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The Mark of Merlin
Carla Murdoch had learned what it was to be alone, growing up on different army posts. But now her loneliness is terrible--for her officer father met a mysterious death on a foreign battlefield, and Carla has been sent to live in her new guardian's New England mansion . . . a remote, snowbound place where she finds she isn't really wanted. Together with her dog, Merlin, Carla must make a new start and face demons within and without--for her father's killer is now on her trail, too! A thrilling novel of romantic suspense by one of the world's favorite storytellers.
196 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
4 people are currently reading
510 people want to read
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
478 books7,753 followersAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American writer known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, Weyr Search, 1968) and the first to win a Nebula Award (Best Novella, Dragonrider, 1969). Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science-fiction books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 20, 2025
This definitely isn't a book I would usually pick up, but I love Anne McCaffrey (looking at you, Pern series) so I gambled and it paid off. This was a really enjoyable murder mystery in the world's worst blizzard with the world's best boy! Merlin, the German Shepherd who didn't have the right temperament for war because he's just too smart!
Honestly, I also never tired of the joke that poor Carla had been named James Carlysle Murdock because her father wanted a boy and didn't think of a backup name. Carla was a spunky character, soft and stern by turns. Like most of us, nothing perked her up faster than defending her dog!
The supporting cast of military men were mostly addressed by rank so I hope you know something about that or you'll be a little confused. Regan Laird was the love interest and I appreciated the nuance of how his recovery from his giant disfiguring facial scar was played. Ed "Turtle" Bailey was a lovely character that I enjoyed having around to chop wood and tell randy jokes. Robert DeLord also has some recovering to do but his take-charge can-do attitude was welcome. Hated Don Warren; anyone who poisons puppies just deserves whatever happens to him.
This was a fun read. Anne McCaffrey can win me over, even without dragons! 4/5
Honestly, I also never tired of the joke that poor Carla had been named James Carlysle Murdock because her father wanted a boy and didn't think of a backup name. Carla was a spunky character, soft and stern by turns. Like most of us, nothing perked her up faster than defending her dog!
The supporting cast of military men were mostly addressed by rank so I hope you know something about that or you'll be a little confused. Regan Laird was the love interest and I appreciated the nuance of how his recovery from his giant disfiguring facial scar was played. Ed "Turtle" Bailey was a lovely character that I enjoyed having around to chop wood and tell randy jokes. Robert DeLord also has some recovering to do but his take-charge can-do attitude was welcome. Hated Don Warren; anyone who poisons puppies just deserves whatever happens to him.
This was a fun read. Anne McCaffrey can win me over, even without dragons! 4/5
October 9, 2022
I picked up this vintage Dell paperback because I wanted something that was a quick read (waiting room reading) and the synopsis on the back grabbed my attention. I love a mystery and enjoyed Anne McCaffrey's books when I was a teenager. "The Mark of Merlin" did not disappoint. I enjoyed the characters and the plotline, the story set during WWII is a favorite time period. I did find the character of Carla Murdock a bit annoying and the conflict between her and her "guardian" very dated but the book was published in 1971. The story was very good. Think "Monuments Men" meets "Jane Eyre." In any case, the book served its purpose by keeping me entertained while waiting and was a quick read.
July 5, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and loved the setting of WW2, as the ending is in sight.
As usual, with anything that Anne wrote, the plotline and characters were great, and it kept me guessing until the end, as to the truth.
I also loved Merlin, and felt envious of Carla's relationship with such a superb specimen of dog. Having had dogs for most of my married life, I know just how faithful they can be, and what wonderful companions, too.
This is the sort of story that I would have loved to see a follow-up on, too.
As usual, with anything that Anne wrote, the plotline and characters were great, and it kept me guessing until the end, as to the truth.
I also loved Merlin, and felt envious of Carla's relationship with such a superb specimen of dog. Having had dogs for most of my married life, I know just how faithful they can be, and what wonderful companions, too.
This is the sort of story that I would have loved to see a follow-up on, too.
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January 24, 2023I enjoy anything by Anne McCaffrey, and this was no exception. Different from her science fiction writing but still contains a great plot and characters that have you turning the pages long into the night. The strong character of James Carlyle keeps you reading long into the night and Merlin is the staunch companion through it all. A great read from a great author.
December 19, 2023
Well it is dated and older men with a younger woman too. It does try to be a bit feminist. I found myself skipping paragraphs which is always a bad sign, but after all that it was a lovely winter's afternoon read. Not clear that Merlin really deserved to be in the title or why. I still prefer A Stitch in Snow of her real world works. A nice try but not up to Pern
September 22, 2018
Recently orphaned college student and military brat, James Carlyse Murdock (Carla) meets her new guardian, Major Laird. Set during WW II, the story features an art/jewelry theft in Colonel Murdock’s troop as well as the developing romance between Carla and the Major.
November 14, 2024
Couldn't put it down, yes, the story shows its age, but is true to the time it was set in. I wasn't expecting the ending, but it was very well done.
November 29, 2011
No mysticism here - the Merlin in question is a German Shepherd.
The book's a mystery/romance set during WWII. After her military father's death, 20-year-old Carlysle, recuperating from an illness, goes to an isolated Cape Cod house to meet her new guardian, another military man, a friend of her late father who's also recently been wounded. Disfigured or not, Radclyffe student Carlyle has a thing for military men, and finds this new guardian quite attractive.
But she's distracted from these feelings by new revelations that her father may have been murdered, rather than killed in the line of duty, as was reported - he was in the course of investigating a suspected smuggling operation.
This book was published in 1971 (I believe - this edition is 1990), but I got the impression that McCaffrey was trying to write as if it were written in the 40's. All of the military characters' "rough language" is portrayed by blanks ("_______"), which is odd, since most publishers in the 60's and 70's definitely did not usually have qualms about publishing explicit language! Really, all the blanks do is make me stop and think hard about all the dirty words that might go in the blank!
Although Carlysle is portrayed as an intelligent college student who plans to work when she graduates, the first things she does when arriving at the house are to clean the kitchen, do the men's laundry, and cook meals, commenting about how the place needs a woman around (this even though she's under medical orders to rest). She also comments on how military officers (even though they may not have been good students) are "more man" than the guys at Harvard.
This is not the sort of attitude that McCaffrey's multitudinous other female characters have tended to display, so I'm guessing she was trying to show the viewpoint of a particular character, in "period." But it was still rather irritating.
The book's a mystery/romance set during WWII. After her military father's death, 20-year-old Carlysle, recuperating from an illness, goes to an isolated Cape Cod house to meet her new guardian, another military man, a friend of her late father who's also recently been wounded. Disfigured or not, Radclyffe student Carlyle has a thing for military men, and finds this new guardian quite attractive.
But she's distracted from these feelings by new revelations that her father may have been murdered, rather than killed in the line of duty, as was reported - he was in the course of investigating a suspected smuggling operation.
This book was published in 1971 (I believe - this edition is 1990), but I got the impression that McCaffrey was trying to write as if it were written in the 40's. All of the military characters' "rough language" is portrayed by blanks ("_______"), which is odd, since most publishers in the 60's and 70's definitely did not usually have qualms about publishing explicit language! Really, all the blanks do is make me stop and think hard about all the dirty words that might go in the blank!
Although Carlysle is portrayed as an intelligent college student who plans to work when she graduates, the first things she does when arriving at the house are to clean the kitchen, do the men's laundry, and cook meals, commenting about how the place needs a woman around (this even though she's under medical orders to rest). She also comments on how military officers (even though they may not have been good students) are "more man" than the guys at Harvard.
This is not the sort of attitude that McCaffrey's multitudinous other female characters have tended to display, so I'm guessing she was trying to show the viewpoint of a particular character, in "period." But it was still rather irritating.
November 12, 2012
I first read this a long long time ago when I was starved for anything written by my favorite fantasy author.
Hm. What to say about this one?
The dog is awesome.
It was written in the late sixties, early seventies I believe (without checking the pub date) So it definitely shows its time period.
I did like that the romantic relationship was, at least, considered slightly problematic. And that it was set on the home-front during WWII with more than a passing nod to the issues of the time (rationing, gas shortages, returned soldier's issues, wounded soldiers, etc.), and that the heroine was non-standard: i.e. a skinny, underweight woman.
Hm. What to say about this one?
The dog is awesome.
It was written in the late sixties, early seventies I believe (without checking the pub date) So it definitely shows its time period.
I did like that the romantic relationship was, at least, considered slightly problematic. And that it was set on the home-front during WWII with more than a passing nod to the issues of the time (rationing, gas shortages, returned soldier's issues, wounded soldiers, etc.), and that the heroine was non-standard: i.e. a skinny, underweight woman.
October 25, 2013
This book is very dated and I guess probably the author's first. It is dated in it's sexism mostly but annoying to read for that reason. Also, and it is probably just me but I fin romances so unbelievable when the characters fall in love instantly and decide to get married within a few days - as if you can't wait a little while or it isn't true love! I was a bit put off by the treatment of Merlin by Carla, as all the way through she says how much she loves him but there isn't much proof in that with her regularly ignoring how the dog is feeling even when she is aware she is making him unhappy.
March 24, 2017
This short story is set in the beginning of World War II, (very interesting for lifestyle information then). The characters are very strong- Carla and her new guardian along with her dog Merlin. She has a guardian because her military father died in the line of duty, or so it was thought and when the troubles follow his belongings back to United States & it leads straight to her! Very well written characters, in Anne McCaffrey style! I read this book when it first came out and have read it many times since then! And I'm certain I will be reading it again at some point soon. The book was originally published in 1971!
October 28, 2015
I found this story by Anne McCaffrey to be enjoyable and easy read. Nothing outstanding. It is simply a mystery story about stolen treasure and Carlyle uncertain what her future will be. The only creature she has to depend on is her Alsatian dog Merlin who had been deemed unfit for military service. Now her father is dead and her care has been passed to a man she has no knowledge of and who has been badly hurt by the war. How did her father die and is her guardian really looking out for her best interests.
January 8, 2011
Well this is different. I'm not used to Ms. McCaffrey writing contemporary romance. This was a different pace and I liked it. It had a feel of a historical romance due to the "guardian" bit. I like the suspense of it when trying to determine her father's killer who is now after her, for some unknown reason. Best of all, I liked her dog, Merlin. With a name like this, how could I not like the dog?
January 22, 2012
Another romance, so silly, so unreal, so sexist.
However, Anne McCaffrey writes wonderful characters, and this story was worth reading for Merlin and Dr Karsh are characters that I would read anything to meet, a shame that they weren't in space or a planet far, far away!
However, Anne McCaffrey writes wonderful characters, and this story was worth reading for Merlin and Dr Karsh are characters that I would read anything to meet, a shame that they weren't in space or a planet far, far away!
March 1, 2015
The Mark Of Merlin
McCaffrey, Anne
This is a modern story which is realistic fiction it is a great story of mystery and learning personal secrets
McCaffrey, Anne
This is a modern story which is realistic fiction it is a great story of mystery and learning personal secrets
March 1, 2015
The Mark of Merlin
McCaffrey, Anne
this is a realistic fiction story it is a great story of mystery and learning personal secrets
McCaffrey, Anne
this is a realistic fiction story it is a great story of mystery and learning personal secrets
October 16, 2015
It's not like her other books but still very readable . A WW2 who done it with a dog but no dragons . Not sure about the ending though!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews