The Beach Hut Murders
Plot Summary (Wikipedia-style)

Introduction

The Beach Hut Murders is the twelfth installment in Rachel McLean’s Dorset Crime series. The novel follows the discovery of a decades-old body beneath a demolished toilet block at Mudeford Spit, leading to a cold case investigation that uncovers long-buried secrets. As DI Jill Scott and her team dig into the past, they uncover a link to a 1980s murder and a present-day killer who will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden. The investigation takes a deadly turn when DC Katie Young is murdered, sending shockwaves through the team and prompting a deeper probe into the Kelvin organized crime family and historic police corruption.

The Crime

Council workers demolishing a disused toilet block at Mudeford Spit uncover human remains buried beneath the concrete. DI Jill Scott and her Cold Case Team begin investigating, assisted by forensic archaeologist Ursula, who identifies the body as a man in his twenties, buried during the construction of the building in the 1980s. The victim, Stephen “TK” Kendall, had worn dental braces only common from the 1960s onwards, narrowing the timeline.

As the investigation progresses, the team identifies Stephen Carsons, a former friend of the victim, as a person of interest. Carsons fled home in the 1980s and lived off the grid. His sudden reappearance coincides with the discovery of the body. When DC Katie Young goes alone to question Carsons’ father, Harold, she disappears. Officers later find Katie’s body near the beach huts. She had been murdered by Stephen Carsons, who also severely injured his elderly father.

Uniformed officers arrest Carsons at the scene. Evidence confirms his involvement in both the historic murder of TK and the present-day killing of Katie. Ursula, who had claimed to be helping the investigation, turns out to be Carsons’ girlfriend and had infiltrated the crime scene to gather information. Police arrest her for obstruction.

Sub Plots

• Zoe Finch’s Return to Dorset: DI Zoe Finch relocates from Cumbria to Dorset to lead the Major Crimes Investigation Team (MCIT), reuniting with her former boss and friend DCI Lesley Clarke. She navigates her new role while assisting with the Musketeers trial and supporting her grieving team after Katie’s death.
  
• Katie Young’s Death: Katie’s murder devastates both the Cold Case and MCIT teams. DCI Clarke and DI Scott coordinate grief support and counseling for their teams while continuing the investigation. Katie’s death also reignites suspicions about the Kelvin family's wider criminal involvement.
  
• The Musketeers Trial: Three gang members—Billy Miller, Luka Tanner, and Mick Donnelly—stand trial for the murders of Jackie Kendall and Mark Ashforth. The pressure mounts as the MCIT prepares evidence. The Musketeers plead guilty mid-trial, signaling a breakthrough in the long-running case.
  
• Jill and Meera’s Domestic Struggles: Jill Scott faces tension at home with her wife Meera over finances and their aging house. The strain intensifies after Katie’s death, but Meera remains supportive, offering emotional strength and practical help.
  
• Meera’s Connection to the Kelvins: Meera befriends Brianna, a school-gate acquaintance whose child is connected to the Kelvin family. This relationship raises concerns about Jill and Meera’s safety, leading Lesley to remove Jill from direct involvement in Kelvin-related investigations.
  

Main Characters

1. DCI Lesley Clarke – Head of Major Crimes in Dorset; oversees investigations and manages team dynamics.
2. DI Jill Scott – Lead investigator on the cold case; Katie’s supervisor and a key figure in the investigation.
3. DCI Zoe Finch – New head of MCIT; returns to Dorset from Cumbria and supports the investigation.
4. DC Katie Young – Junior officer in the Cold Case Team; murdered during the investigation.
5. Stephen Carsons – Antagonist; murdered TK in the 1980s and Katie in the present day.
6. Ursula – Forensic archaeology PhD student and Carsons’ girlfriend; infiltrates the investigation.
7. Eric Chiles – Retired vice officer; provides background on the Kelvin family and historic corruption.
8. Meera Vedra – Jill’s wife; supports Jill emotionally while navigating risks tied to Kelvin associations.

Relationship Development

• Lesley Clarke and Zoe Finch:
  
  Reunite professionally in Dorset after years working together in Birmingham.
  Lesley mentors Zoe through her transition into MCIT leadership.
  
  
• Jill Scott and Meera Vedra:
  
  Face tension over finances and their home’s condition.
  Meera’s connection to Brianna and the Kelvins prompts Lesley to protect Jill by removing her from sensitive cases.
  
  
• Jill Scott and Katie Young:
  
  Jill mentors Katie and assigns her to the Carsons case.
  Katie’s death devastates Jill, who blames herself for sending her alone.
  
  
• Zoe Finch and the MCIT Team:
  
  Gains trust and respect from her team.
  Supports them emotionally after Katie’s murder and helps guide them through the Musketeers trial.
  
  
• Lesley Clarke and Eric Chiles:
  
  Lesley consults Eric for insight into the Kelvin family and historic police corruption.
  Their relationship deepens as she begins to trust his knowledge and motivations.
  
  

Kelvin Organized Crime Family and Eric Chiles’s Investigation

The novel expands on the long-running subplot involving the Kelvin crime family. Eric Chiles, a retired undercover officer from Vice, had investigated the Kelvins and corrupt officers in the 1980s but was forced into retirement before he could expose them. Lesley learns that Eric’s investigation connected to Frank Kelvin, a shadowy figure in the Kelvin hierarchy.

Stephen Carsons’ actions suggest a possible link to the Kelvins, especially after Lesley discovers financial records connecting him to their operations. Though Carsons denies involvement with the Kelvins, Lesley remains convinced that his reappearance and the timing of Katie’s murder are not coincidental.

The Musketeers trial also ties back to the Kelvin family. The gang’s sudden guilty plea suggests pressure or influence from a higher power, possibly Vera Kelvin. As the novel closes, Lesley and Zoe commit to uncovering the full extent of Kelvin involvement in Dorset’s criminal underworld, with Eric Chiles offering to share more of what he knows.