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Thomas the Falconer Mystery #2
A Ruinous Wind
Thomas is falconer to Sir Robert Vicary of Petbury, a minor lord who has made some influential friends. Sir Robert takes Thomas with him to stay with Lord Edmund, the Earl of Reigate, a decadent and pompous noble who is keen to impress Queen Elizabeth. Lord Edmund's plan is to stage a sumptuous house party involving a re-enactment of the recently foiled Spanish Armada, as well as a giant model of a falcon in flight, and other impressive festivities. When the murders of three of the Earl's guests are covered up in case the scandal ruins the celebrations, Thomas is bid by his master to uncover the murderer. His search takes him from the raucous tavern in the local village to the crime-ridden streets of the City of London and a world of intrigue, fear and betrayal. When the Earl becomes the next target of the killer's aim, Thomas realizes that the reasons for the murderer's' deadly plans are far more complicated than anyone thought.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
John Pilkington
31 books78 followersJohn 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.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 25, 2026
Thomas the Falconer! So enjoyable
April 27, 2024
(1586+) Sir Robert Vicary has been invited to the Barrow-in-Furness Pleasures, seat of the Earl of Reigate, taking his falconer, Thomas Finbow. But murder soon occurs, but the Earl is reluctant for an investigation. Can Finbow discover the truth.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery.
February 1, 2021
The pattern is clear; Thomas the Falconer does not just take care of hawks but where needs must, he solves murders. He is a well drawn character and in this episode he travels with his master, Sir Robert, to what is supposed to be a meeting of inner circle folks who wish to throw a fete for Queen Elizabeth in celebration of the Armada defeat.
Before he leaves home his young daughter has been asked to be the Lady Margaret's new maid. That takes away a worry he may have had about leaving his daughter alone. Sir Robert and Thomas find a great deal to worry about at the home of the Earl of Reigate in Surrey.
A mysterious murderer succeeds in striking repeatedly, leaving notes in Latin with the bodies. It will take the help of many, not just Thomas, to find the culprit.
A colorful description of preparations for the celebration the Queen declines to attend is elaborate as well as interesting. This is good historical fiction, not based on real events.
Kindle Unlimited
Before he leaves home his young daughter has been asked to be the Lady Margaret's new maid. That takes away a worry he may have had about leaving his daughter alone. Sir Robert and Thomas find a great deal to worry about at the home of the Earl of Reigate in Surrey.
A mysterious murderer succeeds in striking repeatedly, leaving notes in Latin with the bodies. It will take the help of many, not just Thomas, to find the culprit.
A colorful description of preparations for the celebration the Queen declines to attend is elaborate as well as interesting. This is good historical fiction, not based on real events.
Kindle Unlimited
April 10, 2022
This is the second book in Pilkington’s Thomas the Falconer Elizabethan mysteries. It was as many-layered as the first one.
In this installment, Thomas is asked to accompany his master, Sir Robert, to a house party of the Earl of Reigate in Surrey, held in honor of the very recent defeat of the Spanish Armada. There will be sports, including hawking, which is why Thomas’ services are required. On a hawking/hunting expedition, one of the guests is found dead. Of course, everyone thinks that he was thrown from his horse and thus killed, but Thomas and Sir Robert find a small wound in his neck, leading them to believe that the man was murdered by a long, thin sword. The Earl is a highly-strung sort whose servants live in fear of him and his society-minded Countess, who had been dismissed from the service of Queen Elizabeth. Scandalous! So this murder must be solved quickly so that the Earl’s entertainments can go forward at all costs!
Thomas is tasked by his master to find the murderer, so he spends more time in the local village associating w/ colorful criminal sorts as well as having an amour w/ the local inn proprietor. This is a recurring theme in these books, so feels familiar. What keeps this from feeling cliché is the many many layers of the mystery, as another murder(s) occur. For me, a major plus in a mystery novel is when I cannot identify the murderer; I only had a passing suspicion in this book! Another positive in this book is that there is less detailed description of Elizabethan London, a real distraction in the first book for me.
I could probably rate this one around 4.4-4.5 stars, but rounded it down to 4 b/c it bogged down a bit for me in the details of planning a large revel.
In this installment, Thomas is asked to accompany his master, Sir Robert, to a house party of the Earl of Reigate in Surrey, held in honor of the very recent defeat of the Spanish Armada. There will be sports, including hawking, which is why Thomas’ services are required. On a hawking/hunting expedition, one of the guests is found dead. Of course, everyone thinks that he was thrown from his horse and thus killed, but Thomas and Sir Robert find a small wound in his neck, leading them to believe that the man was murdered by a long, thin sword. The Earl is a highly-strung sort whose servants live in fear of him and his society-minded Countess, who had been dismissed from the service of Queen Elizabeth. Scandalous! So this murder must be solved quickly so that the Earl’s entertainments can go forward at all costs!
Thomas is tasked by his master to find the murderer, so he spends more time in the local village associating w/ colorful criminal sorts as well as having an amour w/ the local inn proprietor. This is a recurring theme in these books, so feels familiar. What keeps this from feeling cliché is the many many layers of the mystery, as another murder(s) occur. For me, a major plus in a mystery novel is when I cannot identify the murderer; I only had a passing suspicion in this book! Another positive in this book is that there is less detailed description of Elizabethan London, a real distraction in the first book for me.
I could probably rate this one around 4.4-4.5 stars, but rounded it down to 4 b/c it bogged down a bit for me in the details of planning a large revel.
March 30, 2026
(3/5) Everything was great but the ending frustrated me. For a murder mystery it felt more like the answer came out of left field rather than something that was cleverly foreshadowed. Still, Pilkington can write the middle of a book very well, wish he could nail his beginnings and endings.
March 27, 2026
The Falconer is on another hunt for a murderer. Pilkington is great at transporting you right into the Elizabethan England. There is quite a bit of action as well, a good tale indeed. It was way too short though.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
July 13, 2020
I found myself pulled into this story from the beginning, it is full of intrigue and kept me guessing all the way through but I was wrong in all my guesses at who the culprit was! Pilkington has a way of making you think you know what's about to happen only for the story to take a turn in a direction I wasn't expecting.
For me, this book is better than the first, not due to any faults with the first but because I've gotten to know some of the characters and enjoy their interactions and development. This is one of those books that once you start you can't stop, well that's how it was for me anyway. I didn't want to put it down until I knew who the murderer was.
As a series I can't wait to continue with it and will be reading the third, The Ramage Hawk very soon!
For me, this book is better than the first, not due to any faults with the first but because I've gotten to know some of the characters and enjoy their interactions and development. This is one of those books that once you start you can't stop, well that's how it was for me anyway. I didn't want to put it down until I knew who the murderer was.
As a series I can't wait to continue with it and will be reading the third, The Ramage Hawk very soon!
January 6, 2022
Better
Better than the first Thomas the Falconer book. We never knew or could guess who the murderer was; no clues were strewn about for us to pick up on. But the story was a good one although the castle and the entertainment seemed a bit preposterous. And the romance was tastefully done and minor to the story, included mainly for character building.
Better than the first Thomas the Falconer book. We never knew or could guess who the murderer was; no clues were strewn about for us to pick up on. But the story was a good one although the castle and the entertainment seemed a bit preposterous. And the romance was tastefully done and minor to the story, included mainly for character building.
February 13, 2022
Another intriging mystery solved by the intrepid falconer
As always Thomas the Falconer takes on the task of finding a murderer who is invisible to all others, an excellent read without too much blood and gore of other such stories.
As always Thomas the Falconer takes on the task of finding a murderer who is invisible to all others, an excellent read without too much blood and gore of other such stories.
January 25, 2016
Similar to his other Falconer books. The strength of the book lies in the settings, the culture, and some compelling characters. I learned a lot about olde England.
January 31, 2024
There is a lot of describtion on horse fairs and festivities that slow the pace of the action. And the villain is a surprise.
March 2, 2020
An Elizabethan murder
Thomas the Falconer is required to visit Earl Reigate's estate of Barrowhill where a murder takes place. His employer Sir Robert , asks him to investigate. This is an Elizabethan mystery encompassing the frivolities of court entertainment, the politics of the time and the religious fervour of both Catholics and Protestants. John Pilkington has captured the atmosphere of the period well and has good characters. An enjoyable read.
Thomas the Falconer is required to visit Earl Reigate's estate of Barrowhill where a murder takes place. His employer Sir Robert , asks him to investigate. This is an Elizabethan mystery encompassing the frivolities of court entertainment, the politics of the time and the religious fervour of both Catholics and Protestants. John Pilkington has captured the atmosphere of the period well and has good characters. An enjoyable read.
August 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. It didn't matter to me that I haven't read the first book.
I liked the characters and the setting and the use of language really appealed to me. The author uses lots of old English words, which gives an extra dimension to the story. Reading the book on Kindle made it easy to look up the words and their derivations.
I recommend this book and will be reading others in the series.
I liked the characters and the setting and the use of language really appealed to me. The author uses lots of old English words, which gives an extra dimension to the story. Reading the book on Kindle made it easy to look up the words and their derivations.
I recommend this book and will be reading others in the series.
October 7, 2020
A really strong second installment for this series. The language and writing style certainly gives the reader a feeling of the period and a good plot to boot!
I felt that there was a similarity to the Shardlake books with well rounded characters and interesting plotlines.
The trick will be sustaining the momentum throughout this series (another five to come at the time of writing)
I hope he does and I will certainly read on to find out.
I felt that there was a similarity to the Shardlake books with well rounded characters and interesting plotlines.
The trick will be sustaining the momentum throughout this series (another five to come at the time of writing)
I hope he does and I will certainly read on to find out.
November 11, 2020
Well researched novel of late Tudor life.
Being an afficionado of historical tales I enjoy forays away from the early middle ages and Pilkingtons books are a mix between Samson and Cornwell. The characters are believable and honest, the language and dialects realistic and descriptions of the times and places evocative and true. Don't know if I could read the whole series but the occasional visit won't do any harm.
Being an afficionado of historical tales I enjoy forays away from the early middle ages and Pilkingtons books are a mix between Samson and Cornwell. The characters are believable and honest, the language and dialects realistic and descriptions of the times and places evocative and true. Don't know if I could read the whole series but the occasional visit won't do any harm.
March 15, 2025
A lovely bit of Elizabethan world-building but a weak plot. Random side threads that should have had more explanation at the end, an unconvincing ending and no “clues” so you could have, in theory worked it out. Some of the unusual circumstances of the Earl’s household, which should have been either clues or red herrings, were just left hanging. I did enjoy the novel but wasn’t left satisfied. Three stars.
May 30, 2020
This excellent second book in the Thomas Finbow series is a wonderful exploration of the scrabbling for power amongst the nouveau riche in Elizabethan England. The detailed description of the Barrowhill Pleasures entertainment was a joy to read. The mystery was sufficiently brain-teasing and the whole story thoroughly enjoyable.
November 13, 2020
Thomas Finbow, at Sir Roberts behest tries to solve strange murders!
What starts as a trip to a nobleman estate to try out their hawks turns to murders. Sir Robert tells Thomas more and his questions get him into troubles at this fantastic estate and other places. The mystery and history mirrors some of the Royal, religious, political and criminal practices of the time!
What starts as a trip to a nobleman estate to try out their hawks turns to murders. Sir Robert tells Thomas more and his questions get him into troubles at this fantastic estate and other places. The mystery and history mirrors some of the Royal, religious, political and criminal practices of the time!
July 21, 2023
Mystery
Really unusual lead character who is without any exceptional skills but simply an honest man using his wits and putting himself in danger for no personal benefit. The author brings him to life so well I immediately liked this man and wanted to join in his journey. Unfortunately it was beyond me to unmask the ruthless killer myself !
Really unusual lead character who is without any exceptional skills but simply an honest man using his wits and putting himself in danger for no personal benefit. The author brings him to life so well I immediately liked this man and wanted to join in his journey. Unfortunately it was beyond me to unmask the ruthless killer myself !
February 28, 2020
A really good novel!
This is part of a series of novels. The first one I read took quite a bit to get into, but this particular one was a pleasure to read from the get go. Enjoyed it!
This is part of a series of novels. The first one I read took quite a bit to get into, but this particular one was a pleasure to read from the get go. Enjoyed it!
February 27, 2021
Excellent
This is an extremely readable tale, with interesting well realised characters and history so well drawn it is as if you are there, scenting the wind, tasting the food, feeling the damp in your bones.
This is an extremely readable tale, with interesting well realised characters and history so well drawn it is as if you are there, scenting the wind, tasting the food, feeling the damp in your bones.
April 18, 2021
Another mystery for Thomas the Faulkner to solve. Really enjoying these historical stories. The characters are we'll rounded and develop through the series. The story is absorbing and keeps you guessing too.
Off to read the next in the series now.
Off to read the next in the series now.
July 24, 2021
Enjoyable. Thomas the falconer is swept into a wave of mystery when he accompanies his master to visit a nobleman. When the noblemans guests start dying, Thomas takes it upon himself to find out what's going on, and the search leads him to some rather unexpected places
December 18, 2021
A different way of looking at the Religious changes in England
Very well researched such detail of the entertainment that could have taken place. Several plots running together some personal always giving something to the main storytelling forward to the next instalment.
Very well researched such detail of the entertainment that could have taken place. Several plots running together some personal always giving something to the main storytelling forward to the next instalment.
February 5, 2020
A convoluted yarn filled with strange practices and words I had to look up. Thoroughly enjoyable.
March 30, 2020
Really enjoyed book 2 the further adventures of Thomas Falconer and his employer Sir Robert
September 22, 2021
a page Turner
The second book I have read by John Pilkington, every bit as good as the first. My ideas of Tudor lifestyle well depicted
The second book I have read by John Pilkington, every bit as good as the first. My ideas of Tudor lifestyle well depicted
June 15, 2022
Cleverly simplified period English.
Very enjoyable read. Convincing and i believe accurate idiom of the period. The description of class divide is very accurate.
Very enjoyable read. Convincing and i believe accurate idiom of the period. The description of class divide is very accurate.
September 26, 2022
A Good Story
I am impressed again with both the story and the characters. My liking of historical fiction grows with each book I read.I will continue with the series.
I am impressed again with both the story and the characters. My liking of historical fiction grows with each book I read.I will continue with the series.
September 26, 2022
Another gudn 😄
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews