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Detective Zoe Finch #1
Deadly Wishes
Meet Zoe Finch, West Midlands Police's newest Detective Inspector. She's outspoken, ambitious, and damaged. And she's working a case that could make her career, or cost her everything...
Fresh from the success of the Canary investigation into depravity and corruption at the highest levels, she's attracted attention. Not least from Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson.
But when Jackson is brutally murdered on the night of his retirement party, Zoe is dragged into a case that's deeply personal.
All the evidence points to the victim's downtrodden wife, who has secrets of her own. But Zoe begins to suspect all isn't as it seems. Could Jackson's death be linked to the Canary case? And what is her new boss, DCI David Randle, hiding?
Seeking out the truth will force Zoe to confront her own past, and put her career, and her team's lives, on the line.
Deadly Wishes is a gritty crime thriller perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Caroline Mitchell, and the BBC's Line of Duty.
Fresh from the success of the Canary investigation into depravity and corruption at the highest levels, she's attracted attention. Not least from Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson.
But when Jackson is brutally murdered on the night of his retirement party, Zoe is dragged into a case that's deeply personal.
All the evidence points to the victim's downtrodden wife, who has secrets of her own. But Zoe begins to suspect all isn't as it seems. Could Jackson's death be linked to the Canary case? And what is her new boss, DCI David Randle, hiding?
Seeking out the truth will force Zoe to confront her own past, and put her career, and her team's lives, on the line.
Deadly Wishes is a gritty crime thriller perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Caroline Mitchell, and the BBC's Line of Duty.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2020
2872 people are currently reading
965 people want to read
About the author
Rachel McLean
107 books610 followersMy 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
July 18, 2020
DEADLY WISHES is book 1 in the Detective Zoe Finch crime thriller by Rachel McLean.
Acting Detective Inspector Zoe Finch, for DI Frank Dawson currently on secondment, is West Midland’s Police's newest Detective Inspector. She's outspoken, ambitious, and damaged. And she's working a case that could make her career, or cost her everything...
Zoe’s outstanding work on Canary (low-level fraud case) resulted in her promotion by Bryn Jackson, Assistant Chief Constable (ACC). Zoe’s new boss is DCI David Randle.
But when Jackson is brutally murdered on the night, he returns from his retirement party, Zoe is dragged into a case that's deeply personal. Jackson’s wife, Margaret, provides details that there had been a visitor after the retirement party, who demanded to talk to Bryn. Bryn told him it was late and to come back tomorrow. Bryn tried to push the intruder away…but it was too late.
Zoe rushed to the location to secure the scene…her first case as a DI. But her new boss, DCI David Randle arrives on scene as SIO, and takes over the case, sending Zoe to perform menial tasks.
All the evidence points to the victim's wife, who has secrets of her own.
But Zoe begins to suspect all isn't as it seems. Could Jackson's death be linked to the Canary case? And what is her new boss, DCI David Randle, hiding?
This case forces Zoe to confront her own past and seek out the truth.
Death Wishes is the beginning of what I believe will be a satisfying new gritty crime series that will appeal to a wide audience. Great plot with a strong female protagonist that stands her ground to uncover the truth at all costs. Lots of suspense and twists to grip the reader right to the unpredicted ending.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Acting Detective Inspector Zoe Finch, for DI Frank Dawson currently on secondment, is West Midland’s Police's newest Detective Inspector. She's outspoken, ambitious, and damaged. And she's working a case that could make her career, or cost her everything...
Zoe’s outstanding work on Canary (low-level fraud case) resulted in her promotion by Bryn Jackson, Assistant Chief Constable (ACC). Zoe’s new boss is DCI David Randle.
But when Jackson is brutally murdered on the night, he returns from his retirement party, Zoe is dragged into a case that's deeply personal. Jackson’s wife, Margaret, provides details that there had been a visitor after the retirement party, who demanded to talk to Bryn. Bryn told him it was late and to come back tomorrow. Bryn tried to push the intruder away…but it was too late.
Zoe rushed to the location to secure the scene…her first case as a DI. But her new boss, DCI David Randle arrives on scene as SIO, and takes over the case, sending Zoe to perform menial tasks.
All the evidence points to the victim's wife, who has secrets of her own.
But Zoe begins to suspect all isn't as it seems. Could Jackson's death be linked to the Canary case? And what is her new boss, DCI David Randle, hiding?
This case forces Zoe to confront her own past and seek out the truth.
Death Wishes is the beginning of what I believe will be a satisfying new gritty crime series that will appeal to a wide audience. Great plot with a strong female protagonist that stands her ground to uncover the truth at all costs. Lots of suspense and twists to grip the reader right to the unpredicted ending.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
July 17, 2020
Zoe Finch is a new Detective Inspector. Her last case was a success in her investigation of corruption. Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson has acknowledged her performance at his retirement party.
That night, after the party was over, Jackson and his wife arrived home where he was brutally murdered. Prime suspect -- his wife, who has secrets of her own.
But her new boss, DCI David Randle takes over the case leaving Zoe to do less important paper work. Is he hiding something? He was quite close to Jackson for many years.
Investigating on her own, seeking out the truth will force Zoe to confront her own past, and put her career, and her team's lives, on the line.
Zoe is a strong female character, ambitious, outspoken and trying to prove her worth in a man's world. She has to work twice as hard to prove she's half as good as some of her colleagues. This is the beginning of what appears to be a gritty, riveting series. Great character development. Twists and turns leading to an unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
That night, after the party was over, Jackson and his wife arrived home where he was brutally murdered. Prime suspect -- his wife, who has secrets of her own.
But her new boss, DCI David Randle takes over the case leaving Zoe to do less important paper work. Is he hiding something? He was quite close to Jackson for many years.
Investigating on her own, seeking out the truth will force Zoe to confront her own past, and put her career, and her team's lives, on the line.
Zoe is a strong female character, ambitious, outspoken and trying to prove her worth in a man's world. She has to work twice as hard to prove she's half as good as some of her colleagues. This is the beginning of what appears to be a gritty, riveting series. Great character development. Twists and turns leading to an unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 18, 2023
When I started the book I didn’t realise that even though she was a DI, Zoe wasn’t going to be in charge of the case. I’m not keen on the main character not being the officer in charge of an investigation, as this often puts them on the fringes of the case and subject to the whims and prejudices of the superior officer. The actual case wasn’t particularly interesting to start with and Zoe didn’t seem to be the exceptional investigator suggested in the book's ‘blurb’. However by halfway it was becoming more intriguing, if somewhat chaotic.
I thought it might get more interesting, but unfortunately it then fell apart. I suspect the author was just trying too hard to make it interesting and just threw too much into the mix and in the end the whole thing was more like one of those overblown ridiculous American cop shows. It didn’t help that the book finishes with several loose ends.
I thought it might get more interesting, but unfortunately it then fell apart. I suspect the author was just trying too hard to make it interesting and just threw too much into the mix and in the end the whole thing was more like one of those overblown ridiculous American cop shows. It didn’t help that the book finishes with several loose ends.
September 25, 2021
Good but didn't really keep me enticed
Good storyline, nothing dramatic though to keep me interested. I couldn't wait to finish it really. Not sure I will read any more in the series
Good storyline, nothing dramatic though to keep me interested. I couldn't wait to finish it really. Not sure I will read any more in the series
October 7, 2020
Absolutely loved this. Great start to a new detective series set in the West Midlands. Cant wait to start next one
December 28, 2022
This book was badly written and the characters not very believable. There were far too many characters introduced with no real development of who they are and this, along with too many turns in the plot made it a very chaotic read with lots of loose ends. I think the author tried too hard to put too many things into the plot and did not develop it enough. There is a murder, art theft, police corruption, family dynamic issues, a robbery of Zoe Finch's home etc, which do not really get any resolution or tie into the plot effectively. It also was vwry poor in terms of police procedures and lots of innacuracies. For me, it was an incredibly disappointing read where I ended up quickly skim reading just to get to the end.
I did purchase the other books in the series but won't be reading them now as this book does not bode well for the rest.
I read lots of thrillers and crime fiction and love trying to second guess the plot. This plot was poor, the twist and turns too chaotic, no development of plot or characters and a waste of my three hours spent reading to be honest.
I did purchase the other books in the series but won't be reading them now as this book does not bode well for the rest.
I read lots of thrillers and crime fiction and love trying to second guess the plot. This plot was poor, the twist and turns too chaotic, no development of plot or characters and a waste of my three hours spent reading to be honest.
December 29, 2022
Deadly Wishes is book one in the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean. After the Canary investigation's success, Zoe Finch became the new Detective Inspector for the West Midlands Police department. However, Detective Inspector Zoe Finch's first case was the murder of Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson. At first glance, the murderer was his wife, but the more she investigated, Zoe realised there was more to this story. The readers of Deadly Wishes will continue to follow Detective Inspector Zoe Finch to discover what happens.
Deadly Wishes is the first book I read from Rachel McLean's new series. Fantastic that another excellent female mc to enjoy. At first, I was not sure I would engage with this book. However, I was wrong, and I look forward to reading more in this series. I love Rachel McLean's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Deadly Wishes is well-written and researched by Rachel McLean. I like Rachel McLean's description of the settings of Deadly Wishes that complement the book's plot.
The readers of Deadly Wishes will understand that domestic violence is a silent issue for all families and professions. Also, the readers of Deadly Wishes will learn about the role of professional standards in law enforcement agencies.
I recommend this book.
Deadly Wishes is the first book I read from Rachel McLean's new series. Fantastic that another excellent female mc to enjoy. At first, I was not sure I would engage with this book. However, I was wrong, and I look forward to reading more in this series. I love Rachel McLean's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Deadly Wishes is well-written and researched by Rachel McLean. I like Rachel McLean's description of the settings of Deadly Wishes that complement the book's plot.
The readers of Deadly Wishes will understand that domestic violence is a silent issue for all families and professions. Also, the readers of Deadly Wishes will learn about the role of professional standards in law enforcement agencies.
I recommend this book.
August 9, 2023
3.5 stars. Quite an entertaining cosy mystery set in Birmingham, with excellent narration by Jan Cramer.
August 12, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, #1 in the Detective Zoe Finch series.
When a retiring police officer is murdered it's all hands on deck to solve the crime and yet nothing is as it seems...
There were some disturbing issues tackled in this story (no spoilers) and I liked the way it was done. The characters fit well into the tale and the plot was great. I always like strong female leads, so Zoe was brilliant, in my opinion.
Plenty of mystery in this well-written book, which I would highly recommend.
When a retiring police officer is murdered it's all hands on deck to solve the crime and yet nothing is as it seems...
There were some disturbing issues tackled in this story (no spoilers) and I liked the way it was done. The characters fit well into the tale and the plot was great. I always like strong female leads, so Zoe was brilliant, in my opinion.
Plenty of mystery in this well-written book, which I would highly recommend.
June 29, 2022
A mildly engaging book. The narrative is forced and lacks connection. Characters are not at all developed, often “wooden” stereotypes. Dialogue is completely unbelievable. Characters talk in a language that is completely unreal - an imagined language working class people and “villains” speak. I finished the book because I don’t like being beaten but was bewildered at the end because there was no resolution. The end was obviously constructed to facilitate a second book.
July 19, 2020
Female-led police procedurals are a favourite of mine, and this is one that I will add to my list of series to follow. Zoe Finch is a forceful character, dedicated to her career and her son. She's intelligent and diligent and has caught the attention of the top echelons of the police after success in her last case. At the outset, the reader isn't sure whether this due to her detecting skills or the threat she poses, to the hierarchy.
The death of a senior police officer puts Zoe in the middle of a politically sensitive murder inquiry. The victim had enemies, some close to home, and Zoe's immediate superior seems determined to relegate her to the sidelines and close the case quickly.
Well-paced and plotted this story has an addictive quality. It explores contemporary issues concerning the police force, particularly corruption and misogyny. The characters are complex and relatable. The suspense building leads to many surprises, and there's an undercurrent of menace increasing as the story reaches its climax.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
The death of a senior police officer puts Zoe in the middle of a politically sensitive murder inquiry. The victim had enemies, some close to home, and Zoe's immediate superior seems determined to relegate her to the sidelines and close the case quickly.
Well-paced and plotted this story has an addictive quality. It explores contemporary issues concerning the police force, particularly corruption and misogyny. The characters are complex and relatable. The suspense building leads to many surprises, and there's an undercurrent of menace increasing as the story reaches its climax.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
July 21, 2020
I am a huge fan of police procedurals and I love discovering new authors and new series. Well 'Deadly Wishes' ticked all three boxes and then some. 'Deadly Wishes' is the first book in the Detective Zoe Finch series and what a story it is! I absolutely, totally and utterly flipping well loved reading 'Deadly Wishes' but more about that in a bit.
I took to Zoe Finch from the start and I actually felt as though she had become a friend of mine by the time I got to the end of the book. When the story begins, Zoe is Acting Detective Inspector Finch and she wants to make a good impression on her bosses. Zoe is one tough cookie but then she has had to be as life has hit her in the guts over the years. Zoe is tough, compassionate, sassy, determined, tenacious, intuitive, intelligent, hard working, a devoted mother to her son and occasionally she can be very stubborn. Zoe is in charge of a small team and they all work well together and for the most part, they have each others' backs. Zoe has a reputation for being able to crack tough cases and as the story starts she is still basking in the glory from a previous case. Not that Zoe is a show off or anything- far from it. If I had to give an opinion, I would say that Zoe is a bit embarrassed at all the attention and that everybody seems to know all about her. Will Zoe successfully conclude her first investigation as an Acting Detective Inspector? Well for the answers to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my flipping word, I was blown away by 'Deadly Wishes'. I was completely under this book's spell from the moment I first picked this book up until the moment I read the last word on the very last page. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book. If I had to put the book down then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I took to Zoe that well and I found the storylines so intriguing that I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I seemed to race through the book and I soon reached the end, which I had mixed feelings about. Don't get me wrong I was pleased to finish because at least I knew how the investigation concluded but I didn't want to finish the book because it meant that I had to say goodbye to Zoe and her team. I soon cheered up when I realised that the second book in the series is called 'Deadly Choices' and it is due to be released on 11th September 2020. I can't flipping wait.
'Deadly Wishes' is superbly written and as I indicated above, I was blown away by how fantastic the story was. Rachel certainly got my attention from the start with the murder of a particularly obnoxious man. The more I discovered about him, the more I disliked him and the less I was bothered about who killed him. I needed to know why he had been killed and by whom but I certainly wasn't losing any sleep over the loss of such a 'delightful' (note the sarcasm). Rachel drew me into the story from the start and I actually felt as though I was part of the investigating team myself. 'Deadly Wishes' was a tightly plotted and well written tale that had more twists and turns to it than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. Just when you thought that you had it figured out then the story would send you in a different direction entirely. I was gripped by this story from start to finish and I was on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Deadly Wishes' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Rachel's work in the future and I can't wait to read 'Deadly Choices'. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I took to Zoe Finch from the start and I actually felt as though she had become a friend of mine by the time I got to the end of the book. When the story begins, Zoe is Acting Detective Inspector Finch and she wants to make a good impression on her bosses. Zoe is one tough cookie but then she has had to be as life has hit her in the guts over the years. Zoe is tough, compassionate, sassy, determined, tenacious, intuitive, intelligent, hard working, a devoted mother to her son and occasionally she can be very stubborn. Zoe is in charge of a small team and they all work well together and for the most part, they have each others' backs. Zoe has a reputation for being able to crack tough cases and as the story starts she is still basking in the glory from a previous case. Not that Zoe is a show off or anything- far from it. If I had to give an opinion, I would say that Zoe is a bit embarrassed at all the attention and that everybody seems to know all about her. Will Zoe successfully conclude her first investigation as an Acting Detective Inspector? Well for the answers to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my flipping word, I was blown away by 'Deadly Wishes'. I was completely under this book's spell from the moment I first picked this book up until the moment I read the last word on the very last page. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book. If I had to put the book down then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I took to Zoe that well and I found the storylines so intriguing that I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I seemed to race through the book and I soon reached the end, which I had mixed feelings about. Don't get me wrong I was pleased to finish because at least I knew how the investigation concluded but I didn't want to finish the book because it meant that I had to say goodbye to Zoe and her team. I soon cheered up when I realised that the second book in the series is called 'Deadly Choices' and it is due to be released on 11th September 2020. I can't flipping wait.
'Deadly Wishes' is superbly written and as I indicated above, I was blown away by how fantastic the story was. Rachel certainly got my attention from the start with the murder of a particularly obnoxious man. The more I discovered about him, the more I disliked him and the less I was bothered about who killed him. I needed to know why he had been killed and by whom but I certainly wasn't losing any sleep over the loss of such a 'delightful' (note the sarcasm). Rachel drew me into the story from the start and I actually felt as though I was part of the investigating team myself. 'Deadly Wishes' was a tightly plotted and well written tale that had more twists and turns to it than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. Just when you thought that you had it figured out then the story would send you in a different direction entirely. I was gripped by this story from start to finish and I was on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Deadly Wishes' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Rachel's work in the future and I can't wait to read 'Deadly Choices'. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
April 19, 2022
From the imagination of Rachel McLean comes deadly wishes, book 1 of the detective Zoe Finch series and from this initial book I hope there are many many more stories to come!!
This audiobook had me hooked from the very beginning to the dramatic end…
Detective Zoe Finch it’s up there with one of my favourite characters.. she is a no nonsense detective who will do what she has 2 to get to the truth even if it put her life under threat.. Zoe is a very interesting lead character strong willed and determined but she also has a great team of characters built around her…
A C C Jackson it’s coming up to retirement but after a party in his name he returns home with his wife Margaret where he is later brutally murdered. Acting DI Zoe Finch arrives on the scene to establish what has happened and to start the investigation but it is not long before she is replaced by David Randall who is made senior officer on the case.
So did Margaret Jackson kill her husband and what are her secrets? Why would somebody brutally murder the A C C? David Randall worked with Jackson for many years as well as being close to Margaret, so can Randall get to the truth or does he himself have something to hide??
Rest assured detective Zoe Finch May not be senior officer on the case but she will keep digging to get to the truth no matter how much Randall may not appreciate her interference. Zoe‘s team are right behind her in finding the truth and bringing the killer to justice but the more they dig the more danger they are in..
With so many dodgy characters can Zoe find the truth and bring a killer to justice before anyone else is killed?
This is a gritty police procedural which certainly has me wanting more from Detective Zoe Finch.. plenty of questions and plenty of dodgy characters to keep you guessing many twists and turns and amazing strong characters.
Big shout out to Rachel McLean for this gritty captivating series and also a big shout out to the audiobook narrator Jan Cramer for brilliantly bringing this story to life!!!
This audiobook had me hooked from the very beginning to the dramatic end…
Detective Zoe Finch it’s up there with one of my favourite characters.. she is a no nonsense detective who will do what she has 2 to get to the truth even if it put her life under threat.. Zoe is a very interesting lead character strong willed and determined but she also has a great team of characters built around her…
A C C Jackson it’s coming up to retirement but after a party in his name he returns home with his wife Margaret where he is later brutally murdered. Acting DI Zoe Finch arrives on the scene to establish what has happened and to start the investigation but it is not long before she is replaced by David Randall who is made senior officer on the case.
So did Margaret Jackson kill her husband and what are her secrets? Why would somebody brutally murder the A C C? David Randall worked with Jackson for many years as well as being close to Margaret, so can Randall get to the truth or does he himself have something to hide??
Rest assured detective Zoe Finch May not be senior officer on the case but she will keep digging to get to the truth no matter how much Randall may not appreciate her interference. Zoe‘s team are right behind her in finding the truth and bringing the killer to justice but the more they dig the more danger they are in..
With so many dodgy characters can Zoe find the truth and bring a killer to justice before anyone else is killed?
This is a gritty police procedural which certainly has me wanting more from Detective Zoe Finch.. plenty of questions and plenty of dodgy characters to keep you guessing many twists and turns and amazing strong characters.
Big shout out to Rachel McLean for this gritty captivating series and also a big shout out to the audiobook narrator Jan Cramer for brilliantly bringing this story to life!!!
March 26, 2025
"Deadly Wishes" follows Detective Inspector Zoe Finch as she investigates the murder of Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson. The story combines the murder case with shocking discoveries of police misconduct, art theft, and a pedophile ring. Throughout her investigation, Zoe uncovers a network of crimes involving high-ranking police officials and organized crime.
The Crime:
Bryn Jackson is found stabbed to death in his study just after celebrating his retirement. His wife, Margaret, becomes the main suspect. However, the investigation reveals deeper connections to art theft and a pedophile ring called "Canary". Zoe also looks into DCI Randle's possible role in covering up Jackson's crimes. The corruption connects with organized crime figure Trevor Hamm.
The Dectectives:
Zoe Finch is a dedicated and sharp detective with the West Midlands Police Force. As a single mom, her 18-year-old son, Nicholas, resulted from an affair with a fellow officer, who was secretly married. Zoe balances her demanding job with family life. She practices karate and values her friendship with her colleague, DS Mo Uddin.
Mo Uddin is a Detective Sergeant with the West Midlands Police Force. A devoted husband and father to two young daughters. Mo started his police career around the same time as Zoe and became a Detective Sergeant before she did. They share a strong friendship, with Mo often being Zoe's confidant and reliable partner. Mo gets injured when he and DC Connie Williams are attacked while chasing a lead. Despite this, he stays committed to supporting the case from his hospital bed and throughout his recovery.
Rachel McLean uses her knowledge of Birmingham to make her books come alive. She sets her stories in real locations that match the narrative, choosing familiar places that fit the context of the story.
The Crime:
Bryn Jackson is found stabbed to death in his study just after celebrating his retirement. His wife, Margaret, becomes the main suspect. However, the investigation reveals deeper connections to art theft and a pedophile ring called "Canary". Zoe also looks into DCI Randle's possible role in covering up Jackson's crimes. The corruption connects with organized crime figure Trevor Hamm.
The Dectectives:
Zoe Finch is a dedicated and sharp detective with the West Midlands Police Force. As a single mom, her 18-year-old son, Nicholas, resulted from an affair with a fellow officer, who was secretly married. Zoe balances her demanding job with family life. She practices karate and values her friendship with her colleague, DS Mo Uddin.
Mo Uddin is a Detective Sergeant with the West Midlands Police Force. A devoted husband and father to two young daughters. Mo started his police career around the same time as Zoe and became a Detective Sergeant before she did. They share a strong friendship, with Mo often being Zoe's confidant and reliable partner. Mo gets injured when he and DC Connie Williams are attacked while chasing a lead. Despite this, he stays committed to supporting the case from his hospital bed and throughout his recovery.
Rachel McLean uses her knowledge of Birmingham to make her books come alive. She sets her stories in real locations that match the narrative, choosing familiar places that fit the context of the story.
July 31, 2020
I enjoyed this police procedural. Have read several books by this author and they have all been good. Well written characters and great plot. Loved Zoe - can't wait to read the next book in the series. A page turner. Thank you to TBC and to the author for the chance to read this title in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2020
I rate this book at 3.8. It is a good read, a police procedural and the first in a trilogy. Although this story comes to a conclusion, the book also sets us up for the sequels. The protagonist, Zoe Finch, is an interesting character, and her team are well drawn. The plot is clever and I want to know what happens next. I have already purchased book 2 and will read it shortly.
July 24, 2020
A great book to a start of a new series. Well developed characters, and well written. Im looking forward to more in the series.
May 24, 2021
Totally hooked from the beginning.
I fast paced murder mystery with enough to keep you guessing until the end.
Really like that all the ends are tied up by the end of the book..
I fast paced murder mystery with enough to keep you guessing until the end.
Really like that all the ends are tied up by the end of the book..
February 8, 2022
I enjoyed the characterisation of Zoe and her immediate team and the storline was intriguing with many clues and red herrings along the way. It also had a lot of action, which I enjoyed. However, although I enjoyed the book overall and will probably (for the main teem characters alone) give another Zoe Finch book a shot, I felt that there were many inconsitencies in police procedure whcih rendered elemnts of the storline unbelievable.
October 19, 2021
Another good book worth reading.
April 28, 2022
Just couldn’t get in to it. I enjoyed the first couple chapters but I just wasn’t wanting to pick it back up.
July 22, 2024
Despite being a crime novel it was an easy read and read it in a day and a half.
November 26, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this one .
Read
January 26, 2023Loved this book. Unputdownable and read well into the night. I liked Zoe Finch from the start and the other main repeating characters are likeable too. It was a fresh story line with two crimes one
solved in this book, with a second an underlying one that will continue through the series, but one that won't ruin your enjoyment of this story if you don't follow through. I'm looking forward to catching up with Zoe and seeing how the underlying plot plays out
solved in this book, with a second an underlying one that will continue through the series, but one that won't ruin your enjoyment of this story if you don't follow through. I'm looking forward to catching up with Zoe and seeing how the underlying plot plays out
February 16, 2024
Rude to the reader not to bother tying up loose ends in my humble opinion. The most boring part was the constant allusions to the old case and it seems like the ending is poised to take the old case into the next book so it’s a shame I bought the trilogy. Also, the audible narration was unbearable. The same distinctive voice for almost all the older characters and male characters and dialogue rushed to an almost incomprehensible speed. Not. For. Me.
November 29, 2020
Not for me
A story that had a lack of plausibility and credibility for a work of fiction. Had I wanted to see justice observed and the ne'er do wells succeed and escape punishment I could have chosen to read a newspaper. The 'token' abused wife, bullying husband gay son, ethnic minority copper and downtrodden ambitious wanna- succeed -in my career woman ,along with the wrong person arrested for a crime left me thinking I should have read an Agatha Christie which in spite of its plot flaws always had good triumph over evil leaving the reader with a ' feel good factor' at the end. I could be a little cynical and suggest that the untidy loose ends are a ploy to get the reader reading the next book to see if rights were wronged eventually.
A story that had a lack of plausibility and credibility for a work of fiction. Had I wanted to see justice observed and the ne'er do wells succeed and escape punishment I could have chosen to read a newspaper. The 'token' abused wife, bullying husband gay son, ethnic minority copper and downtrodden ambitious wanna- succeed -in my career woman ,along with the wrong person arrested for a crime left me thinking I should have read an Agatha Christie which in spite of its plot flaws always had good triumph over evil leaving the reader with a ' feel good factor' at the end. I could be a little cynical and suggest that the untidy loose ends are a ploy to get the reader reading the next book to see if rights were wronged eventually.
June 25, 2022
After Zoe Finch appeared in The Dorset Crime books I decided to start reading her own series. The main comment that I have is that This Zoe Finch is like a different character to the one assisting Lesley Clark in the Dorset Crime series.
Also there are constant references to The Canary Case as if we should know about it even though this is the first book in the series.
Deadly Wishes is Ok and certainly leaves questions unanswered for the 2nd book. It just bothers me that Zoe is not the same assertive, confident character. She now scratches her hand nervously until it bleeds! I will be reading the next book.
Also there are constant references to The Canary Case as if we should know about it even though this is the first book in the series.
Deadly Wishes is Ok and certainly leaves questions unanswered for the 2nd book. It just bothers me that Zoe is not the same assertive, confident character. She now scratches her hand nervously until it bleeds! I will be reading the next book.
December 16, 2020
Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson is discovered dying my his wife Margaret. DCI David Randle leads the investigation which includes D.I. Zoe Finch.
Unfortunately I found that I didn't like any of the characters or find the story that interesting.
Unfortunately I found that I didn't like any of the characters or find the story that interesting.
March 13, 2021
I recently read Dear Mother by the wonderful Angela Marsons, and concluded my review by saying that I would like to clone her. Hopefully, I reasoned, this would enable her to write more domestic psychological thrillers such as this one without letting up on the Kim Stone series, for which the next instalment can never come soon enough.
Since then, however, I've thought about it some more and decided that, actually, cloning humans isn't a good idea. The trouble is that for every person who is wonderful, inspirational and brings some good to the world, there's another that would do the opposite. Can you imagine what a mess we would all be in if there were two Boris Johnsons? Or Donald Trumps? And who could be trusted with what would effectively be the entire future of humankind, by deciding who should get cloned and who should not?
No. The only solution is for me to accept that my favourite authors are doing the best they can. And if that does leave me with a gap to fill, to try someone new.
This brings me neatly on to Rachel McLean, who is a new-to-me author that has written a police crime fiction series set in the Harborne and Edgbaston districts of Birmingham. That's dangerously close to the setting of Queen Angie's novels in Halesowen and the Black Country. And with Noelle Holten and Carol Wyer both having created police detectives in neighbouring south Staffordshire, and Carla Kovach in Worcestershire, my first thought before opening the first book in the DI Zoe Finch series was: there really room for another police detective in the English Midlands?
Well, I can now answer this categorically: there is. There absolutely is.
Zoe Finch isn't quite a competitor for Kim Stone. There are no crazed serial killers here for her to uncannily get into the mind of. Zoe has been promoted to acting DI following her success in a large fraud investigation, in which her ability and tenacity have impressed her bosses. But her first case is the murder of the biggest boss of them all, Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson, who has been murdered in his home on the evening after his retirement party. The novel goes on to open the reader's eyes to corruption in senior ranks within the police force.
That doesn't make the book any less interesting or enjoyable, though. Far from it. It's fast-paced and full of twists and turns, yet there is just enough insight into each of the main characters' personal lives to make them real, human and likeable. I warmed to Zoe and her colleagues DS Mo Uddin, DC Rhodri Hughes and DC Connie Williams, as well as Bryn Jackson's wife Margaret almost instantly.
My only real problem is the ending to the book, which I didn't think worked quite as well as the rest of it. It just seemed a little bit rushed and a little bit messy. To be honest, it felt as though the author hadn't been able to decide whether to bring closure to the storyline or to leave it open-ended to continue straight into a new book. So we get a sort of confused mix of the two. An arrest is made for Bryn Jackson's murder, but a separate art theft that occurred on the same night and a second murder (was it related or not)? go unsolved.
I thought, briefly, about deducting a star for this, but that wouldn't be fair. Four stars are well-deserved because of how much I enjoyed the book, how effortlessly it grabbed and kept hold of my attention and how much I want to read the next in the series.
The trouble is that I feel exactly the same way about Jane Isaac's next book featuring DCI Helen Lavery. And I also want to read more of the police fiction books by Carla Kovach, Sally Rigby and Simon McCleave. So I need to finish with a quick message to Rachel: if it takes me a while to read your next book, I'm sorry.
The only other solution would be for me to clone myself so that I can read faster. But two of me is something that this world absolutely does not need.
Since then, however, I've thought about it some more and decided that, actually, cloning humans isn't a good idea. The trouble is that for every person who is wonderful, inspirational and brings some good to the world, there's another that would do the opposite. Can you imagine what a mess we would all be in if there were two Boris Johnsons? Or Donald Trumps? And who could be trusted with what would effectively be the entire future of humankind, by deciding who should get cloned and who should not?
No. The only solution is for me to accept that my favourite authors are doing the best they can. And if that does leave me with a gap to fill, to try someone new.
This brings me neatly on to Rachel McLean, who is a new-to-me author that has written a police crime fiction series set in the Harborne and Edgbaston districts of Birmingham. That's dangerously close to the setting of Queen Angie's novels in Halesowen and the Black Country. And with Noelle Holten and Carol Wyer both having created police detectives in neighbouring south Staffordshire, and Carla Kovach in Worcestershire, my first thought before opening the first book in the DI Zoe Finch series was: there really room for another police detective in the English Midlands?
Well, I can now answer this categorically: there is. There absolutely is.
Zoe Finch isn't quite a competitor for Kim Stone. There are no crazed serial killers here for her to uncannily get into the mind of. Zoe has been promoted to acting DI following her success in a large fraud investigation, in which her ability and tenacity have impressed her bosses. But her first case is the murder of the biggest boss of them all, Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson, who has been murdered in his home on the evening after his retirement party. The novel goes on to open the reader's eyes to corruption in senior ranks within the police force.
That doesn't make the book any less interesting or enjoyable, though. Far from it. It's fast-paced and full of twists and turns, yet there is just enough insight into each of the main characters' personal lives to make them real, human and likeable. I warmed to Zoe and her colleagues DS Mo Uddin, DC Rhodri Hughes and DC Connie Williams, as well as Bryn Jackson's wife Margaret almost instantly.
My only real problem is the ending to the book, which I didn't think worked quite as well as the rest of it. It just seemed a little bit rushed and a little bit messy. To be honest, it felt as though the author hadn't been able to decide whether to bring closure to the storyline or to leave it open-ended to continue straight into a new book. So we get a sort of confused mix of the two. An arrest is made for Bryn Jackson's murder, but a separate art theft that occurred on the same night and a second murder (was it related or not)? go unsolved.
I thought, briefly, about deducting a star for this, but that wouldn't be fair. Four stars are well-deserved because of how much I enjoyed the book, how effortlessly it grabbed and kept hold of my attention and how much I want to read the next in the series.
The trouble is that I feel exactly the same way about Jane Isaac's next book featuring DCI Helen Lavery. And I also want to read more of the police fiction books by Carla Kovach, Sally Rigby and Simon McCleave. So I need to finish with a quick message to Rachel: if it takes me a while to read your next book, I'm sorry.
The only other solution would be for me to clone myself so that I can read faster. But two of me is something that this world absolutely does not need.
July 24, 2020
I've loved all Rachel McLean's previous books but they were speculative fiction and Deadly Wishes is her first straightforward crime novel. Nevertheless, I had a feeling I'd enjoy it tremendously because I know how good she is at creating interesting, complex characters and then putting them into difficult situations.
That's certainly true of Acting Detective Inspector Zoe Finch who is being feted by her superior officers at the start of the book thanks to the crucial part she played in the Canary investigation which brought several high profile paedophiles to justice. She is lauded at the retirement party for Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson but notices that his wife looks less relaxed and has an expression like a hunted animal. She doesn't realise that later than night she'll be called to the scene of his murder but the opening chapter has already disclosed that four hours later, Jackson will be killed in his study by somebody known to him.
The brief scenes he features in before his death reveal him to be a thoroughly unpleasant man and his wife, Margaret is considered a likely suspect as it's obvious that she has endured years of emotional abuse at his hands. She is a really complicated woman and I enjoyed the ambiguity of her character very much. She was clearly dreading his retirement and her detached behaviour confuses Zoe and her colleagues. Nevertheless, readers see a different side to her and despite evidently having secrets of her own, there are moments where she does seem to be experiencing some feelings of what would appear to be grief following the loss of her husband.
Zoe's boss, DCI David Randle is the Senior Investigating officer for the case and he has a long history with the victim. As the book progresses, Zoe has cause to question whether she really knows him and wonders why he is acting so erratically. Throughout the story there are suggestions that he is a man with much to hide but he is also looked up to by his officers. As much as I liked the ambitious, headstrong Zoe, it's the uncertainty behind Randle's flawed character which perhaps has me most looking forward to discovering what else will come to light in the future, and what it will eventually lead to. With this in mind, although his role here is fairly small, I'm excited to see what will develop between Zoe and DI Carl Whaley in due course.
This cleverly plotted novel gradually adds layers of intrigue as Zoe starts to suspect that the death of Bryn Jackson might be linked to her previous case. A first book in a new series needs to strike the right balance between introducing the cast of characters and having a gripping plot, and Rachel McLean has it just right here. She had included enough back story to grab my attention but has still left me wanting to discover more about the characters while ensuring there are indications as to potential conflict points in the future. Meanwhile, the investigation into Bryn Jackson's death had all the pace, suspense and surprises I'd hope for, with an excellent mix of darkly relevant topical themes and some realistic touches of humour between the engaging, diverse group of police officers. I've said it before and I'll reiterate it here, Rachel McLean is one of my must-read authors and I look forward to every book she writes. Deadly Wishes is a very welcome addition to the police procedural genre and I'm thrilled to see I won't have to wait too long to learn what lies in store next for Zoe Finch in Deadly Choices which is due out in September.
That's certainly true of Acting Detective Inspector Zoe Finch who is being feted by her superior officers at the start of the book thanks to the crucial part she played in the Canary investigation which brought several high profile paedophiles to justice. She is lauded at the retirement party for Assistant Chief Constable Bryn Jackson but notices that his wife looks less relaxed and has an expression like a hunted animal. She doesn't realise that later than night she'll be called to the scene of his murder but the opening chapter has already disclosed that four hours later, Jackson will be killed in his study by somebody known to him.
The brief scenes he features in before his death reveal him to be a thoroughly unpleasant man and his wife, Margaret is considered a likely suspect as it's obvious that she has endured years of emotional abuse at his hands. She is a really complicated woman and I enjoyed the ambiguity of her character very much. She was clearly dreading his retirement and her detached behaviour confuses Zoe and her colleagues. Nevertheless, readers see a different side to her and despite evidently having secrets of her own, there are moments where she does seem to be experiencing some feelings of what would appear to be grief following the loss of her husband.
Zoe's boss, DCI David Randle is the Senior Investigating officer for the case and he has a long history with the victim. As the book progresses, Zoe has cause to question whether she really knows him and wonders why he is acting so erratically. Throughout the story there are suggestions that he is a man with much to hide but he is also looked up to by his officers. As much as I liked the ambitious, headstrong Zoe, it's the uncertainty behind Randle's flawed character which perhaps has me most looking forward to discovering what else will come to light in the future, and what it will eventually lead to. With this in mind, although his role here is fairly small, I'm excited to see what will develop between Zoe and DI Carl Whaley in due course.
This cleverly plotted novel gradually adds layers of intrigue as Zoe starts to suspect that the death of Bryn Jackson might be linked to her previous case. A first book in a new series needs to strike the right balance between introducing the cast of characters and having a gripping plot, and Rachel McLean has it just right here. She had included enough back story to grab my attention but has still left me wanting to discover more about the characters while ensuring there are indications as to potential conflict points in the future. Meanwhile, the investigation into Bryn Jackson's death had all the pace, suspense and surprises I'd hope for, with an excellent mix of darkly relevant topical themes and some realistic touches of humour between the engaging, diverse group of police officers. I've said it before and I'll reiterate it here, Rachel McLean is one of my must-read authors and I look forward to every book she writes. Deadly Wishes is a very welcome addition to the police procedural genre and I'm thrilled to see I won't have to wait too long to learn what lies in store next for Zoe Finch in Deadly Choices which is due out in September.
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