Death of a Fugitive: Discover a gripping Tudor mystery of crime, deceit and danger for 2026

This Ward, Cutler... it seethes, does it not?

1595, Bishopsgate Ward, London. Matthew Cutler, constable for the parish of Spitalfields, prides himself on always being on the side of justice. So when a young man on the run, whose only ‘crime’ was protesting about high prices and corruption, hides out in Bishopsgate, not for the first time Cutler finds his duties as constable at odds with his gut feeling. He feels compelled to help him, and not just because his daughter Jane is smitten with the plucky lad...

Meanwhile there is trouble in Bishopsgate as fake coins keep turning up, convincing enough to fool many. Tensions rise and people are in fear of a brutal yet shadowy figure: the ‘coiner’ Thomas Gunnell, who seems to have eyes everywhere. Cutler must once again fall back on his skills of disguise, and risk his own life to root out Gunnell’s gang before they bring chaos to Bishopsgate Ward – and danger to everything he holds dear.

Praise for John Pilkington:

'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! I just love the way in which he brings his characters to life and makes them so believable. He is a master of descriptive prose.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'Gripping, enjoyable and too difficult to put down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'John Pilkington continues to delight and inform. His writing style flows with ease and wit and I look forward to more of his tales' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'I was gripped from start to finish.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review