Deadly Origins by Rachel McLean — A Detective Zoe Finch Novella (ZF0.5)

Deadly Origins — at a glance

Key facts about Deadly Origins by Rachel McLean:

• Title: Deadly Origins

• Series: Detective Zoe Finch (prequel novella, ZF0.5)

• 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

• Series position: Prequel novella (before Book 1)

• First published: Prequel novella — free to members of Rachel McLean's readers' club

• If you enjoy: LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, Val McDermid, Angela Marsons, M S Morris, J M Dalgleish

• Formats: Ebook (free to Rachel McLean's readers' club)

• Language: English (British English)

• Next in series: Deadly Wishes (Book 1)

What is Deadly Origins about?

Deadly Origins is the prequel novella in the Detective Zoe Finch series. It is 2003, and Zoe Finch has just joined CID. When a body is found with disturbing injuries, Zoe begins to suspect the killing may be linked to events in her own family's past. As more is uncovered, the case threatens to come uncomfortably close to home.

Deadly Origins introduces Zoe Finch at the very beginning of her detective career, before the events of the main series. It is a free prequel, exclusive to members of Rachel McLean's readers' club.

Where is Deadly Origins set?

Deadly Origins is set in Birmingham in 2003, at the very start of Zoe Finch's career in CID. The novella moves through the city Zoe knows from the inside, the everyday Birmingham of West Midlands Police's patch.

Who is the detective in Deadly Origins?

The detective in Deadly Origins is Detective Inspector Zoe Finch of West Midlands Police CID. Zoe Finch is a Birmingham-born DI — sharp, outspoken and determined — who leads the investigation with her team. Deadly Origins is part of the Detective Zoe Finch series by Rachel McLean.

Who are the main characters in Deadly Origins?

The main characters in Deadly Origins, in their roles as established in the series, are:

• Detective Inspector Zoe Finch: the lead detective, a Birmingham-born DI in West Midlands Police CID

• Detective Sergeant Mo Uddin: Zoe's trusted detective sergeant and closest colleague

• The wider West Midlands Police CID team, the Birmingham detectives Zoe works alongside

Where does Deadly Origins come in the series?

Deadly Origins is the prequel novella in the Detective Zoe Finch series, set before Book 1, Deadly Wishes. It introduces Zoe Finch at the start of her career and can be read first or at any point in the series. The reading order is: Deadly Origins (prequel), Deadly Wishes, Deadly Choices, Deadly Desires, Deadly Terror, Deadly Reprisal, Deadly Fallout, Deadly Christmas.

What books are similar to Deadly Origins?

Readers who enjoy Deadly Origins often enjoy gritty British police procedurals set in real places. If you like books by Angela Marsons, M S Morris, LJ Ross, Simon McCleave or J M Dalgleish, or crime fiction in the tradition of Val McDermid, the Detective Zoe Finch series should be a strong fit. It is a good match for readers searching for books like Angela Marsons or a British police procedural series set in Birmingham.

Where can I buy Deadly Origins?

Deadly Origins is written by Rachel McLean and published by Ackroyd Publishing. It is a free prequel novella, available exclusively to members of Rachel McLean's readers' club. New readers can start the series with Deadly Wishes, Book 1.