The Crime Boom in WW2 London: Mark Ellis and His Growing Legacy

NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In the heart of World War II London, where the sound of air raids filled the night sky and a city’s spirit was both tested and defiant, Detective Frank Merlin prowled the foggy streets, uncovering the gritty underbelly of a war-torn city. Mark Ellis, the British author behind the thrilling Frank Merlin series, has breathed life into this dark yet captivating era. With each book, Ellis brings readers face-to-face with a world of intrigue, crime, and historical depth, all wrapped in the tension of war. His latest release, Death Of An Officer, just hit shelves in the U.K. and will be available in the U.S. this September. As Ellis’s work gains traction in the States, it’s clear that this detective’s adventures may be heading to more than just the pages.

Mark Ellis’s journey into the world of historical crime fiction began with a fascination for the complexities of wartime London. Combining his love for history with a passion for storytelling, Ellis’s first book in the Frank Merlin series introduced readers to a fictional detective who investigates crimes amidst the chaos of World War II. The series quickly gained recognition for its meticulous attention to historical detail and its engaging, fast-paced plots.

As a historian of WWII crime, Ellis brings an authenticity to his work that’s seldom found in other historical crime fiction. His expertise doesn’t just inform his writing—it shapes it. “The true stories of crime during WWII are incredibly compelling,” Ellis says. “The mixture of wartime tension, the breakdown of societal norms, and the ever-present danger makes for a perfect backdrop for detective stories.”

His books, now well-established and popular in the U.K., have begun to find their place on American shelves as well. With an ever-expanding fanbase, Ellis appeared at Bouchercon, one of the world’s largest crime fiction events, in Nashville last year and is appearing again this year in New Orleans, and his work has been reviewed in major U.S. publications like Kirkus. 

“The U.S. market has been incredibly receptive to historical crime fiction,” Ellis notes. “There’s a growing interest in WWII as more and more people explore the stories of that era, and that’s where Frank Merlin’s tales fit in perfectly.”

His latest book, Death Of An Officer, is one of the standout releases, bringing readers face-to-face with a high-stakes investigation that intertwines with global events. As the series continues to build momentum, Mark Ellis sees the potential for more than just books—there’s a possible film or TV adaptation in the works.

His work is unique in a market flooded with detective novels. By focusing on the intersection of history and crime, Ellis has carved out a niche that combines historical fiction with the universal appeal of thrilling detective stories. This dual expertise—historian and storyteller—sets Ellis apart from his competition.

“I’m not just writing crime fiction,” he says. “I’m writing stories that explore the human condition under the immense pressure of war, the grey areas where right and wrong become harder to define. That’s what makes it resonate.”

The Frank Merlin series continues to grow, with each installment bringing readers deeper into a world that’s as much about the people as it is about the crimes they face. With multiple books already in the series and new publications on the horizon, Ellis’s success shows no signs of slowing down.

As Mark Ellis’s Frank Merlin series captivates readers across the globe, there’s never been a better time to dive into the gritty, compelling world of WWII crime. With Death Of An Officer coming to the U.S. in September, now is the perfect opportunity to discover the captivating detective and historical fiction that’s earning rave reviews. Don’t miss out—explore Mark Ellis’s books today, and stay tuned for exciting developments in the world of Frank Merlin.

Visit Mark Ellis’s official website at markellisauthor.com for more information and to catch up on the latest books, or follow him on Twitter and Instagram. All books in the series can be read on a stand-alone basis, and all but the latest (coming soon) are available on Audible.

You can listen to Dead in the Water here: Dead in the Water on Audible

And A Death in Mayfair here: A Death in Mayfair on Audible