The Shattered Bauble: A Christmas mystery from the author of The Corfe Castle Murders

The Jurassic Coast Mysteries #3

by Rachel McLean, Millie Ravensworth

Annie Abbott is a busy woman. As well as attempting to create her grandchildren's best ever Christmas and helping her police detective daughter Tina juggle work, kids and Christmas preparations, she's been roped in to run a pottery shop after a shopkeeper friend was injured in a robbery.

But this is Annie Abbott, which means a mystery isn't far away.

Why did the thief steal the ugliest trinket in the shop? Why does the same trinket, a kitsch pottery reindeer, keep turning up in unexpected places? And is it all related to the state of the drains running along the back of the shop, at Lyme Regis's Old Mill?

Christmas doesn't stop Annie and the swimming club gang from interfering in another case in this gripping festive mystery set on the Jurassic Coast.

316 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 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

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect Christmas mystery with some of my favorite characters, many members of the Lyme Regis Women's Swimming Club. I do hope there will be more books in this series.

[Mary Darlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this spin off series based in Lyme Regis. The stories are getting better and more plausible. My only negative is the fact that the authors made the young drug dealer the only black man in Lyme. This tarnished the story somewhat because it wasn’t necessary to make the drug dealer a black man. Didn’t add to the story in any way. Unnecessary stereotyping, in my opinion. Likeable characters and I love that the area is so familiar to me.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so hope we get a 4th book in this series 🙏👍🏻👍🏻

[Lucy Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder and mystery in a Christmassy Lyme Regis

A great festive story set in the beautiful Jurassic Coast town of Lyme Regis. Rachel McLean's motley crew of ladies who swim, local shop and boutique owners plus the local police force make for a pacy tale of murder in a classic 'whodunnit' style.

If you enjoy light hearted banter, a twisty plot and well drawn characters, then you'll enjoy this 😊

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as The Shattered Bauble and it was enjoyable especially because of the characters. I loved the eccentricity of the characters, each well-defind and the relationships with each other.

One of Annie's friends has been attacked...thus the case begins.

There were some twists but I guessed the culprits, however, the story was engaging and descriptive without being boring.

Recommended.

[Rubina Savage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

I've read all of Rachel's early books which I really enjoyed. I haven't read any of the books she's written in tandem with someone else.
I wasn't overly fond of the story. It was a bit disjointed. There weren't enough links to previous books which included the same characters. So I was at a bit of a loss as to who was who. There were the bones of a good story but it became clear that to really enjoy it I needed to read previous books I won't do.

[Emma Quarmby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read in this lighter style. I don’t know whether there should be a caveat that tells people that in this series the style has deviated and consciously changed from the other series. It was a surprise but I actually loved it for a bit of a fresh feel.

I enjoyed following along in everyone’s lives and will certainly read the next one.

[Ruth Kittner · Rating 5 out of 5]

another successful case

Very enjoyable books. Sometimes confusing to jump between 4-7 pov but somehow the authors make it work. Very clever “mystery” but it’s fair and we get all the clues as the story goes on

[H Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book serious and amusing characters 😄

[M R B Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book of two halves

First half a bit verbose and pointless. Second half better once the murder was being investigated. Not as good as the Dorset books.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the series so far

A terrific combination of plot, characters, crime and romance 💟 on the Jurassic Coast !!! I dare you to be able to put it down 😜

[mike edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baubles

Another masterclass in crime.lots of things going on and superbly brought to a thrilling climax with the swimming club girls and Kevin in the thick of it.

[Louise]

DNFd this one - I couldn’t get interested enough in the characters.

[David Laflin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Peggy is found unconscious on the shop floor. The police set about finding out what happened to her. Of course the ladies of the swimming club get involved and are helpful in solving this crime.

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

i did quite enjoy this book

[Angela Easton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read and try to work out who did it. A few red herrings helped to send you off the correct path. It was sad when it ended because the characters have ‘life’ and I want to know what happens next.