Frank Merlin is the central character of Mark Ellis’s DCI Frank Merlin series, which begins with Princes Gate (2011). A Detective Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard, Merlin works through criminal cases in London during World War II while the city endures nightly bombing raids, blackouts, and the constant presence of foreign spies and diplomats.
Merlin is of mixed English and Spanish heritage, and his cases take him from the corridors of the American Embassy to the bombed-out streets of the East End. Across nine novels, he investigates murders connected to wartime espionage, stolen treasure, and the political tensions of occupied Europe. You can find his cases in the DCI Frank Merlin series reading order.
Reading Order#
See the complete DCI Frank Merlin reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Frank Merlin?
Frank Merlin is a Detective Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard during World War II. He is of mixed English and Spanish heritage and investigates murders across wartime London, dealing with embassy politics, espionage, and the chaos of the Blitz.
What books feature Frank Merlin?
Frank Merlin appears in nine novels by Mark Ellis, starting with Princes Gate (2011) and continuing through Death of an Officer (2025). Each book follows Merlin through a different murder investigation in wartime London.
Do you need to read the Frank Merlin books in order?
While each book has its own self-contained case, reading in publication order is recommended. The series builds on Merlin’s relationships and the progression of the war, so earlier books provide useful context for later ones.