Ackroyd Publishing The Chesil Beach Murders.

Dorset Crime #11

by Rachel McLean, Unknown Author

An old enemy and a new colleague bring twin problems for DCI Lesley Clarke.

Lesley and her team think that their battles with Dorset's organised crime gangs are over. The Kelvins are all dead or in prison and Trevor Hamm's Birmingham gang have given up their attempts to expand into the county.

But then a man's body is found on Chesil Beach, his fingertips and teeth removed. And his DNA isn't on the system.

Why did his killer want to hide his identify? Was he killed by an organised crime gang and if so, which one?

And then there's the return of DC Johnny Chiles, who left for London in disgrace years earlier, and whose father, a retired sergeant, appears to have a connection to the murder.

Lesley's two teams must work together to find the killer before more die in this gripping crime novel perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.

Genres: Crime

Paperback

First published October 9, 2025

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

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but a few loose ends to carry into the next one .

[Jujumc_8hotmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

I enjoyed this instalment in the series.
I do like the regular characters and & their back stories
Looking forward to the next one

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another entertaining, yet disturbing, crime drama, where Lesley and her two teams investigate murders. The past rears its head but were there any connections to anything?

There was a great cast of characters, not all likeable but suited the plot. Secrets were revealed but others remained hidden.

Well-written, engaging and enjoyable.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! Not only does Lesley find herself out of her comfort zone but is challenged by an unexpected visit by the PSD department, then is immediately thrust into a murder case where she becomes the SIO. The story brings together a number of strands from previous books and ends with the prospect of more revelations to be explored in the next book. Cannot wait.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk

[sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i felt a bit disappointed with this book, i dont know if it was because ive been waiting for it so i’ve maybe expected more or what. but i wasn’t really a fan of the 2 cases going along side each other as i was so confused. im so intrigued to find out what happened to frank kelvin as we were left on a cliff hanger at the end of the book. i was intrigued on the MCIT case of why the chesil beach victims finger prints were gone. although i feel like getting the suspects and arresting them was boring as we didn’t even get to know about it as they were in london. jackie kendall’s death was unexpected but it made sense with the story although i felt some chapters at the start about her were a bit useless. im still confused of why the suspects tried to frame vera kelvin and how she knew everything that the 2 teams were investigating. overall 3.5/5

[Sharyn Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling, keeps you guessing!

A deep dive into the intricacies of policing.
The men and women in policing in this story are a mix of ages, thinkers, personalities and life styles.
They are all trying to work together to find if a man has actually died. I learned more about the women and men in in the police force their thoughts and feelings than I ever knew and feel more thankful.

[Liz Krummell · Rating 3 out of 5]

obviously in the minority here but I did not like the book at all - 3 is a gift. I feel like this a mishmash of human resources - who likes who, who works with who, the personal relationships getting brought in, who is watching the children And then it ends - without having the crime solved completely. We all thought we were done with the Kelvins too

[Valerie Douthwaite · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read many earlier written books in this series and enjoyed them but I had to give up with this one, I felt it was all over the place with the story. I couldn't find the "flow" at all. I don't like giving up on a book but didn't see the point of continuing. When I put down a book I like to pick it up and remember the story, I couldn't do that with this one and had to constantly recap.

[Valerie Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twists and turns could make you dizzy

I think this is by far the best of thie series. All the books have been amazing and I can't find a word to describe this one. It was heart stopping, thrilling, thought provoking and I cried and laughed. I totally lost myself inside the void. Wonderful.

[Lisa Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to DNF at 200 pages. I don’t think this is a standalone, despite the author saying it can be read as such. The is the 11th book in the Dorset murders books & without reading the other books there are too many characters and too much back story that is missing to properly enjoy the story. It’s well written, hence the 3 stars and I would probably enjoy it if I’d read the other 10 books.

[MS M ADAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down.

It jumped the queue on my Kindle and I didn’t regret it. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. I love the connections between the different series’ as well. I hope there are more to come.

[Linda Woodley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read everyone of Leslie Clarks stories and this one hasn't disappointed me either
It seems she can't get away from the evil Kelvins
A cracking story and it left us with what will Eric Chile tell them

[Mary Darlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuation of the series. Easy to read and with such short chapters, you can plough through these books quite quickly. Plenty of unanswered questions which means there will be more in the series, which is good. Very enjoyable easy reading.

[M R B Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

A murder on the beach. A witness comes out of hiding. A cold case uncovers undercover agents. All three tell and the team solves two of them. More to come!

[Myra J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Clarke and her Teams investigate a complicated murder with far reaching implications. Lots of suspense, very well written! I’m already looking forward to the next book!

[Sue Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

I am a great fan of the Dorset crime series and if I hadn’t deliberately slowed by self down I would have read it in one sitting. Highly recommend

[mrs margaret young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book really enjoyed it can't wait for the next one.

[phil coy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, can’t wait to read book 12!

[Eileen Keane · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, but the cliff hanger!!

[MRS A HARRINGTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner

From page one the reader is hooked, love this series and can't wait till book 12. Keep them coming Rachel!

[Jane Littleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intreging

An excerpt book. Couldn't put it down. A must read. Made the area come alive and have me places to visit

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really enjoyable read can not wait for the next one to come

[Jacqui Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved every one of the Dorset Crime Series. Spent many holidays in that area and Racel really gets the scenes set perfectly.

[Char · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning was a bit hard to comprehend as it flitted back and forth between names and it seemed like the author got some names wrong at some points. Good story which really found its flow in the middle. I liked the 2 cases alongside each other.

I got this via book club so I'm reading number 11 in the series first. I'm sure if I'd have read the whole series I would have rated this higher. Reading as a stand alone, I felt there was a lot of constant referring back to old cases which got repetitive