The Chesil Beach Murders is the twelfth novel in the Dorset Crime series by Rachel McLean. In this instalment, DCI Lesley Clarke leads an investigation into a body found on the remote Fleet Lagoon behind Chesil Beach, Dorset. As her Major Crime Investigations Team (MCIT) battles internal tension and a leadership vacuum, Lesley uncovers a web of organised crime, deception, and a decades-old mystery involving the powerful Kelvin family. The discovery of the victim’s identity sets off a chain of events that leads to a violent confrontation with a London gang and raises new questions about the fate of long-missing Frank Kelvin.

The Crime

A birdwatcher named Anika discovers a body near the Fleet Lagoon behind Chesil Beach. The MCIT initially struggles to access the site due to protected bird habitats, but once forensics gains entry, they confirm the presence of a male body with teeth and fingertips removed, suggesting a deliberate attempt to prevent identification. DCI Lesley Clarke takes over the case after DI Hannah Patterson calls in sick amid a Professional Standards Department (PSD) complaint she has filed against Lesley.

DC Tina Abbott identifies the victim as Mark Ashforth, a man reported missing a year earlier. His wife, Anne-Marie Mercier, reveals that Ashforth had financial troubles shortly before his disappearance, which he mysteriously resolved with a large deposit of £500,000. The team uncovers evidence that Ashforth had been working for an organised crime group.

DC Johnny Chiles uses facial recognition software to identify three men—Billy Miller, Luka Tanner, and Mick Donnelly—connected to the murder. Johnny had previously arrested them in London on firearms and drug charges. The MCIT coordinates with the Met’s armed response unit to arrest the suspects in Hayes, London. The operation succeeds, and the suspects are charged with the murders of Mark Ashforth and Jackie Kendall, a witness in hiding who had seen them kill Ashforth.

Sub Plots

Hannah’s Complaint Against Lesley
DI Hannah Patterson files a complaint of bullying and harassment against DCI Clarke, prompting a PSD investigation. Lesley learns about the complaint from Superintendent Carpenter and temporarily takes over the MCIT while Hannah is signed off with stress. The team quietly supports Lesley, and Hannah ultimately returns to Devon, leaving a vacancy in the MCIT leadership.

Meera and Jill
DC Meera Kumar and DI Jill Scott navigate professional tensions as Jill encourages Meera to be more assertive in her career. Meera, balancing work and motherhood, initially resists but grows in confidence over the course of the investigation. By the end, their mutual respect strengthens their working relationship.

Jackie Kendall in Hiding
Jackie Kendall, a former estate agent, hides in Norway after witnessing Ashforth’s murder. She lives in fear of the Kelvin family discovering her whereabouts. When the body is found, Jackie and her partner Yiannis monitor local news for updates. Though terrified, Jackie gains some peace when the killers are arrested.

Eric Chiles and the Cold Case
DCI Clarke and DI Scott investigate the decades-old disappearance of Frank Kelvin, prompted by a break-in at Vera Kelvin’s home. They discover that Eric Chiles, Johnny’s father, worked undercover in Vice and recruited Frank as an informant. Carpenter reveals that Frank’s disappearance may have been a revenge killing by his family. Jill contacts Eric, who agrees to share what he knows.

Main Characters

1. DCI Lesley Clarke – Head of the MCIT and Cold Cases Team; lead investigator on the Chesil Beach case.
2. DI Jill Scott – Head of the Cold Cases Team; investigates the Frank Kelvin disappearance.
3. DC Tina Abbott – Recently returned from maternity leave; identifies the Chesil Beach victim.
4. DC Johnny Chiles – Former Met officer; identifies the suspects using facial recognition.
5. DS Nathan Strunk – Former PSD officer; struggles under pressure during the investigation.
6. DC Meera Kumar – Balances motherhood and work; supports the MCIT during the case.
7. Superintendent Anthony Carpenter – Lesley’s superior; reveals his past involvement in the Kelvin investigation.
8. Eric Chiles – Johnny’s father; former undercover DI in Vice who investigated the Kelvin family.

Relationship Development

• Lesley Clarke and Johnny Chiles
  
  Lesley initially doubts Johnny’s loyalty due to his past in the Met but comes to rely on him during the case.
  Their professional relationship strengthens as Johnny proves his worth in identifying and arresting the suspects.
  
  
• Lesley Clarke and Jill Scott
  
  The two women collaborate closely on the Frank Kelvin cold case.
  Lesley trusts Jill to handle sensitive interviews and protect Eric Chiles.
  
  
• Tina Abbott and Johnny Chiles
  
  Former colleagues reconnect warmly.
  Tina respects Johnny’s work and supports his efforts during the investigation.
  
  
• Meera Kumar and Jill Scott
  
  Begin the novel with professional friction due to differing work styles.
  Resolve their differences, with Meera gaining confidence and Jill recognising her strengths.
  
  
• Lesley Clarke and Nathan Strunk
  
  Lesley sees Nathan is not ready for leadership.
  She supports him but ultimately bypasses him for the DI vacancy.
  
  
• Lesley Clarke and DI Hannah Patterson
  
  Their toxic working relationship culminates in a PSD complaint.
  Hannah leaves the team, allowing Lesley to rebuild morale.
  
  

Kelvin Organised Crime Family and Eric Chiles’s Investigation

The novel deepens the long-running subplot of the Kelvin family’s criminal empire. Vera Kelvin, now the matriarch, reports a break-in at her home. Items stolen match those found at the Chesil Beach crime scene, implicating her in the disposal of Mark Ashforth’s body. Lesley confronts Vera, who cryptically admits knowledge of the theft but refuses a house search.

Superintendent Carpenter reveals that in 1988, he and Eric Chiles worked undercover in Vice. Frank Kelvin, Arthur’s son, became an informant after a drunken arrest. Eric protected Frank, but Frank disappeared in 1993. Carpenter outlines three theories: Frank fled to Spain, was killed by his family, or was hidden by Eric. Eric denies hiding Frank and confirms he believes Frank was murdered.

Jill Scott contacts Eric, who agrees to meet and share what he knows. This sets up a potential future investigation into Frank Kelvin’s death, suggesting that the Kelvin family’s secrets are far from buried.