington successfully draws readers into his world and keeps them turning the pages.’ - 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 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 quality of the writing and evocation of the Elizabethan Age is right up there with C J Sansom - and that could be no higher recommendation. I devoured it with relish and a buzz of contentment! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewBrilliant! A master of descriptive prose! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewInteresting tale of intrigue, murder and mystery. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewI was gripped from start to finish. A very well crafted read which was unputdownable. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewWell-drawn characters in a colourful and dangerous world, drawn into a plot that will keep you guessing (and keep the pages flying by). Thoroughly recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
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