Fortune and Fate: The Complete Justice Belstrang Mysteries

by John Pilkington

‘A spellbinding journey through the stinking slums and glittering palaces of Jacobean England.’ Steven Veerapen, author of The Queen's Gold Legacy England, 1616. Robert Belstrang, ex-magistrate bored with country life, comes to London to investigate the strange disappearance of Thomas Jessop, son of a poor Catholic neighbour. He locates the youth in Bedlam asylum, silent and starving himself. When he tries to free Jessop, he is warned off the case by a politic lawyer. Soon after, Belstrang finds himself drugged, robbed and falsely imprisoned. Once released Belstrang persists in his investigation, but he is thwarted at every unseen forces are at work who seemingly want Thomas Jessop to die. The trail grows murkier by the hour, drawing Belstrang into the fear-ridden Catholic underworld - until he uncovers a plan with its roots in the Gunpowder Plot of more than a decade ago. The Witching Pool England, 1617. Susanna Cobbett, teenage daughter of a powerful Worcester landowner, is found dead in a gloomy woodland pond which has an evil reputation as the Witching Pool. The girl is said to have drowned herself, driven to madness by a local widow named Agnes Mason, who is arrested on a charge of witchcraft. If found guilty, she will hang at the next Assizes. But Justice Belstrang, shrewd ex-magistrate and sceptic, does not believe a word of it. And when Agnes’s family beg him to help, he finds himself caught up in an ever-darkening mystery. The mystery grows murkier, however, as Belstrang is pitted against his old rival Justice Standish. But Belstrang’s stubbornness and passion for justice drives him on. With the help of his friend and fellow-sceptic Doctor Boyd, he unravels the terrible crimes that have lain hidden behind the doors of the great manor of Ebbfield. Deliverance England, 1618. At his manor of Thirldon, ex-Justice Belstrang - still at loggerheads with his old rival Justice Standish - receives devastating King James intends to purchase the estate for his favourite, the Marquis of Buckingham – and Belstrang must comply. In the ensuing turmoil, while his son-in-law George petitions the King on his behalf, Belstrang receives a plea from a dying friend, Sir Richard Mountford, to visit him at Foxhill Manor. To take his mind off his troubles Belstrang goes - and discovers things are not so simple. Sir Richard is not dying, but desperate. His brother John has been killed in an explosion at the family’s iron foundry, down in the remote Forest of Dean. But Sir Richard does not believe John’s death was an accident. Meanwhile, Mountford's cold-hearted son Francis treats him as an invalid. He fears things are being kept from him - and implores Belstrang to investigate. The mystery deepens when a forester who was seen talking to Belstrang is murdered. Only after a violent confrontation on the bleak salt-marshes does the truth begin to unfold - and its implications reach far beyond England’s shores. 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.

620 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2021

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.


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Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

The omnibus “ Fortune and Fate” contains the three novel of historical mysteries featuring Justice Beltrang, late of His Majesty James I court. All three entertain with a good story , an engaging character and a background of early 17 th century England. The mysteries are set mostly in rural England and are filled with color and varied characters.
The third novel in the series is the best of the three. Beltrang learns of the sickness of an old friend. It seems his first son and heir had died in an industrial accident which caused the father to fall ill in despair. Justice Beltrang travels to visit his his friend only to become uneasy at what he senses are evil undercurrents. The cause of his friend’s illness appears to be uncurable and unknown; the third son, Richard, is a sneering rogue and the son’s wife is afraid of her husband. Why? What is going on. Ah, the Justice will investigate. What he finds is treason and murder , and that puts Beltrang’s life in serious danger.
Author Pilkington writes up a good picture of the times and customs of that distant age, making it comfortable for the reader to be immersed in the swirl of events.as noted, all the novels in the omnibus are good, short ( about 180 pages) novels that rise to the level fine entertainment. I recommend the series.
I think that this will be the last of the Justice Beltrang novels, but Mr. Pilkington has other heroes and novel wichnI intend to explore. I suggest you do the same.

[Jo Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow.

I do not want to summarize any of these tales as I would not take the pleasure of doing so from the readers discovery. I will say that I spent several sleepless nights as I read through into the wee hours. I think this is some of Mr. Pilkington‘s best work. It is my sincere hope that the Justice will make another appearance in future stories.

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

Loved this trio!!! Simply splendid.....that's all.

I thoroughly enjoyed all three of these tales and am sad that no more may follow.
Fingers crossed, in his post as Justice Sir Belstrang, we may hear from him again?

[Peter Barrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had already read these books they all good .