The Mapmaker's Daughter

Thomas the Falconer Mystery #4

by John Pilkington

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 ‘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

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

John Pilkington wrote radio plays back in the 1980s before stepping things up a notch and scribbling down television scripts for the BCC. He then went onto write historical mystery novels for children.


Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a space of time since I read the first three books in this series, but all the characters were memorable and the challenges admirably imagined. Thomas the Falconer remains a strong character and the times portrayed well when recusants were hunted and shunned. A murderer was abroad and it took Thomas to figure out what was behind the poisoning deaths. The mapmaker played a very small role, so not certain about the title chosen. Thomas gets some guidance from a mysterious man of dark arts traveling with a chimpanzee as part of his act. How will Thomas find the poisoner when he is assigned to various inane tasks and also has the challenge of a man from his soldiering past appearing.

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[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1592. A barn on fire reveals the ody of Simon Haylock, but is proven he was dead, poisoned, before the fire. Then another is dead. How many will die before a motive is discovered. Thomas Finbow, investigates.
An entertaining historical mystery

[Cassian Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Elizabethan mysteries and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Thomas the Falconer is an intriguing character. The social world and interrelationships are brought to life. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Amy McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the previous books there are amazing characters, I loved Ned, Thomas's new assistant and can't wait to see how he develops as a character. Paulo Schweiz, the travelling conjuror was such a fun, interesting character, I really enjoyed reading about his antics and tricks and how I wasn't sure all the way through whether he could be trusted or not.

Thomas himself is also developing as a character throughout this series and I am really enjoying finding out more about him, he is a great lead character, it's also fun to learn about falconry and the birds themselves have their own personalities which emerge more as the series continues.

This is another fast paced mystery with an unexpected ending which I'd never guessed! The final twist was definitely a surprise but I won't give any spoilers.

[Nadine Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting better with each one

The fourth in the Thomas the Falconer series and what a joy. The slow burn of Thomas's character development, his sometimes taciturn subtlety and his deep loyalties are such a pleasure. There's some excellent dialogue and a marvellous scene of Thomas arriving at the tail end of a dinner party with Sir Robert & the High Sheriff, plus the acerbic quips of their spouses that positively crackles. Marvellous plot with delicious extra detail like the Mapmaker's dioptra and the travelling Swiss entertainer with his sidekick and the sidekick's monkey. Off to download number 5.

[Mrs Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

It kept me guessing …..

As always John Pilkington’s mysteries keep me guessing to the end. A complicated one too so there was much unravelling to be done. Plus there’s a couple of stories within which show the good side of human nature and there’s always reminders that all this was taking place in the late 16th century. I like the little stories which merge with the main plot making a very satisfying read. Highly recommended.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book an extra star because of the excellent display of a time in history. It gives a good picture of life in England when there are underlying tensions between Catholics and Anglicans, including an understanding of both sides. The title is odd because the mapmaker's daughter is a secondary character, though emblematic of the underlying dispute. I found the book easy to read, with the characters quickly and expertly drawn. There is a historical style but it doesn't get in the way.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the fourth Thomas Finbow mystery, the setting is closer to Thomas' home estate in rural Berkshire. This is a terrific exploration of the religious and political tensions just below the harmonious surface of country life. Another cracking good read.

[stephen armitage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another intriguing take from John Pilkington, with all the twists and turns you expect from him. The settings are well described and take you effortlessly back to Elizabethan England. You are kept guessing who was guilty of the crimes until the last couple of chapters, with many red herrings thrown in along the way.

[Lily Keirby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another round of hunting for the falconer

Another Falconer mystery solved after many twists which I feel has Miss Marple at his elbow who would have it solved much more sharply and entertaining.
L.K.

[Peter Gorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of Tudor village mayhem and murder subtly told

Feudal serfdom was very much like slavery, and in a sleepy part of Berkshire dark deeds are revealed which the Falconer resolves in modest fashion. A great sense of time and place. An enjoyable read.

[A.J. Fotheringham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery

I enjoyed this book a lot. The evocation of the historical setting was excellent. The main characters were interesting— I wanted to know what would become of them as the story evolved. I would recommend it. A. J. Fotheringham

[John Polley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent mystery

I thoroughly enjoyed yet the fourth in this excellent series of Faulkner mysteries. The twists and turns kept me riveted to the story. The only drawbacks were the numerous misspellings, repeated words and merging of words throughout the book.

[Alison Bacon-snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A misleading title, but still good

Oddly titled and a twisting tale that got a bit confusing at times, but love the main man along with other familiar characters, so a good read all told.

[Cheryl Kleinjam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

Each book in this series just seems to be more intriguing than the last. The characters are so real and the life and customs of the time are so informative and interesting. I have really enjoyed arch book in this series.

[neil p · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good tale.

This is a really good series of stories. Well researched and told the sort of things I will come back too again and again. I am concentrating on the Faulkner series at present.

[Haydn Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

A really enjoyable series, I’ve read 3 of them, each better than the one before, and this one better than the others! Loved it.

[Steve Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good plot with interesting characters well put together. I look forward to reading the next book.

[p r thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story

Excellent read ... atmospheric and interesting story .john P doesnt disappoint!
Looking forward to the next book in the series

[Paula Globerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series.

[Peter Barrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good pilkington bopk

[Dave Hammett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple mysteries

Round and round they go as the bodies stack up. There are too many players to keep track. Thomas manages to figure out most with an interesting friend.

[P.D.R. Lindsay]

A typical hist-myst. Solid story and characters, nice dose of Elizabethan history and Elizabethan Tudor setting and a juicy murder or rather murders to solve. The falconry episodes are different and add to the story.

The Falconer series is popular, readable, and well worth looking at. A pleasant read and well written too.

[Chris simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four books in and still worth reading, The sense of place and the dialect of the protagonists is very well portrayed, It is obvious that this is a good writer at work and so I'm looking forward to reading on!

[M Rothenbuhler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book enjoyable. The old English setting/culture/characters carried me along when the story got thin. I liked it enough to decide to read the series.