The Poole Harbour Murders is the twelfth novel in Rachel McLean’s Dorset Crime series. The novel follows the discovery of a long-dead body in Poole Harbour, leading the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) and Cold Cases team into a complex investigation that spans over fifty years. As they work to identify the victim and uncover what happened, the detectives reopen the cold case of Rowena Sharp, a woman who vanished from the Sandbanks Hotel in 1973. Simultaneously, the reappearance and subsequent disappearance of Jackie Kendall, a missing estate agent, raises questions about the Kelvin crime family’s ongoing influence. The narrative weaves together past and present crimes, personal reckonings, and the return of former detective Johnny Chiles, culminating in revelations that challenge the boundaries of justice and loyalty.

The Crime

The novel opens with Environment Agency officer Tony Patel discovering human remains during a dredging operation in Upton Lake, a neglected part of Poole Harbour. DI Hannah Patterson and DC Meera Vedra lead the investigation, initially suspecting the body might belong to Jackie Kendall, an estate agent who vanished in 2024. However, forensic evidence suggests the remains are far older, prompting DI Jill Scott’s Cold Cases team to revisit the disappearance of Rowena Sharp, last seen in 1973.

As the investigation unfolds, DC Mike Legg and his team uncover letters revealing Rowena’s affair with Peter Didson, a Sandbanks estate agent. Ellie's brother, Sebastian, finds these letters among their late stepmother’s possessions. Ellie confronts Didson, who confirms the affair and hints at Rowena’s fate. During a confrontation, Didson attacks Ellie, and she fatally stabs him in self-defence. Forensics confirm Rowena died by drowning, likely at Didson’s hands.

Meanwhile, Jackie Kendall recontacts the police after a year in hiding. She reveals that she witnessed a murder linked to the Kelvin family while showing a high-end property. Fearing for her life, she flees again, leaving the police with limited evidence but renewed suspicions about the Kelvins’ criminal operations.

Sub Plots

Ellie Sharp’s Search for the Truth
Ellie Sharp, haunted by her mother’s disappearance, uncovers Rowena’s affair and confronts Peter Didson. Her emotional turmoil culminates in a deadly confrontation, providing closure to a decades-old mystery while raising questions about justice and trauma.

Jackie Kendall’s Disappearance and Reappearance
Jackie resurfaces after a year in hiding, revealing she witnessed a murder tied to the Kelvin family. Despite police efforts to protect her, she vanishes again, this time with her partner Yiannis. Her testimony implicates the Kelvins but lacks the concrete evidence needed for a prosecution.

Johnny Chiles’s Return to Dorset
Former MCIT officer Johnny Chiles returns from London, seeking a fresh start. He rejoins the Dorset force, initially with the MCIT before transferring to the Cold Cases team. His return raises questions about his past blackmail by the Kelvins and his motivations for leaving the Met.

Meera and Jill’s Domestic Life
DC Meera Vedra and DI Jill Scott navigate the challenges of parenting their young daughter Suzi while balancing demanding police work. Their relationship deepens as they support each other through the emotional toll of the investigations.

Main Characters

1. DCI Lesley Clarke – Senior Investigating Officer overseeing both the MCIT and Cold Cases teams.
2. DI Jill Scott – Head of the Cold Cases team and Meera’s wife.
3. DI Hannah Patterson – Head of the MCIT, recently transferred from Devon.
4. DC Meera Vedra – A compassionate and analytical detective in the MCIT.
5. DC Mike Legg – Experienced detective in the Cold Cases team, husband to Tina.
6. DC Johnny Chiles – Former MCIT detective returning from the Met.
7. Ellie Sharp – Daughter of Rowena Sharp, determined to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance.
8. Jackie Kendall – Estate agent who disappears after witnessing a murder tied to the Kelvin family.

Relationship Development

• Meera Vedra and Jill Scott
  
  Continue to strengthen their marriage while raising their daughter Suzi.
  Meera expresses a desire to focus on parenting, while Jill remains career-driven.
  
  
• Lesley Clarke and Elsa Short
  
  Maintain a supportive partnership.
  Lesley reflects on her shifting role from investigator to manager, while Elsa’s legal firm represents Ellie Sharp.
  
  
• Mike Legg and Tina Abbott
  
  Balance parenting duties as Tina prepares to return from maternity leave.
  Mike supports Tina’s desire to return to work, showing mutual respect.
  
  
• Ellie and Sebastian Sharp
  
  Strengthen their sibling bond while uncovering their mother’s past.
  Sebastian supports Ellie through her emotional confrontation with Peter Didson.
  
  
• Ellie Sharp and Peter Didson
  
  Their confrontation leads to Peter’s death.
  Ellie seeks closure about her parentage and her mother’s murder.
  
  
• Johnny Chiles and Mike Legg
  
  Reunite as colleagues and friends.
  Mike remains unaware of the full reasons behind Johnny’s departure from Dorset.
  
  
• Lesley Clarke and Hannah Patterson
  
  Maintain a tense professional relationship.
  Lesley struggles to trust Hannah’s approach, particularly in high-stakes situations.
  
  
• Lesley Clarke and Jackie Kendall
  
  Lesley tries to protect Jackie, but Jackie ultimately refuses help and disappears again.
  Their brief interaction highlights the limits of police protection.
  

Kelvin Organised Crime Family and Eric Chiles’s Investigation

The novel revisits the long-standing influence of the Kelvin family in Dorset’s criminal underworld. Jackie Kendall reveals she witnessed a murder in a property tied to the Kelvins, implicating Vera Kelvin in ongoing criminal activity. Despite this, the police lack sufficient evidence to prosecute.

Eric Chiles, Johnny’s father and a former Vice officer, previously investigated the Kelvins and corrupt officers connected to them. Although not directly involved in the current case, his past efforts and knowledge continue to cast a shadow over the force. Johnny’s return to Dorset signals unfinished business, as the legacy of the Kelvins and the corruption they fostered remains unresolved.

While the focus of The Poole Harbour Murders remains on the Sharp and Kendall cases, the spectre of Kelvin influence and historical corruption continues to shape the narrative, leaving the door open for future developments in the series.