Stalin's Gold

DCI Frank Merlin #2

by Mark Ellis

December 1938. Moscow. Josef Stalin has lost some gold. He is not a happy man. He asks his henchman Beria to track it down.

September 1940. London. Above the city the Battle of Britain rages and the bombs rain down. On the streets below, DCI Frank Merlin and his officers investigate the sudden disappearance of Polish RAF pilot Ziggy Kilinski while also battling an epidemic of looting unleashed by the chaos and destruction of the Blitz.

Kilinski’s fellow pilots, a disgraced Cambridge don, Stalin’s spies in London, members of the Polish government in exile and a ruthless Russian gangster are amongst those caught up in Merlin’s enquiries. Sweeping from Stalin’s Russia to Civil War Spain, from Aztec Mexico to pre-war Poland, and from Hitler’s Berlin to Churchill’s London a compelling story of treasure, grand larceny, treachery, torture and murder unfolds. Eventually as Hitler reluctantly accepts that the defiance of the RAF has destroyed his chances of invasion for the moment, a violent shoot-out in Hampstead leads Merlin to the final truth...and Stalin to his gold.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Former barrister and businessman from Wales. Writer, podcaster, historian. CWA Dagger nominee. 2025 HWA Gold Crown Judge.

Author of 6 books in the Frank Merlin WW2 detective series:
Princes Gate (1) now retitled The Embassy Murders
Stalin’s Gold (2) now retitled In The Shadows Of The Blitz
Merlin At War (3) now retitled The French Spy
A Death In Mayfair (4)
Dead In The Water (5)
Death Of An Officer (6)

Some reviews of the Merlin series:
‘Immersive, authentic, evocative’ Fiinancial Times
‘Must-read for murder mystery lovers’ Daily Mail
‘Masterly….compelling’ Bestselling historian Andrew Roberts'
‘Unputdownable’ WW2 historian Robert Lyman
‘Dead In The Water is to my shame the first Mark Ellis book I’ve read. If the others evoke a vanished London so impressively, are graced with such complex plots and deep characterisation, and, above all, are written so well I shall have to read them all.’ The Times
‘Intriguing, masterly’ John Lawton bestselling author
‘Outstanding historical mystery’ New York Times bestseller Joe Finder
‘A potent mix of crime mystery and wartime thriller…excellent’ Alex Gerlis bestselling spy fiction writer
‘Pitch perfect’ Aspects of Crime Magazine
‘Miraculous’ Shots Magazine

Mark Ellis has also written Boom Time, a history of true crime in WW2 London

Reviews

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't really the type of book I usually go after. I prefer more adventure, racing across the globe, finding lost treasure. In this book they are trying to find some lost gold, just not some ancient treasure, well it is from the beginning ancient, but that’s beside the point. Right now it’s Stalin’s gold that someone has managed to take and Stalin wants it back and when he want something…he really does everything to get it back. Throw in the British police force and some bad Russian villains and, of course, the people that have the gold then you have the book Stalin’s Gold.

Stalin’s Gold is Mark Ellis second book and the sequel to Princes Gate which I haven’t read and sometimes you feel like you missing something when you jump in and read a book in a series, but I had no problem getting into the story. There were some hints about the first book, but it didn’t bother me at all. Frank Merlin is the main character in this book and I got Foyle's War (tv-show) vibes about him. For just like Foyles he is a police that is denied to serve in the war because they need him in the force which didn’t make him happy. He’s an ordinary man, widower, that is dating a Polish girl and because of that, he gets involved in the case when a friend to her brother disappear.

It’s very well written, the only problem I had from time to time was keeping track of all the characters which got a little tougher because of all the Russian and Polish name. It’s a bit hard to read a book when you suddenly see a name you can’t place. But in the end, it got clearer and the book wrapped up nicely and I will probably in the future both read more books by Mark Ellis and read the first one about Frank Merlin.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 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!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the historical setting and thought that it was well represented. I found the book to be tough going for the first half because there is a large cast of characters, but it definitely picked up in the second half as all the story threads began to come together.

[Erin (Historical Fiction Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

I picked up Mark Ellis’ Stalin’s Gold the day I finished Princes Gate. I don’t think it necessary to tackle the two back to back, but I had the novel on hand and didn’t have reason to delay.

One of the things I liked about this installment is that begins with Frank Merlin’s personal life. It moves on to the mystery fairly quickly, but I think the insight these scenes afforded created interesting context within the narrative. Maybe I’m alone in this, but I liked seeing the detective off duty and getting to know him in a more casual setting.

Like its predecessor, the tone and humor of the piece are very English. The book also presents a detailed portrait of the political situation in Britain, Russia and Poland. I felt the mystery elaborate, but well-crafted and ultimately quite satisfying. I also liked how Ellis factored the Blitz into the action and used it to complicate the investigation process.

In a lot of ways, I think I appreciated Stalin’s Gold more than the founding installment of the Frank Merlin series. The storytelling felt tighter and the action more engaging. The ending was a little drawn out for my tastes, but I was quite pleased with the time I spent on the book.

[Dolf Patijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Stalin’s Gold" is the second book in the Frank Merlin series. The first book, "Princes Gate", was set in the so-called phoney war in February 1940, but in this book it is September 1940 and the Battle of Britain is at its height. Hitler foolishly decided to leave the airfields alone and bomb the city of London instead. This gave the Royal Air Force time to reform and fight back. In this turmoil of dogfights in the sky, falling bombs and burning and collapsing houses, Frank Merlin and his team have to deal with gang-related looters and a missing Polish RAF Hurricane pilot.

As in the previous book, the atmosphere in Stalin’s Gold is palpable. Even readers who are not really into reading thrillers will probably like this series because the books are very well written and it is just as much about the atmosphere of wartime London as it is about who committed the crime. After reading the book, I felt like I had personally paid a visit to 1940s London, which is a great achievement for sure.

Stalin’s Gold is nicely paced and Mark Ellis takes his time to bring the different story lines together. In the end it all makes sense. One other thing I like about this series is that the characters are believable. The good guys and gals are not just good and the bad ones are not just bad. For instance, in this book there is a Polish RAF pilot who has done something terrible to a Jewish family in his country but is now defending the British against the German bombers. He is also friends with another Polish airman who he knows has Jewish blood.

In this book we’re only in September 1940. I hope that Mark Ellis will keep this series going at this rate. I don’t know how many books he has planned but there’s half a year in between the time span of the first two books and at least 4 more years to go in the Second World War. That would make a total of about 12 books, if you also count the year 1945 (wishful thinking on my part, maybe). If the rest of the series is of the same high standard as Princes Gate and this book Stalin’s Gold, we’re in for a real treat. I’m really looking forward to the next book to revisit Mark Ellis’ version of wartime London.

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stalin’s Gold in the second book in the DCI Frank Merlin series set in London during the Second World War. At one level there’s quite a bit going on in the tale which entangles Polish aristocratic exiles and RAF pilots, Russian gangsters and political agents, local criminal looters, and the police, centred around some missing gold bullion. At another, the whole story is quite strongly telegraphed, meaning that there is not much mystery or surprise to the tale. Moreover the tale is held together in a web of coincidences, such as Merlin finding some gold in a bomb site and the looter’s also being connected to the Russians, and there are a number of scenes that do not move the story forward. To a degree these don’t really matter as it’s still an enjoyable read, Merlin continues to be a likeable character, the tale is interesting, and the context with respect to the war is nicely done, but I felt they took the edge off what could have been a more intriguing story with respect to how the mystery is revealed to the reader.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book, in many respects an excellent one. Its strength is in the author's deep knowledge of London during the Blitz, and the reader is taken there convincingly. In addition, the main protagonists are sympathetic, the other characters well drawn and the plot manages to be both exotic and credible. There are a lot of threads to the story, all brought together in the end, which made it a bit hard for me at least to follow and I did find it difficult to differentiate between some of the characters, but this is a first-rate novel, one that readers will remember long after reaching the final page.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 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/revie...

[Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been well over two years since Mark Ellis released his debut novel Princes Gate, an introduction to Frank Merlin set in February 1940; however in Stalin’s Gold we re-join Merlin and his colleagues seven months later in September 1940. London is under attack, not only from the air but on land by a gang of looters determined to make the most of the opportunity to steal luxury items from bombed out buildings. It’s up to Frank Merlin to solve the crimes and keep his boss – AC Gatehouse – happy. Not an easy task!

The great thing about this book, and it’s no different to the author’s first offering, is that you are immediately transferred to London at the height of bombing, close your eyes and you are there. You get a real sense of what it was like to live in those troubled times where good quality food was scarce – for the working class at least – and walking the streets of London a lottery, not only from the bombs but the falling debris left in its wake.

Atmospheric and wonderfully written the narrative really does everything it should to give the reader a feel for that period and along with a plethora of terrifically compelling characters it works really well. A complex story, it takes a while for all the pieces to unravel but unravel it does. It never felt rushed and the pace is for the most part spot on. There were a couple of parts where I found it a little laboured but that was more a point of getting to grips with the foreign names in the Polish community!

The winner for me this time around is not Merlin but the aforementioned Polish community in exile and the atmospheric accounts of a war torn London. Don’t get me wrong, there’s more than enough of Merlin to satisfy – I would have liked more between Frank and AC Gatehouse as experiences in Princes Gate – but for me it was all about Battle of Britain, the Poles and the bombing!

Another gripping tale from a talented author, let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next book, who knows it won’t be long before Pearl Harbour is attacked by the Japanese and Frank will have something else to occupy his time!

Highly recommended and thoroughly entertaining.

[Maria Beltrami · Rating 3 out of 5]

A complicated plot that sees British policemen, warplanes Poles pilot, big international crooks, thieves, spies and a large cargo of gold, move on the dodgy background of the Battle of Britain, the last attempt of Nazi Germany to invade the Great Britain, whose lack of success was probably the first sign of the possibility of defeat what looked like an invincible enemy.
The book is, in fact, complex, fascinating, well written, with characters defined in the round, they are actors or supernumeraries. The only moment of weakness, reason why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4, is the scene that takes place in the time of Montezuma, that could have been avoided without the novel clean state.
Thank Troubador Publishing Ltd and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.


Un complicato plot che vede muoversi poliziotti inglesi, piloti da guerra polacchi, grandi truffatori internazionali, ladri, spie e un consistente carico d'oro, sul poco raccomandabile sfondo della Battaglia d'Inghilterra, l'estremo tentativo della Germania Nazista di invadere la Gran Bretagna, la cui mancata riuscita fu probabilmente il primo segnale della possibilità di sconfiggere quello che sembrava un nemico invincibile.
Il libro è, appunto, complesso, affascinante, ben scritto, con caratteri definiti a tutto tondo, che siano protagonisti o semplici comparse. L'unico momento di cedimento, ragione per la quale ho assegnato 3 stelle invece che 4, è la scena che si svolge ai tempi di Montezuma, che poteva essere evitata senza che il romanzo ne risentisse.
Ringrazio Troubador Publishing Ltd e NetGalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.

[Danielle Tremblay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in GoodReads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. Mark Ellis is a new author to me. I've never read anything he wrote, but I'll go back to his first book and certainly read the next one too.

This story is a nice mixture of historical and cop and investigation novels. It's very well written. Do you know which movie directors win Oscars or Cesars? Those who are able to make you feel you're in there, as if you were one of the characters of their movies. Here it's the same. The author succeeded very well to make us see London and all the places where Frank Merlin went. He gave us the feeling that we were in the forties during WWII. Moreover, this is a captivating story with interesting plot and twists.

I hesitate between 4 and 5 stars. If possible I'd have given 4½, but it's impossible here. So, since I have nothing wrong to tell about this book, I chose to give it 5 stars. I recommend it to all lovers of historical or mystery novels.

** Sorry if there are mistakes in my review, French is my native tongue and I learned English lately.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The follow-up to Princes Gate, Stalin's Gold flits between Battle of Britain-era London, Stalin's USSR, Nazi-occupied Poland, Civil War Spain and Montezuman South America.

It's a well-plotted tale of political jockeying, international gangland brutality, bravery in the air and crafty detective work as Frank Merlin's team solve a series of inter-related mysteries, all the while trying to dodge the bombs and conflagrations of the start of the Blitz and the bureaucracy of jittery wartime London.

Where it falls down slightly, compared to its predecessor, is in the confusing number of similarly-monikered Eastern European characters, necessitating a lot of recapping which isn't easy on a Kindle. This, and the intricate plot linkages results, a bit disappointingly, in there having to be a somewhat clumsy explanation of the inter-linking facets of plot and character to bring Stalin's Gold to a conclusion.

I like Frank Merlin though, so much so that I want to find out how he's getting on in future Mark Ellis outings.

[Mark Ellis]

See website markellisauthor.com for news, links to FB and Twitter, and more reviews

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I study history as a subject and I'm sure it's going to help me understand better. I really have to win this book!

[Books_reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚𝐵𝑂𝑂𝐾 :- ❞ 𝑰𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒛 (𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏’𝒔 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅) ❞
👨‍🦱𝐴𝑈𝑇𝐻𝑂𝑅 :- 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑬𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔

🌌𝑴𝒀 𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺:- 𝟓/𝟓 🌟

𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾:- In the Shadows of the Blitz, previously known as Stalin’s Gold, is a mesmerizing historical journey through the tumultuous era of World War II, skillfully penned by the talented Mark Ellis. The narrative undergoes a title transformation, inviting readers to explore the shadows and intricacies of the Blitz while shedding light on the covert operations that unfolded amidst the chaos.

The story unfolds with an immersive portrayal of the wartime atmosphere, setting the stage for a narrative teeming with espionage, suspense, and the unwavering resilience of the human spirit. Mark Ellis adeptly weaves together the lives of diverse characters, each navigating the challenges of war in their unique ways. The novel's strength lies in its seamless blend of historical accuracy with compelling storytelling, creating an authentic and engaging experience for readers.

Initially centered on Stalin’s Gold, the plot seamlessly evolves into the nuanced backdrop of the Blitz, providing a fresh perspective on the impact of war on both individuals and nations. Thoughtfully developed and richly detailed characters bring the story to life, enabling readers to emotionally invest in their fates. As the narrative unfolds, Mark Ellis skillfully navigates the complexities of espionage, betrayal, and sacrifice; ensuring readers remain on the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, In the Shadows of the Blitz stands as a testament to Mark Ellis's storytelling prowess. The evolution from Stalin’s Gold to the current title enriches the narrative, offering a comprehensive and captivating exploration of a pivotal period in history. This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate historical fiction seamlessly blending fact with fiction, providing a compelling glimpse into the shadows of wartime intrigue.

[Varsha Bagadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josef Stalin’s gold is missing and that’s reason enough for him to turn the world upside down. While on one hand, he warns his men to find it come what may, DCI Frank Merlin is faced with a strange side-effect of incessant bombings in London by the Nazis on the other. Also in the picture are Polish pilots, Counts, and Russian spies with their own personal agenda. In this maze of treachery, exploitation, and murders, who will claim the coveted prize and how?

Ever since I wrapped up Princes Gate I was looking forward to reading this book and it didn’t disappoint. If that book raised my hopes, this one took them higher. A fitting sequel, it seamlessly blended different storylines together while letting the quintessential gold take centre stage.

Just like success has many fathers, a treasure has many owners. What starts as a genuine transaction between two countries soon blows up into an artificial tornado that envelops the high and mighty. Loss of life and property due to bombings keeps the city on its toes while the RAF retaliates and makes Hitler turn back on his heels.

With so many characters, all claiming a stake in the gold, the narrative got a bit confusing for me at times. However, the author has taken care to clarify every angle and not leave any loose ends. I’m impressed with his gripping writing style. One can feel the chill in Stalin’s presence and get starry-eyed at the Aztec references. This one is a must-read!

[Yaba Badoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy tales of international espionage with a vast cast of characters, this thriller is for you. Set in London during the Blitz, the novel zips from Stalin’s Russia to Nazi-occupied Poland, Civil War Spain and Aztec Mexico. The perseverance of DCI Frank Merlin is the glue that holds the plot together. An erudite Anglo-Spaniard with an understanding of art, Merlin investigates the disappearance of Polish RAF pilot, Ziggy Kilinski, as a favour to his Polish girlfriend, Sonia. At the same time, he's preoccupied by outbreaks of looting in London while the city is pulverised by bombs.
Beautifully written with well-rounded characters, the voluminous cast prevented me from getting to grips with the story. No sooner had someone settled in my mind, someone else appeared; then another and another and another: politicians, RAF pilots, robbers, policemen, shop girls, their customers, rich Polish emigres, Russians. After a while, I was spending so much time trying to remember who was who that I lost interest in the plot. This was my failing, of course. Yet even as I was failing, I kept thinking what a great film this would make with its brief scenes and varied characters.
My thanks to Booktasters and the author for facilitating a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalin’s Gold by Mark Ellis is a thrilling historical suspense. It is the second book in the DCI Frank Merlin series which is marvellous. It can be read as a stand-alone.
The setting is mainly in London in 1940 at the height of the Blitz. The reader witnesses the continual destruction night after night by the Luftwaffe. The British bulldog spirit is strong as the people stand firm.
Alongside the crime of looting stands murder and a mystery to solve. Frank Merlin is thorough at his job, a steadfast English detective who endears himself to the reader.
The reader also gets a glimpse into the character of Stalin. He was an evil dictator who would always have the last word.
Conflicts begun in Eastern Europe find their way to London. Frank Merlin must use all his powers of deduction to solve the crimes.
I really enjoyed Stalin’s Gold. Mark Ellis is a marvellous author who constructs complex and compelling stories that capture the reader’s attention from the start. His Frank Merlin books would translate perfectly into movies or television dramas. I am looking forward to reading much more by Mark Ellis.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Sue Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately for Ellis my parents grew up in Brighton during WWII, so I know the starting scene is historically incorrect. By September 1940 Brighton beach was closed and covered in barbed wire! (Isn't it irritating when you know something like that?) Once past that the book is well paced and interesting apart from the occasional flashbacks. It is the height of the blitz. Frank Merlin is dating the Polish lady he met in the last book. Her brother is flying with the Polish squadron from Northolt. One of his fellow pilots goes missing and Merlin agrees to investigate. Also the blitz is bringing out the worst in the British, with looting becoming a problem. Then Merlin narrowly escapes a bomb and in the wreckage he finds a strange gold ingot...
Would I read the next in this series? Yes. Would I feel compelled to reread "Stalin's Gold"? No. so ***

[Maria Rivas-mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had absolutely enjoyed Mark Ellis’ Princes Gate. Stalin’s Gold takes us further along in the life of Detective Chief Inspector Frank Merlin. He’s finding love again and this brings unexpected joy that his colleagues immediately recognize.
The story moves back and forth between different countries, time periods, and intertwined characters and requires you to pay attention to keep hold of a plot where fact is mixed with the fiction. In this book the war is made even more real; never more so than when adrenaline pumps as airmen take to the sky and civilians experience the suffocating heat and smells of a crowded bomb shelter. Stalin’s Gold had a different feel from Princes Gate but is still just as engaging. Both books are complete in themselves. Thanks to Booktasters for facilitating a complimentary copy for an honest review.

[Kevin Cowdall · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the Battle of Britain rages in the skies overhead and the threat of a German invasion looms, DCI Frank Merlin investigates the interconnecting threads of stolen gold bullion and Aztec treasure, organised looting, Russian spies, unscrupulous bankers, lingering anti-Semitism and a missing Polish RAF pilot in the second of Mark Ellis’ series of Merlin novels (following on from ‘Princes Gate’).

This is a tense and atmospheric story with a strong sense of the WWII time-set, a believable multi-national cast of characters and a well-paced plot which weaves its way through the landmarks and back streets of London in the Blitz.

A thoroughly enjoyable read – I look forward to the recently released third book in the series, ‘Merlin at War’.

[Pramit Deb Burman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had an enjoyable read of this crime thriller by Mark Ellis. Set in the backdrop of WW2, the protagonist of the story, detective Frank Merlin solves a complicated mystery of murder and theft conspiracy in the war torn London that has the involvement of Russians, Poles, and too some extent Spaniards. The author has build up the story line in much unpredictable way by intertwining the history of European colonialism, politics and wartime situations with human emotions such as love, betrayal, greed etc. The plot is unpredictable and keeps the audience engaged to a good extent. The depiction of colonial aggression and plundering could have been better and more realistic, although the author does a fine job portraying the predicament of the war.

[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of the life of DCI Frank Merlin. The new case is of a Polish Royal Air Force pilot who went missing.

Jack Stewart asked Frank to look into a missing pilot situation for a concerned friend. He hadn’t been seen for some time. After starting the investigation, someone reported a dead man in a pile of rubble, resulting from bombs.

Frank and his crew investigated many shady characters as they were trying to solve the case. Many surprise twists and turns will leave you wanting to know more. So many intense moments. Just when you think it’s all over…. Keep reading in amazement.

[Lindasp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read in the DCI Frank Merlin series and while I like the setting and time period (1940) and the main characters, I found this book to be hard to follow also. There are lots of characters and each seems to have a separate story line which I found only connected and made sense in the second last chapter. I usually like books with alternating chapters but Mr. Ellis tends to put several alternating mini storylines in each chapter which can be confusing. By the end of the book I did like the general over-all plot but it was confusing getting there.

[Apurva Khadye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stalin's gold is second book in series. It has a bit more political angle in it than it was in first book. Book is extremely well written. Though, there are many story lines it's not hard to keep track of them and everything falls into proper place. For a political thriller it doesn't have much action involved but that's works in favour of book.
Merlin is likable character, though, Sonia is my favourite one. Reading about Wartime London is always intriguing. Would look forward to read more books by Ellis.

[Kiona18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows on from Princes gate and takes place during the Second World War. It has a great amount of detail and also includes real life historical characters. Following on from the first book it is nice to see Merlins blossoming romance as during the first book he was still grieving his first wife. The characters are loveable and the story was really enjoyable. It is really clever how everything links together.

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the Battle of Britain rages in the skies above London, looters are on the ground causing mayhem and attracting the attention of the police. But there is more to the looting, for somewhere along the line someone has stolen gold from Stalin and he isn’t happy. DCI Frank Merlin is on the case and London’s streets are going to be lit up.

A great story in the series. Mark Ellis has definitely created the WW2 atmosphere in these books.

[Ant Koplowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Ellis seems to get the period details just right in the second outing for his WW II detective, Frank Merlin. Merlin is an unusually complex and thoughtful character, fair-minded, and probably a bit too liberal and inclusive for a typical 1940s police officer. But the mystery is what counts, and there's some solid plotting on show in order to get to the bottom of 'missing' Russian gold. Enjoyable and engaging, although I could have done with one less of the sub-plots.

© Koplowitz 2025

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Merlin magic didn't quite work this time.

Having read the first Frank Merlin book, "Princes Gate", I was looking forward to this second outing. Unfortunately,I didn't find the Merlin magic this time.
Interesting plot but just a little too slow.

[Mark Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but hard work

So many different characters, many with Polish / Russian names, and a story with many twists and turns... I found it hard to keep track. It was a struggle to keep going but, not liking to give up part way though a story, I persevered to the end.