Merlin is the true tale of a black leopard loosed into the British countryside by its owner. This was a fairly common occurrence following the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, which brought tighter legislation to bear on exotic pet owners.
Since then author and naturalist Trevor Beer has documented many reported sightings and this 'factional' account of the life of one such escapee, Merlin, a black leopard, is recounted in this book.