The Maiden Bell

Thomas the Falconer Mystery #5

by John Pilkington

Thomas the Falconer Mystery Series - Book 5

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 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]

I think that should do it for me now as this book became tiresome and I truly lost count of the dead bodies in this tale. There was high drama over a church bell being created and readied for the steeple as the new pastor had very strong views and no town support as he went about berating the flock. Thomas spent much of his time trying to solve and stop murders and little time with his hawks. There were certainly many colorful characters, but it went overboard.

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[Cassian Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book in the series of mysteries centered on Thomas the Falconer continues with the same strengths: interesting setting, diverse range of characters, excitement, and a convoluted mystery. This one, however, rises above the earlier ones in terms of its more compelling disentangling. I am not quite sure how to put it; perhaps this: all the disparate strands are pulled more tightly into a convincing resolution.

[Brandon Nordin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From bats…to the belfry, murders most foul

Perhaps the most complex of the mysteries that Thomas the falconer is sent to unravel, set in the latter years of Elizabeth’s reign. His master away on progress, Thomas is given more time and discretion than normal. Along the way we learn a little of the background of medieval bell making, as well as the tensions and, at times bloody outcomes that the Reformation unleashed in Britain. A good read, although I had to make a cast list to keep track of the revolving cast of new characters that populate this novel.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than dealing mainly with the great and the good, in this fifth book of the series (apart from the odd landowner) Thomas Finbow has to solve a mystery amongst his peers in the rural village of Lambourn in Berkshire. As usual, below the placid surface of village life, no one is quite what they seem and there are plenty of dark secrets to uncover.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the detailed description of the process of bell founding, which was fascinating to read!

[Amy McElroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read of this series the more I enjoy it. The Maiden Bell is yet another fast paced mystery full of action and plot twists. Thomas has become adept at uncovering mysteries and this book is no different, even when i begin to think he may not find the answers he seeks Pilkington uses his writing skills to show that Thomas shouldn't be underestimated.

[d sheldrake · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Meandering Tale

I have read about 19 of John Pilkingtons books to date and without being mean, in my opinion, this ranks at 19.
Don't misunderstand me, his books are always good reading, but this just didn't seem to have the same substance as the others.
I still recommend Mr. Pilkington though, his tales are easy to read and enjoyable.

[Graham Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking good Thomas Finbow story.

Thomas is Sent to investigate the violent death of Church Warden Will Stubbs, found dead by members of a group of Lambourn men on a pheasant hunt (called bat fowling). But the men who found the body seem to have changed their story!

[m i scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again a wonderful story. Really places the reader in the period, whilst pure fiction it is obviously based on much historical reading.
Enjoy.

[Steve Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good strong storyline supported by credible characters. Enjoyed it and will cheerfully read the next next instalment.

[robert andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The maiden bell

This is an excellent book which although being hard to put down was easy to pick up and regain the plot

[stephen armitage · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather complex and involved plot which took some following. I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books in the series.

[Peter Gorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for feeling like you are in medieval England countryside with interesting characters. Recommend you start the series with Thomas The Falconer #1 as a few back references are made.

[Peter Barrass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad enjoyable

[rn maclean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story well told.

Convincing period idiom. Characters are well described and polarised into protagonists and antagonists with a naivety that one would expect in the period.

[Mrs Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I love this series with Thomas the Falconer. Always a good plot with some great characters and I’m kept guessing right to the end. Recommended.

[Dave Hammett · Rating 4 out of 5]

More murders

This one is particularly bloody. It's hard to keep track. Thomas struggles to sort it all out but finally be does.

[Paula Globerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read the whole series. Really enjoyed them.

[neil p · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very complex story

Really good series of tales so well researched and told with great style always a good read. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1593. While out at night's bat fowling in Lambourn Wood, the body of Will Stubbs, churchwarden, is discovered murdered. Falconer Martin Finbow is requested to investigate but soon there is another murder and a disappearance.
An entertaining historical mystery

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crime story set in the 1500s, it kept me turning the pages. I liked the characters, in particular Thomas the falconer who solves the crime. It seems to be one of a series and I will definitley be looking out for others.