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Cumbria Crime #4
The Barn
DI Zoe Finch has been working in Cumbria for a year. She’s finally got to grips with her team, the area, and much of its criminal underworld.
But when a young student is found stabbed to death outside a burning barn, the investigation leads her both out of Cumbria, and closer to home. Why was the victim there? Who was he with? And is this murder linked to other cases her team has worked on?
The clock is ticking, and the killer isn’t done with Cumbria yet. There’s more blood to be shed, and it might belong to someone Zoe knows.
The Barn is the fourth book in the gripping Cumbria Crime series, featuring DI Zoe Finch from the bestselling ‘Deadly' series.
But when a young student is found stabbed to death outside a burning barn, the investigation leads her both out of Cumbria, and closer to home. Why was the victim there? Who was he with? And is this murder linked to other cases her team has worked on?
The clock is ticking, and the killer isn’t done with Cumbria yet. There’s more blood to be shed, and it might belong to someone Zoe knows.
The Barn is the fourth book in the gripping Cumbria Crime series, featuring DI Zoe Finch from the bestselling ‘Deadly' series.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2024
1114 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Rachel McLean
115 books657 followersMy 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 14, 2024
I enjoyed this British crime story set in Cumbria. A body is found stabbed, a barn alight...
Zoe and her team are tasked with unravelling a tangled web and I liked the way she worked.
This was engaging from the start, with a great sense of place, tension and suspense.
Recommended.
Zoe and her team are tasked with unravelling a tangled web and I liked the way she worked.
This was engaging from the start, with a great sense of place, tension and suspense.
Recommended.
June 24, 2025
I was ok with this book. there were a lot of random things that I sort of remembered from the prior books (the photographer other stuff not so much) The whole stuff with Aaron - was that covered in the prior book? The current murder investigation started out slowly bit got better. I was frustrates that we had to buy a novella to find out what happened but that was just 70 pages of a new murder that was easy to solve and nothing much with the internal investigations and the guy running all the organized crime in the area so that was disappointing - but Aaron is fine now.
February 1, 2025
The Barn
This took me a little while to get into but it was well worth it in the end. Zoe is still being pestered by David Randle. Her small team faced with PSD again, initially causing tension between her and Carl. Before she accepts that they both have jobs to do. A bad cop, a bad CSI and a murdered drug dealer with another on the run. A huge case for Zoe to solve. As well as trying to buy a house! Can’t wait for the next instalment.
This took me a little while to get into but it was well worth it in the end. Zoe is still being pestered by David Randle. Her small team faced with PSD again, initially causing tension between her and Carl. Before she accepts that they both have jobs to do. A bad cop, a bad CSI and a murdered drug dealer with another on the run. A huge case for Zoe to solve. As well as trying to buy a house! Can’t wait for the next instalment.
May 8, 2025
Another past pacing read!
Zoe and tram are faced with a dead drug dealer who has been killed in a nasty way. They also have a missing female accomplice, who later turns up badly dehydrated. They identify the killer an go date him. Aaron is having a bad time at home and feels a lot of the deaths are his fault. Zoe has a lot of balls in the air and she is getting closer to getting the main man. Well worth reading.
Zoe and tram are faced with a dead drug dealer who has been killed in a nasty way. They also have a missing female accomplice, who later turns up badly dehydrated. They identify the killer an go date him. Aaron is having a bad time at home and feels a lot of the deaths are his fault. Zoe has a lot of balls in the air and she is getting closer to getting the main man. Well worth reading.
February 13, 2026
Getting better
I often wonder when reading a series of books if I would loose interest or become bored with trying to follow a convoluted storyline, not so with this series from Rachel and Joel, each book has had me eager to read the next instalment and although I do dip into another physical book in between chapters, mainly to give my eyes some rest from a screen, I’m quickly back to the Kindle.
Right time to download book 5 in this series
I often wonder when reading a series of books if I would loose interest or become bored with trying to follow a convoluted storyline, not so with this series from Rachel and Joel, each book has had me eager to read the next instalment and although I do dip into another physical book in between chapters, mainly to give my eyes some rest from a screen, I’m quickly back to the Kindle.
Right time to download book 5 in this series
November 14, 2024
I’ve really enjoyed the Cumbria crime book! 🕵️ I’ve only read them because I am a fan of Joel Hames. When I saw they were collaborating I had to get my hands on them. Now I want to go back and read the rest of the DI Zoe Finch Series! I really like Rachael McLeans writing. I’m excited to dive into the rest! 📚🤓
January 2, 2025
Yet again a Zoe Finch book that packs a punch.
Plenty of action, twists and turns to keep everyone guessing. I am enjoying this spin off set in Cumbria as much as the original.
Now to wait for her next investigation and have she & Carl finally come to terms with their viewpoints on their disparate jobs within the police service or are there more troubles ahead ?
Plenty of action, twists and turns to keep everyone guessing. I am enjoying this spin off set in Cumbria as much as the original.
Now to wait for her next investigation and have she & Carl finally come to terms with their viewpoints on their disparate jobs within the police service or are there more troubles ahead ?
February 1, 2025
Zoe and her team work in conjunction with Carl and his team to uncover a dirty cop, murders, drug dealers and keeping both their teams focused on their respective goals. I enjoy all of Rachel’s books and always look forward to the next book in this series. It will take a while to read all of the books in the several different series that Rachel writes.
June 28, 2025
Another great story by Rachel Maclean. This is another Zoe story. When a young university student is brutally murdered during a fire, Zoe and her team find it is drugs linked. As the case progresses things come to light that involve PSD and Zoe’s partner DI Carl Whaley. After many twists and turns and more deaths will Zoe and her team finally crack the case.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
August 15, 2025
Really enjoyed this story. Love the characters and the style of writing is really easy and flows so well. It’s silly but I love that the chapters are really short. It makes it easier for me to enjoy just one more chapter before I have to get on with something else!
Already starting the next in this series as it is such escapism for me and I need that right now.
Already starting the next in this series as it is such escapism for me and I need that right now.
October 18, 2024
Read in one go
This is another great story from Cumbria. There are so many twists and turns and it’s hard to work out who the good guys are and I end up suspecting everyone. Always ends with a hint of more to come
This is another great story from Cumbria. There are so many twists and turns and it’s hard to work out who the good guys are and I end up suspecting everyone. Always ends with a hint of more to come
October 23, 2024
Really ebjoyed Zoe Finch's sojourn in Cumbria, with her past continuing to catch her up. Are things between her and Carl going to sort themselves out? Looking forward to the next one.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
February 8, 2025
Curiouser and curiouser!
The plot thickens, indeed! Internal corruption and external coercion all mixed together allow for an exciting read. But I do wish there were less swearing! A solid 4-star read!
The plot thickens, indeed! Internal corruption and external coercion all mixed together allow for an exciting read. But I do wish there were less swearing! A solid 4-star read!
March 2, 2025
A really good gripping read with plenty of action and plenty to ponder as I think about book 5! Rachel and Joel make a fantastic duo! Zoe up to her usual antics! I highly recommend this series if you readvtge Birmingham series involving Zoe and Carl!
March 9, 2025
fabulous series
The fabulous series continues. Well written, interesting story line. The characters are relatable and it’s nice how their personal lives intertwine with their professional ones
The fabulous series continues. Well written, interesting story line. The characters are relatable and it’s nice how their personal lives intertwine with their professional ones
October 23, 2024
Brilliant read
Just couldn’t put this book down. Can’t wait until the next book in the series is released to find out what the nail biting finish means.
Just couldn’t put this book down. Can’t wait until the next book in the series is released to find out what the nail biting finish means.
October 27, 2024
the Barn
Not my favourite read I’m afraid, it just didn’t grip me. I found myself willing that the book would end.
Not my favourite read I’m afraid, it just didn’t grip me. I found myself willing that the book would end.
November 3, 2024
wow the intrigue continues
Book 4 as excellent as the last three so looking forward to more and more
I so recommend you give this series a try
Book 4 as excellent as the last three so looking forward to more and more
I so recommend you give this series a try
November 14, 2024
read this fairly quickly as i love the book by this author
November 18, 2024
The barn
Excellent good plot plenty of suspects first class team , classic crime. Thriller
Well worth the read definitely a must for Di finch fans
Excellent good plot plenty of suspects first class team , classic crime. Thriller
Well worth the read definitely a must for Di finch fans
November 27, 2024
A great continuation in this Cumbria Crime series. Loads of plots & subplots with great characters.
December 4, 2024
Gripping
As usual I found this story gripping. I couldn’t wait to turn the page. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
As usual I found this story gripping. I couldn’t wait to turn the page. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
Read
December 4, 2024Great read, recommend to all
January 5, 2025
Loved it
January 12, 2025
Such a great series
January 19, 2025
Great addition to the Cumbria Crime series with Zoë Finch and her team.
February 8, 2025
Enjoy the way these novels are written
February 8, 2025
excellent
Another page turner. Always struggle to book their books down ! So many threads weaving in and out of the main storyline
Another page turner. Always struggle to book their books down ! So many threads weaving in and out of the main storyline
February 11, 2025
another gripping book for Zoe and the team
So enjoyed this book and the ongoing back stories of crime and life with Carl in Cumbria. Looking forward to the next instalment.
So enjoyed this book and the ongoing back stories of crime and life with Carl in Cumbria. Looking forward to the next instalment.
February 16, 2025
complex and page turner!
A really good read. A page turner. I enjoyed the different strands of the story . I look forward to to the next book
A really good read. A page turner. I enjoyed the different strands of the story . I look forward to to the next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews