BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
Rogues Gold
‘An exciting adventure mystery set in the cut-throat world of Elizabethan England.’
Ben Button is an apprentice with a famous company of actors. He’s excited about their summer tour as he’s never travelled beyond the city of London, but their first stop at Bowford Manor turns out to be a disaster when one of them is accused of stealing a valuable gold plate. Ben teams up with Lady Sarah, to discover that dangerous secrets surround the mysterious plate. And some people will stop at nothing to prevent the truth being discovered…
‘This thrilling romp across the Elizabethan English countryside populated by bejewelled nobility, ragged beggars, thundering horsemen and secret spies has a charm that’s impossible to resist’
Booklore
‘A brilliant mystery and a great read that will have you guessing until the end’
Dragonfly Book Reviews
Usborne, 2007. ISBN: 9780746078792
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Traitor!
Ben Button and his company of actors have been invited to perform in front of the Queen, but when costumes disappear and a suspicious fire nearly destroys the Rose Theatre, Ben suspects that an enemy is out to ruin their royal performance. He teams up with rival apprentice Matt to discover who’s behind the dirty tricks – is there really a traitor in their midst?
‘A story completely comfortable in its setting, not attempting to be the great historical novel, but a really good adventure set within the world of the Elizabethan Theatre’
Books for Keeps
‘reflects the times succinctly and is an action-packed story designed to thrill readers’
Readplus.co.uk
Traitor! was selected by children’s literature consultant Janet Fisher as one of the ‘Ten Best Stories set in Tudor Times’
(Books for Keeps, 2009)
Usborne, 2008. ISBN: 9780746087114
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Revenge!
In Elizabethan London, treachery and danger can lurk in unlikely places. Trouble looms when Ben Button befriends a young beggar with a grudge against an important nobleman. Hungry for revenge, the vagabond will stop at nothing to expose the nobleman’s lies. And when Ben learns the man is behind a plot that threatens all of England, he has no choice but to help gather evidence – even if it means risking his own life to uncover the truth…
‘Boy actor Ben Button takes centre stage in this thrilling mystery delving into the ruthless dealings of the Elizabethan arms trade’
Betty Bookmark
Usborne, 2009. ISBN: 9780746097984
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Thief!
Elizabethan London is dirty and dangerous, so Ben Button can’t wait to escape the city and visit his family. But their village has suffered a series of violent burglaries, and Ben is soon drawn into a manhunt for a murderer who will stop at nothing to unearth riches hidden nearby. He must unravel the clues and find the treasure before it falls into the wrong hands – which means facing the most dangerous foe he has ever known…
Usborne, 2009. ISBN: 9780746097991
‘Pilkington brings to life all the lure and excitement of the Elizabethan period with its scandals, schemes and skullduggery and places an ordinary boy in an extraordinary world’
Lancashire Evening Post
Read a chapter from any book at www.usborne.com
to top >The Thomas the Falconer series of historical mysteries is set in the late 16th century, and features an unlikely sleuth. Thomas Finbow, falconer to a wealthy Berkshire knight, would rather stay at home with his birds, but is obliged to step outside the peaceful country estate to undertake some dangerous quests.
The Ruffler's Child (2002), ISBN 0-7090-7057-8
A Ruinous Wind (2003), ISBN 0-7278-6031-3
The Ramage Hawk (2004), ISBN 0-7278-6087-9
The Mapmaker's Daughter (2004), ISBN 0-7278-6160-3
The Maiden Bell (2005), ISBN 0-7278-6293-6
The Jingler's Luck (2006), ISBN 0-7278-6373-8
The Muscovy Chain (2007), ISBN 0-7278-6543-4
‘The primary appeal of this always-entertaining historical mystery series is Pilkington’s convincing portrait of sixteenth century London and the charm of his engaging hero’
Booklist
‘The latest entry in Pilkington’s “Thomas the Falconer” series is a vigorous adventure [with] an intriguing plot and a fine sense of period ambience’
Booklist on A Ruinous Wind
‘Pilkington’s third “Thomas the Falconer” historical offers a real treat’
Publisher’s Weekly on The Ramage Hawk
‘Thomas the Falconer continues his adventures in his gripping fourth Elizabethan mystery’
Kirkus Reviews on The Mapmaker’s Daughter
‘A stirring story, complex plot, larger-than-life characters and an authentic 16th century ambience. English history fans who don’t know the “Thomas the Falconer” series should get up to speed quickly’
Booklist on The Maiden Bell
‘In what is a truly fine historical series, Pilkington makes Elizabethan London come vividly alive. Recommended’
Library Journal on The Jingler’s Luck
‘If this is the end for the “Thomas the Falconer” series, then Pilkington leaves us breathless’
Wordpress on The Muscovy Chain
Publishers: Robert Hale Ltd (The Ruffler’s Child). Remainder: Severn House.
Also published in the USA by Severn House Publishers Inc (New York).
The Ruffler’s Child and A Ruinous Wind are translated into German and published by btb-Verlag.
The Ruffler’s Child, A Ruinous Wind and The Ramage Hawk are also recorded on Audio Books by Isis Soundings. See www.isis-publishing.co.uk
PLAYS… For the theatre:
Plantation (Orchard Theatre Company tour and London transfer, 1995)
Heartland (Wessex Actors Co tour, 1995)
The Wrestling Field (Large-scale Community Play, Exeter Festival, 1996)
For Radio:
Murmur of a Summer’s Day
A Frozen Stream Called Wounded Knee
Dead Man’s Button
Dangerous Samples
Accommodating Lena
Plantation (adaptation of stage play for BBC World Service)
Apostle of Light
The Colours of Steam
A full listing of John’s radio works with comments can be found on the Diversity Website at http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms and click on John Pilkington.
Scripts for Television: Doctors, BBC daytime drama series (6 episodes)
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