The Muscovy Chain
Will be published approx. on 27. February 2026
Book
Hardback
210 pages
978-1-80600-942-8 (ISBN)
Description
Get ready for the final THRILLING instalment in John Pilkington's Thomas the Falconer Tudor mystery series!'English history fans who don't know the Thomas the Falconer series should get up to speed quickly.' Booklist
THE FINAL DEADLY HUNT
When Thomas' master Sir Robert is charged by the Queen's Council to host an important guest - Grigori Stanic, ambassador of Muscovy - Thomas is tasked with entertaining his Excellency's party, who are all keen hawking men.
But no sooner have they arrived than Thomas is ordered to guard a priceless gift for Boris Godunov, the most important man at the Tsar's Court: a magnificent gold chain with jewelled pendant, only for it to be swifty stolen, with terrifying diplomatic consequences.
As the desperate hunt for the chain begins a body is uncovered - the victim having been brutally tortured - and a mysterious figure is seen on the Downs, sowing fear in the community. Is he the thief - or worse, is he responsible for the murder?
Thomas must use his sharp mind and primed skills to once again uncover the dark secrets lurking among Stanic's divided followers. But is Thomas truly ready to confront the most terrible adversary he has ever faced?
Praise for the Thomas the Falconer series:
'Larger-than-life characters and authentic 16th-century ambience... Pilkington successfully draws readers into his world and keeps them turning the pages.' - Booklist
'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
'A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries' Library Journal
'The quality of the writing and evocation of the Elizabethan Age is right up there with C J Sansom - and that could be no higher recommendation. I devoured it with relish and a buzz of contentment! ????? Reader Review
Brilliant! A master of descriptive prose! ????? Reader Review
Interesting tale of intrigue, murder and mystery. ????? Reader Review
I was gripped from start to finish. A very well crafted read which was unputdownable. ????? Reader Review
Well-drawn characters in a colourful and dangerous world, drawn into a plot that will keep you guessing (and keep the pages flying by). Thoroughly recommended. ????? Reader Review
THE FINAL DEADLY HUNT
When Thomas' master Sir Robert is charged by the Queen's Council to host an important guest - Grigori Stanic, ambassador of Muscovy - Thomas is tasked with entertaining his Excellency's party, who are all keen hawking men.
But no sooner have they arrived than Thomas is ordered to guard a priceless gift for Boris Godunov, the most important man at the Tsar's Court: a magnificent gold chain with jewelled pendant, only for it to be swifty stolen, with terrifying diplomatic consequences.
As the desperate hunt for the chain begins a body is uncovered - the victim having been brutally tortured - and a mysterious figure is seen on the Downs, sowing fear in the community. Is he the thief - or worse, is he responsible for the murder?
Thomas must use his sharp mind and primed skills to once again uncover the dark secrets lurking among Stanic's divided followers. But is Thomas truly ready to confront the most terrible adversary he has ever faced?
Praise for the Thomas the Falconer series:
'Larger-than-life characters and authentic 16th-century ambience... Pilkington successfully draws readers into his world and keeps them turning the pages.' - Booklist
'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
'A sturdy and entertaining historical for fans of Elizabethan mysteries' Library Journal
'The quality of the writing and evocation of the Elizabethan Age is right up there with C J Sansom - and that could be no higher recommendation. I devoured it with relish and a buzz of contentment! ????? Reader Review
Brilliant! A master of descriptive prose! ????? Reader Review
Interesting tale of intrigue, murder and mystery. ????? Reader Review
I was gripped from start to finish. A very well crafted read which was unputdownable. ????? Reader Review
Well-drawn characters in a colourful and dangerous world, drawn into a plot that will keep you guessing (and keep the pages flying by). Thoroughly recommended. ????? Reader Review
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
426 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80600-942-8 (9781806009428)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
John Pilkington
The Muscovy Chain
Step into Elizabethan London with John Pilkington's gripping mystery
E-Book
02/2026
Boldwood Books Ltd
€4.49
Available for download
Person
A writer for over forty years, John Pilkington was born in Lancashire and worked at many jobs including laboratory assistant, farm worker, weaver, shipping clerk, picture frame-maker and cabaret musician before taking a degree in Drama and English and finding his true 2 vocation. He has since written plays for radio and theatre, television scripts for a BBC soap, a short-lived children's series and numerous works of historical fiction, concentrating now on the Tudor and Stuart eras. He also ventured into speculative fiction with his biography of Shakespeare's famous jester, Yorick.
He now lives in a village on a tidal estuary in Devon with his long-term partner Elisabeth; they have a son who is a psychologist and musician. When not at the desk he walks, swims, listens to music and tinkers with d.i.y. projects, and is enjoying being a grandfather.
He now lives in a village on a tidal estuary in Devon with his long-term partner Elisabeth; they have a son who is a psychologist and musician. When not at the desk he walks, swims, listens to music and tinkers with d.i.y. projects, and is enjoying being a grandfather.