This one was so much fun and I couldn’t put it down. Clues dropped throughout the story that kept you on your toes, mysterious happenings and so many suspects to consider. This was a fast paced and action packed story that I would recommend to any fans of mysteries and thrillers.

This was a solid police procedural that builds a case step by gradual step. The novel is told from three main points of view, Sara, theatre sound technician Jessie Dobson and carnival committee member Adele Hayward. Jessie and Adele are keeping secrets from the police, so their narrative gives their justifications for that and explains what they’ve been through

Addictive
It’s summer and time for the carnival in the Norfolk town of Cromer but things start to go wrong when the carnival queen is murdered
This book follows multiple characters and storylines, including the police, Adele, a mum on the carnival committee and the sound technician for the local theatre, Jessie. I really enjoyed how the story was woven to encompass all areas of the story and how the strings get pulled together as the investigation progresses. Seeing things from different points of view was really good and it enabled me to become more entwined in the story and wanting to know what happened and how everything came together
I will mention that this book does contain some domestic violence which is really challenging to read and I know may impact readers which is why I wanted to mention it. I think this difficult issue was dealt with sympathetically and with respect which can be hard to do
The carnival events run through the book and seeing the dedication of the committee members no matter what obstacles got thrown at them felt so real, and will feel that way, I’m sure, to the many readers who volunteer or organise events
This book caught my attention from the beginning and I found myself being pulled deeper into the story, staying up way later than I should because I couldn’t put it down
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a crime drama that will make you forget you are at home and instead pull you into the story right from the very first page

A Brutal Season by Judi Daykin is the third book in the DS Sara Hirst series. During carnival week in Norfolk a body is discovered. Very interesting characters in the this book and I love the story being told from three different POV's. Now I want to read the first two books!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Realised after starting this book that it's part of a series. Made no difference, as far as I could tell, that I hadn't read the others.

A young girl is murdered and the local police need to put aside their prejudice to find her killer. There are also other things going on in the town so it's almost alternating chapters, bringing the reader into the town for carnival week. Not a bad read even though I guessed the killer early on. Some triggers to be aware of in that there is some quite graphic violence against women.

When Carnival Queen, Daisy Shaw, was found in the alley early on a morning the carnival in Cromer, was in full swing, Detective Sara Hirst and DI Edwards were shocked at the brutality of the young woman’s death. The coastal town was expecting a lot of tourists for the carnival week, with theatre performances, and the usual Carny crew entertaining the crowd, meaning it was bustling with activities and the committee running it was very busy.

Adele Hayward was on the committee and had a lot of responsibilities. Her husband Greg, son Alexander and two mates spent their time drinking, getting drunk and trying to impress. But Adele’s worst fear was the brutality of her husband. Greg was a bully and Xander was following suit. Her injuries from Greg’s violence were usually hidden, but lately he didn’t seem to care. Adele was afraid of him…

The police were interviewing everyone connected to the carnival, as well as the theatre people and the committee. There wasn’t a lot to go on, but Sara could see that secrets were being kept, and lies were being told. Would they be able to get through that armour and find the killer of poor Daisy? And what would happen to Adele?

A Brutal Season is the 3rd in the DS Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Fast paced with plenty of action, a nice lot of suspects and tension that kept building. I’m already looking forward to the fourth in the series when it’s published. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first novel by author Judi Daykin and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I did not realise it was number 3 in a series, but you can read this as a standalone as I do not really think you necessarily need to have read books 1 or 2 to understand book 3.

As a huge fan of Norfolk and this novel being based in Cromer I really wanted to read this novel. We meet main character Sara who is a detective with the Serious Crimes Unit, it has been a slow summer for the police until a body is found. The body is of the carnival queen, Daisy Shaw, and her boyfriend is put forward as a suspect. Sara is thrust into the carnival world and does her best to solve the mystery that surrounds Daisy Shaws murder.

Such a gripping novel from the get go and you really feel like you are getting involved within the pages of this novel.

I loved the descriptions in this novel and Judi Daykin, for me personally, got Cromer spot on. I will be keeping my eye out for the next instalment and I will be picking up the first two books.

Thanks to Judi Daykin, NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The character of Detective Sara Hurst continues to develop in this, the third of the, series. She's settling into Norfolk life and her colleagues are, at last, accepting her for who she is. It's Carnival Week in Cromer, the height of the tourist season and tensions are already rising when the Carnival Queen, young Daisy, is found raped and murdered. Add to the mix the local theatre troupe and the Carnival Committee, not to mention a group of somewhat renegade Travellers, the aggravated locals and too few police and things just escalate for Sara and Team. Some of the theatre lot are into drugs and some have an unpleasant history; the Committee has a member who is definitely being abused by her husband and son and they have something to hide in relation to Daisy's death. Quite convoluted and inter-twined but well worth the read. Some unpleasant aspects and some pretty horrible characters - and there was me thinking Norfolk a nice rural back-water!! Interesting slant on stereotyping - Travellers, people of colour, thoughtful. Look forward to the next one and, by the way, you don't have to read the first two to understand what's going on but t does give you a more rounded idea of the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A BRUTAL SEASON by Judi Daykin.
Detective Sara Hirst Book 3.
Detective Sara Hirst has moved from London to Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit.

Carnival week in Cromer. It’s been an easy-going summer for the Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit — until this morning.

The body of Daisy Shaw, the Carnival Queen, is discovered in a back alley, stretched out on the cobbles. Her long blonde hair lies matted and dishevelled around her head, her fingers clutch a sparkly plastic tiara.

Suspicion falls on the carnival crew, especially when it turns out that one of them is Daisy’s boyfriend.

The atmosphere in Cromer soon grows nasty. The town turns against the outsiders. The roads are closed. The town descends into chaos. And the murder detectives are right in the thick of it, trying to piece together what happened to Daisy.

The close-knit carnival community is all too used to prejudice and none too keen on helping the police.

Meanwhile, both Sara’s mother and boyfriend have bombshells to drop. Can Sara solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?

A really enjoyable read. I loved the story and some characters. Lots of twists and turns. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.

Detective Sara Hirst is back in this brilliant new addition to the series. Adrenaline pumping suspense, an unusual story that keeps you guessing all the way to the end and realistic well defined characters. What more could you ask for?

I have to admit I have never given much thought to the work that goes on behind the scenes for carnivals so this book was extra interesting in that it explained some of the workings. The setting is very much around the carnival area which put the focus onto the characters and the author made them very interesting and cleverly incorporated prejudices into the characters and the story.

I was gripped from the very first page and really enjoyed reading on as the story played out. Absolutely loved that for a change the 'bad guys' turned out to be good guys and visa versa.

A very different read from the norm and a thoroughly enjoyable one I cant waif for more in this series.

5 stars from me

A crime thriller set in a Norfolk coastal town at the start of their carnival week. Told from the perspective of three women, including DS Sara Hirst, it follows the investigation of a body found in an alley.
There are plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and intrigued.

Trigger warning: deals with assault, rape and domestic abuse.
A Brutal Season, by Judi Daykin, is a fast paced police suspense novel with just the tiniest bit of romance thrown in.
Sara Hirst is a detective with the Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit. The community is enjoying the beginning of carnival week until the Carnival Queen, Daisy Shaw. is discovered dead. The police first suspect some of those in the carnival crew including Daisy’s boyfriend.
As the townspeople become antsy and suspicious, the detectives are working to solve the crime as fast as they can. But all the chaos makes piecing together the night of Daisy’s murder difficult. Not to mention the father/son duo wreaking havoc and doing their best to sabotage the investigation.
Sara and the team want to solve the case before things can get any worse.

Another winner from Joffe Books!


I love reading books set in places I have been, and in fact, know my way around Cromer (Norfolk).

Cromer Carnival is always held in August, and it’s during this particular season, that only child and Carnival Queen Daisy is found murdered.
With the coming and going of people, the fair and the soapbox race, is is not an easy task to find out what happened to poor Daisy.
A pleasant writing style, with lots of attention given to character building, makes this crime thriller a winner for me. Love to read more from this author in the future!

This is the third outing for Detective Sara Hirst. She’s moved from London to join the serious crime squad in Norfolk. It’s been a quiet summer for the unit but that’s about to change with Carnival Week kicking off in Cromer. And it kicks off in the worst way possible - the carnival queen has been murdered.
I really enjoyed the way Daykin crafts her story through the eyes of Detective Hirst as well as key characters involved in the Cromer Carnival. This is the first of her books that are I've read but it won’t be the last.

Enjoyable crime thriller set on the east coast – not many use Cromer as a base. First time I’ve read this author and on the basis of this book, the third with DS Sara Hirst, I’ll be reading her earlier ones. The detectives aren’t as angst-ridden as some fictional creations, which makes a pleasant change. Reminded me a little of Marsali Taylor’s books set on Shetland.

This is the third in the crime series featuring DS Sara Hirst but it could easily be read as stand alone. It’s a really good police procedural set in the Norfolk resort of Cromer where it’s carnival week. However, just as the week begins, the newly crowned carnival queen is found murdered. Sara Hirst and the serious crime squad have to uncover many secrets before they can get to the bottom of the crime.
The town of Cromer is brilliantly evoked and there is a wide cast of characters including the cast of the show in Cromer’s famous end of pier theatre, fair ground showmen and the local inhabitants.
I liked the way the story was told from three view points, DS Hirst, Jessie the sound engineer at the theatre and Adele, wife of a well off estate agent and a member of the carnival committee. We see the mystery gradually unfold through each of the different perspectives. The book was really well plotted and there were plenty of twists and the occasional red herring to keep readers on their toes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will certainly look out for further books in the series. Thank you to Net Galley and Joffe Books for providing an ARC in exchange for this review.

Thank you Netgalley, Joffe Books, and Author Judi Daykin for this ARC.

This was a pretty decent crime thriller told from the perspective of the detective on the case, Sara Hirst. Carnival Week becomes a problem for her as she attempts to get used to her new home and her new job when the Carnival Queen ends up dead. There were lots of red herrings, a good cast of detectives and law enforcement tackling the case. The thrill and suspense was steady throughout. S good read.

The initial hostility DS Sara Hirst first encountered due her skin colour and the fact that she was not expected in her new posting to the Serious Crimes Unit in Norfolk is well and truly over, and she is now settled into the team with DC Mike Bowen, DC Ian Noble and motherly admin Aggie working for DI Edwards and has already been involved in two high profile cases. Since finding and then losing her father, Sara has moved into his cottage in Happisburgh and even her relationship with her mother Tegan back in London’s Tower Hamlets is improving. Her romance with Chris the café owner is going well, although their time together is scarce, what with her move away from their shared block of flats and his passion for amateur dramatics. The story begins with the discovery in an alleyway of the body of Daisy Shaw, the Carnival Queen chosen for the week-long festival in Cromer. She died shortly after the opening night party and the subsequent investigation causes problems for the organizers, including Adele who has problems of her own. As the planned events are disrupted by the death and some unwanted visitors, the detectives struggle to make progress, although suspects and suitors are plentiful. There are many suspicious and downright nasty characters who all seem to be hiding secrets. Lots of them are up to no good but just which of them could have been involved in the death of a pretty and popular young girl? And how far are some of them prepared to go to protect themselves?
There are great descriptions of Cromer which conjure up vivid images of the seaside town and an excellent portrayal of the characters involved as the author weaves a twisty and engrossing plot which will keep the reader guessing right up to the end. The whole team of detectives are very likable and I hope to be reading more about them soon, especially with the little unanswered question left at the end. 5*

A well written English crime story with a multi faceted plot that holds your interest. A very pleasant change from so many police characters with more troubles than the criminals.

Its carnival week in Cromer and everyone is looking forward to it. Then the Carnival Queen, Daisy, is found dead in an alley way.
Daisy's boyfriend is a member of the carnival crew and tensions are high when a group of travellers descend on the town.
Detective Sara Hirst is in charge of Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit and needs to get the murder solved quickly but has problems of her own to sort out.
Lots of twists and turns before the answer is revealed.