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DS Sara Hirst #6
The Wild Thyme Farm Murders
Detective Sara Hirst is at a crossroads. Can she take the heat or is she about to burn out?
It’s the hottest summer on record. Norfolk is parched.
One steaming night an old thatched barn at Wild Thyme Farm is torched. The battle to put out the blaze rages.
Detective Sara is on the scene when there’s a horrifying discovery: there’s a body in the embers.
Sara and her team have been investigating a series of fires breaking out all over the county — but this is the first body.
Accident or murder?
Suspicion soon falls on struggling farm owner Jean Simpson and her daughter, Faye. Mother and daughter had a searing row the day before the barn went up – and now Faye’s husband is missing.
At the same time Sara’s personal and professional life are reaching boiling point. Her boss wants her to go for promotion. Her boyfriend wants to settle down.
Can Sara solve this case and keep everyone happy — or will it all go up in smoke?
It’s the hottest summer on record. Norfolk is parched.
One steaming night an old thatched barn at Wild Thyme Farm is torched. The battle to put out the blaze rages.
Detective Sara is on the scene when there’s a horrifying discovery: there’s a body in the embers.
Sara and her team have been investigating a series of fires breaking out all over the county — but this is the first body.
Accident or murder?
Suspicion soon falls on struggling farm owner Jean Simpson and her daughter, Faye. Mother and daughter had a searing row the day before the barn went up – and now Faye’s husband is missing.
At the same time Sara’s personal and professional life are reaching boiling point. Her boss wants her to go for promotion. Her boyfriend wants to settle down.
Can Sara solve this case and keep everyone happy — or will it all go up in smoke?
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2024
389 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Judi Daykin
13 books60 followersYorkshire 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), and her debut novel was shortlisted for the Little, Brown UEA writer's prize in 2019.
'I love the beautiful, vast skies and watery landscapes of Norfolk. Our home in a village on the north coast can feel wonderfully remote, even though the nearest town is only a few miles away. I can't imagine living anywhere better than this.'
Judi is also a working actor, and has been known to twiddle the knobs on the sound desk for the variety shows at Cromer Pier. She runs her own theatre company, Broad Horizons, specialising in commissioning new plays recovering and retelling women's stories.
'I love the beautiful, vast skies and watery landscapes of Norfolk. Our home in a village on the north coast can feel wonderfully remote, even though the nearest town is only a few miles away. I can't imagine living anywhere better than this.'
Judi is also a working actor, and has been known to twiddle the knobs on the sound desk for the variety shows at Cromer Pier. She runs her own theatre company, Broad Horizons, specialising in commissioning new plays recovering and retelling women's stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 3, 2024
DS Sara Hirst wasn't the only one feeling the heat. The summer was relentless with its ability to make everyone sluggish. To top it off, there were fires starting during the night, with the fire brigade rushing to each one - a barn, a shed, a thatched roof building - and the police invariably following as they proved to be deliberate. But it was when the barn burnt down during one hot night at Thyme Farm that the seriousness of the situation heightened. The body was so badly damaged it took some time to identify it.
Jean, her daughter Faye and Faye's husband Darren, ran Thyme Farm, selling herbs among other things to the willing public. The two women in the cafe kept the cool drinks - and the cups of tea - up to the visitors, while Jean kept her medical condition to herself. But things were looking dire. And at the building site where young Kyle worked as an apprentice, under the calming eye of Eric, the fire stopped their work in its tracks. What was going on? Who was lighting the fires? And why - with the oppressive heat, there couldn't have been a worse time...
The Wild Thyme Farm Murder is the 6th in the DS Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin and I devoured it. Each book to date has been excellent, and this one is another exceptional read. I enjoy Hirst's character as she's settling into her new workplace, after working with the Met in London. She has some good strong characters to back her up, though there are a couple of dodgy ones! I can't wait for #7 and recommend this one - and the series - highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Joffe Books for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Jean, her daughter Faye and Faye's husband Darren, ran Thyme Farm, selling herbs among other things to the willing public. The two women in the cafe kept the cool drinks - and the cups of tea - up to the visitors, while Jean kept her medical condition to herself. But things were looking dire. And at the building site where young Kyle worked as an apprentice, under the calming eye of Eric, the fire stopped their work in its tracks. What was going on? Who was lighting the fires? And why - with the oppressive heat, there couldn't have been a worse time...
The Wild Thyme Farm Murder is the 6th in the DS Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin and I devoured it. Each book to date has been excellent, and this one is another exceptional read. I enjoy Hirst's character as she's settling into her new workplace, after working with the Met in London. She has some good strong characters to back her up, though there are a couple of dodgy ones! I can't wait for #7 and recommend this one - and the series - highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Joffe Books for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2024
This book is very enjoyable with plenty of twists and a well written storyline with strong characters.
Although this is book six in the Sarah Hurst series, I feel it could be read as a standalone.
Although Sarah is going through personal problems and being pushed by her boss to take her inspector exams.
She puts her personal problems to one side as she, along with her team, is determined to find out who is responsible.
Are the fires wild ones caused by the hot weather, or are they been lit deliberately, therefore arson.
This does keep you guessing as you read and has plenty of suspects.
My thanks to Joffe books.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
Although this is book six in the Sarah Hurst series, I feel it could be read as a standalone.
Although Sarah is going through personal problems and being pushed by her boss to take her inspector exams.
She puts her personal problems to one side as she, along with her team, is determined to find out who is responsible.
Are the fires wild ones caused by the hot weather, or are they been lit deliberately, therefore arson.
This does keep you guessing as you read and has plenty of suspects.
My thanks to Joffe books.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
March 23, 2024
As I have only read a couple of Judi’s books before, I was a tad behind with the characters, but it didn’t spoil the book as I soon got acquainted with them.
This was a different sort of crime, and a most enjoyable book, the ending had a good twist to it. I did feel for the characters, as with a lot of rural areas, there’s not a lot of employment available and locals just have to do what they can to survive. Therefore when people were having their barns and fields set alight, it was really soul destroying.
As the story progresses you get more insight into the characters and what their lives are like. I expect Norfolk had never seen so many fires and the police were struggling to find the culprits. Poor Jean and her horrible daughter tried to keep their business afloat with Wild Thyme Herbs but it was a struggle.
I have to say it made a pleasant change from some of the gruesome murders I usually read.
My thanks to Judi and Joffe Books for the ARC.
This was a different sort of crime, and a most enjoyable book, the ending had a good twist to it. I did feel for the characters, as with a lot of rural areas, there’s not a lot of employment available and locals just have to do what they can to survive. Therefore when people were having their barns and fields set alight, it was really soul destroying.
As the story progresses you get more insight into the characters and what their lives are like. I expect Norfolk had never seen so many fires and the police were struggling to find the culprits. Poor Jean and her horrible daughter tried to keep their business afloat with Wild Thyme Herbs but it was a struggle.
I have to say it made a pleasant change from some of the gruesome murders I usually read.
My thanks to Judi and Joffe Books for the ARC.
March 19, 2024
Sara Hirst book six.
Norfolk Constabulary Wymondham H.Q.
It has become a wild very hot summer with a series of wildfires and Holkham beach os badly effected with the heat, the mad cat lady Sara is finished her shift and on her way home to Happisburgh.
She is still dating Dante Adebayo but their relationship isn't anything more to her than the odd date, its not as exciting no more.
As we join all the crew in this book, that I so enjoy reading, like joining friends again,
It's a mindblower, every chapter has a slap bang feeling to make your heart skip.
I love this series and this book left me with a can't wait for next one this is all to do with the ending, that is all I am saying.
Perfectly planned out from the author. loved it.
Norfolk Constabulary Wymondham H.Q.
It has become a wild very hot summer with a series of wildfires and Holkham beach os badly effected with the heat, the mad cat lady Sara is finished her shift and on her way home to Happisburgh.
She is still dating Dante Adebayo but their relationship isn't anything more to her than the odd date, its not as exciting no more.
As we join all the crew in this book, that I so enjoy reading, like joining friends again,
It's a mindblower, every chapter has a slap bang feeling to make your heart skip.
I love this series and this book left me with a can't wait for next one this is all to do with the ending, that is all I am saying.
Perfectly planned out from the author. loved it.
March 24, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC copy of this book.
Review-
This was my first read of any story written by Judi Daykin; and is to be the sixth of the DS Sara Hirst series. When starting out the book I was nervous because I hadn’t read any of the other Sara Hirst books; and was concerned that I would miss character details about her. Fortunately this is a standalone book which I was pleased to not be in the dark about her past.
I connected to the characters rather quickly which is pleasant. However the story did start out kind of slow for my liking. It did pick up about halfway through. I continued thinking about the story even when I wasn’t able to read it.
There were a couple twists that I didn’t see coming which is my option is always good. The end felt like everything was wrapped up neatly.
Overall it was an enjoyable read that kept me entertained
Review-
This was my first read of any story written by Judi Daykin; and is to be the sixth of the DS Sara Hirst series. When starting out the book I was nervous because I hadn’t read any of the other Sara Hirst books; and was concerned that I would miss character details about her. Fortunately this is a standalone book which I was pleased to not be in the dark about her past.
I connected to the characters rather quickly which is pleasant. However the story did start out kind of slow for my liking. It did pick up about halfway through. I continued thinking about the story even when I wasn’t able to read it.
There were a couple twists that I didn’t see coming which is my option is always good. The end felt like everything was wrapped up neatly.
Overall it was an enjoyable read that kept me entertained
March 24, 2024
An interesting and enjoyable murder mystery set in Norfolk. I liked the vivid descriptions of the hot weather which leads to suspicious wild fires. Lots of twists, turns and family dynamics.
April 23, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
It's the hottest summer on record in Norfolk and Detective Sara Hirst is trying her best to put out the fire, literally. Someone is starting fires all over the place and at the last one, a body is found and the hunt is on for the perpetrator(s).
It's a good read, but nothing special. I preferred her previous books and hopefully the next one will be back on track. Sorry!
It's the hottest summer on record in Norfolk and Detective Sara Hirst is trying her best to put out the fire, literally. Someone is starting fires all over the place and at the last one, a body is found and the hunt is on for the perpetrator(s).
It's a good read, but nothing special. I preferred her previous books and hopefully the next one will be back on track. Sorry!
April 11, 2024
Set in the middle of a searing heatwave, DS Sara Hirst and her colleagues, DCI Hayley Hudson, DI Edwards, DC Mike Bowen and DC Ian Noble and motherly admin Aggie, at the Serious Crimes Unit in Norfolk haven’t had a major case for a while. In the meantime they are studying the spate of wildfires that have occurred in the area. Whilst some are natural and some caused by human carelessness, some are definitely deliberate and appear to have been targeted on one farm in particular, Belaugh Manor Farm, spreading to two nearby businesses, the fruit farming glasshouses of Howards UK and the family run Wild Thyme Herb Farm. There’s very little by way of clues except two reports of a moped leaving the scene and tensions in two of the families who work the farms. Then an old pub being converted into social housing goes up in flames and another moped is heard. The following night a fire destroys a barn at the herb farm, this time claiming a life. Whilst the detectives wait to establish the victim’s identity, they focus on a likely looking suspect with a good motive but are they on the right track to catch the arsonist before everything goes up in flames?
This is an engrossing and exciting read from start to finish, dealing with feuding dysfunctional families and a firestarter in addition to the murder investigation, and the reader can positively feel the heat beating down from a relentless sun. It was lovely to see Aggie and Mike now married and Sara happily making a home for herself in Happisburgh in her father’s old cottage although having her doubts about her relationship with Dante and the prospect of taking her inspector’s exams and probably having to leave the area she has come to love. Well written, it features a clever and twisty plot with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing who the culprit was. The whole team of detectives are very likable, my favourites throughout this great series being Aggie and Mike, and I hope to be reading more about them soon.
This is an engrossing and exciting read from start to finish, dealing with feuding dysfunctional families and a firestarter in addition to the murder investigation, and the reader can positively feel the heat beating down from a relentless sun. It was lovely to see Aggie and Mike now married and Sara happily making a home for herself in Happisburgh in her father’s old cottage although having her doubts about her relationship with Dante and the prospect of taking her inspector’s exams and probably having to leave the area she has come to love. Well written, it features a clever and twisty plot with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing who the culprit was. The whole team of detectives are very likable, my favourites throughout this great series being Aggie and Mike, and I hope to be reading more about them soon.
March 27, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Wild Thyme Farm Murder, the sixth novel to feature DS Sara Hirst of Norfolk Police.
A series of fires amid the hottest summer on record have caught the team’s eye. They are trying to work out which ones are accidents and which ones may be deliberate when a body is found in a burnt out barn at Wild Thyme Farm.
I enjoyed The Wild Thyme Farm Murder, which is a relatively straightforward police procedural that centres around arson and murder. It doesn’t have many twists, preferring to follow the investigation as it narrows in on a suspect. The novel is mostly told from Sara’s point of view, while giving time to other involved characters, notably Jean Simpson, the farm’s owner, and Claudia Turner, who has links to many of the characters.
The plot is quite slow to get started as it takes its time introducing the characters and setting the scene, even body identification takes a few days. It ramps up slightly in the second half when the reveals come and the big picture emerges, but it’s still a low key narrative. The one exception may be the fraught relationship between Jean Simpson and her daughter, Faye, which is full of misunderstandings from start to finish and neither of them come out of it well, although Faye is the one with the big surprise at the end in a kind of ironic twist. Claudia, on the other hand, is a helper, doing her best to support those that need it. She’s much more likeable.
The Wild Thyme Farm Murder is a good read that I can recommend.
A series of fires amid the hottest summer on record have caught the team’s eye. They are trying to work out which ones are accidents and which ones may be deliberate when a body is found in a burnt out barn at Wild Thyme Farm.
I enjoyed The Wild Thyme Farm Murder, which is a relatively straightforward police procedural that centres around arson and murder. It doesn’t have many twists, preferring to follow the investigation as it narrows in on a suspect. The novel is mostly told from Sara’s point of view, while giving time to other involved characters, notably Jean Simpson, the farm’s owner, and Claudia Turner, who has links to many of the characters.
The plot is quite slow to get started as it takes its time introducing the characters and setting the scene, even body identification takes a few days. It ramps up slightly in the second half when the reveals come and the big picture emerges, but it’s still a low key narrative. The one exception may be the fraught relationship between Jean Simpson and her daughter, Faye, which is full of misunderstandings from start to finish and neither of them come out of it well, although Faye is the one with the big surprise at the end in a kind of ironic twist. Claudia, on the other hand, is a helper, doing her best to support those that need it. She’s much more likeable.
The Wild Thyme Farm Murder is a good read that I can recommend.
April 4, 2024
Another addition to the Detective Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin. The books do work as stand alone but I am sure you will want to read the whole series to learn about the characters. I love this series and this book is a brilliant read.
Sara and her team are investigating a series of fires in the area. It is the hottest summer on record and wildfires are a big risk but these fires are arson and risk spreading out of control. So Sara and her team are working hard to find the culprit. Then everything changes. A big fire at Wild Thyme Farm takes all the local resources to put out and when the fire investigators can get inside the building they find a body. So badly burned identification is going to be difficult. Now they are investigating murder as well as arson.
The characters continue to develop and I like how their personal lives are seamlessly made part of the story. I love how the team is built of totally different personalities that all bring something to the story.
A very enjoyable read that has a lot going on all the way through. Dysfunctional families play a large part in this book for different reasons and makes the whole story interesting. Loads of suspense and intrigue as the investigation progresses and Sara realises that there is a tangled web of lies and revenge that needs to be untangled to access the truth.
A brilliant read that I recommend to anyone who likes crime fiction.
Sara and her team are investigating a series of fires in the area. It is the hottest summer on record and wildfires are a big risk but these fires are arson and risk spreading out of control. So Sara and her team are working hard to find the culprit. Then everything changes. A big fire at Wild Thyme Farm takes all the local resources to put out and when the fire investigators can get inside the building they find a body. So badly burned identification is going to be difficult. Now they are investigating murder as well as arson.
The characters continue to develop and I like how their personal lives are seamlessly made part of the story. I love how the team is built of totally different personalities that all bring something to the story.
A very enjoyable read that has a lot going on all the way through. Dysfunctional families play a large part in this book for different reasons and makes the whole story interesting. Loads of suspense and intrigue as the investigation progresses and Sara realises that there is a tangled web of lies and revenge that needs to be untangled to access the truth.
A brilliant read that I recommend to anyone who likes crime fiction.
April 7, 2024
I read the previous of Judi's books in this series, so was keen to see what Sara Hirst and her team had been up to.
This time the crime is unusual in that its arson rather than murder.
A series of fires have been breaking out across Norfolk. It's hard to tell whether it's the suffocating heat, or if someone is doing it deliberately.
The various farms around the area decide to club together to try and report new fires and act quicker to keep damage to a minimum.
The descriptions of the heat and the farms was superb and really put you within the pages. I remember those types of summer days when it feels like you'll never be cool again and pray for rain.
Sara and her team question all the owners and discover there's a lot of tension around the area, and many dysfunctional families. These add a real extra layer to the story and I enjoyed the tension and uncovering of lies.
The construction company was a great addiction too. They become involved by way of Kyle, and when their buildings gets set alight. However they show themselves to be very loyal and generous and I loved that. I'm sure many get a bad rep.
I was really hooked on this very quickly. I couldn't wait to get back to it and find out what happened next. Already looking forward to book 7.
This time the crime is unusual in that its arson rather than murder.
A series of fires have been breaking out across Norfolk. It's hard to tell whether it's the suffocating heat, or if someone is doing it deliberately.
The various farms around the area decide to club together to try and report new fires and act quicker to keep damage to a minimum.
The descriptions of the heat and the farms was superb and really put you within the pages. I remember those types of summer days when it feels like you'll never be cool again and pray for rain.
Sara and her team question all the owners and discover there's a lot of tension around the area, and many dysfunctional families. These add a real extra layer to the story and I enjoyed the tension and uncovering of lies.
The construction company was a great addiction too. They become involved by way of Kyle, and when their buildings gets set alight. However they show themselves to be very loyal and generous and I loved that. I'm sure many get a bad rep.
I was really hooked on this very quickly. I couldn't wait to get back to it and find out what happened next. Already looking forward to book 7.
March 25, 2024
Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the eARC of this book
This is the sixth in the DS Sara Hirst series and the best. It's been a long hot and dry summer in Norfolk. Everyone's on edge and it's been made worse as fires keep breaking out. Some are naturally caused, some are accidents, and more worryingly, some are arson. Sara and her colleagues work for the Serious Crime Unit and have been tasked with investigating a string of arson attacks near a small community. Initially it's property damage until the barn fire at Wild Thyme Farm reveals a body.
Normally I'm not a fan of books where the narration jumps from person to person, but in this case the transition is so seamless I barely noticed that was happening. I could really feel the uncertainty and despair as livelihoods are threatened, and eventually the guilty exposed. In my opininion this is Judi Daykin's best book yet. I am so looking forward to the next. 5 stars.
This is the sixth in the DS Sara Hirst series and the best. It's been a long hot and dry summer in Norfolk. Everyone's on edge and it's been made worse as fires keep breaking out. Some are naturally caused, some are accidents, and more worryingly, some are arson. Sara and her colleagues work for the Serious Crime Unit and have been tasked with investigating a string of arson attacks near a small community. Initially it's property damage until the barn fire at Wild Thyme Farm reveals a body.
Normally I'm not a fan of books where the narration jumps from person to person, but in this case the transition is so seamless I barely noticed that was happening. I could really feel the uncertainty and despair as livelihoods are threatened, and eventually the guilty exposed. In my opininion this is Judi Daykin's best book yet. I am so looking forward to the next. 5 stars.
March 22, 2024
This is another enjoyable read in the series. I like the rural vibes. It gives a more relaxed feel to things despite the crimes that occur in each book.
This was a slow burn for me, but full of intrigue as the team try to get to grips with whomever is setting fires throughout the countryside. It culminates in the death of a man and the escalation of this brings to light that there are many people around with various secrets they are trying to keep contained. Sara has other issues with her relationship with Dante coming to the fore.
I enjoyed the methodical way Sara and the team unravel each thread and how the various stories got resolved. Look forward to the next one to see how things go for Sara on the personal front.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
This was a slow burn for me, but full of intrigue as the team try to get to grips with whomever is setting fires throughout the countryside. It culminates in the death of a man and the escalation of this brings to light that there are many people around with various secrets they are trying to keep contained. Sara has other issues with her relationship with Dante coming to the fore.
I enjoyed the methodical way Sara and the team unravel each thread and how the various stories got resolved. Look forward to the next one to see how things go for Sara on the personal front.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
April 7, 2024
The DS Sara Hirst books started me reading my way round Britain with various detectives and their authors, and it's been great to catch up again with Sara and team. Although I had several ideas of who and how might be the cause of the fires they're investigating, constant little plot turns and wrinkles kept me guessing until very near the end - always a good sign of excellent mystery writing. Added to the detailed procedural information woven in and often driving (rather than dragging) the story progress, a great sense of locale and scenery, not to mention the realistic characters and behaviours, this has been an enjoyable and satisfying Sunday read. Thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy via Netgalley.
March 14, 2024
3.5 stars 🌟
This was a classic "who dun it" tale. A fun small town setting filled with gossip and family drama.
This story follows a detective force investigating a string of suspicious fires. It seems like a minor crime streak until somebody winds up dead.
Really enjoyed the unfolding of this story and the way it was written.
What lacked for me here was ease of understanding at the beginning. There were so many characters introduced so early that I had to take notes to keep track. I wish there had been chapter titles and maybe setting descriptions at least for the first few chapters as the reader tries to learn the characters.
This was a classic "who dun it" tale. A fun small town setting filled with gossip and family drama.
This story follows a detective force investigating a string of suspicious fires. It seems like a minor crime streak until somebody winds up dead.
Really enjoyed the unfolding of this story and the way it was written.
What lacked for me here was ease of understanding at the beginning. There were so many characters introduced so early that I had to take notes to keep track. I wish there had been chapter titles and maybe setting descriptions at least for the first few chapters as the reader tries to learn the characters.
March 27, 2024
DS Sara Hirst left London’s Metropolitan Police Force to work Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit.
With a slow start and a cool welcome from team it begins with a hot summer and multiple grassfires but one. That one looks deliberate and has a murder victim who was locked in from the outside. There are many things going on with many of the characters that add to the wicked twists until the surprise twist at the end. Riveting.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#DSSaraHirstBk6 *Available 04 Apr 2024
With a slow start and a cool welcome from team it begins with a hot summer and multiple grassfires but one. That one looks deliberate and has a murder victim who was locked in from the outside. There are many things going on with many of the characters that add to the wicked twists until the surprise twist at the end. Riveting.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#DSSaraHirstBk6 *Available 04 Apr 2024
April 6, 2024
The Wild Thyme Farm Murder by Judi Daykin.
Detective Sara Hirst Book 6.
Detective Sara Hirst is at a crossroads. Can she take the heat, or is she about to burn out?
Can Sara solve this case and keep everyone happy — or will it all go up in smoke?
I really did enjoy this book. I love this series. I did like the cover. I love this author. Short chapters, which I love. I love Sara and her team. I had no clue who it was. I thought I did but got it wrong. Twisty and gripping. Read in two sittings. I did sort of feel for Jean. I think it was because of her age. I do hope there is more to come. 4*.
Detective Sara Hirst Book 6.
Detective Sara Hirst is at a crossroads. Can she take the heat, or is she about to burn out?
Can Sara solve this case and keep everyone happy — or will it all go up in smoke?
I really did enjoy this book. I love this series. I did like the cover. I love this author. Short chapters, which I love. I love Sara and her team. I had no clue who it was. I thought I did but got it wrong. Twisty and gripping. Read in two sittings. I did sort of feel for Jean. I think it was because of her age. I do hope there is more to come. 4*.
April 8, 2024
Yet another winner from @joffebooks, I can highly recommend #thewildthymefarmmurders by @judidaykinauthor. This was my first DS Sara Hirst read, definitely adding the series to my ever-growing list. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, both in terms of the police and the farmers (for lack of a better term). I appreciate delving into everyone's backstory (including the detectives) so we understand what got them to the point in the story; yet you're not lost if you haven't read 1 -5. A few twists and turns make for an excellent read.
P.S. Thanks to #netgalley and @joffebooks for the ARC.
P.S. Thanks to #netgalley and @joffebooks for the ARC.
March 28, 2024
This was the first Judi Dayton book I have read. I was very pleased though and will search other books out. The book started out slow and maybe it is because I wasn’t familiar with her style or characters. But it ramped up quite nicely and made for a great story! I loved that it wasn’t gruesome but descriptive. This book does jump from person to person, but to me, that keeps me intrigued and guessing. I will definetly be looking into this author more.
April 1, 2024
I'm really enjoying this series and the development of the characters and although it may be read aa a standalone, it is better to have read the previous ones for a full background as this helps to see the dynamics within the team. A spate of small fires in rural Norfolk during a very hot summer, doesn't in itself require the team until a body is found. Plenty of red herrings to throw the reader off the scent and with a great ending too.
Thanks to Joffe books for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Joffe books for the ARC to review.
April 3, 2024
DS Sara Hirst is back investigating a series of malicious fires, which have been helped by the tinder dry vegetation and thatched roofs. The damage, although localised has been limited to crops and old barns, that is until the fire at an old barn at Wild Thyme Farm when a body is discovered. There are a few suspects, both obvious and not so for the police to investigate.
Well written and although part of a series can be read perfectly as a stand alone.
Well written and although part of a series can be read perfectly as a stand alone.
May 6, 2024
It's the hottest summer on record and detective Sara
Hirst is trying her best to put out the fire, literally.
Someone is starting fires and at the last one, a body was found. The hunt is on for the perpetrator(s).
The book is good, but nothing special. I preferred her previous books and hopefully the next one will be back on track.
Thank you NetGalley and Notre Books for the eARC.
It's a good read, but not as good as her
Hirst is trying her best to put out the fire, literally.
Someone is starting fires and at the last one, a body was found. The hunt is on for the perpetrator(s).
The book is good, but nothing special. I preferred her previous books and hopefully the next one will be back on track.
Thank you NetGalley and Notre Books for the eARC.
It's a good read, but not as good as her
March 14, 2024
Very nice to read a whodunit that is not over the top with all sorts of twists and turns, thank you very much :) This mystery is about regular people with difficulties, conflicts and secrets amongst their families and people they work with.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
March 30, 2024
Interesting well written plot, that was easy to get into. . Enjoyed having a female
Detective working a case and learning about her team. A good crime thriller
that I recommend. Given arc by Net Galley and Joffee for my voluntary review.
Detective working a case and learning about her team. A good crime thriller
that I recommend. Given arc by Net Galley and Joffee for my voluntary review.
April 1, 2024
Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for allowing me to receive this ARC
This is a great addition to this series. It is a great fast paced read and is well worth your time. Looking for a great series give Judi Daykin a read. You won't be disappointed.
This is a great addition to this series. It is a great fast paced read and is well worth your time. Looking for a great series give Judi Daykin a read. You won't be disappointed.
October 19, 2024
I have read all of the books in this series and really enjoyed them. This was definitely the worst one. The author seems to have gone all Jilly Cooper in her descriptions of men with rippling muscles and firm biceps. The plot wasn’t great either. Such a shame
August 2, 2024
3.5/4
March 6, 2025
I've loved the whole Sara Hurst series. Can't wait for the next installment Judi. We used to live near Norwich so it's familiar territory for me
July 23, 2025
Great series
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
May 24, 2024
I enjoyed this book very much. I expected to. I love to read Judi Daykin and the book is set in my childhood area which I left at 16, 65 years ago. However i can still speak the language and have a feel for its people. I also enjoy DS Sara Hirst. Sara lives in Happisburgh (Hayz bur ru) which is a small but lovely village.
Its was the hottest summer on record and and without the AC and insulation enjoyed by me in Western Australia everyone is finding it hard to live with considerable change in brain chemistry, increase in pulse and the impact on mental health. We have fires everywhere with so much of the land and older building like tiner and able to be burnt. The conclusion is sad because for some the consequences of the deaths were not foreseen but the price must still be paid.
Its was the hottest summer on record and and without the AC and insulation enjoyed by me in Western Australia everyone is finding it hard to live with considerable change in brain chemistry, increase in pulse and the impact on mental health. We have fires everywhere with so much of the land and older building like tiner and able to be burnt. The conclusion is sad because for some the consequences of the deaths were not foreseen but the price must still be paid.
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