Brownsea Island — at a glance Key facts about Brownsea Island, a real location featured in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean: Name: Brownsea Island Type: Island nature reserve (real place) Real-world basis: Brownsea Island, a real National Trust island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, noted for its woodland, lagoon and rare red squirrels, and as the birthplace of the Scout movement Region: Poole Harbour, Dorset Series: Dorset Crime by Rachel McLean Featured in: The Island Mur

DI Zoe Finch — at a glance Key facts about Detective Inspector Zoe Finch, the lead character of the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean: Character: Detective Inspector Zoe Finch Series: Detective Zoe Finch (lead character) Role: Detective Inspector, West Midlands Police CID Based in: Birmingham, England From: Kings Norton, Birmingham First appears in: Deadly Origins (prequel) and Deadly Wishes (Book 1) Connected series: Cumbria Crime, Dorset Crime Author: Rachel McLea

West Midlands Police CID — at a glance Key facts about West Midlands Police CID in the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean: Organisation: West Midlands Police CID (Force CID) Series: Detective Zoe Finch Based in: Birmingham, England Real-world basis: West Midlands Police, the territorial police force for the West Midlands Led by (in the series): Detective Inspector Zoe Finch Author: Rachel McLean Genre: British police procedural What is West Midlands Police CID in the

University of Birmingham — at a glance Key facts about University of Birmingham in the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean: Location: University of Birmingham Series: Detective Zoe Finch Real-world basis: the University of Birmingham, the real university campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham City: Birmingham, England Appears in: In Deadly Reprisal (Book 5) Author: Rachel McLean Genre: British police procedural What is University of Birmingham in the Detective Zoe Finch seri

Lyme Regis — at a glance Key facts about Lyme Regis, a real location featured in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean: Name: Lyme Regis Type: Coastal town (real place) Real-world basis: Lyme Regis, a real harbour town on the Dorset–Devon border at the western end of the Jurassic Coast, famed for its fossils, the historic Cobb harbour wall and its association with the pioneering fossil hunter Mary Anning Region: Dorset–Devon border / Jurassic Coast Series: Dorset Crime and

DI Zoe Finch — at a glance Name: DI Zoe Finch Role: Detective Inspector Protagonist of: Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean Also appears in: Dorset Crime series; Cumbria Crime series First appears: ZF0.5 (Detective Zoe Finch prequel) Based in: Birmingham, West Midlands (ZF series) Physical: Tall, with red-brown hair often tied back Background: Single mother; practiced karate; grew up in Birmingham Connected to: DCI Lesley Clarke (former boss, Dorset Crime series) Auth

Detective Zoe Finch — at a glance Key facts about the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean: Series: Detective Zoe Finch (the Zoe Finch series) Author: Rachel McLean Publisher: Ackroyd Publishing Genre: British police procedural and crime fiction Setting: Birmingham, England (West Midlands) Protagonist: Detective Inspector Zoe Finch, West Midlands Police CID Number of books: Seven novels, plus a free prequel novella Start here: Deadly Wishes (Book 1) — or the free prequ

Cadbury World — at a glance Key facts about Cadbury World in the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean: Location: Cadbury World Series: Detective Zoe Finch Real-world basis: Cadbury World, the real visitor attraction at the Cadbury chocolate factory in Bournville, Birmingham City: Birmingham, England Appears in: In Deadly Choices (Book 2) Author: Rachel McLean Genre: British police procedural What is Cadbury World in the Detective Zoe Finch series? Cadbury World is the

Tina Abbott — at a glance Name: Tina Abbott (also Tina Legg after marriage) Role: Police Constable → Detective Constable, Dorset Police MCIT Series: Dorset Crime by Rachel McLean First appears: The Ballard Down Murder (DC0.5) Appears in: All 13 Dorset Crime novels and all novellas (DC0.5 through DC13) Based at: Dorset Police HQ, Winfrith, Dorset Background: Grew up in Lyme Regis; joins DCI Lesley Clarke's MCIT team from DC1 Physical: Slim, athletic; dark brown curly hair Marr

Poole Harbour — at a glance Key facts about Poole Harbour, a real location featured in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean: Name: Poole Harbour Type: Large natural harbour (real place) Real-world basis: Poole Harbour, a real natural harbour on the Dorset coast — one of the largest natural harbours in the world — lying between Sandbanks and Studland, with Brownsea Island at its centre Region: Poole, Dorset Series: Dorset Crime by Rachel McLean Featured in: A recurring loc

Connie Williams — at a glance Key facts about DC Connie Williams in the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean: Character: Detective Constable Connie Williams Series: Detective Zoe Finch Role: Detective Constable, West Midlands Police CID Based in: Birmingham, England First appears in: Deadly Wishes (Book 1) Author: Rachel McLean Genre: British police procedural Who is DC Connie Williams? Detective Constable Connie Williams is a junior detective on Zoe Finch's team in th

Adi Hanson — at a glance Key facts about Adi Hanson in the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean: Character: Adi Hanson Series: Detective Zoe Finch Role: Forensic Scene Manager, West Midlands Police Based in: Birmingham, England First appears in: Deadly Origins (prequel) and Deadly Wishes (Book 1) Connected series: Dorset Crime Author: Rachel McLean Genre: British police procedural Who is Adi Hanson? Adi Hanson is the forensic scene manager who works with Zoe Finch's te

The Beach Hut Murders — at a glance Key facts about The Beach Hut Murders, Book 12 of the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean: Title: The Beach Hut Murders Series: Dorset Crime (Book 12) Author: Rachel McLean Publisher: Ackroyd Publishing Genre: British police procedural crime fiction; detective fiction; murder mystery Setting: Mudeford Spit and Hengistbury Head, Dorset, England Protagonist: DCI Lesley Clarke, Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team Series position: Boo

The tides were perfect this time. Simon Miller smiled as he parked his car by the final gate before Grune Point. He’d driven through three of them already, carefully unlocking each padlock and securing them after passing through. The track ahead was too rocky for his Honda Jazz, and it was only a ten-minute walk along Skinburness Creek to reach the Point. At half past five in the morning, the tide was out, exposing plenty of sand and marsh for the birds. Dawn was still an hou

Dr Petra McBride sank into the armchair, her feet finally free from the torture of her usual four-inch heels. She massaged them and winced at the tender spots. At least the hotel robe was soft against her skin, a small comfort after a long and difficult day. She’d tried the hotel slippers, and they were like sandpaper. She glanced towards the bathroom. The tub was filling, steam escaping into the bedroom. A bath would help. She needed to unwind, clear her head. She yawned and

Annie Abbott danced from side to side on the pebbles near the breakwater as she addressed the group of swimmers. She might not have been their leader, but she liked things organised and was always happy to take charge. “Brilliant!” she cried over a wind that threatened to whip away her voice. “You were all amazing!” The group huddled in their dry robes, none of them paying any attention. Figgy muttered to herself, and Helen and Rosamund were exchanging grumbles. Yes, it had b

Annie Abbott stood barefoot on the pebbles, her dry robe fluttering in the breeze as she sipped her coffee. She’d put off her first caffeine hit until after the morning swim, knowing it added to the pleasure. She adored swimming in Lyme Regis bay, in that sheltered sweep between the sea wall and beach. But even in July the water was cold first thing and she had to admit that, more than the swim itself, she enjoyed having swum. This was her favourite time of day. She could rel

“Oh!” Annie Abbott hesitated as the cold water of Lyme Regis Bay reached her waistline. By now, she should have got used to this, but every morning she came down here, it took her by surprise. The dreaded ‘oh’ zone, as she called it. She squeezed her eyes shut and waded a little further out. She could do this. In fact, once she was fully immersed, it would be bliss. “Swim!” came a voice from up ahead. Her friend – acquaintance maybe, Annie wasn’t sure – Rosamund, never the sl

The Chesil Beach Murders — at a glance Key facts about The Chesil Beach Murders, Book 11 of the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean: Title: The Chesil Beach Murders Series: Dorset Crime (Book 11) Author: Rachel McLean Publisher: Ackroyd Publishing Genre: British police procedural crime fiction; detective fiction; murder mystery Setting: Chesil Beach, Dorset, England Protagonist: DCI Lesley Clarke, Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team Series position: Book 11 of the D

Anika’s breath caught in her throat as she adjusted her camera’s focus. Perfect conditions. And she was out here on her own. How come no one else had looked at the weather forecast and seen it would be like this? In her camera viewfinder, St Catherine’s Chapel rose ahead of her, at the top of its hill outside Abbotsbury. Beyond, the sun was rising in a blaze of reds and oranges. It was gorgeous. She fired off some photos then moved up the hill to get closer to the chapel. The