**Book Review: An Artful Murder by Judi Daykin**

Judi Daykin’s *An Artful Murder* is a captivating mystery that intricately intertwines the world of art with a suspenseful narrative, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue and deception. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant art scene, the story follows amateur sleuth and art enthusiast, Tessa, as she navigates the complexities of both the creative community and a chilling murder investigation.

Daykin’s writing is engaging and atmospheric, effectively capturing the essence of the art world. The vivid descriptions of exhibitions and the nuances of artistic expression draw readers into Tessa’s world, making the art itself feel like a character in the narrative. This immersive quality enhances the mystery, as the story delves into the motivations and rivalries that often accompany artistic ambition.

The plot is cleverly constructed, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing. Tessa’s determination to uncover the truth leads her down unexpected paths, revealing secrets that challenge her perceptions of those around her. Daykin masterfully balances suspense with character development, allowing readers to form a connection with Tessa as she grapples with her own uncertainties while chasing down clues.

Themes of betrayal, ambition, and the pursuit of truth are woven throughout the story, providing depth to the characters and their motivations. The interpersonal dynamics within the art community add a layer of complexity, as friendships are tested and rivalries ignite. Daykin’s keen observations about human nature and the art world create a rich narrative that feels both relevant and thought-provoking.

The pacing is well-balanced, maintaining a steady momentum that propels the story forward without sacrificing character exploration. As the mystery unfolds, readers are treated to a mix of tension and intrigue, making for an exhilarating reading experience.

Overall, *An Artful Murder* is a delightful blend of mystery and art that will appeal to fans of both genres. Judi Daykin has crafted a compelling narrative filled with rich characters and an intricate plot, making this novel a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted whodunit with an artistic flair. It’s a thoughtful exploration of creativity, ambition, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets.

3.5 stars, rounded down. A police detective mystery set on Norfolk, the first half of this was fairly slow for me and it was hard to get into. It was obvious very early on whodunnit, we’re practically led to it in neon lights, so the only thing to figure out is the motive. This didn’t really endear the book to me - but the second half picked up a bit and the ending pulled it all together, so that I’ve increased it from 3 to 3.5 stars on Storygraph. I’d possibly check out other books if this is a series, I think.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay in providing this.

A gripping book that I struggled to put down. Brilliant plot with a host of interesting characters, I will definitely read more by this author.

This is a solid police procedural. It is part of a series and even though i habe not read any of the previous I could still enjoy this as a stand alone.

An entertaining addition to an established series. A recommended purchase for collections where the previous titles are popular.

I won't be rating this story because I never finished it.

Perhaps it was because it's the fourth story in a series and I hadn't read the first three. I had issues connecting with Sara and her co-workers. I knew who the "perp" was early in the story. I enjoy reading police procedurals where there's a fair amount of tension between the main protagonist, the villain and the atmosphere of the storyline. I never felt this.

I will attribute it to 'it's me, not you' and leave other fans to follow this series. Thank you to NetGalley, Judi Daykin and Joffe Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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NetGalley: I only gave this story one star here because I am not allowed to leave the rating blank.

A lady appears to be grieving the loss of her daughter and husband. A body is found in an art sculpture. In the past someone is knocked off their bike. Is there a connection between this. The book is cleaver because it discloses who is committing the “crimes” but the chase and the reason unravels slowly. Really enjoyed this and would recommend.

I really enjoyed this book that was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout. I really enjoyed the charcater develppmemt and the way that the story built up as it went along

The fourth in this series, but the first I have read. I enjoyed it - the main character is well developed, and although I don't know her back story, I didn't feel at a disadvantage nor that those who had read the previous books were being subjected to a long catch up.

The premise is that first a young man is deliberately run over while on a bicycle, and then a young man is found dead in odd circumstances. Sara and her team have to find the connection, while breaking in a new DCI. It makes for a good read, and although we are told part way through who the killer is, we don't know how s/he will be caught.

I shall be looking out for more of this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When life imitates art in this solid police procedural it does so in a truly gruesome way. An Artful Murder is Judi Daykin’s fourth in the Detective Sara Hirst series, but the first I’ve read. Sara and her team -including a new DCI- are called to a spate of murders involving a group of college friends with a secret. Posed to resemble modern art from the local Art Institute, the victims present a puzzle Sara must solve before all the witnesses are dead. It’s been a while since I enjoyed a good detective novel, one of my first reading loves. Hirst has mastered the balance of good policing and good plot twists. I’ll be searching out the previous three novels in this series.

Well-written and exciting book that feels close to reality. The police work is depicted in an unusually realistic way which is not so common in today's detective stories.

A dead body is found stuffed inside the top of a funerary urn with a toy llama balanced on it's head. Fair to say that Sara has never dealt with something this weird. A few days later, another body is found with a toy llama. The two dead girls used to be part of a group of friends at university, the "Fantastic Four". One of the members of the group, Don, quickly becomes a suspect.
This mystery is book 4 of Detective Sara Hirst series, but the first I read. The premise is good, told in dual POV (Sara and the killer), and the characters are good. I will go back and read the first books in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Detective Sara Hirst has moved from London to Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit. The discovery of a body in a funeral urn sets the unit in motion and leads to a group of friends who call themselves the Famous Four. But a new boss threatens the unit's cohesiveness and ability to get work done. Will they be able to solve additional bizarre murders related to a local art gallery and discover the identity of the killer?
I was appalled at the killer's behavior, but I also really liked the murderer as a person. The reason for their actions made sense to me and broke my heart.
Sara undergoes quite a bit of personal drama in this novel. I found myself glad she was able to stand up for herself with courage and confidence.
While this book is the fourth in a series, it can be read alone. I felt like I missed out on important details, though, I would have known if I had read the previous books.
The writing flows well, and the dialogue is engaging. I even felt the characters' emotions as I read, and that's one sign of a good book!
I would read more books in this series for sure!

Who knew murder could be artful! This is a great book and I highly reccimend it to anyone that loves a good mystery thrill!

This was an easy read and is good for anyone who enjoys police procedurals. I wish there were a couple twists along the way but I did enjoy the characters and plot. There aren’t many surprises because you know the killer very early on in the book. I always find those harder to love and this was no different. It’s a good, fun read but it won’t become your next favorite.

An Artful Murder, by Judi Daykin, is a fairly fast paced police suspense novel. While I enjoyed the novel, overall, there were a lot of details, throughout, that felt a bit unnecessary.
Detective Sara Hirst is used to investigating murder but her current case is just plain bizarre. First she finds a dead man who's been pushed inside a funerary urn. Days later, the dead man's girlfriend is discovered and she's positioned on her favorite gothic chair.
The victims were part of a group of four friends who went to University together over a decade ago. Three of them had stayed on to work at that university. Now two of them have been murdered.
While Sara suspects one of the friends, she's also concerned that she's missing something important, both with the case and in her personal life.

🚴Good multiple murder without always remaining mysterious🙂

The detectives are a good team, the murders are unusual in their staging and, unlike most murder mysteries that either keep the murderer's identity a secret until the big climax or reveal the criminal at the start, this one unveils the murderer mid-story, keeping the suspense for seeing whether the police can discover and stop them.

DS Sara Hirst, the female lead, is a character I want to read more about. Her personal life is not going that well, but she's a grounded, strong and smart woman. She knows what she wants and what she's worth, plus she has a diplomatic way with the people she interviews and does a good job of counter balancing her gruffer senior officers. I liked that since I am really not a fan of police leads with serious anxiety problems.

An enjoyable read, though I could have stood less involved descriptions of places that are really not relevant to the crimes.

Thanks to Joffe and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

An Artful Murder is a perfect title for this excellent police procedural. The first victim is a man found in a funeral urn, an art installation in a collector’s private garden. The next body is that of a woman, an exhibition curator. What do they have in common? They both are affiliated with the same University. Oh, and they were both posed in death with toy llamas.

This bizarre case will not be easy to solve. The victims, Joe and Taryn, were members of a foursome self titled the “Famous Four”. The other members, Juniata and Dom, are immediate suspects. But Juniata is a lawyer living in London so suspicion falls on the hot-tempered, jealous Dom. Will an arrest stop the killings?

This series just keeps getting better. The rural Norfolk location is a vibrant setting. Judi Daykin is a master of description: the University of East Anglia and the art gallery are so real you feel like you can walk into them. The plot is character driven. Sara must deal with her private life as she investigates and members of the Serious Crimes Unit grapple with disappointment as they are passed over for promotion. Deft plotting quickly reveals the identity of the murderer but not the reason for the crimes or the link to the not so famous four. I’m looking forward to the next in this compusively readable series. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Judi Daykin for this ARC.

Detective Sara Hirst along with DI Edwards, were called to the site where a body had been found, stuffed into a large urn with the lid on the ground some distance away. The strange murder was made more strange by the sight of a toy llama in the urn with the body. Joe Stephenson was finally identified, and once investigations were well underway, Sara and her colleagues discovered he had been part of a group who'd called themselves the Famous Four, while they were in Uni. Another member of the group, Taryn, was distraught about Joe's death as they'd become more than friends just recently. But when Taryn was also found murdered in another set of strange circumstances, Sara and her team, including their new DCI, Helen Hudson, commandeered more team members to help out.

Hudson seemed on the wrong track and the old team could all see it. Sara continued with the investigation, coming closer to the truth than she realised. It was when she was informed of an accident twelve years prior, that things started falling into place. Now they knew the race was on and if they weren't quick about it, more lives would be lost...

An Artful Murder is the 4th in the DS Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin, and once again I loved it! Fast paced, intense and full on, with characters who work for the truth well together (until the new DCI arrived) Set in the rugged countryside of Norfolk, a place I'd love to visit but never will, I'm looking forward to #5 already! Highly recommended.

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

An artful murder by Judi Daykin.
Detective Sara Hirst has moved from London to the Serious Crimes Unit in beautiful Norfolk.
SARA FACES HER TOUGHEST AND MOST BIZARRE CASE YET.
The first body is found forced inside a huge terracotta urn on the lawn of a country manor in a remote corner of North Norfolk.A few days later, a young woman is found, tied to a golden chair with her throat slashed.At both crime scenes, the killer leaves a bizarre calling card.The victims were part of a group of friends at university back in the day. Two of them are dead. Two are still alive — but for how much longer?
The team’s new DCI, Helen Hudson, is convinced the prime suspect is Dom Wilkins, one of the victims’ old flames.
But Detective Sara thinks she’s missing something obvious. Can she stop a serial killer before they strike again?
Brilliant read. Love this series. Sara is my favourite. Written differently but I liked it. 4*.