The Mark of Merlin [Paperback]

Anne McCaffrey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2002

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Borgo Press (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587154935
• ISBN-13: 978-1587154935
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne McCaffrey, the Hugo Award-winning author of the bestselling Dragonriders of Pern® novels, is one of science fiction's most popular authors. With Elizabeth Ann Scarborough she co-authored Changelings and Maelstrom, Books One and Two of The Twins of Petaybee. McCaffrey lives in a house of her own design, Dragonhold-Underhill, in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic suspense from the Dragon Lady, March 12, 2002

By 

Library Kat (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mark of Merlin (Paperback)

The Mark of Merlin is a fun, quick read, packed with mystery, a wonderful dog, and great characters. The romance is mild enough for a mom to hand this book to a twelve-year-old with no qualms whatsoever. It's an early work for McCaffrey, before she created Pern and its marvelous dragons, but her fans will find strong, quirky characters, empathy between humans and animals - a lot of the same qualities that make her science fiction so much fun to read. I'm so glad this is being published again!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Early work of Anne McCaffrey that shows her potential, June 11, 2002

By 

Debra Johnson (Colorado USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mark of Merlin (Paperback)

This gothic romance/ mystery is one of my all time favorite books. This book was originally published in 1971, and even at this early in Ms. McCaffrey's career, her talent and maturity as a writer is already apparent. The characters are vivid and well balanced. The plot does not drag or falter. All in all a very good read!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Merlin left his mark, March 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mark of Merlin (Hardcover)

I'm a McCaffrey fan, and this story shows that Anne McCaffrey can pick any genre and succeed.

It's set just after WWII, and stars a young girl down from university, who is the daughter of a military man, just killed in the war. It also stars her fabulous dog Merlin, and several of her father's collegues, including one who has just taken her on as his ward, but doesn't realise that James Carlise is actually female!

It's probably best described as a mystery, with wonderful characters popping in and out. Watch out in particular for the Vet.

The descriptions of the countryside, and the way the characters relate their war experiences makes this a gripping read, and this is one book that I keep returning to - after all, if you're in need of a McCaffrey fix, it's much quicker to read one book than re-read the start of the series, and then get so involved you read them all again.

This is the book to start with if you love a good writer, but aren't into sci-fi/fantasy, or if you are, and want a change of pace. It's a definete must for anyone who likes McCaffrey's stuff -Enjoy!

P.S. In Australia, this story is packaged in a book with two others. It's the best of them, but the others are also interesting. Three for the price of one!