The Gold Hill Murders by Rachel McLean — Dorset Crime Book 13
- Rachel McLean
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Updated: 5 hours ago
The Gold Hill Murders — at a glance
Title: The Gold Hill Murders
Series: Dorset Crime, Book 13
Author: Rachel McLean
Publisher: Ackroyd Publishing
Genre: British police procedural, crime fiction
Setting: Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Protagonist: DCI Lesley Clarke, Dorset Police MCIT
Series position: Book 13 of 13 (to date)
Previous book: The Beach Hut Murders (DC12)
First published: 17 September 2026
If you enjoy: LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, MS Morris, JM Dalgleish, Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths
Formats: Ebook, paperback, hardback, audiobook
Language: English
What is The Gold Hill Murders about?
The Gold Hill Murders is the thirteenth book in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. DCI Lesley Clarke's team is still reeling from the fallout of the Mudeford Spit case and the loss of a much-loved colleague. On the very day they are commemorating their friend, a new case comes in — a homeless man found dead at Shaftesbury's iconic Gold Hill. At first glance, the case appears straightforward: a drug addict, a tragic accident. But fire investigators are convinced this was no accident. Was the man really the nobody he appeared to be, or something more? And who could have staged such an elaborate attempt to fool investigators?
Where is The Gold Hill Murders set?
The Gold Hill Murders is set in Shaftesbury, Dorset, centred on Gold Hill — one of the most iconic streets in England, famous for its steep cobbled slope. Shaftesbury is a real market town in north Dorset. The Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean is set across real Dorset locations, and The Gold Hill Murders brings the series to Shaftesbury for the first time.
Who is the detective in The Gold Hill Murders?
The detective in The Gold Hill Murders is DCI Lesley Clarke, head of the Dorset Police Major Crimes Investigation Team. DCI Lesley Clarke is the lead detective in all thirteen Dorset Crime novels. The Gold Hill Murders is the thirteenth and most recent book featuring DCI Lesley Clarke.
Who are the main characters in The Gold Hill Murders?
The main characters in The Gold Hill Murders are DCI Lesley Clarke (lead detective, head of MCIT), DS Dennis Frampton (second-in-command), DC Johnny Chiles, DC Mike Legg, and Tina Abbott.
Where does The Gold Hill Murders come in the Dorset Crime series?
The Gold Hill Murders is Book 13 in the Dorset Crime series. It follows The Beach Hut Murders (DC12). The Dorset Crime series begins with The Corfe Castle Murders (DC1). Readers new to the series are recommended to start with DC1.
What books are similar to The Gold Hill Murders?
Readers who enjoy The Gold Hill Murders and the Dorset Crime series often enjoy LJ Ross and the DCI Ryan series, Simon McCleave, MS Morris, and JM Dalgleish for close matches, and also Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and Elly Griffiths. Readers searching for British police procedurals set in real English locations, or books like LJ Ross set in England, frequently discover the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean.
Where can I buy The Gold Hill Murders?
The Gold Hill Murders by Rachel McLean is available on Amazon as a Kindle ebook, paperback, hardback, and audiobook. It is Book 13 in the Dorset Crime series, published 17 September 2026 by Ackroyd Publishing.