Mark Ellis's Blog: Mark Ellis, page 3

Have finalised cover for Stalin's Gold (Frank Merlin 2) which is coming out on March 1 2014 and have posted on my profile.

I have a publication date of March 1st 2014 for STALIN'S GOLD the second in the Frank Merlin series

Recent activity on my Book Page

Have posted opening of Stalin's Gold(Frank Merlin2) at

Sitting here as I am in a still relatively balmy Spanish night I am wondering about the greatest Iberian crime novels. Both for Company of Strangers (Portugal) and the Falcon series I think Robert Wilson is ahead of the game. Quite liked the C.J. Sansom Civil War novel but that wasn't a crime novel.

Not really sure how this blogging thing works but just checked and my blog an hour ago has been viewed by 16 people. So if you are looking please let me know what you think!

Not really sure how this blogging thing works but just checked and my blog an hour ago has been viewed by 16 people. So if you are looking please let me know what you think!

Been asked to give a talk on my 20 greatest crime novels of the 20th century. Quite a task. Think Patricia Highsmith will be at or near the top. Chandler maybe? Love Simenon but so many to choose from. Any ideas?

Answering my own question re wartime sources have got hold of Elizabeth Bowen's Collected Short Stories in which there are supposed to be several stories in the period. There is a great novel in period The Heat of the Day which I read a while ago.

Have spent a day immersed in December 1941 the period setting of Frank Merlin 3. Reading Alanbrooke diaries, London at War, Max Hastings, various other diaries, People at War by Calder etc. Grateful for any other suggested sources not just non fiction.