This is possibly the best book yet in this police procedural series featuring Sergeant Sara Hirst. She is becoming more settled in her new role in the serious crime unit when a bizarre murder occurs. The unit begin to carry out investigations when they are disrupted by the arrival of a new DCI who immediately takes control. The first murder is followed quickly by another both linked by the placing of a toy llama at the scene.
This isn’t a whodunnit as the reader knows from very early on who is carrying out the crimes and what their motive is. However, the plot twists and turns keeping the reader’s interest throughout. The tension builds right to the end as the reader has no idea whether the crime will be solved before the murderer has finished carrying out their plan. The final scenes were gripping.
As before, the setting is in Norfolk and a good part of this book is set in the real life Sainsbury Centre which I now have a definite desire to visit. I really like the character of Sara and her growing relationships with her colleagues and neighbours feel very believable. The other characters are well written and come together to make a really enjoyable read.
I definitely recommend this and am very grateful to Net Galley and Joffe Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first time reading this author but not the last. I thoroughly enjoyed An Artful Murder, the principal character Sara is well formed and completely believable. Her police colleagues likewise. I look forward to learning more about the team and in what direction Daykin takes Sara.
The storyline is quite standard- a group of former college friends, a killer out for revenge and our intrepid police trying to stop the killings. This is not a whodunnit in the strict sense but is an excellent example of a police procedural. I read in one sitting, the narrative flows smoothly and keeps you hooked to the end. Many thanks to Netgalley, Joffe publishing and Judi Daykin for an advanced copy of An Artful Murder

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
This 4th in the DS Sara Hirt series and another really good book, so enjoyable!
Sara moved from London to Norfolk and hasn't looked back. This time there's a strange murder; someone killed a young man by slitting his throat and stuffed his body inside a garden urn with a stuffed llama. He was part of a group of 4 friends, who call themselves The Famous Four. A 2nd member of the 4 is murdered shortly after, throat slit with a llama at the site of the body.
The team have to try and stop the other 2 from suffering a similar fate and realize the case has tentacles in years past, which will lead them to the motive.
Sara's love life is stuttering but I was so happy when her neighbor brought her a kitten, just what she needed... loved that!
Highly recommended!

AN ARTFUL MURDER by Judi Daykin was phenomenal.

A must for any avid crime/thriller fan! You feel like you are right there in the moment with the characters!

A fast paced, engaging and heart in the mouth book.
Loved it, couldn't put it down
The writing is superb, with some intriguing, very interesting characters!
I loved the way this story was told. It made the suspense that much more thrilling.
This book also had suspense, intrigue, great police work and a great who done it!
The storyline was very interesting and the pace was very fast!
I definitely enjoyed reading this book!
I will recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! It was a great read!

Now I need to read book 1-3

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Joffe Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

Murder Most Recent…
Modern art, ancient death rituals, sacrificial killings, friendships old and new, tragedy and murder most recent combine in the fourth of the Norfolk set Detective Sara Hirst series of mysteries and, perhaps, the very best of this series thus far. When a body is discovered crammed in an ornamental urn alongside a stuffed Llama, police and local residents are baffled. Another bizarre killing soon follows, with similar sinister hallmarks. What could this mean? Are they dealing with some sort of twisted serial killer? The truth may well be stranger and yet more credible and more tragic than they could have imagined for the team investigating. A well plotted storyline combines with an excellent and well crafted cast of characters and a firm sense of place and kept this reader engaged in a wholly compelling one sit read.