The Corfe Castle Murders

Dorset Crime, Book 1

By: Rachel McLean

Narrated by: Jan Cramer

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Kindle Storyteller Award winner 2021

Meet DCI Lesley Clarke. She’s a straight-talking city copper who doesn’t suffer fools gladly…and she’s been transferred to rural Dorset.

After being injured in a bomb attack, Lesley is presented with a choice - early retirement, or a period of respite in a calmer location.

But things don’t stay calm for long.

Before she’s even started her new job, Lesley is dragged into investigating a murder at one of England’s most iconic landmarks, the imposing Corfe Castle.

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?

The Corfe Castle Murders is a compelling, character-driven mystery perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, LJ Ross, and Elly Griffiths.

©2021 Rachel McLean (P)2021 Rachel McLean

Story is pretty weak

Perhaps it’s me, but if the authors intent is to show the main character as strong and competent this doesn’t work. Instead she seems loud and overbearing and the readers shouting her lines doesn’t help. Very irritating. I can’t listen to another 7+ hours. Very weak story as well. No more for me.

Jan Cramer led me to another win!

I'll admit I only chose this book because of its narrator. I'm now a fan of the series! I can't wait for book 2!

Okay, not great.

The characters were often stereotypical and one dimensional. Narration was better than some other reviews have described.

Enjoyed this story and the narration

I enjoyed getting to know DCI Lesley Carter. I liked her sharp mind and sharp tongue. She was able to manage a lot while dealing with her personal life and sexist colleagues. I also really enjoyed the narration. It’s the same narrator for Angela Marson’s Kim Stone series and I love her voices in those and she brought that same snarky sass to this one. I’m looking forward to reading/listening to the others in the series.

Irritating narration

I think the characters personalities were portrayed poorly by the reader. It was heavy handed narration lacking subtlety. I listened to the end in spite of it because the plotting was well done and main character likeable and interesting. No twists and little suspense.

I really liked this book

The story is fast paced and the main character is sarcastic, which I liked. I figured out “who did it” pretty early but it kept my interest till the end. Good writing and the performer is excellent!

Pleasantly delighted!

I loved this story, well the main character I should say.
Laugh out loud moments with her, she holds nothing back and says what she is thinking and it is great.
I liked the pace and the back stories, not overwhelming and not dragged out!

Looking forward to the next book!

Not my cup of tea

This is a cozy. I dislike cozies. If you enjoy them, perhaps this book will suit. Short of that, I cannot recommend this audiobook. The lead character has an interesting backstory, but I find her foul mouthed, flippant retorts and generally abrasive attitude to be overdone and not at all convincing. Worst of all, this talented investigator is surrounded by a cast of idiots in her new job. Their limited thinking and seeming aversion to evidence is almost incredible. The storyline for this first installment is somewhat interesting, but filled with so many unlikeable characters that I found myself looking forward to the end. The bits of promise are overshadowed by all the bad elements of this experience. Finally, the narrator would be an excellent storyteller for small children. She reads the story with lots of animation and exuberance, which really detracts from the actual story. Save it for Winnie the Poo! This one was just not my cup of tea.

Truly dreadful

I really wanted to like this as the first in a new series for me …. But the narration was poor at best, the characters dreadful stereotypes, and the storyline weak and boring.

Lame

Was hoping there were going to be some twists, unfortunately there weren’t any. Pretty lame.