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DS Sara Hirst #1-7
The North Norfolk Murders: Books 1-7
The complete 7-book series in one box set.
North Norfolk’s coastal air is thick with secrets.
A peaceful landscape hiding a sordid underbelly. Nothing here is as it should be. Bodies in ditches. A torched farm. A masked murderer. This is not what DS Sara Hirst signed up for. She thought she’d escaped the hustle and bustle of London policing in favour of a sleepy coast. But every town has its shady affairs. Each case pulls her deeper into a world of deadly crime and corruption, where her Metropolitan training is plainly unwelcome.
Meet the Detective
Detective Sergeant Sara Hirst is an outsider in a tightknit rural community. She transferred from the Met to rural Norfolk in search of a quieter life, but she finds herself facing something much darker. Sharp, determined and quietly resilient, Sara is at odds with the stubborn attitudes of her colleagues. In a landscape where people guard their truths fiercely, she is prepared to dig — no matter the cost.
The Setting
North Norfolk is famed for its beauty. Its coast and countryside is adorned by wide skies, marshland, beaches, and quiet country lanes. The perfect façade makes for the perfect cover: places where bodies can be concealed, witnesses stay silent, and outsiders are viewed with suspicion.
Included in this box set:
Book 1: Under Violent Skies
Book 2: Into Deadly Storms
Book 3: A Brutal Season
Book 4: An Artful Murder
Book 5: The Norfolk Beach Murders
Book 6: The Wild Thyme Farm Murder
Book 7: The Norfolk Theatre Murders
North Norfolk’s coastal air is thick with secrets.
A peaceful landscape hiding a sordid underbelly. Nothing here is as it should be. Bodies in ditches. A torched farm. A masked murderer. This is not what DS Sara Hirst signed up for. She thought she’d escaped the hustle and bustle of London policing in favour of a sleepy coast. But every town has its shady affairs. Each case pulls her deeper into a world of deadly crime and corruption, where her Metropolitan training is plainly unwelcome.
Meet the Detective
Detective Sergeant Sara Hirst is an outsider in a tightknit rural community. She transferred from the Met to rural Norfolk in search of a quieter life, but she finds herself facing something much darker. Sharp, determined and quietly resilient, Sara is at odds with the stubborn attitudes of her colleagues. In a landscape where people guard their truths fiercely, she is prepared to dig — no matter the cost.
The Setting
North Norfolk is famed for its beauty. Its coast and countryside is adorned by wide skies, marshland, beaches, and quiet country lanes. The perfect façade makes for the perfect cover: places where bodies can be concealed, witnesses stay silent, and outsiders are viewed with suspicion.
Included in this box set:
Book 1: Under Violent Skies
Book 2: Into Deadly Storms
Book 3: A Brutal Season
Book 4: An Artful Murder
Book 5: The Norfolk Beach Murders
Book 6: The Wild Thyme Farm Murder
Book 7: The Norfolk Theatre Murders
2202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2026
About the author
Judi Daykin
14 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 26, 2026
I have reviewed each story separately so will just say that this is a well-written and enjoyable British crime series.
DS Sara Hirst is a strong character that tries to fit in with a new team in Norfolk after leaving the Met. There is a good mix of characters that develop well over the series. Each case is interesting and engaging with plenty of twists and turns.
Recommended.
DS Sara Hirst is a strong character that tries to fit in with a new team in Norfolk after leaving the Met. There is a good mix of characters that develop well over the series. Each case is interesting and engaging with plenty of twists and turns.
Recommended.
April 1, 2026
Absolutely loved this series of books, written by someone who understands the sometimes quirky nature of this county and its geography. Each story was original with a theme running through them. Loved the characters especially DS Hitst. The books would make a great TV drama. Disappointed I have finished reading them now I have to find something else to read!
March 9, 2026
I loved this series!
I loved this series, and each investigation and plot had unexpected twists and turns. Over the course of the series, you really got to know the characters. I hope this author, Judi Daykin, continues her writing these procedural novels. As I live in Norfolk, I enjoyed the settings.
I loved this series, and each investigation and plot had unexpected twists and turns. Over the course of the series, you really got to know the characters. I hope this author, Judi Daykin, continues her writing these procedural novels. As I live in Norfolk, I enjoyed the settings.
March 29, 2026
This series captivated me from page one...I couldn't put this series down. May night I was reading until 2 AM. The author kept the reading involved right from the start.
My only negative is Sara sometimes got on the feminine soap box. Heck, we women do sometimes need a helping hand from a male.
You won't be disappointed in this series. Can't wait for the next book or set of books.
My only negative is Sara sometimes got on the feminine soap box. Heck, we women do sometimes need a helping hand from a male.
You won't be disappointed in this series. Can't wait for the next book or set of books.
April 1, 2026
An Excellent Read
Well what can I say 7 books in this box set all read all an Excellent read nothing more to say other than I enjoyed them all and hope this isn’t the last one in this series, one more thing Thank you JUDI DAYKIN for taking the time to write such a Brilliant series
Well what can I say 7 books in this box set all read all an Excellent read nothing more to say other than I enjoyed them all and hope this isn’t the last one in this series, one more thing Thank you JUDI DAYKIN for taking the time to write such a Brilliant series
April 24, 2026
These books get better with each one
The first book in the series was slow to get started,as the character of Sara develops and her relationships with colleagues progresses. Subsequent books draw you further into the Norfolk landscape and police procedures. I feel the need to get to know more about Norwich and its historical buildings.
.
The first book in the series was slow to get started,as the character of Sara develops and her relationships with colleagues progresses. Subsequent books draw you further into the Norfolk landscape and police procedures. I feel the need to get to know more about Norwich and its historical buildings.
.
May 28, 2026
everyone a winner
Absolutely loved all seven of these books. Sorry they have come to an end. Definitely highly recommended. Might even read them again. Great author Judi. Keep them coming.
Absolutely loved all seven of these books. Sorry they have come to an end. Definitely highly recommended. Might even read them again. Great author Judi. Keep them coming.
July 7, 2026
Captivating.
Each story has credible detail and creative imagination. The author has detailed the geography well, so that the reader feels they are there. The books are excellent value for money in my opinion.
Each story has credible detail and creative imagination. The author has detailed the geography well, so that the reader feels they are there. The books are excellent value for money in my opinion.
July 16, 2026
Seven individual murder mystery tales, but the main characters progress though all the books. Good usage of the Norfolk broads, countryside and coast. Entertaining and I read all seven books without a break. (Over a few weeks!)
February 18, 2026
New to this series
Loved every single one of these books! Did not want. To put the book down until I finished each story.
Loved every single one of these books! Did not want. To put the book down until I finished each story.
February 25, 2026
Enjoyed every book and continuity of characters
March 31, 2026
Easy reading
I enjoyed this series of boos. The characters were good as was the description of the places. The plots were interesting and fairy straight forward. Give them a go!
I enjoyed this series of boos. The characters were good as was the description of the places. The plots were interesting and fairy straight forward. Give them a go!
April 2, 2026
Totally brilliant
This is definitely one of the best series I've had the pleasure of reading absolutely fantastic, no doubt about it
This is definitely one of the best series I've had the pleasure of reading absolutely fantastic, no doubt about it
April 5, 2026
Encore
Great set of books you get invested in the main characters.great story's to .well worth a read .can't wait for the next one
Great set of books you get invested in the main characters.great story's to .well worth a read .can't wait for the next one
April 26, 2026
Great read, keeps you turning pages, hard to stop. Continuity is done really well.
May 25, 2026
A great series of books
Really great series of books, well written and construction.
Would definitely recommend!!!!
Was really good to read of the local and surrounding areas
Really great series of books, well written and construction.
Would definitely recommend!!!!
Was really good to read of the local and surrounding areas
August 2, 2026
Riveting reading
Read all 7 books in 3 weeks couldn't put them down they were so good 👍👍would reccomend them to anyone
Read all 7 books in 3 weeks couldn't put them down they were so good 👍👍would reccomend them to anyone
September 22, 2026
Fabulous read.
Thoroughly enjoyed the books and theme through them was a shame it had to end could have gone on reading
Thoroughly enjoyed the books and theme through them was a shame it had to end could have gone on reading
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews