Mark Ellis (3) (1953–)

You can count on Mark Ellis for an engaging historical fiction read. Once again, Mark Ellis's book, The French Spy, is an interesting World War II espionage thriller. It combines murder, military intrigue, and personal stakes to create a powerful mystery. Set in London just after the Blitz, DCI Frank Merlin investigates the death of a young lady linked to an illegal abortionist, which is quickly followed by another murder. Meanwhile, a letter from Crete may reveal fatal truths. As pressures show more between Vichy and Free French troops rise, Merlin must tackle politics, finance, and personal allegiance. The plot moves quickly, but Merlin's familiar approach and personality provide a solid foundation. This is historical crime fiction at its best, with a clever narrative and surprising twists. A great read and recommended. show less

The thing with really enjoyable review books that are part of a series is that there's no option but to go back and get the earlier books. Regardless of how teetering the current reading pile might be. Which is what happened here after finishing STALIN'S GOLD.

Interesting enough this is now the second series built around the Polish in England that's appealed - albeit this isn't set in current day. Despite it also being the second book in the series, it's very easy to get into sync with Frank show more Merlin. A cop kept behind in England whilst the war rages, because of the importance of the job, he's not completely comfortable with this imposition. The job is also made considerably more difficult because there is such a lack of police resources with so many people fighting the war. On the home front the police are dealing with the aftermath of the London bombings, with looters causing concern in very high places, enough to make his immediate superiors question the need for much time to be spent searching for a missing Polish RAF pilot.

But search and find that missing pilot Merlin does, and not just because of a personal request from the brother of his Polish lover. But the finding of the dead pilot leads to an even bigger mystery which eventually winds itself around more than just his death.

The atmosphere and sense of place that builds in STALIN'S GOLD is palpable. The ever present threat of the bombings, combined with the feel of darkened streets and people living in straightened circumstances, is nicely described, and that, combined with the character of Merlin - restrained, very British, and yet a loving and concerned man gives what's ultimately a thriller, a strong base in place and character. It's also not all dire - in amongst the bombed out centres there's orchestra performances, moments in parks, and quiet and relatively peaceful streets with people getting on with life.

The pacing of the thriller aspects is well done, and whilst the plot is complicated and quite far ranging, it weaves together deftly, with the characters remaining a strong focus. In a nice touch there's a real sense of grey about many of those characters. The circumstances of the lives that wartime people live sometimes leading them to do great things, or bad things. Not excusing any of the worst of the goings on.

The other nice touch is the inclusion of the Polish government in exile and the Polish community - an aspect of wartime London here, at least, that was quite illuminating.

Definitely a series for fans of historical crime fiction. Particularly those who like a touch of thriller pace in what is ultimately a good police procedural, with a strong central protagonist.

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-stalins-gold-mark-ellis show less

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! The story has many facets to it, and this will likely be a reread for me. First off, Mark Ellis is obviously a student of history, and he ties the story in closely with real-world events and people. This mystery is set in London during the Blitzkreig of Autumn, 1940, and the main characters of the interact with historical figures, including Winston Churchill, the King and Queen of England, and even Josef show more Stalin and Hermann Goring make appearances. That part of the book was fascinating.

The story itself was captivating, as well, and it almost turned into an Agatha Christie-type locked room mystery, with Frank Merlin acting the part of Hercule Peroit, calling into question suspects motivations and hidden ties to each other. Good stuff, and I'm looking forward to the next Frank Merlin mystery!

I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in WWII, British murder mysteries, or anyone that just enjoys a well-written, well-researched book! show less

UK author and former barrister Mark Ellis continues his DCI Frank Merlin novels, THE FRENCH SPY being the third in the series that includes The Embassy Murders, In the Shadows of the Blitz, A Death in Mayfair, Dead in the Water, and Death of an Officer. The protagonist is an Anglo-Spanish police detective and the period is historically important as set in WW II. The author’s ability to establish atmosphere Is evident as the novel opens in in Crete in the year 1941: ‘It was nearly five show more o’clock when the three soldiers reached the end of the olive grove. The dust-filled air shimmered in the alate-afternoon heat. Their bodies ached, their uniforms were caked with dirt and sweat and they were hungry, thirsty and exhausted…’

The author’s ability to blend World War Two history with crime mystery is a gift; and in his hands, history becomes visual as the thriller unwinds. The plot is succinctly distilled as follows: ‘War rages across Europe. France is under Nazi rule. Britain has its back to the wall. In London, Scotland Yard detective Frank Merlin investigates a series of disturbing events - a young girl killed in a botched abortion, a French emigré shot in a seedy Notting Hill flat, a mysterious letter written by a British officer recently gunned down in Crete. With action spanning Buenos Aires, New York, Cairo and occupied France, Merlin and his team are plunged into a dark world of espionage, murder, love and betrayal.’

With just the right balance of historical reality and finely tuned mystery, this book adds to the growing audience admiration of Ellis’ titular hero – and a memorable cast of unforgettable characters. A treasure of a thriller! show less