The Mark of Merlin

By Anne McCaffrey

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0044005466
• ISBN13: 9780044005469
• Release Date: January 1971
• Publisher: Dell 5466
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

This book is a classic non-SF book

This is not a new book but it is a good one, very different to Anne McCaffreys current style as it is a fiction novel not Science Fiction. An enjoyable light read.

Early work of Anne McCaffrey that shows her potential

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!

Romantic suspense from the Dragon Lady

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!

Merlin left his mark

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!

SF/Fantasy Genre Favorite Author Delves Into Gothic Mystery

A young woman leaves school to meet her guardian because her father has died in the war. She and her faithful Alsatian Merlin are _not_ what were expected... But then, neither were the violent threats to their lives! While this novel doesn't have all the polish of more recently written Anne McC offerings, it definitely carries her trademarks: close bonding between a misfit human and a very special animal friend; just enough suspense; and a slick, readable style which skillfully nudges the reader's emotions. If you are a fan of her SF/Fantasy, or her romance novels, I'd suggest this lesser known gem.