What do you think?
Rate this book
Will Revill Thrillers #3
A Reluctant Hero
"I was gripped from the first page to the last." Roger Morris, author of the Porfiry Petrovich Mysteries.
"A wonderful mix of intrigue and action." Richard Foreman, author of Spies of Rome.
England, August 1591.
After two years as a soldier turned spy for the Crown, Captain Will Revill embarks on what he hopes will be his final mission.
On orders of Queen Elizabeth’s new spymaster, Sir Robert Cecil, he must join the staff of Lord Ballater, an embittered Catholic, who like most of the nobility is following the Queen’s annual Summer Progress.
Revill’s task is to keep a close watch on Ballater’s staunchly Catholic servants – one of whom Cecil believes intends to make an attempt on the Queen’s life. As the great train of several hundred people traverses the Southern Counties, Elizabeth is often exposed to grave danger.
Things begin badly for Revill. Unwelcome and mistrusted among Ballater’s company, his unofficial presence denied by Cecil, he locks horns with His Lordship’s belligerent steward Saul Harman. Yet Harman seems an unlikely assassin – as does the taciturn ex-soldier Hawkins, or Ballater’s bookish secretary Dickon.
Perhaps Cecil is mistaken. But the mystery takes another turn when, aided by Cecil’s undercover agent John Shearer, Revill uncovers a scheme run by the Crown Purveyors to divert funds from the royal coffers.
When the Queen’s train reaches Chichester, a plot is at last laid bare - and an old enemy comes out of the shadows.
Only a man of Revill’s courage and quick thinking can avert disaster… if his luck holds.
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
'A captivating tale alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of a bygone age. Historical storytelling done right.' Steven Veerapen, author of the Simon Danforth Mysteries.
'A taut tale of intrigue and double-dealing. A real page-turner.' Michael Ward, author of the Thomas Tallant Mysteries.
'A Reluctant Assassin is a gripping mystery-thriller full of memorable characters, dark deeds and unexpected twists set against an intriguing background both physical and historical - enhanced by John Pilkington's trademark meticulous research.' Peter Tonkin, author of Shadow of the Tower.
'Beautifully written, with a real page turner of a plot that kept me gripped to the thrilling finale.' Jemahl Evans, author of the Sir Blandford Candy Adventure series.
'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.
'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 wonderful mix of intrigue and action." Richard Foreman, author of Spies of Rome.
England, August 1591.
After two years as a soldier turned spy for the Crown, Captain Will Revill embarks on what he hopes will be his final mission.
On orders of Queen Elizabeth’s new spymaster, Sir Robert Cecil, he must join the staff of Lord Ballater, an embittered Catholic, who like most of the nobility is following the Queen’s annual Summer Progress.
Revill’s task is to keep a close watch on Ballater’s staunchly Catholic servants – one of whom Cecil believes intends to make an attempt on the Queen’s life. As the great train of several hundred people traverses the Southern Counties, Elizabeth is often exposed to grave danger.
Things begin badly for Revill. Unwelcome and mistrusted among Ballater’s company, his unofficial presence denied by Cecil, he locks horns with His Lordship’s belligerent steward Saul Harman. Yet Harman seems an unlikely assassin – as does the taciturn ex-soldier Hawkins, or Ballater’s bookish secretary Dickon.
Perhaps Cecil is mistaken. But the mystery takes another turn when, aided by Cecil’s undercover agent John Shearer, Revill uncovers a scheme run by the Crown Purveyors to divert funds from the royal coffers.
When the Queen’s train reaches Chichester, a plot is at last laid bare - and an old enemy comes out of the shadows.
Only a man of Revill’s courage and quick thinking can avert disaster… if his luck holds.
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
'A captivating tale alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of a bygone age. Historical storytelling done right.' Steven Veerapen, author of the Simon Danforth Mysteries.
'A taut tale of intrigue and double-dealing. A real page-turner.' Michael Ward, author of the Thomas Tallant Mysteries.
'A Reluctant Assassin is a gripping mystery-thriller full of memorable characters, dark deeds and unexpected twists set against an intriguing background both physical and historical - enhanced by John Pilkington's trademark meticulous research.' Peter Tonkin, author of Shadow of the Tower.
'Beautifully written, with a real page turner of a plot that kept me gripped to the thrilling finale.' Jemahl Evans, author of the Sir Blandford Candy Adventure series.
'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.
'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.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2023
109 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 19, 2025
very enjoyable read ,great insight into history with realality
February 9, 2024
This is the third book in the trilogy concerning Captain Will Revill, a soldier during Tudor times. He has retired from service and is making a life with Jenna, but spymaster Heneage has one more job for him to do - although he assures Will this will be the last and the threat hanging over his Papist sister will be removed.
Will is brought in by Robert Cecil to help to guard the Queen during her summer Progress. He is to serve in a Catholic household from where Cecil believes an attempt will be made on her life. The result is a tale of intrigue and violence, as Will works out who to trust and where the threat may lie.
This has been a great series, full of colour and humour and portraying life in Elizabethan England. Will is a really sympathetic character and I have enjoyed reading of his adventures.
Will is brought in by Robert Cecil to help to guard the Queen during her summer Progress. He is to serve in a Catholic household from where Cecil believes an attempt will be made on her life. The result is a tale of intrigue and violence, as Will works out who to trust and where the threat may lie.
This has been a great series, full of colour and humour and portraying life in Elizabethan England. Will is a really sympathetic character and I have enjoyed reading of his adventures.
May 7, 2023
Really enjoyed this action-filled tale of Elizabethan period wherein our hero Revill is working for a new spymaster, Cecil, with some improvement. The queen is on one of her summer travel jaunts with many groups vying for her approval when Will is able to save her from execution by sword.
Revill is taunted, threatened and burned along the way, not your usual summer vacation.
Kindle Unlimited
Revill is taunted, threatened and burned along the way, not your usual summer vacation.
Kindle Unlimited
June 15, 2023
A Great Conclusion!
The Will Refill series is a great series. I really appreciate the history and the characters. This third book is great. I have really enjoyed the series and the historical facts at the end of the book.
The Will Refill series is a great series. I really appreciate the history and the characters. This third book is great. I have really enjoyed the series and the historical facts at the end of the book.
July 30, 2024
Review
This book seemed to tie up all the loose ends in a way that the other previous books did not. Therefore it is difficult to see where Will Refill can,go from here. Very satisfying, nonetheless . ooo
This book seemed to tie up all the loose ends in a way that the other previous books did not. Therefore it is difficult to see where Will Refill can,go from here. Very satisfying, nonetheless . ooo
June 24, 2023
Great story as always
This is a great story as always from John Pilkington. I’ve read 3 series by this author now and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single one.
This is a great story as always from John Pilkington. I’ve read 3 series by this author now and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single one.
November 28, 2024
Great book
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews