This is an excellent crime novel, and an enjoyable read. There are many characters however, and sometimes it’s hard to keep track of them all. There are all the members of the murder investigation unit, where surnames/ police ranks are mostly used, to add to the confusion. Then there are all the many players in the theatre team,
- staff, volunteers, the Board, the amateur actors. Later we get to the homeless encampment, inhabitants, and associated social workers….
It is a very convoluted story of murder and subterfuge, but we’ll put together and the narrative keeps up a good pace. It is suspenseful at times, as we know that an abduction has occurred, but will the victim be found in time?
Altogether a gripping story and investigation by the MIT led by. Detective Sarah Hirst, fresh from a highly successful career in the MET in London. There are frequent detailed descriptions of the network of ancient streets and alleyways that abound in the centre of Norwich., not to mention the very quirky medieval buildings with hidden rooms.
I have not read any of this author’s work before this, but I will look out for her name, in any subsequent novels she writes.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

The Norfolk Theatre Murders by Judi Daykin is a delightful crime thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set against the backdrop of a local theater in Norwich, the novel brings to life a complex mystery that combines the world of amateur dramatics with a chilling murder.

This is the first book I’ve read in the Detective Sara Hirst series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is well-written, with vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in the setting and make you feel as if you’re right there in the action. From the chaotic scene inside Mr. and Mrs. Morgan’s townhouse to the eerie, suspense-filled moments in the Rosegarden Theatre, Daykin does an excellent job of setting the atmosphere and building tension.

The plot itself is intriguing, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The character of James Morgan, an elderly man suffering from dementia, is particularly poignant. His sense of fear and urgency, along with the mystery surrounding his wife’s disappearance, adds depth to the story. Meanwhile, Detective Sara Hirst is a strong, intelligent protagonist, and I appreciated how her skepticism slowly gave way to determination as she unraveled the mystery.

Although this is Book 7 in the series, I was able to jump right into the story without any confusion. There was no overwhelming sense of continuity that required knowledge of previous books, making it easy to read as a standalone novel. However, I now find myself intrigued by the earlier books in the series, and I’m eager to catch up on Sara’s previous cases.

Overall, The Norfolk Theatre Murders offers a fantastic blend of suspense, intriguing characters, and a compelling mystery. Fans of crime thrillers will certainly enjoy it, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun yet gripping read. I’m excited to explore more of Detective Sara Hirst’s adventures!

What do you call a group of monks? If you live in this fictional version of Norwich you'd probably borrow from their feathered lookalikes (crows) and go for a murder of monks.
A ghostly figure shrouded in a monk’s habit appears in the Rosegarden Theatre late one evening and terrifies actress Carole who is locking up.
The alarm is raised next morning when the carer of Carole's husband finds the sick man home alone in a ransacked room. The confused husband, agitated by Carole's unexplained absence, claims to have been visited by a monk.
Finding CCTV footage of a monk on city cameras should be easy enough, but it's Halloween so police contend with costumed figures round every corner. The nightly ghost walks for tourists are led by an actor dressed as a monk. It's also the garb of choice for a local drug dealer, and, to add to the mix, a homeless man has taken to wearing a monk outfit he found in a bin.
The author creates a good sense of place with detailed descriptions of the theatre and of Norwich city centre.
Although mostly on the lighter end of the police procedural genre in tone and writing style, there is some on-page violence in the second half.
As well as seeing the investigation from lead character DS Sara Hurst's perspective, we read chapters from the theatre’s stage manager Ben and from social worker Nafisa, who is helping a nearby homeless community. The use of the three viewpoints builds suspense nicely.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

Upon publication, I will post this review on my blog and GoodReads.

There are evil deeds afoot at the Rosegarden theatre in Norfolk. The historic building supposedly has a ghostly monk. But whoever is causing chaos and committing murder is all too flesh and blood. It seems impossible that someone would murder Carol who is well liked and is caring for her husband who suffers from dementia. Naturally all those involved in the theatre come under suspicion as do the homeless people encamped in a cemetery adjacent to the theatre.

There is a very moving secondary story that involves a social worker trying to help a homeless veteran who is suffering from PTSD. They become ensnared in the search for the killer who will not stop wreaking his revenge on those whom he thinks have ruined his life. The characters are fascinating and the reader gets swept along by the story. The protagonist, Sarah, manages to cobble the pieces together to reveal the villain but she makes mistakes that could cost her dearly. It all adds up to an exciting denouement.

The story moves along at a brisk pace and kept me engaged from beginning to end. Five purrs and two paws up.

When Ben Marsden was locking up the Rosegarden Theatre after all the actors and staff had left, he discovered the body of Carole Morgan, the woman who'd locked up the night before and hadn't been seen since. Her ailing husband had been home alone, and when DS Sara Hirst arrived to talk to him, she found the house in a shambles. Her brutal murder was quickly followed by another, and the only thing witnesses commented on was the monk's costume the suspect had been wearing. It was Halloween - was it a prankster and not the one they sought?

With a homeless camp opposite the theatre, and a worker who did her best to help those in need also nearby, it wasn't long before they were involved. The killer was escalating and Sara was frustrated. They needed to find him; they were sure they knew who it was, but he was proving elusive...

The Norfolk Theatre Murders is the 7th in the DS Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin and once again, I loved it. Fast paced, tense and gritty, it kept me flying through the pages to reach the conclusion. I've been here with Ms Daykin from the beginning, and hope she doesn't intend stopping any time soon! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Joffe Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

Exploring different points of view and questioning how much people know are key to the enjoyment of this mystery. I found the uncertainty around what the husband knew to be real or induced by his medical condition a really interesting red herring. Fans of Joy Ellis will enjoy this author’s work as she shares the ability to bring depth and life to the context and characters.

A totally gripping crime thriller set in the historic centre of Norwich. The story starts off with three strands running in parallel with expectations that they will collide. The first team to be introduced is the cities social workers and in particular Nafisa and Zach, a homeless former corporal invalided out of the army, who she is trying to help. Next is the Rosegarden theatre staff and Ben the stage manager and finally Detective Sergeant Sara Hirst and her police colleagues.

Although this is seventh in the DS Sara Hirst series it does not drawn on previous books and can be read in isolation with no spoilers for the earlier books either. The historic details of the theatre and the city provide an excellent setting for a plot that has plenty of action and suspense. The main characters are well developed and the dialogue is well paced.

It is always a pleasure to find a new detective series to dive into. I would rate this 4.5 stars. This is my first in the series but definitely not my last with Sara Hirst.

Amateur actress Carole Morgan is found dead in the Rosegarden Theatre hidden in the priest’s crypt under the stage. Her husband suffers from dementia and no one believes his story that a monk came to the house to search the house and tell him Carole is gone. Detective Sara Hirst and her team are called to investigate. Her ex boyfriend Chris is also one of the actors.

It is a well written and satisfying mystery and I thank Netgalley and Joffre books for a chance to read and review the ARC introducing me to this exciting series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Judi Daykin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Norfolk Theatre Murders coming out April 3, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I definitely need to go back and read the other books in the series. I really love murder mysteries. I’ve read a ton of books about theater murders. I really enjoyed the genre. I think this one was really fun. I love the setting. The characters were good. I think it was awesome that she was an actual detective. I would definitely check out more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

#thenorfolktheatremurders is the 7th in the Sara Hirst series by @judidaykinauthor, and it's terrific. I really enjoy these procedurals starring the Serious Crimes Unit - the multiple POVs, the red herrings, the suspense, etc. I also appreciate that you can start anywhere in the series and not be lost. This time, Sara and her compadres are after a brutal and sadistic killer who leads them on a good chase through the underground of Norwich. I was fascinated by the detailed descriptions of the Rosegarden Theatre and its environs, esp. the "grave trap." It's clear Ms. Daykin has done extensive research. Highly recommend.

P.S. thanks to #netgalley and @joffebooks for the ARC.

Release: April 3, 2025
-Judi Daykin
Publisher: Joffe books

Rating: 3.75 ★ 

The Norfolk Theatre Murders is the seventh installment in Judi Daykin’s DS Sara Hirst series. The narrative begins with Carole Morgan, a volunteer at a local theater, who is mysteriously murdered after closing up one evening. Her disappearance is reported by her husband’s caretaker, leading DS Sara Hirst to investigate. Carole’s body is subsequently discovered beneath the theater stage, escalating the case from a missing person to a homicide.

Daykin crafts a compelling crime thriller that intricately weaves multiple perspectives, adding depth to the storyline. The plot is rich with suspense and challenges readers to piece together the mystery alongside the detectives. The climax is particularly intense, keeping readers on edge about the protagonist’s fate. Fans of character-driven mysteries will appreciate the well-developed cast and the intricate plot twists. This novel is a commendable addition to the DS Sara Hirst series and is highly recommended for those seeking an engaging and thrilling read.

Favorite Quote:
"there's no such thing as a perfect crime, just a crime waiting to be uncovered."

This book was amazing. There was so much going on and trying to figure out who did it was definitely challenging. I love how it all turned out. This was a great mystery. This book was written so well. There were different perspectives because the story is told through multiple people. The ending was so scary I was very worried for the detective, the outcome of it however was great. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good mystery.

This is the seventh book in the DS Sara Hirst and the first one that I have read. There was enough information in the story that this could be read as a standalone. This was a well-written crime thriller that had plenty of action and suspense to keep you interested in the plot. The main characters were well developed as well as the storyline. This book opens with Carole Morgan closing the theater that she volunteers in. When she hears somebody whisper something and the next thing you know is that she is grabbed and killed. The next day the caretaker for Carole’s husband reports Carole missing and that is when DS Sars Hirst is assigned to Carole Morgan’s case. Eventually Carole’s body is found under the stage and that is when a missing person's case becomes a murder case. Can Sara solve who murdered Carole and what is happening at the theater? Pick up and enjoy a great thriller. Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought it quite a compassionate read dealing with issues such as addiction, homelessness and dementia, plus the bonus of a murder mystery puzzle to solve. There are humourous mements. Gripping and absorbing, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I loved this gripping thriller with so many twists

It had suspense, murder mystery, arson and a bit of romance which kept my interest and glued to book great characters which were likeable set in Norfolk. Totally enjoyable read

Highly recommended to others

Thank you to Netgalley

When Carole Morgan is found murdered and her house is torn completely apart, members of the Rosegarden Theater knows something is wrong. Stage Manager James struggles to keep things under control while dealing with the antics of the cast and crew while the police continually investigate. Things are further complicated by the unhoused group that has camped out nextdoor. Regardless, this case will get solved one way or another.

As a theater lover, this book was right up my alley. Some of the action did feel a little repetitive and likely could have been cut. That aside, the story was well written with enjoyable characters making this a good read especially for those who love the arts or a good mystery. 3.5 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

DS Sara Hirst book seven.
Crime thriller set in Norfolk.
An unlocked house, the Morgans, when the carer arrives the house has been turned upside down, finding the confused husband James in the rose garden old church, his wife Carole is missing, all James is saying the monk has trashed the house.
A very unsettling case for Sara and the team.
With the subject of dementia that is very close to me this book will touch a lot of readers.
To find out who and why as the story unfolds this is the best i have read in the series.
Absolutely gripped and held me down up to the ending.
Loved it.

I was hoping that this book was more in style with a cozy mystery, but it had too many dark moments, and I found myself skimming through.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
Even though this is part of a series (a good one) it can be read as a standalone.
DS Sara Hirst is involved in the case of 2 murders committed in a regional theatre during Halloween festivities, where a secretive monk is roaming around.
It's a good police procedural with some tense, creepy moments and a decent ending, but overall I thought it wasn't as good as the previous books in the series.