This is a new crime series from Judi Daykin featuring the black DS Sara Hirst, a recent transplant from London to the more rural and more white setting of Brexit supporting Norfolk. Driving her relocation is an argument with her mother over her father, of whom she knows little, but he too moved to Norfolk, and Sara wants to know the truth of him and his abandonment of her. She is based at Norfolk Police HQ at Wymondham, joining the Serious Crimes Unit, in a team led by DI Edwards. It is fair to say there is resentment and hostility from the team directed to Sara initially, additionally she is facing racism and sexism. A badly decomposing body is discovered in a local farm ditch. This crime story is fast paced and with multiple threads with a raft of crimes, covering issues of Eastern European trafficking and forced labour, harrowing abuse, exploitation and anti-immigrant sentiments. Amidst all this, Sara tries to find out about her father in this well plotted and exciting piece of crime fiction. Many thanks to Joffe Books.

Under Violent Skies, is a debut novel, by author, Judi Daykin. I was impressed and look forward to her future work! This story takes place in England and will require a bit of adjustment to wording. Sara Hirst has become a detective in the Serious Crimes Unit....and this is where the investigation begins.....when she slides into a bloated, decomposing body that has seen better days....in more ways than one. Not a novel you want to read before meals or sleep, but a great novel for a fall day, with grey skies and a warm and plentiful drink!! Take the time to enjoy this novel and see the different twists and turns a story can take!!

An outstanding debut! This year, several British crime novels have attempted to weave a thread of current events (Brexit, racism, nationalism) into their plots, but none of the others did it as well as Judi Daykin.

In Under Violent Skies, those issues weren't extraneous -- they were personal, integral parts of each character: the new Detective Sergeant, just arrived from London to a backwater in Norfolk; the aging farm widow with a strong will and good intentions; the Eastern European victims of human trafficking, smuggled in to Britain to pick crops and do whatever else they're forced to.

All these characters and more were fully drawn and portrayed with compassion and intelligent insight. I read fluidly though the book without any of those abrupt, pesky halts that make me question a given writer's premise and skill.

This is a great read, and I will look for more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance readers copy.

This is an absolutely first class debut novel and a complete joy to read and review. DS Sara Hirst hits the ground running when her first day in her new posting in the Serious Crimes Unit in Norfolk police starts with the discovery of a dead man in a roadside ditch. He’s been there a few days and if she thought the rats of London where she has moved from could do some damage, she certainly wasn’t prepared for the appetites of the local wildlife. She is a complete townie and coming to a largely agricultural area, soon realises she will have to learn a lot very quickly. Not only that, but her skin colour and the fact that the new team were not expecting her cause more than a little hostility to begin with. Sara will have a lot to overcome to prove her worth, all the while trying to get over the massive row with her mother which has left them not even on speaking terms. Sara knows her estranged father moved to Norfolk when he abandoned his family although she doesn't even know his name, and that was uppermost on her mind when making her move from tackling the high crime rate in London to an area where very little happens. A lot more does happen and soon, however, as the team of detectives, including DI Edwards and DCs Ellie James and Mike Bowen start to investigate what turns out to be a murder. Unknown to the police, a gang of immigrant workers are doing a lot more than picking vegetables and as the detectives pursue their case, they find themselves immersed in several crimes, the like and proportion of which they have never seen before. Lives are at stake and the detectives are racing to bring the many culprits to justice in an explosive and thrilling conclusion. There are some great and very likable characters here, well drawn and by the end of the story I was getting to know them very well. There is plenty going on in the book, lots of action and a great plot, but so well written that it was easy to follow the storyline and watch as the various threads all came together in a very satisfying ending. I can thoroughly recommend this book, I liked the inclusion of current issues and I sincerely hope there will be more from this team in Norfolk. 5*

#UNDERVIOLENTSKIES#NetGalley
Thanks #NetGalley, #Joffe books and #JudiDaykin for a copy to review.
First of all I have to admit that the title is absolutely accurate! When I first picked the book to read I read it "Violet" not "Violent" sky, and the book proved the violent part correctly.
Detective Sara Hirst moves to Norfolk serious crime Police department having both personal and professional agendas. She is pursuing leads to locate the father she never knew, and a small town unit she could have more impact and be recognized more than in London.
By doing so she had a big fallout with her mother who refused to talk about the man all her life.
Did she make a big mistake by moving to Norfolk?
She had no idea what was waiting for her. Faced by unbelievable racism and sexism from everybody around including her team members and a decomposed body on her first day on the job; we accompany Sara's quest trying to uncover her father's truth and fight in a job that seems too difficult yo do. I couldn't believe the behavior of some characters towards immigrants, I truly don't know if it's real behavior or was just for the sake of the plot.
Honestly I didn't care much for the theft crimes originally, though the book kept me engaged following Sara's struggle and the girls survival adventure. The book seems like the first of a series that I would like to read more of.

Sara Hirst interviews for a position at another precinct - Norfolk Police. She becomes the new DS and immediately concerns are voiced because one of their own officers overlooked for promotion. She also has to overcome racist comments from one of the officers, but she is able to hold her own. What she doesn't divulge is that she has her own agenda - searching for her long lost father.

She's immediately thrust into a murder investigation which makes things a bit awkward for her due to the racist officer in question. I cannot really say much more for fear of spoiling it for other readers.

I have found a new author! I give it a thumbs up!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Under Violent Skies, the debut novel to feature DS Sara Hirst of the Norfolk Police.

Sara is thrown in at the deep end on her first day in Norfolk when a murdered decomposing body is found. The investigation is consuming and soon casts a much wider net than one murder but Sara doesn’t have her mind fully on her job as she moved to Norfolk to find the father she never knew and her mother won’t talk about.

I enjoyed Under Violent Skies which is a promising start to a new series. I like the police procedural format with the gradual narrowing of the suspect pool and the discovery of related crimes along the way. This novel conforms to that format with the police investigation but it also spends a lot of time with a group of immigrant workers that may or may not be responsible for the murder but is definitely up to something. This is interesting in shedding light on the dynamics and conditions of such a group but destroys the whodunnit aspect of much of the local crime wave.

I was horrified by the some of the characters’ overt racism but, while I don’t know anything about it in my white corner of the world, I understand that the author might be understating it. Sara is black so we get to see it up close and personal but I’m not sure I wholly get her response to it, especially as it is muddled up with her less than welcoming reception from her new colleagues.

The novel has a few teething problems, notably one large coincidence that is difficult to swallow. It could also do with a prune as there are a few chunks that add nothing to the investigation and become repetitive in their reinforcement of certain behaviours. They allow the reader’s attention to wander and make the novel less sharp. Nevertheless, Under Violent Skies is a good read.

A very good story. It takes place in Brexit backing Norfolk when their first black police officer arrives, and at salad picking time. Very much on the ball with the attitudes to immigration - for - needed to pick the crops; against - everything bad is down to them.

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Under Violent Skies was an interesting crime drama that kept you on your toes until the end.

Detective Sara Hirst, first day on her new job, called to investigate a body found in a ditch. From there we follow as she navigates through unwelcoming co-workers, blatant racism/sexism, and the biggest case her team has possibly ever seen.

While some parts are a bit far-fetched, the story flowed pretty well, and I grew to like some of the characters. There was a lot going on in this story, but it seemed to come together at the end. I would definitely read more from this new author.

Under Violent Skies is a well written crime book. Loved the plot and the setting. This will keep you guessing with the many twists and turns. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

UNDER VIOLENT SKIES....Judi Daykin...joffe
Adam not as fit since retirement, with a camera over his head, he was hoping to get hard evidence.. The thieves were going to be stopped and also prove he still had the touch. With a dossier at home he pretty much knew which locals were involved. The light from the camera alerted them. Then headlights where he had left his car blinded him. A ditch was his last thought.
Detective Sara of Serious Crimes, at thirty five, with London prices, finally had her own place. Meeting Chris a neighbor and owner of a coffee shop. Unpacking, and the treasure she found by accident, a blue tin box, who was her father. A mother who wouldn’t tell her, she had good instincts to find him
Agnes living in a remote area, again late at night Des coming again with a higher offer for her property, 700 acres and 5 bedroom house, with barns.
Going for groceries she rarely left the house, and without checking knew the land was worth a lot more.
They come together for the Detective, as she works this case, with a team resenting her for another not getting the job. The plot flowed and Sara was interesting, with her new neighbor and. a new job.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion for Net Galley and
Joffe Books.

Detective Sara Hirst is starting her first day at the Serious Crimes unit, leaving behind the Met where she once worked, and her family.

On a personal note, Sara wanted to leave London in order to find her father who evidently left and never looked back. Her mother won't talk about it to anyone, and Sara wants to know why he abandoned her as an infant.

Meeting her colleagues on her first day doesn't exactly go the way she thought. The team members already resent her ... another of their team was supposed to get the job that she holds now. She is also Jamaican, meaning that she is brown-skinned .... bias does exist.

Her first case comes when a man's body is discovered in a ditch. There are been a number of farm thefts in the area .... did he see something he shouldn't have?

The biggest surprise is he is retired member of the police .... and Sara thinks this man is her father. If she tells her supervisor, he might pull her from the case. If she admits she took evidence for her own personal use, it could mean the end of her job.

This author's debut novel brings together an intricate plot with deftly drawn characters. I like how Sara's personal life blends with the professional. The ending was unexpected, and it was left open for a possible second book.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books 'n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

DS Sara Hirst has just begun a new job as a black woman in a mostly white environment. From the very start she is met with racism and sexism, even hazing from some at the police station from those who didn't think she deserved the job, so jealousy was also a factor. As Sara starts to work on her first case at the police station, she finds out that racism is behind the murder she is investigating.

The murder took place in a farming community and as things begin to unfold something is certainly not right. As a matter of fact, it is quite tragic. In a different narration, there are two women, one who is being held against her will and is continually being assaulted. Then there is an elderly woman whose land is at stake. Someone wants to buy it and will not take no for an answer.

But there is something more. Sara took that new job in Norwich because previously she found some information about the father she never knew. Her mother would not talk about her father but she found something that could be clues as to who he was.

This story does indeed have a lot going on. How do all these things tie together and to what extent do they affect Sara? This book pulls all these stories together in a way that begs the reader's attention. It was difficult to follow at times but it does all come together.

Under a Violent Skies is a promising debut novel by Judi Daykin. Not sure if this will eventually become part of a series, but if it does, Sara is someone easily able to relate to and it would be nice to see whether or not she manages to thrive in her work environment all while successfully managing difficult cases.

Many thanks to Joffe books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe Books for this review copy.

Detective Sara Hirst has moved to Norfolk Police's Serious Crimes Unit, leaving behind her mother in London. Her mother won't tell Sara the truth about her father. Sara has come to Norfolk to find out why he abandoned her.

This is a interweaving story of farm-owners, police, immigrants, a murder investigation, and our lead character trying to find her father, and how they all merge together.

I enjoyed this book for the most part.

Being set in rural, post-Brexit Britain, I found that there was a lot of jarring language, and other microaggressions towards POC and immigrants. A lot of it however was challenged. There was also a 'typical' small town old police officers having outdated sexist language as well. I found that to be not necessarily needed in the text.

I thought this was a good, strong start to the series, however felt a bit flat with how everything tied together.

Will be keeping a look out for the next in the series.

I have been looking forward to reading this debut by Judi Daykin and I wasn't disappointed.

Sara has moved to Norfolk to take up a new position in Norfolk's Serious Crimes Unit but she has an ulterior motive: to find her father. Her Mother was against the move so Sara is pretty much alone and being coloured means she is even more alone in an area that is largely White-British but she is determined to prove her worth in the new team and also to uncover the mystery of why her father has never been a part of her life.

She walks into her new office to an atmosphere of resentment. Elle applied and was expected to get Sara's job and the fact she was unsuccessful wasn't brought to the team's attention until Sara walked in.

Will Sara be able to hack her new life with so much against her?

This is a complex story with several strands to it which makes for a very gripping read as we learn how a simple mistake sets in motion a series of events that can only end badly. With shocks and revelations around every corner this story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster.

I did feel the characters were very complex and had difficulty getting into their heads but I am sure they will develop brilliantly over the course of the series.

A fantastic read. Thank you to the author and Joffe Books for the advance digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not biased in any way.

Sara Hurst moves to Norfolk UK to work in the serious crime unit. She leaves Lo don and her mother and step father to join a smaller police force. She has a very promising career and is very bright . There are secrets about her biological father that her mother refuses to talk about to Sara. The first case Sara works on turned out to match up with the little information that Sara found in her Mother's home. As she begins to work on this case that involves thieves that are locals and Serbian immigrants, she hears of a murder that is intertwined with these thieves. The violence is prominent to the two women the local thieves brought from Serbia. They brutally abused them physically and raped them. The case becomes intense when Sara realizes the murdered victim turns out to be her father!

Another new author and the start of a new series. DS Sarah Hirst has just joined the Serious Crime Unit. Resented by some of her colleagues. Having to deal with sexism and racism, she has to prove that she deserves her place on this team. A decomposed body is found in a ditch on a local farm. A really good murder mystery and so much more. Plenty of drama, oodles of tension and suspense and I can't wait to read more from this up and coming author. A very happy reader.
Thanks to Joffre Books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

An unusual family interest makes this novel a little different from the normal crime thriller. Based around the Norfolk Broads and fenland farms involving the refugee itinerant workers and their gang masters.
A new start and new job for D S Sara Hirst dropped in from the deep end from the very start and had to put up with comments over her ethnicity.

Atmospheric Norfolk.....
Introducing Detective Sara Hirst. Sara has moved to the Norfolk Police Serious Crimes Unit mostly, it seems, for family related issues. When her very first case turns out to be a decomposing body found on farmland she cannot possibly foresee the personal course that the case is about to take. Enjoyable, well written detective with a likeable and credible protagonist and an atmospheric setting. A promising start to a new series.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Joffe Books for the ARC.

Well, author Judi Daykin - you are definitely on my watchlist! what an astonishing debut crime novel. Extremely well-written, with good characters you get a real feel for - good or bad, and believable dialogue.

Set in Norfolk where newly appointed DS Sara Hirst joins the Serious Crimes Unit, transferring from London, and based at Norfolk's Police Headquarters in Wymondham. From the start though she is resented by: DI Edwards who wanted an internal candidate to be appointed, and DC Ellie James, who thought she would get the job. She has to rise above sexism and racism to prove she can be part of the team. The most serious of crimes the team are investigating are thefts of farm equipment and vehicles, but Sara has her own motives for moving to Norfolk - she wants to find her father - who left her mother when she was a baby - who himself transferred from the Met to Norfolk.
Then a decomposed body is discovered in a ditch at the edge of farmland and the farm thefts are temporarily forgotten, until connections start to be made. Sara starts to make her own connections too, putting her short career in jeopardy.

The author interweaves the poignancy of Sara's background with a fast-paced and twisty murder investigation which takes the reader into the realms of people trafficking, sexual abuse and seasonal farm workers.

Such a well-rounded conclusion. Can't wait to read more from this author.