The Ghost Village Murders

Dorset Crime #9

by Rachel McLean

Who killed DCI Mackie?

DCI Lesley Clarke thinks she’s close to solving her predecessor’s murder. But when the body of a police officer connected to the crime turns up in the abandoned village of Tyneham, the case steps up a gear.

And when someone she's close to is threatened by the killer, Lesley’s quest for the truth becomes even more urgent.

Can Lesley convince her senior officers of the truth, keep her team on track and protect her family?

The Ghost Village Murders is the gripping ninth instalment to the Dorset Crime series, and finally concludes the investigation into the death of DCI Mackie.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Procedural, Contemporary

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2023

About the author

My name's Rachel McLean and I write stories you can't put down, with characters you'll be rooting for.

I'm best known for my Dorset Crime series, which has sold over a million copies. The first book in that series, The Corfe Castle Murders, won the 2021 Kindle Storyteller Award.

Here's what Clare Balding (the lead judge) had to say about the book:

'I particularly enjoyed the detail of the landscape and the humorous oddities of Dorset life. I enjoyed the richness of the characters, complexity of life for a working mother who is thrown into a new environment and has to prove herself, all over again.'

But The Corfe Castle Murders is by no means my only book. I've published five series and am working on two new ones, all of which connect. You'll find characters from each series in one or more of the other ones, so you (and I) get to follow them as they take on new challenges.

For example:

DCI Lesley Clarke is Zoe's boss in the DI Zoe Finch series and then moves to Dorset where she becomes the star of the Dorset Crime series.
DS Mo Uddin is Zoe's best friend and sidekick, then moves to Scotland for the McBride & Tanner series.
DC Tina Abbott is a key character in the Dorset Crime series and plays an important role in the new Lyme Regis Women's Swimming Club series of mysteries which stars her mum, Annie.
Zaf Williams starts off in the DI Zoe Finch series then moves to London and is one of the stars of the London Cosy Mysteries series (along with his colleague Diana and Gus the cat).
Dr Petra McBride appears in no fewer than three series and I'm planning a new series for her in 2026.
And not to be outdone, Zoe Finch has two series in which she stars: the DI Zoe Finch series of 'Deadly' books, and the Cumbria Crime series.
Once you get to know these characters, you'll find plenty of books to keep you entertained. And I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

You can read a full list of the series and books on my books page. Each series is designed to be read in order but which series you go for first is really up to you.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not excellent

I liked that the starting murder was solved, but I felt this book was rushed like the author was fed up with these characters and just wanted the conclusion

[Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series, but this felt like a slightly disappointing end to it all. It felt rushed, there wasn't really a satisfactory resolution to everything, and there were definite editing issues which were jarring, to say the least.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost Village Murders is book nine in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. DCI Lesley Clarke is getting close to knowing who the murderer of her colleague, DCI Mackie, is when a young law enforcement officer is found in a small Ghost Village used by the military. At first, DCI Lesley Clarke and her team did not have any motive for the young law enforcement officer to be murdered. Until DCI Lesley Clarke's team linked the death of the law enforcement officer to the Murder of DCI Mackie. However, DCI Lesley Clarke's team investigation nearly unravelled when someone close to DCI Lesley Clarke was threatened. Will they find the murderer of DCI Mackie? Readers will continue to follow DCI Lesley Clarke and her team as they discover what happens next.

I love this series, and The Ghost Village Murders did not disappoint. Rachel McLean engaged me with the story and her characters from the very first page, keeping me hooked until the end. I also began to consider the consequences of law enforcement corruption, not only for law enforcement but also for the broader community.

I love Rachel McLean's portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. The Ghost Village Murders is well-written and researched by Rachel McLean. I appreciate Rachel McLean's description of the settings in The Ghost Village, which enabled me to envision myself as part of the book's plot.

I recommend this book.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed all books in the series. Have to say on reflection though that this didn’t seem to do the series justice. The previous one had little in the way of plot resolution and this one carried on in same vein. I’m none the wiser on a lot of plot and motives. Is Beef a good guy or a bad guy? I still don’t know. It all seemed a bit rushed at the end and although we find out who killed Mackie it was all a bit of an anticlimax.
Also should have better proof reading as getting a character name wrong REALLY throws me out of the story.
I’m confused as to how a wrench with Angus’ skin on found in Collingwoods boot could mean “he set Angus up”…..no I still don’t get it!

[Julie Footner-Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read, have been reading this series for a while so it's been good to get some answers to on going questions.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion to this long-running series.

Two young girls partying with their friends find the body of a young woman in the Ghost village of the title. The body turns out to be that of DC Fran Dugdale, one of the two Police Conduct officers who were interrogating DS Dennis Frampton.

The good news is that we now know who killed DCI Mackie. The bad news is, frankly that's all we know. The rest of my gripes will be in spoilers.

I'm still not sure who killed Hamm or why he was broken out of prison in the first place. As others have said, is DI Angus (Beef) a goodie or a baddie? Was DC Dugdale really engaged to one man and also sleeping with DI Angus? Why did Dave Watson kidnap Lesley's daughter and then just leave her in the Orangutan enclosure? Indeed why did she come home sobbing that time? Why did Collingwood/Watson/Kelvin start killing all the people who broke Hamm out of jail?

As others have said, this felt like a throw in the kitchen sink final, we had cameo appearances from all the other series, multiple plots going off in all directions and a hurried end.

Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

[Emily Oldham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved this series but I'm not sure how to feel about this and the way it was wrapped up. The ending just didn't feel right, and after the story spanning so many books it felt rushed at the end

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book, #9 and the last one in Rachel McLean's Dorset Crime series. I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading the book. Although technically the end of the series, I have a feeling Leslie and Elsa will end up appearing in other series. The last comment made is that they will take a vacation in Cumbria and visit Zoë and Carl!

DCI Leslie Clark is a great character leading her team in solving several high profile murder cases including 2 police officers and DCI Mackie, the officer Leslie replaced when she transferred from Birmingham in the beginning of the series.

I am looking forward to starting Rachel's new series but the first book won't be released for a couple of months.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tried to pace myself with this one because the 10th book doesn’t come out til June - I’m gutted I’ll have to wait. Genuinely think this may be a comfort series 🤣

[Peter Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same problems through the whole series. DCI Clarke so irritable & irritating, impatient, inconsistent - in a way that would make her impossible to work for. Too much repetition (yes, we get what the point of a Family Liaison Officer is, we get the difference between driving in Birmingham and Dorset, every female copper is a trained pursuit driver, almost all the male characters are indecisive, incompetent, and lazy, almost all the female characters are the opposite). Too many unlikely / unbelievable / unexplained / half-developed behaviours (why do the murderers always go to such lengths to leave the bodies in significant (but unexplained) locations, much easier ways to use Sharon to frighten off Lesley, what was Dennis thinking about when he climbed up to the platform, why do criminals make things so complicated, why would the head of a organised criminal enterprise keep drugs in her house, why are the police so useless at stake-outs and the targets so useless at spotting them, what was it that forced DC Angus to behave the way he did, why was Supt Carpenter so cryptic about everything - and so paranoid yet at the same time so careless, how could the prison governor diagnose PTSD in one of his officers less than 24 hours after a violent break-out, how would a local have been to the Blue Pool thousands of times when the entrance fee is so expensive). Every book in the series had a rushed ending with only partly wrapped-up loose ends.
I persisted with the series to see how the DCI Mackie arc would be resolved and I was interested in the locations as I've lived in the area for most of my life - but I didn't care about any of the characters, some because I couldn't believe they were real characters, others because they were just unpleasant.
I won't be following up with the author's other series.

[B H SLACK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite of the Dorset Crime Book series, maybe because finally we got some answers, who was doing what to whom! Since the series started we've been left wondering how DI Mackie really died, is Sadie Frost a friend or a foe, is Dennis up to the job, what is it with Carpenter? Is he on Lesley's side or a really bad boss determined to thwart her efforts at every turn?
This story starts out with a body found in an abandoned village which turns out to be a serving police officer in the most hated department - those that police the police. Was she killed because of someone she was investigating, or had in the past? Why does her boss keep popping up everywhere trying to take the case from Lesley? Is he just a pompous oaf who thinks he can do the job better or is there more to it than that? Finally, all is revealed, including who killed Mackie.

[Lesley Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This didn't take long to read. The plot started with a dead body being found but became much more than just finding the killer as the novel went on. Really easy narrative to read and follow and the chapters were short which matched the exciting action. Overall, this was really enjoyable. I have read others in this series and I like the way they're written.

[A.J. Fotheringham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another great book from this series. The characters are real and the plot draws you in. Couldn’t put it down.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one.

[J Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting climax for a very enjoyable series.

The scene with Sharon at the café with no indoor table was so real that, 24 hours after reading it, I was trying to think who had told me that it had happened to them! I love knowing an area and being able to picture scenes accurately.

[Christine Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday reading. Having not read any of the other books in series it was difficult and confusing to keep up with the characters. Very slow start and rapid end.

[Louise Ridout · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latest in the Dorset Crime series and a little disappointing. The story revolves around a body found in an abandoned village, and uncovers aspects of police corruption and cover ups, which is a similar storyline to the previous books in the series.

I find the main character in this series quote arrogant, and the way she speaks to some of her team is quite patronising and I don’t warm to her at all. The secondary characters are a lot more interesting and likeable for sure!

Whilst the main narrative of this book is concluded, I found that some of the other storylines and incidents are kind of glossed over - we never really find out why or how they happened, and I find that a b it frustrating as feels like they are added in to make the main story work with no thought to them. I also found some of the storylines very far fetched and unbelievable - the monkey world scenes for one are verging on the ridiculous! It’s a shame because I really liked this series when I started reading it, but it has gone down hill in the later books.

[Dawn Hough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this final book in the series. Didn’t feel there was any real ending. The DCI Mackie conclusion wasn’t anything special. Was expecting it to be more exciting. The timelines were annoying. One chapter was where one of the team was in hospital due to Sharon and the next chapter Sharon had a new boyfriend. And the monkey cage business was just bizarre. Why was that in the story? Really disappointing final book

[Nick Warner · Rating 1 out of 5]

My word, the last book was frustratingly disappointing but this one is simply dire.

For starters the conclusion after a narrative running 9 books is weak. That alone tarnishes the series utterly. You've spent 9 books building up the series and can't even come up with a decent conclusion? Everyone wants - goodness everyone knows - that all stories need a good conclusion. If the conclusion is off it massively hampers a book. It's the thing we've been waiting for, been journeying towards - in this case for 9 books. Problem is the conclusion is poor. Underwhelming is too kind a word.

For starters, the conclusion is remote with the team having little to do in the final arrest. No dramatic showdown, no epic confrontation. No simply understated satisfying arrest. Both linguistically and in terms of storytelling it couldn't be more detached from the reader if they tried. The conclusion is also implausible as said mastermind from the shadows is caught with one simple piece of evidence. It's not believable that after causing such manipulation they'd make such a basic error. And on top of that the explanation behind all of what has gone on with said villain is very limited too. What motivates them? How did they become who they are? Who knows! All in all after a 9 book hype it'd be hard to think of a less underwhelming finale than what we get.

Mind you at least there is some resolution here. Many of the unanswered questions in the previous book remain unanswered. This is doubly annoying as the last book was finished mid story so to have next to no explanation or resolution again is even more frustrating. I mean what's the point of the previous novel that is never really explained and is resolved in an incidental manner. Makes me utterly query why the previous book even happened - in fact it might not as well have happened - which is a bad place for a novel to land.

Then there's so many other issues as well. How many times can the police mess up a stakeout? The intimidation storyline would have been clever if there's been time to actually apply intimidation or pressure to the police. It's a clever idea, but is rendered utterly pointless by it's timing. Another good idea of the author has the rug pulled from under it by how and where it's inserted into the plot.

Else a criminal defence lawyer and wife should have plenty of milage in the story, the dynamics could be fantastic, but instead she gets an increasingly peripheral role. It seems every good idea and potential is brutally snuffed out before it can come to fruition. I'm still smarting from how they had the pointless member of the team accused of killing Mackie element, that was crying out for Else's proper involvement. I'm not after Lincoln Lawyer but I find it astounding that there was zero milage in this open goal.

If I had to describe the book, or the series as a whole, looking back I would say - incoherent and underwhelming. So many things don't make sense, aren't properly addressed or just fizzle out. It's a shame as the series had so much potential but the end result is poor.

1 star

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last part of the Dorset Crime series. Finally, several things are cleared up, which I have been waiting for. However, too many things remain rather unclear, which is disappointing.

The plot is fast paced, and the characters around Lesley Clarke have developed into more interesting ones over time, as far as we get a chance to learn about them. In this part this shows quite nicely, but there are too many things happening, and in several instances without properly closing strands of the plot that had been opened way before this last part of the series.

Accordingly, I’d have liked this to be longer, so that the unresolved parts of the plot could have been dealt with appropriately. Among others, the whole Angus-subplot would have deserved a lot more space. And I assume that Sharon in Monkey World is maybe some sort of inside joke, because it did not make any sense at all.
The ending of the book has some appeasing qualities in it, though these are not always completely satisfying either. All in all I am torn between the good parts of the book and the unresolved bits and pieces – of which there are too many. Due to that this is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read and end to the series arc.

Having raced through the last 4 or 5 books in the series (including this one) I found the series enjoyable in developing the characters and introducing me to parts of Dorset I didn’t know.

Specifically in this book it takes the arc from revelations in the previous book to their conclusion after Professional Standards Officer is found dead in an abandoned village on Ministry of Defence land.

I did enjoy the way the cases were intertwined, and came to a conclusion together, tying not only the case in this book and the DCI death which ran through the series but a couple more loose ends as well.

My only grumbles were that the ending seemed to come up quickly, but I am not sure if that is the result of reading multiple books in the series back to back. The other which I noticed in this book was that it needed a little bit more editing as in one place it has a DC search her flat when it was the victims and one of the characters name was spelt wrong, but neither spoilt my enjoyment of the book.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best book in this series so far. There's a new murder to investigate, an unsolved crime on the books, and Lesly and her wife Elsa have problems with Lesley's eighteen year old daughter, Sharon.
A woman's body is found in the Ghost Village, with no obvious cause of death. DCI Clarke's team split into two teams, to investigate the two cases. Then, another body turns up. This time it's a male, found, at the bottom of dome cliffs, by a member of the public.
The investigations rumble on, firstly as separate cases, then they're combined as more evidence is uncovered. There are certain aspects of these murders that are reminiscent of previous crimes that have occurred over the past two years. And Sharon's in danger, but doesn't realise it.
This one kept me guessing almost to the end, when I'd narrowed my list of suspects down to two, A happy ending, but that won't last long into the next story.

[Dave Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels like an explosion of events that's going to clear the air it doesn't disappoint.

Another murder this time it's a police officer there's lots of cross over 27th previous books in this great series but don't worry if you've not read the others it can be standalone but in my opinion better 27th the others but that's because i Gabs read them and loved them all.. Helps being from Dorset but wish I could drive as fact as they are allowed to get from a to b

But as usual great characters and storyline several plots in this one but no cliff hangers but cliffs ssh come into the plot but it's in the coast so why not. This time things seem a lot more personal.which add to the drama and there is always plenty in this series.

So yes higly recommend in my opion well worth reading.

[Hannah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I read the first book I have been totally in love with this series!

It's all centered around places that are local too me, which is great too read books that mention places that I know, the main characters are just so loveable and I'm certainly going too miss reading about them all 😭


And what a book too close a series on, we finally find out what happened too Mackie, i have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these books and even though I'm sad they won't continue I'm excited too read more by Rachel McLean!

[Sally White · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up on this series as the area of Dorset the writer places her stories in is familiar. At the beginning I enjoyed re-visiting old haunts, the story lines held my interest and I thought the theme that flows through the books a good one. However I just got exhausted by the constant typos, incorrect names, much repeated character traits, stereotypes and a sort of pervasive bitterness. The author seems to churn these out at regular intervals and it feels as if she never reads through to check her dtails.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews but. I had to as this book was absolutely wonderful, I ve read the whole series and enjoyed them all very much but this tops them all, so tgen final books in a series are a little disapointing., but this one I could not put down , it answers all the questions and is an exciting climax to to the series. 2dtorylines going on with the team split in two for oart if it. Great backstory as usual. Wonderful book. And I really hope Lesley gets another book in time .

[Charles Browne W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the earlier books in this series a little while ago but got slightly tired of reading about the same characters all the time, so I went on to other authors, with the intention of returning to the series later.
I enjoyed this , final, book in the series as it pulled most of the previous threads together and brought everything together. The book was easy to read and the plot-lines moved to a well-explained conclusion.

[SUSAN GARRETT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Have read 1 to 9 in these Dorset crimes being intrigued as to who was behind the murder of DCI Mackie the blame falling on his friend DS Dennis Frampton as he was the last person who had spoken to. Mackies predecessor DCI Lesley Clarke has been a signed to find out who was behind his murder and with two more police officers involved with the investigation are killed. DCI Clarke and her team now have to find out if it could be one of their own.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Village Murders

Another brilliant book from Rachel McLean. Problems arise in their plenty for Lesley in this instalment and it causes her much angst and anxiety. Professional Standards are involved again but this time one of theirs is the victim and another is the suspect. Lesley’s daughter is abducted by the suspects and Dennis is injured trying to save her. At last we find out what happened to DCI MacKie (Lesley’s predecessor) and more). A superb read from Rachel.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great conclusion to this British crime story series set in Dorset.

Dead bodies, mystery, suspense and twists and turns made this an engaging read. The characters suited the plot and there was a good sense of place.

It was well-written (though there were some grammatical errors, such as the mistaken use of capitals with 'sir' /'ma'am). It was fast-paced and believable.

I enjoyed it.

Recommended series.