The Business

Cumbria Crime #2.5

by Rachel McLean, Joel Hames

Spring should be on the way, but West Cumbria is covered in a thick blanket of snow.

When Samira Hasan doesn’t show up for a night at the local cocktail bar, her friend Ella is more annoyed than concerned. But when Samira’s front door is opened by her shady ex-boyfriend, and there’s no sign of Samira herself, she fears the worst.

In normal circumstances DI Zoe Finch and her team at Cumbria CID wouldn’t take on a routine missing persons case. But Samira’s workplace is uncomfortably close to the base of operations for Myron Carter, local organised crime boss, and Zoe knows Carter’s friends in the police won’t look kindly on her turning up and rocking the boat. Which makes it too good an opportunity to pass up.

But can Zoe find Samira before it’s too late?

71 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2024

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

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoe investigates a missing person that takes her once again to a mob runned business. This puts Inspector Streeting back in the picture as he is suspected of being the police informant to the mob boss. Threats ensue, but Zoe and her team get the job done.

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

short but another good read