Will Thomas survive this investigation? The jury is out.
In the year 1592, a series of terrible murders is spreading fear across the remote West Berkshire Downs. It is Thomas the Falconer who discovers the connection: all the dead men once sat on an inquest jury. But who is now targeting the former jurymen? And why is the High Sheriff taking such an interest?
There are certainly some odd characters on the Downs this springtime, including a flamboyant travelling showman, whom Thomas befriends; and the arrogant mapmaker Christopher Mead, who is assisted by his beautiful daughter Grace. But after a while, even Grace's behaviour arouses Thomas's suspicions . . .
In this, his fourth mystery, Thomas must match wits with a most cunning and elusive adversary. Only after a desperate struggle on the wild downlands is justice finally done, and peace restored once again...
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About the Author:
John Pilkington is an award-winning dramatist for both the stage and radio. He is also a scriptwriter for the daytime soap Doctors.
From Booklist:
*Starred Review* Although his first love is falconry, Thomas the Falconer also enjoys sleuthing. His master, Sir Robert Vicary, allows and even encourages the falconer's amateur detecting. When the body of a laborer is found in a burned-out barn following a fire at a nearby farm, it at first appears the man died in the blaze. Soon, however, Thomas realizes that the victim was dead before the fire started. The cause? Severe poisoning. But who would want to kill a lowly laborer and why? As Thomas puzzles over the case, another murder occurs, again by poisoning. When a third murder follows, the village panics, fearing a plague or God's vengeance. His investigation takes him into the past and a single cataclysmic event that evolved into a chilling plot for revenge. Fortunately, Thomas' fine intuition and careful analysis of the facts help him solve the case and uncover both the chilling motive and the deadly murderer. Pilkington's latest takes this long-running and popular series to a new level. It is rich in period ambience, with authentic-sounding dialogue and realistic descriptions of the customs and mores of sixteenth-century England. The plot is intriguing and offers plenty of page-turning suspense, and the character of Thomas is richer and more fully developed than in past episodes. A good series steps up. Emily Melton
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"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherSevern House
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0727861603
- ISBN 13 9780727861603
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages256
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Rating