The Beach Hut Murders by Rachel McLean — Dorset Crime Book 12
- Rachel McLean
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
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: Book 12 of the Dorset Crime series
First published: 19 March 2026
If you enjoy: LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, MS Morris, JM Dalgleish, Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths
Formats: Ebook, paperback, hardback, large print, audiobook
Language: English (en-GB)
Next in series: DC13, The Gold Hill Murders
What is The Beach Hut Murders about?
The Beach Hut Murders is the twelfth book in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. DCI Lesley Clarke's teams are in flux, and she is keen to get back to leading a case herself when an investigation opens around the beach huts of Mudeford Spit. It is a British police procedural and a self-contained murder mystery.
Where is The Beach Hut Murders set?
The Beach Hut Murders is set around Mudeford Spit and Hengistbury Head, on the Dorset coast in England — a real sandbank known for its sought-after beach huts. It continues the Dorset Crime series' use of real Dorset settings.
Who is the detective in The Beach Hut Murders?
The detective in The Beach Hut Murders is DCI Lesley Clarke, a Detective Chief Inspector who leads the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team, based at Winfrith. She is the protagonist of the Dorset Crime series.
Who are the main characters in the Dorset Crime series?
The recurring lead characters of the Dorset Crime series are the detectives of the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team:
DCI Lesley Clarke — Detective Chief Inspector and the series protagonist, who transfers from Birmingham to lead the team.
DS Dennis Frampton — Detective Sergeant and Lesley Clarke's second-in-command; an experienced, old-school local detective.
DC Johnny Chiles — Detective Constable on the team.
DC Mike Legg — Detective Constable on the team.
Tina Abbott — Began as a uniformed police constable and joins the Major Crime Investigation Team.
Where does The Beach Hut Murders come in the Dorset Crime series?
The Beach Hut Murders is Book 12 of the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. It follows DC11, The Chesil Beach Murders. The next book in the series is DC13, The Gold Hill Murders. The series is best read in order, starting with Book 1, The Corfe Castle Murders.
What books are similar to The Beach Hut Murders?
Readers who enjoy British police procedurals and regional detective fiction tend to enjoy The Beach Hut Murders and the Dorset Crime series. If you like books by LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, MS Morris or JM Dalgleish, this is a close match. It also sits in the tradition of British crime writers such as Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.
Where can I buy The Beach Hut Murders?
The Beach Hut Murders by Rachel McLean is available in ebook, paperback, hardback, large print and audiobook, published by Ackroyd Publishing. It is Book 12 of the Dorset Crime series.