Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: Princes Gate

Subtitle: (DCI Frank Merlin #1)

Author: Mark Ellis

Genre: Crime/Thriller/Mystery

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26244386-princes-gate

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

A murder mystery set around the American Embassy in London at the start of the second World War. Will Frank Merlin identify the killer?

What I liked about the book:

It’s a great detective story.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The twists and turns.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. The title suggests there will be more in the series to follow.

What books could this be compared to and why?

It can be compared to many other detective stories.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Perhaps

Adult Yes

If you like mysteries and intrigue, this book may be the book for you.

I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Princes Gate is the first in the DCI Frank Merlin series. These atmospheric books set in wartime London mix historical and fictional characters and feature a charismatic and intriguing half-Spanish Scotland Yard detective. When a brilliant emigre scientist is killed by a hit and run driver and a young woman's body is washed up in the Thames, Merlin and his team must investigate. The woman is an employee of the American Embassy, whose Ambassador at this time is Joseph Kennedy. DCI Merlin's investigation of diplomats at the Embassy ruffles feathers at the Foreign Office - the American Ambassador is a well-known supporter of appeasement and many powerful and influential Britons favour the pursuit of a negotiated peace settlement with Hitler. The death of another Embassy employee leads Merlin into some of the seedier quarters of wartime London where a corrupt night-club owner, various high-flying diplomats and the Ambassador himself appear to be linked to the events surrounding the deaths. Merlin has to pursue his detective work under the interfering supervision of an Assistant Metropolitan Commissioner who is fearful about the impact of Merlin's investigations on Anglo-American relations at a time when America represents to many Britain's only hope of salvation. Capturing the atmosphere of Britain in 1940 during the 'phoney war' when, although war rages on the Continent, life continues relatively peacefully in Britain, Princes Gate is an enthralling detective novel."

About the Author:

Former barrister and businessman from Swansea. His first crime thriller, Princes Gate, set in WW2 London and featuring charismatic Scotland Yard detective Frank Merlin, was published in Summer 2011. Frank Merlin 2, Stalin's Gold, published March 1 2014. Merlin 3 Merlin At War published in July 2017. Merlin At War has been longlisted for the 2018 CWA Historical Dagger.

"Masterful" Bestselling historian Andrew Roberts' review of Stalin's Gold

"Ellis does a wonderful job of creating an atmosphere as thick as any 1940's London pea souper you may find and I have to admit once I'd read the opening chapters, I was well and truly hooked." Talk Books, review of Princes Gate by Milo's Rambles.

"Nostalgia, sex and intrigue all rolled into one-great!" Tony Page in 50Connect.

"Set in London, in January 1940, we are quickly propelled into the atmosphere and feel of desperation...we can smell the sweat under the arms of the men, and the stale perfume of naive girls in the nightclubs; we can see the unshaven chins and the venal eyes of the club owner...we

can even share the fear as a plane passes high

over the darkened streets and the instinct is to

duck into an air-raid shelter...an interesting

character and era, and I'd like to read more."

Adrian Magson, best-selling author, in Shots

Magazine.

"A real treat" Hereford Times