‘The Corfe Castle Murders’ by Rachel McLean is the beginning of a brand new series, Dorset Crime. I have read books by Rachel McLean before and enjoyed them so I hoped this new series would hit the spot.
Meet DCI Lesley Clarke. She’s a straight-talking city copper who doesn’t suffer fools gladly… and she’s been transferred to rural Dorset.
After being injured in a bomb attack, Lesley is presented with a choice – early retirement, or a period of respite in a calmer location. But things don’t stay calm for long.
Before she’s even started her new job, Lesley is dragged into investigating a murder at one of England’s most iconic landmarks, the imposing Corfe Castle.
Lesley must hit the ground running. Can she get along with her new partner DS Dennis Frampton, a traditionalist who doesn’t appreciate her style? How will she navigate the politics of a smaller force where she’s a bigger, and less welcome, fish? And most importantly, can she solve the murder before the killer strikes again?
A new series with a new main character, I think Lesley is a very interesting character and it is going to be intriguing to follow her journey down in Dorset, after coming from a busy city like Birmingham. I was immediately drawn to this book as I have myself visited Corfe Castle and spent many summers down in Weymouth and the surrounding areas. It is one of my favourite, picturesque places to go.
This book hits the ground running and the pace doesn’t really slow down. Right from Lesley being involved in the discovery of a body in the excavation site at Corfe Castle the day before she officially starts work in the region. She meets her new team and the standard is set when they give her a swear box! I had the measure of Lesley and she is a woman I could very easily have as a friend.
Her new partner, Dennis Frampton, well, if a man was ever biased to his own beliefs and morals, here he is. Very judgemental and prejudiced and Lesley has to cope with him. Not a favourite character of mine, believe me. I do hope we can find some redeeming quality soon or he is on my hit list of hated characters!
Rachel McLean has done a fabulous job with the characterisations down to the tiniest details. The setting of the castle and surrounding community is spot on, I felt like I was there and the castle almost became a character in itself.
The author has expertly woven strands of the story together seamlessly and created a book that as you conclude, the reveal takes you by surprise. I had no clue until I read it myself. I am looking forward to my next book journey to Dorset.
Thanks To Rachel’s Random Resources and Rachel McLean for the copy of the book.
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