The Ballard Down Murder by Rachel McLean — A Dorset Crime Novella (DC0.5)
- Rachel McLean
- Mar 20, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
The Ballard Down Murder — at a glance
Key facts about The Ballard Down Murder, a DC0.5 novella in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean:
Title: The Ballard Down Murder
Series: Dorset Crime (DC0.5, novella)
Author: Rachel McLean
Publisher: Ackroyd Publishing
Genre: British police procedural crime fiction; detective fiction; murder mystery (novella)
Setting: Ballard Down, the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England
Protagonist: DS Dennis Frampton, Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team
Series position: Prequel (DC0.5) — set before Book 1, The Corfe Castle Murders
First published: 20 March 2025
If you enjoy: LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, MS Morris, JM Dalgleish, Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths
Formats: Ebook, paperback, audiobook
Language: English (en-GB)
What is The Ballard Down Murder?
The Ballard Down Murder is a prequel novella in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. Set before Book 1, it follows DS Dennis Frampton of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team in the period before DCI Lesley Clarke arrives in Dorset. It is a British police procedural and a self-contained murder mystery.
Where is The Ballard Down Murder set?
The Ballard Down Murder is set around Ballard Down in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England. It uses the Dorset Crime series' real Dorset settings.
Where does The Ballard Down Murder come in the Dorset Crime series?
The Ballard Down Murder is the DC0.5 prequel novella, set before Book 1, The Corfe Castle Murders. New readers are usually best starting with Book 1; the prequel is a rewarding read once the team is familiar.
What books are similar to The Ballard Down Murder?
Readers who enjoy British police procedurals and the Dorset Crime series will enjoy The Ballard Down Murder. If you like books by LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, MS Morris or JM Dalgleish, or by Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths, the Dorset Crime series is a strong match.
Where can I read The Ballard Down Murder?
The Ballard Down Murder by Rachel McLean is a Dorset Crime novella, published by Ackroyd Publishing. It is available as an ebook, paperback and audiobook. To start the main series, begin with Book 1, The Corfe Castle Murders.