THE INSANELY GRIPPING AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FOURTH INSTALMENT IN MARK ELLIS' DCI FRANK MERLIN SERIES

'[A] stylish thriller' - Sunday Mirror

'This exciting, very well plotted and historically evocative story drives forward to its gripping conclusion' - Euro Crime

'A richly atmospheric, authentic, and suspenseful detective series' - Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author

'A rollercoaster ride' - The Yorkshire Herald

'So immaculately nuanced they genuinely feel like they belong in the cannon of mid-20th century thrillers . . . Another belter!' - Fiona Phillips

'A truly spellbinding page turner that keeps you hooked right to the end' - Dorset Book Detective
___________

December 1941.

On a bright Sunday morning in Hawaii, Japanese planes swoop down and attack the US naval base at Pearl Harbour. America enters the war and Britain no longer stands alone against Hitler.

Conditions on the home front remain bleak. In a city pulverised by the Blitz, with rampant crime and corruption and overstretched police resources, life for Scotland Yard detective Frank Merlin continues as arduous as ever.

In the week of Japan's aggression, the shattered body of beautiful film star Laura Curzon is found on the pavement beneath her Mayfair apartment, an apparent suicide. A mile away, the body of a strangled young girl is discovered in the rubble of a bombed-out building.

Merlin and his team investigate, encountering fraudulent film moguls, philandering movie stars, depraved Satanists and brutal gangsters as they battle through a wintry London in pursuit of the truth.
___________

An excellent read by an author who clearly knows his subject . . . highly recommended - Alex J Book Reviews

Suspenseful and plot driven, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout - Rachel Read It

A vivid and often surprising portrayal of wartime London - The Western Mail

Vivid descriptions of the era provide ideal background for the charismatic and likeable Merlin - Buzz Magazine

About the Author

Mark Ellis is a thriller writer from Swansea and a former barrister and entrepreneur. Mark grew up under the shadow of his parents' experience of the Second World War. His father served in the wartime navy and died a young man. His mother told him stories of watching the heavy bombardment of Swansea from the safe vantage point of a hill in Llanelli, and of attending tea dances in wartime London under the bombs and doodlebugs.

In consequence, Mark has always been fascinated by World War II and, in particular, the Home Front and the fact that while the nation was engaged in a heroic endeavour, crime flourished. Murder, robbery, theft and rape were rife.

Author of the DCI Frank Merlin series, Mark is also a member of the Crime Writer's Association.

He lives in London.

Reviews
[A] stylish thriller * Sunday Mirror *
This exciting, very well plotted and historically evocative story drives forward to its gripping conclusion * Euro Crime *
A richly atmospheric, authentic, and suspenseful detective series -- Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author
A rollercoaster ride * The Yorkshire Herald *
So immaculately nuanced they genuinely feel like they belong in the cannon of mid-20th century thrillers . . . Another belter! -- Fiona Phillips
A truly spellbinding page turner that keeps you hooked right to the end * Dorset Book Detective *
Brimming with action . . . complex, addictive and highly entertaining . . . I cannot wait to read more books by Mark Ellis * The Book Cosy Book Club *
Brimming with authentic details . . . A compelling tale of crime fiction * Foreword Reviews *
Wow! Well just as I think I've completed my Outstanding Books Of The Year list, up pops another book that will be on the list * Mrs Bloggs: The Average Reader *
A mammoth read with a Dickensian plethora of characters that I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in . . . meticulously researched . . . deliciously complex * CARAMEROLLOVESBOOKS *
This latest novel in Mark Ellis's DCI Merlin series goes way beyond the familiar cliches . . . satisfyingly complex * Shots Magazine *
A marvellous addition to this wonderful series * Swirl and Thread *
Mr. Ellis comprehensively explodes that persisting myth of unalloyed wartime togetherness . . . an eye-opener -- Janet Roger
An excellent read by an author who clearly knows his subject . . . highly recommended * Alex J Book Reviews *
Suspenseful and plot driven, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout * Rachel Read It *
A vivid and often surprising portrayal of wartime London * The Western Mail *
Vivid descriptions of the era provide ideal background for the charismatic and likeable Merlin * Buzz Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9781786156723
Author Mark Ellis
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Accent Press Ltd
Publisher Headline Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 272g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 32mm