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Will Revill Thrillers #2
A Reluctant Traitor
'A rollicking tale of adventure, intrigue, deceit and danger, rich in period texture and with a wonderfully engaging protagonist at its heart. I was gripped from the first page to the last.' R.N. Morris, author of the Porfiry Petrovich Mysteries.
Normandy.
January 1590.
Civil War rages in France, and Captain Will Revill - veteran of the war in the Low Countries - finds himself at the heart of events.
Revill and Tom Bright, his loyal companion and now corporal of artillery, have been sent by Queen Elizabeth as part of the force supporting the Protestant King Henri IV in his power struggle against the Catholic League, led by the Duc de Mayenne.
Having pounded the Castle of Falaise into submission, the English gunners are looking forward to returning home - whereupon, to his annoyance, Revill is challenged to a duel by a pompous French officer.
He is ready to meet the challenge when the duel is interrupted by a messenger claiming to be from the King. The young man, however, Guy Baildon, turns out to be something an agent for spymaster Sir Thomas Heneage. Heneage, who still wields power over Revill, has sent new Revill must travel to Paris with Baildon on a mission to test the loyalty of the English ambassador Sir Edward Stafford, who is suspected of treachery.
The soldier must become a spy if he is to succeed - or even survive. Paris is a dangerous city and a hive of espionage, the haunt of agents and double agents. Revill uncovers vital intelligence about a hostile Spanish force coming to reinforce Mayenne, and must travel through enemy territory to warn King Henri.
The Englishman has become a pawn in a bigger game.
But a man of Revill’s courage and determination can make a difference - if he has time.
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 wonderful mix of intrigue and action.' Richard Foreman, author of the Dick Turpin series.
'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.
Normandy.
January 1590.
Civil War rages in France, and Captain Will Revill - veteran of the war in the Low Countries - finds himself at the heart of events.
Revill and Tom Bright, his loyal companion and now corporal of artillery, have been sent by Queen Elizabeth as part of the force supporting the Protestant King Henri IV in his power struggle against the Catholic League, led by the Duc de Mayenne.
Having pounded the Castle of Falaise into submission, the English gunners are looking forward to returning home - whereupon, to his annoyance, Revill is challenged to a duel by a pompous French officer.
He is ready to meet the challenge when the duel is interrupted by a messenger claiming to be from the King. The young man, however, Guy Baildon, turns out to be something an agent for spymaster Sir Thomas Heneage. Heneage, who still wields power over Revill, has sent new Revill must travel to Paris with Baildon on a mission to test the loyalty of the English ambassador Sir Edward Stafford, who is suspected of treachery.
The soldier must become a spy if he is to succeed - or even survive. Paris is a dangerous city and a hive of espionage, the haunt of agents and double agents. Revill uncovers vital intelligence about a hostile Spanish force coming to reinforce Mayenne, and must travel through enemy territory to warn King Henri.
The Englishman has become a pawn in a bigger game.
But a man of Revill’s courage and determination can make a difference - if he has time.
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 wonderful mix of intrigue and action.' Richard Foreman, author of the Dick Turpin series.
'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
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
137 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 5, 2023
Historical fiction at its best!
Capt. Will Revill, master gunner and loyal servant of the English Crown, finds himself once again embroiled in the nefarious activities of his country's intelligence network. He is sent to France with the English expeditionary force to assist the Protestant French king fight off a revolt by the Catholic League. In addition to his duties as a soldier he is ordered to assume the guise of a Catholic sympathizer and travel to Paris, in order to test the loyalty of the English ambassador. On the way he meets not just double but, triple agents and most of them are determined to kill him. Just who can he trust? Is everyone he meets on this perilous journey a threat to his life? However, help is forthcoming but not in any way he could have envisaged at the start of this "adventure". A highly enjoyable and fast moving romp through war torn 16th century France. Well worth a read.
Capt. Will Revill, master gunner and loyal servant of the English Crown, finds himself once again embroiled in the nefarious activities of his country's intelligence network. He is sent to France with the English expeditionary force to assist the Protestant French king fight off a revolt by the Catholic League. In addition to his duties as a soldier he is ordered to assume the guise of a Catholic sympathizer and travel to Paris, in order to test the loyalty of the English ambassador. On the way he meets not just double but, triple agents and most of them are determined to kill him. Just who can he trust? Is everyone he meets on this perilous journey a threat to his life? However, help is forthcoming but not in any way he could have envisaged at the start of this "adventure". A highly enjoyable and fast moving romp through war torn 16th century France. Well worth a read.
March 20, 2024
This story of warfare in the 1590's features a solid, admirable soldier, Will Revill, and his attempt to remain true to orders from an unlikable spymaster. There are some good battle scenes as well as the challenges of back alley transactions and just staying alive.
I have read and enjoyed books from several of this author's series.
Kindle Unlimited
I have read and enjoyed books from several of this author's series.
Kindle Unlimited
February 6, 2024
In this second volume, Will Revill and his trusty sergeant Tom Bright are fighting in France. However, Tom upsets a French nobleman and Will finds himself having to duel the man. The bout is brought to a swift close when a young messenger arrives with orders for Will from his nemesis, spymaster Heneage who is blackmailing Will to do his dirty work.
Will and Guy Baildon then set off on their own mission, with some exciting adventures in war torn France.
The result once again is a great read, set in Tudor times when the French and English make difficult allies.
Will and Guy Baildon then set off on their own mission, with some exciting adventures in war torn France.
The result once again is a great read, set in Tudor times when the French and English make difficult allies.
December 9, 2022
great story telling
John Pilkington continues to delight and inform on a period of history unknown to me with likeable and well drawn characters. His writing style flows with ease and wit and I look forward to more of his tales
John Pilkington continues to delight and inform on a period of history unknown to me with likeable and well drawn characters. His writing style flows with ease and wit and I look forward to more of his tales
March 31, 2024
I am really enjoying this series. The character development is superb. Our poor protagonist is being used as a pawn in the British Intelligencer game to commit tasks and assignments that violate his principals. With threats to loved ones if he doesn't agree, and succeed, what is our man to do?
March 4, 2025
Another good read!
The second novel in this series is well-plotted and contains some strong characters. Based on the French civil wars of the 1690s (Henri of Navarre), it concerns interesting and perhaps little known historical events. I'm happy to recommend it.
The second novel in this series is well-plotted and contains some strong characters. Based on the French civil wars of the 1690s (Henri of Navarre), it concerns interesting and perhaps little known historical events. I'm happy to recommend it.
December 13, 2022
Not his best but not bad cool😄
April 11, 2023
Good read.
June 22, 2025
Really enjoyed this tale.
In my opinion this was so much better than the first book. It was so mush more engaging. I would recommend this series so far.
In my opinion this was so much better than the first book. It was so mush more engaging. I would recommend this series so far.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews