The Island Murders

Dorset Crime #3

by Rachel McLean

An isolated community... a web of secrets... a mysterious death.

When a body washes up on the shores of Brownsea Island, DCI Lesley Clarke initially suspects suicide. But as she gets closer to the island's close-knit community, she starts to suspect foul play.

Why did the victim argue with her closest friend days before her death? What secrets is the victim's manager keeping? And can Lesley get to the bottom of the mystery before someone else dies?

The Island Murders is a tense, gripping crime novel perfect for anyone who's imagined living in a coastal idyll, and wondered if it's really all it seems.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Detective, Procedural

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2021

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 P · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* I need a break from this series....too much of the same.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

DCI Lesley Clarke is getting more accustomed to working for the Dorset police rather than Birmingham, she is dealing with her fledgling relationship with a lawyer called Elsa, whilst also knowing that Elsa and her law firm are working for the local crime lord Arthur Kelvin. Her teenage daughter is having issues with Lesley's husband and his new girlfriend. Also, although she doesn't know it yet, one of her DCs is beholden to Arthur Kelvin and has been passing him information, something her DS, Dennis Frampton discovered and is trying to stamp out.

Lesley is called out to Brownsea Island when one of the National Trust workers is found washed up dead on the shore. With only forty-two residents it should be an easy case, but the number of day-trip visitors and volunteers makes it more complicated, not to mention that the department store John Lewis has one of its hotels for its partners to stay at (BTW and completely off-topic, my husband used to work for the John Lewis Partnership and I am so gutted that we never took advantage of the holiday accommodation they offered to employees aka partners). There seems to have been some tension so tension between the team of four women who worked on the island together, although no-one seems willing to admit to any arguments or issues.

I enjoyed this but at the same time I am starting to suspect that these novels are heavy on the minutiae of police procedures but light on plot complexity. Since this is the third book in a series of at least six books I feel it is okay to say that the murderer's identity seems to be pretty obvious from the start, I was hoping that these were red herrings but no, the man no-one trusts and everyone finds a bit creepy was the murderer. There doesn't seem to be any aftermath, indeed I suspected that the murderer was not really the murderer and that it would turn out to be someone else but no, bish-bash-bosh he's the murderer and is caught attacking and threatening women.

These are easy reads but feel too simplistic, there's no real exploration of motive or why the person stooped to murder.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another good British crime story taking place on an animal sanctuary.

I did guess who early on but I still enjoyed it. The characters were well-developed and I liked the subtle undercurrents.

Well-written and engaging.

Recommended to those who enjoy this genre.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Dorset Murder series

There’s something reassuring about crime series - characters who are familiar but develop, great locations and a satisfactory resolution plus some ongoing themes that develop through the books

Rachel McLean has got the genre pitch perfect and this book is a great “ escapist “ read.

DCI Lesley Clarke and the team set out to solve a murder on Brownsea island - it’s the subplots that add the extra spice to make this series something different.. book 4 approaching 🙂

[Jenny]

The Island Murders is book three in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. On Brownsea Island, an isolated island off Cornwall, a body washed up on its shore. At first, law enforcement thought it was suicide, until DCI Lesley Clarke and her team visited the island, and then they started to suspect foul play. DCI Lesley Clarke and her team had no help from the locals, only their knowledge of how to investigate a crime scene. Will they find the killer before another body turns up? Readers of The Island Murders will continue to follow DCI Lesley Clarke's investigation to discover what happens next.

The Island Murder is another fantastic addition to Rachel McLean's excellent series. I enjoyed how Rachel McLean incorporated the challenges law enforcement officers face when investigating in small communities. In addition, readers of The Island Murders will begin to understand the issues children face when their parents divorce. Rachel McLean's writing style engaged me from the first page, so I forgot to do my general chores around the house. I learnt about the problems of living on a small National Trust property off the South West Coast of England. I like the way Rachel McLean highlights law enforcement corruption.

I love Rachel McLean's portrayal of her characters and their interactions throughout this book. The Island Murder is well written and well researched by Rachel McLean. I like Rachel McLean's descriptions of the settings in The Island Murders, which help me imagine myself as part of the book's plot.

I recommend this book.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a hypothetical quest for a fictional detective (or equivalent crime-fighter) for every county in the UK, (a tick-list, now I’ve thought of it, I can see myself working through) Dorset, is policed by Rachel McLean’s DCI Lesley Clarke.
Currently there are over 10 books in this particular series, one of the 5 she currently writes, all of which are linked, with characters appearing in multiple series. Reading her website bio, she does actually recommend reading them in order, which I’d agree with because jumping in at book 3 it was clear that I was missing some pretty significant details about; why the Brummie DCI had come to be in Dorset, how come she was now in a relationship with Elsa and what was behind DC Chiles shifty behaviour, and who AK was and what strings he was pulling.
This curiosity about the character development is more likely to motivate me to go back to the start (The Corfe Castle Murders) than the prospect of finding a juicy crime story. This was actually a bit pedestrian (I guessed whodunnit fairly early on) but with very short chapters this would be an ideal commuter read. So maybe I’ll pick up book 1 next time I’m travelling by train or plane.

[Dave Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition this series

I'm enjoying this series it's not just begging set in Dorset my favourite county.

SCI Lesley is of to Brownsea Island where a body has been found on one of its beaches. There a new cast of suspects and victims, like Franckie who finds the body of her colleague and the regulars. But the team has secrets and are tested which makes for a compelling story. Plus there's the daughter the DCI's that is who adds to the stress of her job.

So there are new dimensions new tests but the same great story telling and a great read I'm glad I got to enjoy.

[Armonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado, mantiene el interés y casi al final es atrapante. La narrativa y los personajes están bien, pero deja una sensación de inconcluso, igual que el anterior, resuelve este caso muy bien , pero arrastra las incógnitas que ya traía desde el anterior y esa sensación de inacabado es la que me impide darle una valoración máxima .

[Dawn Brookes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner

Thoroughly enjoyed the murder mystery and the setting. The characters are developing. I’m hoping one of them finds herself free of criminal clutches.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one .

[Rob Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A National Trust employee is murdered on Brownsea Island. Only 42 people live on the island, although John Lewis own a hotel there. All the NT workers are very close, or are they? Second half of the book is quick paced. Enjoyable read.

[Caroline Mattinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder with a twist

I enjoy reading these novels as I am familiar with the area &can imagine the scenes easily.Always quite pacey with a good sub plot.Likeable characters.Would recommend to others as a good,enjoyable short read.

[Wendy Greenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great episode but, in my opinion, not as good as the last book. Largely because you could see what was coming from the off.

I do, however, like reading about this team of detectives trying to forge bonds.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

having way too much fun listening to the series on my walk to and from uni lol

[Josh Doley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great instalment in the Dorset crime series , took me a while to figure out Bernard was the killer on the island but there was little clues dropped here and there and I eventually got it! Looking forward to the next one

[Charlotte Parkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was slightly more boring but not sure whether that just because I have no interest in plants

[Ashleigh Hannay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite of the Dorset Crime series unfortunately. I started these books because I love reading about my home county, I know so many of the places in the first two (The Corfe Castle Murders and the Clifftop Murders) which made the books feel weirdly cosy for crime fiction! I've only been to Brownsea Island a couple of times which is maybe why this book didn't grab me as much as the previous two, but I also felt the plot was a bit predictable. I am enjoying the development of the side-plots though, particularly the Mackie case and Elsa's involvement with AK. Looking forward to #4 which is set in Swanage so back to familiar territory!

[Michael Bully · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just about gets four stars. Being from Poole and know Brownse Island quite well, I can picture a lot of the places referred to. The novel captures the enchantment and natural beauty , but also the claustrophobia. of the island,Not sure how a reader who doesn't have such a connection would relate to Browsea Island being the setting for a murder.
Also have read the first two books in the series, and think that plot lines relaing in the first are moving along well. Especially concerning corruption in both the police and local legal service. Also the suspicious suicide of a Dorset top cop. But wonder if this novel can stand alone without the other two.
But I am keen to persist with this series Certainly got potential.

[Nick Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

After showing the promise and potential of the series in Book 2, I felt the third was a step backwards. Not a dreadful book like the first, but a weaker effort.

There are some of the positives from Book 2 - excellent use of location, the long term plot concerning her deceased predecessor continuing, and the characters continuing to develop. But the plot for the murder in this book is very basic, and slips back into none of the the who, how and why being particularly intriguing or complex.

Unlike the first in the series, this one is readable, but a disappointing step backwards in the series.

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was very predictable and the reason behind the murder was a bit weak.

[Detlef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dies ist der dritte Roman aus der Dorset-Reihe von Rachel McLean. Als cozy crime mit allen Rätseln um einen Mord mag ich ihn sehr gerne empfehlen.

Diesmal entführt uns Rachel McLean auf die Insel Brownsea südlich von Bournemouth. Auf der Insel gibt es ein kleines Hotel für Touristen. Seine Natur wird aber vom National Trust gepflegt. Der National Trust ist eine Natur- und Denkmalorganisation in Großbritannien mit tausenden Angestellten und ehrenamtlichen Mitarbeitern.

DCI Lesley Clarke von der Dorset Police wird auf die Insel geschickt, nachdem dort eine Leiche an den Strand gespült wurde. Es ist die Leiche einer Mitarbeiterin des National Trust. Zunächst wird von einem Selbstmord ausgegangen. Trotzdem müssen die wenigen Touristen, Hotelmitarbeiter und Mitarbeiter des National Trust dazu befragt werden.

Leider stellt das Team um die DCI fest, dass die etwa 40 Leute auf der Insel sich in Schweigen hüllen. Sie sind sehr zurückhaltend mit Informationen. Da entsteht schnell der Eindruck bei den Polizisten, dass etwas anderes hinter dem Tod der einen Kollegin steckt. Denn warum wurde ein Streit von ihr mit ihrer Freundin und Chefin verheimlicht?

Rachel McLean hat hiermit erneut einen interessanten und spannenden Krimi präsentiert. Interessant ist die Tätigkeit des National Trust auf der Insel. Spannend sind natürlich die Ermittlungen, die zur Aufdeckung der Täterin oder des Täters führen.

Parallel läuft seit dem ersten Band dieser Reihe eine Hintergrundgeschichte um die Korruption eines Mitarbeiters der Polizei im Team von Clarke. Und auch das Verhältnis der gerade geschiedenen DCI zu einer Anwältin lässt die Spannung knistern. Bevor es zwischen den beiden geblitzt hat, war der DCI gar nicht klar, dass sie auch mit Frauen kann.

Alles in allem ein schöner Roman, der Spaß macht und in eine wunderbare Region im Süden Englands entführt. Im übrigen ergänzt er auch die parallel erscheinenden Rezensionen zur Krimireihe von Michael Hambling, die ebenfalls in Dorset spielt.

© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2023

[Robert Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The body of a National Trust worker washes up on the shores of Brownlea Island, a nature reserve in Poole Harbour. Suddenly, the closed community of workers and volunteers is faced with an awful truth – there could be a killer in their midst. For DCI Lesley Clarke, the problems are quite different – she and her team have to get to and from the island during their investigation.

The victim is a well-liked member of the main team. No one can understand why she was killed. But someone knows more and it’s up to the detectives to discover these secrets. Lesley also has problems at home, compounded by her ‘isolation’ on the island.

It all adds up to an original and intriguing murder mystery that highlights both sides of living on a small island. There’s plenty of tension in the team and outside as Lesley’s hold on her private life is threatened on a couple of fronts. She’s not the only one in the team with concerns, adding to the problems.

The balance of backstory and murder mystery helps the reader get to know the characters better, which is always a bonus. While there are no major surprises or twists, the high level of conflict, with the tension it brings, ensures this is a gripping read, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you want to get to know the main players better, you should go back to the start of the series for the maximum reading pleasure.

[wendi wigham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Untrustworthy.

Local Dorset crook, Arthur Kelvin, is getting people in Lesley"s life deeper involved in his illegal activities.
Her girlfriend, Elsa Short, is his tame lawyer and he knows about their relationship.
DC Johnny Chile's has been supplying him with confidential information to protect his junkie brother.
The new case starts when a National Trust worker, Simone, is found dead on Brownsea Island, a nature reserve in Poole Harbour.
There are 42 N.T. workers on the island and other retail staff who stay at the castle.
DCI Lesley Clarke is sent to investigate the murder and stays on the island. Intending to take her DS with her, he insists he will stay at the office and Johnny Chiles should accompany her. Dennis, having found out Johnny's connection with Arthur Kelvin, wants to keep him away from the latter, as Johnny has promised he will sever his connection and let his brother take the consequences of his actions.
To be brief, Chiles doesn't do as promised and lies to everyone except the crook. Another NT worker is killed, scaring all other residents on the island.
Slightly predictable killer, many hints throughout. Not the usual depth to the characters, hope for better in next book.

[Lyon Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have liked this book more than I did because it combines two of my favourite topics: crime fiction and wildlife. It features murder on an island wildlife sanctuary. My main criticism is that there are too few plausible suspects and so the baddie is fairly obvious (no spoilers). Also, both the civilians and the police behave irrationally. For example, (again no spoilers) one of the police team has previously (in an earlier novel in this series) been found to be under the thumb of a local crime boss and has passed on sensitive information. In real life, this officer would have been sacked and possibly be behind bars before the start of this book. But no, the officer is given a second chance without even a slap on the wrist; then goes on to transgress again. The only penalty this time is to be transferred to the Met. Is this now regarded as an alternative punishment to jail? Another example, one of the colleagues of the first murder victim has a fair idea whodunnit and why, but fails to mention these suspicions to the police. This is not normal behaviour and it felt like an artificial device to prolong the story.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are just getting better and better. DCI Lesley Clarke is the Senior Investigating Officer on a murder case on Brownsea Island. A National Trust employee is found dead at the edge of the tide. She'd been partially strangled, but that wasn't the cause of death. Clarke and her team are met by a wall of silence, as potential witnesses deny any knowledge of bad feelings or arguments between the workers. Then we have a second body, found in the lagoon.
Meanwhile, DCI Clarke's daughter goes missing from home in Birmingham and turns up in Bournemouth. Lesley has to sort out her private life, as well as dealing with her current case, and the fallout from her first case that involves a Dorset crime boss, who doesn't take 'no' for an answer.
I'm looking forward to the next story now. I like a series of books where a small group of characters appear in every narrative. It connects the stories better than having all new characters in every one, as references can be made to previous cases that the reader has read about, or perhaps will purchase the book to read at a later date.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I said in my previous review, I started reading #3 as soon as I completed the second in the series. I'm enjoying reading this series close together because it gives me a sense of the evolution of the characters. In this one, Lesley and her team must go to a remote island where one of the conservation staff has been murdered. The murder poses a particular danger because the entire island is cut off from the mainland and presumably the islanders (42 of them) and Lesley's staff are trapped with a murderer. In the meantime Lesley's daughter runs away from her father's house and no one knows where she's gone. In addition to all that intrigue, one of Lesley's team members is engaged in some illegal activity. All in all several mysteries in one. Half way through #4 and still loving the series.

[Gary Dowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brownsea Island - 42 inhabitants including one dead body - as DCI Lesley Clarke leads her team to uncover secrets and lies surrounding the mystery death in book three of the excellent Dorset Crime Series.
Clarke and her team - split between island and mainland - come up against a siege mentality when questioning the islanders regarding the body and are left frustrated by the lack of help and evidence in what is effectively a "locked room" storyline.
While most of the investigation is focused on the island, there are plenty of little sub stories involving members of her team, as well as her daughter who continues to struggle to adapt to her own situation and these are a welcome distraction from the main murder.
I do love this series for its uncomplicated plots and subtle twists and this is a decent addition and I'll be interested to see how some of the minor ongoing storylines progress.

[Susan Blissett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I did enjoy this story about a murder on the Dorset island of Brownsea, with DCI Lesley Clarke investigating, I did find the story quite slow in places, with more emphasis on the police procedures rather than the murder mystery. I would have liked more twists and turns to make the murder mystery even more engaging. I particularly liked the characters in this novel, they were all different from one another with their own secrets, thoughts and feelings. There are some threads in the story which weren’t nearly resolved; however, as this is a series I expect this makes a little more sense if you have read the previous two books in the series and go onto read more in the series also. I also felt the ending was wrapped up quite quickly especially as others parts were slower. Overall, an enjoyable read with some interesting characters, if a little slow.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is getting more like a soap opera with each installment. I was hopeful that, after the first 2, all the pre-series issues had been cleared up, but I guess not. I'm not a fan of the ongoing police corruption plot which is what makes me give this 3 instead of 4 stars. For me, it's unnecessary; I'd rather there was more attention paid to the specific murder in each volume.

In this one, a researcher with the National Trust on an island off the coast is found dead on one of the beaches. But although they keep saying there's an urgency, I didn't really feel it. I had a good line on who the killer was very early on but the ultimate discovery by the police was random serendipity.

I may continue, but at this point I won't be making it a priority.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Dorset Crime series around DCI Lesley Clarke. I enjoyed the first two, and I definitely like this title. The plot is well-written, the characters develop, there are a few sub plots going on, and if I had to guess, I’d say that maybe the plot around Lesley’s predecessor might turn into something bigger, which would be quite nice.
The f-f romance is still pretty underdeveloped, and I’d love having more of that. Lesley is in a relationship with Elsa, but that does not play any major role just yet, though it seems as if things might change due to some shady connections Elsa might have. We’ll see. All I know is that I am surely going to read on, since the series has been really good so far.
5 out of 5 stars