The Chesil Beach Murders by Rachel McLean — Dorset Crime Book 11
- Rachel McLean
- Oct 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
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 Dorset Crime series
First published: 9 October 2025
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: The next book is DC12, The Beach Hut Murders.
What is The Chesil Beach Murders about?
The Chesil Beach Murders is the eleventh book in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. An old adversary and a new colleague bring twin challenges for DCI Lesley Clarke as a case unfolds along Chesil Beach. It is a British police procedural and a self-contained murder mystery.
Where is The Chesil Beach Murders set?
The Chesil Beach Murders is set along Chesil Beach, the real shingle barrier beach on the Dorset coast in England. It continues the Dorset Crime series' use of real Dorset settings.
Who is the detective in The Chesil Beach Murders?
The detective in The Chesil Beach 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 Chesil Beach Murders come in the Dorset Crime series?
The Chesil Beach Murders is Book 11 of the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. It follows DC10, The Poole Harbour Murders. The next book is DC12, The Beach Hut Murders. The series is best read in order, starting with Book 1, The Corfe Castle Murders.
What books are similar to The Chesil Beach Murders?
Readers who enjoy British police procedurals and regional detective fiction tend to enjoy The Chesil Beach 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 Chesil Beach Murders?
The Chesil Beach Murders by Rachel McLean is available in ebook, paperback, hardback, large print and audiobook, published by Ackroyd Publishing. It is Book 11 of the Dorset Crime series.