Veil of Blood - A Madrid Mystery

by Rachel McLean

Paperback

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

[Anne Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got 'Veil of Blood' by Rachel McLean through a free link she was offering in her weekly newsletter (which is well worth signing up for btw). It's a short-story prequel to her new series which will be set in different European cities. The first 'proper' book of the series comes out next year.
I discovered Rachel McLean when I first visited Dorset and wanted to read books set there. She has a whole detective series set in Dorset with each one using a different well-known location. She's since written series set in different parts of the country.
The protagonist in this series, Dr Petra McBride, is a Glasgow based forensic psychologist who is quite used to helping the police with their enquiries. She accepts a job in Madrid which is where this story takes place. Court case over, she is ready to spend a relaxing evening in her hotel room with nothing more than a hot bath and bottle of wine on her to-do list. Unfortunately the killer, who should now be behind bars, has other plans for her evening. It's a good story and has whet my appetite for more. McLean's books are easy, quick reads rather than complex thought-provoking works of literature, but sometimes that's exactly what you need.

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

a quick read but enjoyable