I have really been taken in by Londoner DS Sara Hirst and her escapades in Norfolk. I enjoy the gritty realness of this series of books and this was no exception. I always like to find out how DS hirsute is getting on and this instalment was as pacy and interesting as all of the other books from this author. If you love police procedural you are going to love this one. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for the next book by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"The Norfolk Beach Murders" by Judi Daykin is a compelling addition to the DS Sara Hirst series, offering a deep dive into the stark and stirring landscapes of Norfolk's coast.

Daykin masterfully weaves a complex tapestry of intrigue, where the seemingly tranquil setting belies the dark undercurrents of crime.

The narrative begins with a stormy discovery on the beach, setting the stage for a mystery that is as unpredictable as the North Sea's tides. The protagonist, Detective Sara Hirst, freshly transferred from London's hustle to Norfolk's deceptive serenity, faces a case that challenges her acumen and threatens to engulf her in its murky depths.

Daykin's skillful storytelling is evident in her precise and neatly written prose, which guides the reader through a labyrinth of twists and turns, culminating in a satisfying resolution that illuminates the intricate links between disparate storylines. The characters are crafted with care, each adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.

The book's strength lies in its ability to transport readers to the heart of Norfolk, with its vast skies and watery landscapes serving as a silent witness to the crimes within. It's a tale that resonates with the authenticity of place and the universal themes of loss, justice, and the pursuit of truth.

In "The Norfolk Beach Murders," Judi Daykin has not only penned a gripping crime thriller but also painted a portrait of a community on the edge, where the beauty of nature contrasts sharply with human frailty and malice. It's a must-read for aficionados of the genre, promising to leave an indelible mark with its haunting atmosphere and intricate plotting.

I tried very hard to read and complete this book but after struggling for some time I gave up! It wasn't the exciting story I expected.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to read and review this book

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Not a bad read but a bit melodramatic and unbelievable in places. Maybe I should have read some of the eralier ones for more back story but it didn;t spoil the overall enjoyment.

This book captured my attention in the first few pages…a mystery with interesting twists and characters, really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed this book by Judi Dakin set on the rocky shores of Norfolk , England. I had no idea that this was the fifth in a series of books featuring detective Sara Hirst, which is a credit to the author. The tale stood on it's own and it wasn't necessary to read the books in order. This mystery ties together murder cases on the lonely rocky shores of Norfolk and criminals well known in London. The characters were compelling and the author tied all the pieces together perfectly.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the story here, but I think I missed somethings by not reading the whole series from the beginning. I may go back and do it.

The Norfolk Beach Murders is a part of a series, following the tough cases that Detective Sara Hirst is tasked with solving!
There’s more than one mysterious murder, plenty of intrigue and serious questions that need answers. As the storyline unfolds the twists and turns keep coming, as do the bodies.
The ocean hides the clues, the characters will draw you in and you’ll keep turning the pages to follow along with this strong female lead!
The pace and attention to detail will keep your interest, the character’s emotions are relatable and makes for a more realistic feel to the storyline!
I recommend this suspenseful story to anyone who enjoys a thriller that packs a punch!

Thanks so much to Joffe Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fabulous book which gripped me right the way through. Very dark and creepy as well. Worth more than five stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The Norfolk Beach Murders is the 5th in the Detective Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin and it was brilliant! Set in Norfolk in mid to late December, with a violent storm readying itself to hit, and freezing cold, it was well written, had great characters and had a spectacular plot! Highly recommended. Detective Sara Hirst was called to the discovery of a body on the beach at Winterton-on-Sea, a body that had been battered on the rocks. Discovering his identity was proving to be a problem until they found another body hidden on an abandoned craft which was being tossed around in the stormy weather. Mu and Roger were homeless and had moved back to where she'd lived as a child in Norfolk after a brutal attack in London. Mu witnessed something she wished she hadn't while trying to find shelter. Lisa London was a drug runner and people smuggler boss, with her loyal bodyguard, Striker, and her assistant, Danni, always by her side. The Met in London were after her. As all of the stories converge, the links become very interesting.

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

Wow. What a full on, gripping and thrilling book. I just couldn't put it down.

Detective Sara Hirst starts her new job only to find that her first case is a dark and dangerous murder. But this isn't a story just and only about this murder but also about a young homeless girl. So how does this all tie together? Well I won't give anything away except to say that this is a very thrilling and suspenseful read and the characters make for a complex and compelling story.

Well written with interesting and cleaver twists and turns. It is a book that will grip you and make you want to read more so you can put the whole story together. It makes you think for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A gripping mystery, an original plot, a well rounded and clever women sleut.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I received an advanced reader's copy of this title. This book checked a lot of boxes for me:
1. British
2. Detective
3. Not London or Cotswolds (I still love books set there, but needed a new geographic location)
4. Less-cozy-more-gritty

To my disappointment, it still ended up being a book that got put back on the shelf while I finished others.

I really had to force myself to finish it. Which made me sad. But I really didn't care much for the characters.

I wish I could have rated it higher.

Various strands make up the start of this story. There’s homeless Mu and her old dog Roger who witness a murder on returning to Norfolk from a tragic life in London and are recognised by DS Sara Hirst’s neighbour Gilly as the young girl who fled the village years ago with her mother. There’s Paolo, the Italian chef at the pub who shows kindness to Mu but also seems to be up to something dodgy at night. There’s mafia ice-queen Lisa London (readers of this series will remember her from book two) who races to Norfolk with her PA Danni and bodyguard Striker to find out why her business associate has problems with their facility and the cargo stored in the underground gun emplacement. And then there’s Sara, together with new DCI Hayley Hudson, DI Edwards, DC Mike Bowen and DC Ian Noble and motherly admin Aggie of the Serious Crimes Unit in Norfolk who get to investigate a man’s body washed up amongst the seals on the beach. It’s not long before they have another dead man, an abandoned boat and definitely a case of murder. All set on a collision course with each other, will the detectives make a breakthrough before anyone else is hurt?
This is a gripping read from start to finish, dealing with drug running, people trafficking and also the plight of the homeless in addition to the murder investigation, and there are vivid descriptions of the landscape and coastline where events take place. It was lovely to see Aggie and Mike now engaged and Sara happily making a home for herself in Happisburgh in her father’s old cottage after splitting with her boyfriend in the previous book. Well written, the clever and twisty plot is expertly laid out as all the threads at the start slowly come together to keep the reader guessing along the way to a most satisfying ending. The whole team of detectives are very likable, my favourite still being Aggie, and I hope to be reading more about them soon.

A different slant on the normal murder story, two events interwoven very cleverly until until we get the full picture at the end when things become quite dramatic. A happy ending for some, other questions left in mud air.
An enjoyable read which certainly makes you think about issues from several angles. As Norfolk seems to have it's fair share of murders it also has the efficient police force to deal with it.

An enjoyable mystery.

The main characters Mu (homeless) and her dog Roger. They witness a murder.
Later on we see how the murders fit in along with detective Sara Hirst who has moved to her father’s cottage in a coastal village.

I have to agree that the writing was very well written however it was told from several points of view.
It was a great mystery and crime thriller however for me there was a lot of characters especially with the multiple points of view for my rating.

I do recommend this novel if you are seeking a murder mystery.

The Norfolk Beach Murders was a good read. It is two stories in one. Detective Sara Hirst is the main character. The first story is about a young girl named Mu who has lived on the streets and her dog Roger. She is going to her old home in the town of Happisburgh. The second story is about a woman named Lisa London who is part of the di Maletesh familyl who is mafia. So much happens in this story that it is hard to put on paper. I will leave it to the reader to enjoy. It does build up to an exciting ending.

I enjoyed reading this story. I would like to read some of the other books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC.

This is the fifth book in a series. I haven't read any of the previous books but this was easy to get into, although there are slight references to ongoing relationships they are very general and I wouldn't say you needed to read any of the other books to enjoy this one.

It's nearly Christmas, a young homeless girl and her dog witness an altercation between two men late at night which ends in one man falling off a cliff edge.

As DS Sara HIrst and her colleagues are winding down for the Christmas break a seal watcher reports a body on the beach. The body is so badly damaged that they can't tell if it was murder or accident that led to him being in the water. Just when it appears that the body could be that of a man reported washed overboard, there is a report of a boat washed ashore with blood stains on the hull and a yacht adrift in the sea.

Meanwhile, Danni, PA to London Italian crime boss Lisa London is concerned about her boss' recent behaviour and an upcoming meeting with one of her business partners. When she spots a police tail the group hightail to Norfolk to inspect their mutual business venture.

As the book progresses these three disparate threads start to weave together against the backdrop of one of the worst storms on record which batters the Norfolk coast.

I really enjoyed this, I would say it fits midway (writing-wise rather than geographically) between Rachel McLean and Marion Todd and I would recommend to fans of either author.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Very enjoyable story. The setting was recognisably Norfolk, not just place names pasted onto cookie cutter locations. The story was nicely complex, lots of different strands that plaited together into a coherent whole.
I enjoyed this book enough to want to get hold of the earlier books in the series and find out more about these interesting characters.