About Judi Daykin
Yorkshire born, Judi has lived, worked and made theatre in Norfolk for the last forty years. She completed her MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in 2019, and her debut novel was shortlisted for the Little, Brown UEA writers prize. That novel became Under Violent Skies, which was long-listed for the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger in 2021.
Judi was a working actor with a portfolio career spanning twenty years of theatre, film and television; directing; workshops; audio narration and medical roleplay.
These days she writes full time from her study in a North Norfolk village. She also enjoys crafting, art history, watching horror films and going on cruises, none of which she has much spare time for!
Judi Daykin has a website at judidaykin.co.uk
and can be found on social media:
My review
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!
I enjoyed this book and would be keen to read the others in the series. Thank you to Zoé of Zooloo’s Book Tours, Joffe Books, and Judi Daykin for the opportunity to read and review this novel ahead of publication and to be a part of this book tour. The tour, hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours, runs from 3rd to 9th April, and further details can be found on the Book Tour Schedule.
#JudiDaykin #TheNorfolkTheatreMurders #DetectiveSaraHirst #JoffeBooks #ZooloosBookTours #VirtualBookTour #BookReview
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts of it, may also be shared on my social media channels and various book platforms. Links are accurate at the time of publication.
MoMoBookDiary 