Mary's defiance didn’t end with the fall of the castle. The victorious Parliamentarians eventually presented her with the keys to Corfe Castle as a tribute to her courage. After years of petitioning Parliament, she lived to see her family estates returned and the restoration of King Charles II. Rebirth of Corfe Castle Freya Garside is an octogenarian busybody living in Kings Heath, Birmingham. She finds herself at the heart of unsolved mysteries and her natural interest in people (or rather, her nosiness) helps her to solve them. Most of the castles the Normans built in the early years following the conquest were wooden palisades, hastily constructed on top of an artificial mound called a motte. It’s a mark of Corfe’s importance that the natural motte of the castle mound was one of the first to be topped with stone walls. 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?

Dorset Crime Series by Rachel McLean - Goodreads Dorset Crime Series by Rachel McLean - Goodreads

The Dorset Crime novella The Lochside Murder (brings the two teams together and isn’t necessary to follow the series but this is where it fits chronologically) The Corfe Castle Murders is book one in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel Mclean. After recovering from an accident DCI Lesley Clarke, supervisor, recommend time away from London in the beautiful Dorset countryside. However, before DCI Lesley Clarke started her new job, she caught the case of murder at Corfe Castle. On top of learning how Dorset law enforcement works, she encountered disrespect from her colleagues. The readers of The Corfe Castle Murders will continue to follow DCI Lesley Clarke to find out what happens. Lesley is a complex character who has a lot going on in her life. I feel that there is more to her than meets the eye and I hope this is further explored as the book series progresses. THE CORFE CASTLE MURDERS is the first in a brand-new Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. This compelling, character-driven mystery crime fiction featured DCI Lesley Clarke and her team. It was later handed over to the Bankes family who supported King Charles I in his civil war battle.Her introduction at the crime scene didn't go as smoothly as is should have. She and her new team members are sure to butt heads .. leaving her superiors wondering if she's going to fit in. The Dorset Crime series takes place after the first six Zoe Finch books, when DCI Lesley Clarke is transferred to Dorset. You can read this series before the Zoe Finch series if you want. I’ve made sure there are no major spoilers in the series. In his early years as King, John faced a rival in the form of his nephew Prince Arthur of Brittany, grandson of Henry II. John besieged him at Mirabeau in Poitou, France. Arthur was murdered shortly afterwards, but Arthur’s sister Eleanor and about 25 knights were imprisoned in Corfe Castle. Royal prisoners Investigations soon indicate that the law firm may have links with the local mafia. Further investigations indicate that Lesley’s girlfriend Elsa was the legal representative in the many cases handled by the organization. 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? Can she solve the murder before the killer strikes again?

Review: The Corfe Castle Murders by Rachel McLean Book Review: The Corfe Castle Murders by Rachel McLean

Disclaimer: all items are bought personally unless otherwise stated. Posts that have been commissioned will be labelled as sponsored or collaborative based on the brand’s preference. But when she hears the anguished screams by Laila she dashes to the scene and begins a murder investigation. After reading many novels over the years, she thought there was a gap in the genre waiting to be filled and this is just what she intends to do with her writing. Rachel

Detective Constable Johnny Chile is suspected of providing information to Arthur which he uses to play others in his community. The case opens to Simone who works at the National Trust, being discovered dead in the Poole Harbor nature reserve. I really enjoyed the clean clear prose and the well-paced storytelling. It was like watching someone make a Japanese line drawing: confident, elegant, efficient and clear. I usually like plots including archaeology digs but there were a number of balls bouncing in this intro that proved too much. At the start of the series, she is introduced as having been injured in a bombing incident in Birmingham and now rumors abound that she is afflicted with PTSD, among other mental issues. DCI Lesley Clarke relocates to Dorset following an injury. She moves from inner city to a rural location and struggles to adjust to the change of pace. But there is a murder the day before she officially starts. Can she get her new team on side and will they solve the case before another death happens…? The Corfe Castle Murders is the first book in a new series set in Dorset and also the first book by author Rachel McLean that I have read. Lesley is a great character to throw into the mix with the Dorset police team. They are a male heavy team, averse to the involvement of uniform, and have a dislike of bad language! Lesley defies the conventions especially in her encouragement of a young female uniformed officer, oh and the odd swear word! The murder plot is intriguing as Laila finds her boyfriend Archie’s body at the archaeological dig they are working on. Jealousy is suspected as the motive but is it Laila who knew Archie was married, Susan his wife or the other dig researcher who wanted a relationship with Laila? Or could another motive be uncovered… The writing and dialogue are easy to read and feel realistic so it is easy to get involved with the plot and characters. I liked the way Lesley sounds out each of her new colleagues which allows us to get to know them too. The Corfe Castle Murders was a hugely enjoyable police procedual novel and I loved the lead character as well as the strong plot. I can’t wait for more in the series!

The Corfe Castle Murders - Fantastic Fiction The Corfe Castle Murders - Fantastic Fiction

This series will also feature DC Connie Williams from the Zoe Finch books and her partner Rav, who move in down the road from Freya. Freya can’t resist haranguing poor Connie for information about local crimes. The Corfe Castle Murders is a compelling, character-driven mystery perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, LJ Ross and Elly Griffiths. In the 1640s, England was in the grip of civil war and Corfe Castle found itself on the front line of conflict between Parliament and King Charles I. I live in the county and while I fully understand Rachel McLean's intention to explore the contrast between Lesley's former life in the Midlands and her new start in Dorset, I was disappointed that the author paints quite a negative view of rural life. I'm the first to admit that some people's attitudes here can be quite insular but although the pace of life might be a little slower in some instances, I found the constant suggestion that, aside from a couple of exceptions, her new colleagues were slow-witted and judgemental to be really quite annoying. The geographical sense of place is excellent and I can tell that Rachel McLean did her research well here but contrary to what it says in the book, there is no need to learn to 'speak Dorset' as most residents already know what yonks means and it's perfectly possible to find places that serve excellent curries - even in Wareham! Lesley's preconceptions meant I rolled my eyes at a scene where she is looking a mess and is concerned that she is 'already turning into a country bumpkin' having earlier thought to herself that 'At last, one of these bumpkins spoke her language'. Siding with the Cavaliers against the Roundheads was to turn out into a fateful decision for the castle.

This is my first book by Rachel McLean but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will definitely listen to more in this series, when available, and also listen to her related series, about this main character's old colleagues.