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The Empty Easel: The Jurassic Coast Mysteries, Book 2
A Summer Mystery from the Author of The Corfe Castle Murders
Previously published as A Brush with Death.
It's summer and Lyme Regis is rammed with tourists. DC Tina Abbott is hoping her kids can have some fun on the beach with their granny Annie, who in turn is enjoying time with her swimming club.
But then Annie and her friends’ morning swim is disturbed when they spot the body of local artist Clifford Muldoon, floating near the Cobb.
Tina has things under control. But Annie, emboldened by her involvement in Lyme Regis’s last murder case, wants to get involved. And could the swimmers have information that might help solve the crime?
The Empty Easel is the second book in the Jurassic Coast Mystery series, featuring characters from the bestselling Dorset Crime series and perfect for fans of a seaside mystery... and monstrous cake-eating seagulls.
Previously published as A Brush with Death.
It's summer and Lyme Regis is rammed with tourists. DC Tina Abbott is hoping her kids can have some fun on the beach with their granny Annie, who in turn is enjoying time with her swimming club.
But then Annie and her friends’ morning swim is disturbed when they spot the body of local artist Clifford Muldoon, floating near the Cobb.
Tina has things under control. But Annie, emboldened by her involvement in Lyme Regis’s last murder case, wants to get involved. And could the swimmers have information that might help solve the crime?
The Empty Easel is the second book in the Jurassic Coast Mystery series, featuring characters from the bestselling Dorset Crime series and perfect for fans of a seaside mystery... and monstrous cake-eating seagulls.
Audible Audio
Published October 29, 2025
About the author
Rachel McLean
141 books602 followersMy name's Rachel McLean and I write thrillers that make you think.
What does that mean?
In short, I want my stories to make your pulse race and your brain tick.
Do you often get through a thriller at breakneck pace but are left with little sense of what the book was really about? Do you sometimes read literary fiction but just wish something would damn well happen?
My books aim to fill that gap.
Easy enough for me to say, but here are some reviews from people who agree with me:
'a fast paced, character-driven novel which enthralls from the very first page': Sherry, goodreads review of Thicker Than Water.
'..every page I was right there fighting with the lead character trying to do the right thing. I loved it!!': Lindsay, goodreads review of A House Divided.
'an engaging tale about a small community struggling to get by, their survival further threatened from enemies from the outside': Julie, Amazon review of Thicker Than Water.
I've been writing since I was old enough to hold a pen. In every job I've done, I've been the unofficial writer in residence, putting together briefing notes, press releases, training documents and anything else that involves putting pen to paper. As well as being the office expert on the possessive apostrophe.
But now I've turned to my first love - fiction.
If you'd like to know more about my books and receive extra bonus content, please join my book club at rachelmclean.com/bookclub. I'll send you a weekly email with news about my writing research and progress, stories and bonus content for each book. And I'll let you know when my books are on offer.
What does that mean?
In short, I want my stories to make your pulse race and your brain tick.
Do you often get through a thriller at breakneck pace but are left with little sense of what the book was really about? Do you sometimes read literary fiction but just wish something would damn well happen?
My books aim to fill that gap.
Easy enough for me to say, but here are some reviews from people who agree with me:
'a fast paced, character-driven novel which enthralls from the very first page': Sherry, goodreads review of Thicker Than Water.
'..every page I was right there fighting with the lead character trying to do the right thing. I loved it!!': Lindsay, goodreads review of A House Divided.
'an engaging tale about a small community struggling to get by, their survival further threatened from enemies from the outside': Julie, Amazon review of Thicker Than Water.
I've been writing since I was old enough to hold a pen. In every job I've done, I've been the unofficial writer in residence, putting together briefing notes, press releases, training documents and anything else that involves putting pen to paper. As well as being the office expert on the possessive apostrophe.
But now I've turned to my first love - fiction.
If you'd like to know more about my books and receive extra bonus content, please join my book club at rachelmclean.com/bookclub. I'll send you a weekly email with news about my writing research and progress, stories and bonus content for each book. And I'll let you know when my books are on offer.
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