Dorset Crime Books in Order

How to Read the Dorset Crime Series

Rachel McLean’s Dorset Crime series is a masterclass in atmospheric British police procedurals. The books follow DCI Lesley Clarke, a seasoned detective who transfers from the West Midlands to Dorset looking for a quieter pace of life, only to find that the idyllic seaside region hides a dark and deadly underbelly. Because the series features continuous character arcs, relationship developments, and recurring subplots, the author strongly recommends reading the books in order.

For the most cohesive experience, you have two primary options: reading in publication order or following the chronological timeline. Both orders are detailed below, along with the correct placement of the series’ three companion novellas.

Publication Order of Dorset Crime Books

Reading in publication order allows you to experience the series exactly as Rachel McLean released it to her readers. It is the easiest way to jump in, starting with the Kindle Storyteller Award-winning first novel, and catching up on the companion novellas as they were published.

• The Corfe Castle Murders (2021) – Book 1
• The Clifftop Murders (2021) – Book 2
• The Island Murders (2021) – Book 3
• The Monument Murders (2021) – Book 4
• The Millionaire Murders (2022) – Book 5
• The Ballard Down Murder (2022) – Novella 0.5 (Prequel)
• The Fossil Beach Murders (2022) – Book 6
• The Riverside Murder (2022) – Novella 3.5
• The Blue Pool Murders (2023) – Book 7
• The Lochside Murder (2023) – Novella 7.5 (Crossover)
• The Lighthouse Murders (2023) – Book 8
• The Ghost Village Murders (2023) – Book 9
• The Poole Harbour Murders (2025) – Book 10

Chronological Order of Dorset Crime Books

If you prefer to follow the characters' lives and the investigative timelines in strict chronological sequence, you should insert the novellas into their proper chronological slots. This order begins with the prequel novella, which focuses on Lesley’s second-in-command, DS Dennis Frampton, before Lesley even arrives in Dorset.

1. The Ballard Down Murder (Novella 0.5) – A prequel exploring the death of Dennis Frampton’s former mentor.
2. The Corfe Castle Murders (Book 1) – Lesley Clarke arrives in Dorset and investigates a murder at the iconic castle ruins.
3. The Clifftop Murders (Book 2) – A young lawyer is found dead at Old Harry Rocks, dragging Lesley's personal life into the case.
4. The Island Murders (Book 3) – The discovery of a body in a nature reserve on Poole Harbour exposes local corruption.
5. The Riverside Murder (Novella 3.5) – A shorter, fast-paced case set directly after the events of the third book.
6. The Monument Murders (Book 4) – A body is found at the Globe monument in Swanage, pointing to a potential hate crime.
7. The Millionaire Murders (Book 5) – An investigation into a wealthy developer's death reveals a web of greed.
8. The Fossil Beach Murders (Book 6) – A body discovered on Kimmeridge's Fossil Beach challenges the team.
9. The Blue Pool Murders (Book 7) – The scenic Blue Pool becomes a crime scene, testing the detectives' limits.
10. The Lochside Murder (Novella 7.5) – Lesley goes on honeymoon in Scotland, leading to a crossover investigation.
11. The Lighthouse Murders (Book 8) – An atmospheric mystery set around a historic coastal lighthouse.
12. The Ghost Village Murders (Book 9) – The team investigates a murder in Tyneham, Dorset's famous abandoned village.
13. The Poole Harbour Murders (Book 10) – A body in Poole Harbour uncovers a cold case dating back to 1973.

Connecting the Universes: Spin-Offs and Crossovers

One of the most rewarding aspects of Rachel McLean's books is that they exist in a shared literary universe. If you want a complete picture of the characters, there are two other series you should know about:

The Detective Zoe Finch Series

DCI Lesley Clarke did not debut in the Dorset Crime series. She was originally introduced as the direct boss of Detective Inspector Zoe Finch in McLean’s West Midlands-based series (sometimes called the Deadly series). Following a traumatic bombing incident in Birmingham, Lesley suffers from PTSD and seeks a transfer to the quieter jurisdiction of Dorset. Reading the first six Zoe Finch books first provides excellent background on Lesley’s trauma, but it is not strictly necessary to enjoy the Dorset Crime series as a standalone saga. Zoe Finch also makes guest appearances in later Dorset Crime novels to assist Lesley.

The McBride & Tanner Series

Set in Scotland around Glasgow and Loch Lomond, this series stars applied psychologist Dr. Petra McBride and DI Jade Tanner. It crosses over directly with the Dorset Crime universe in the novella The Lochside Murder (Novella 7.5). In this story, Lesley Clarke is in Scotland for her honeymoon when she becomes entangled in a local investigation and works alongside McBride and Tanner. Reading the McBride & Tanner series before the novella adds extra flavor to the crossover.

Practical Reader Advice

Where to start: The absolute best starting point for the main narrative is The Corfe Castle Murders. Starting with the prequel novella, The Ballard Down Murder, is also viable, but because it focuses on Dennis Frampton rather than Lesley, it is best enjoyed after you have already established a bond with the team in Book 1.

Can they be read as standalones? While the individual crime investigations are resolved in each book, the personal arcs of DCI Lesley Clarke, DS Dennis Frampton, and their team develop significantly from book to book. Reading them out of order will spoil major personal milestones and relationships.

How to get the novellas: The prequel novella, The Ballard Down Murder, is available as a free download for readers who sign up for Rachel McLean's official author newsletter on her website. The other two novellas are widely available on major digital retailers.