The Mapmaker's Secret: A captivating Elizabethan mystery for fans of Andrew Taylor and C.J. Sansom

Pick up the next thrilling instalment in this gripping Elizabethan mystery series from John Pilkington. Fans of Andrew Taylor and C. J. Sansom will not want to miss this! 🩸☠️ 'Pilkington’s latest takes this long-running and popular series to a new level' - Booklist

A HAWK SOARS TO KILL...

Thomas Finbow is sent to help with a tragic fire at one of his master's tenant farms, but is soon embroiled in something far more sinister. The body of Simon Haylock is dragged from the blazing barn - and it appears he was dead before the fire even started...

All is not well on the Berkshire Downs, as a number of fearful murders are discovered, baffling the authorities and striking fear into villagers' hearts. Suspicion falls on strangers in the area, like the dour mapmaker Christopher Mead and the flamboyant travelling showman Paulo Schweiz.

But Thomas sees what others cannot, and with the help of Paulo's astonishing magic lantern show he starts to unravel the web of secrets and desire for revenge that have led to the murders - with astounding consequences.

Prepare to be gripped by this thrilling murder mystery! 🩸🔍

*Previously published as The Mapmaker's Daughter

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

‘This latest entry in Pilkington’s Thomas the Falconer series is a vigorous adventure featuring a likeable hero, an intriguing plot and a fine sense of period ambience.’ - Booklist

'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

© 2026 Boldwood Books (Ebook): 9781806009152

Release date

Ebook: 30 January 2026