A Brutal Season (Detective Sara Hirst, #3) by Judi Daykin

A Brutal Season (Detective Sara Hirst, #3) Reviews

• 
  Brenda

  When Carnival Queen, Daisy Shaw, was found in the alley early on a morning the carnival in Cromer, was in full swing, Detective Sara Hirst and DI Edwards were shocked at the brutality of the young woman’s death. The coastal town was expecting a lot of tourists for the carnival week, with theatre performances, and the usual Carny crew entertaining the crowd, meaning it was bustling with activities and the committee running it was very busy.
  
  Adele Hayward was on the committee and had a lot of responsibilities. Her husband Greg, son Alexander and two mates spent their time drinking, getting drunk and trying to impress. But Adele’s worst fear was the brutality of her husband. Greg was a bully and Xander was following suit. Her injuries from Greg’s violence were usually hidden, but lately he didn’t seem to care. Adele was afraid of him…
  
  The police were interviewing everyone connected to the carnival, as well as the theatre people and the committee. There wasn’t a lot to go on, but Sara could see that secrets were being kept, and lies were being told. Would they be able to get through that armour and find the killer of poor Daisy? And what would happen to Adele?
  
  A Brutal Season is the 3rd in the DS Sara Hirst series by Judi Daykin and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Fast paced with plenty of action, a nice lot of suspects and tension that kept building. I’m already looking forward to the fourth in the series when it’s published. Highly recommended.
  
  With thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
  
• 
  Linda Strong

  Detective Sara Hirst left her career in London's Metropolitan Police Force and is now working in Norfolk Police's Serious Crimes Unit. Norfolk is much smaller, more quiet, and much less crime ... at least until now.
  
  The village is preparing for Carnival Week, usually a happy time for all. But the Carnival Queen, Daisy Shaw, has been found in an alley ... murdered. Who would have wanted this beautiful, young woman dead?
  
  There is plenty of suspects that bear looking at ... the caravan of Travelers, known mostly for the trouble they bring with them. Daisy had been dancing with one or two of them the night before. Then there's the boyfriend, who no one seems to know about. A local man who's recently turned into a bully, and three friends who are visiting. They all seem to be hiding something.
  
  Village residents are growing frustrated, angry, and the police have their hand full. Roads are closed, Travelers have parked their caravan in an area meant for the carnival participants.
  
  Suspense starts on the very first page and holds steady throughout. Twists and turns lead the solidly drawn characters to an unexpected conclusion. Although 3rd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I do recommend starting at the beginning of this engrossing series.
  
  Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
  
• 
  Louise Wilson

  DS Sara Hirst #3
  
  Detective Sara Hirst has moved from London to the Norfolk Police's Serious Crimes Unit. It's carnival week in the Cromer on the Norfolk coast. The Norfolk Police's Serious Crimes Unit has been having an easy-going summer - until this morning. The body of Daisy Shaw, the Carnival Queen, is discovered in a back alley. Suspicion falls on the carnival crew, especially when it turns out that Daisy's boyfriend Kit was one of them.
  
  I was pulled into this story from the first page. There's lots going on and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. It's a descriptively written and tense read. The plotline has been well thought out and executed. The story is told from Sara, Jessie and Adele's perspectives. With secrets being revealed and lies uncovered, this is a great addition to the series. This book can be read as a standalone.
  
  I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #JudiDaykin for my ARC of #ABrutalSeason in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Grace J Reviewerlady

  This is my second read in this series – and it’s every bit as awesome as the previous one!
  
  The summer season on the Norfolk coast is always busy, but it’s been quiet so far for the Serious Crimes Unit – until, that is, the discovery of a body in an alley on the most hectic week of the summer with the Carnival Week bringing the fair folk and a lot of visitors.. The deceased is identified as the Carnival Queen, Daisy Shaw, and one of the travellers turns out to be her boyfriend. It’s full on in Cromer at the best of times, but with Carnival Week and the interruption of traffic flow, patience is waning and an influx of outsiders begins to divide the town. The police have a lot on their plate – and they’re not the only ones.
  
  Judi Daykin really knows how to write a really gripping, enigmatic novel. There are multiple threads to this story, all carefully woven together to produce an intriguing tale where the reader doubts themselves all the time as to whether they’re getting it right or not. Fascinating – and thrilling – there is just enough of each officer’s traits to add to the story, showing how they all contribute to the team. I was kept on my toes all the way through, eager not to let my attention drop in case I missed some vital clue but even with my keen observation I still got it wrong when it came to identifying the killer. As with the second book in series, I appreciate that the author focuses on this story and doesn’t bring up previous novels, meaning it’s possible to go back to any missed. This is an awesomely plotted novel, exciting and gripping, and expertly written. A fantastic addition to this terrific crime series, highly recommended and I have no hesitation in giving it all five glowing stars!
• 
  Amanda

  I have been a fan of Judi’s work for a while now. In fact I have been a fan of hers ever since I had the good fortune to pick up a copy of the first book in the Detective Sara Hirst series, called ‘Under Violent Skies’. Since then I have (im)patiently waited for each new book in the series. The third book in the series is called ‘A Brutal Season’ and it is another smasher of a read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Brutal Season’ but more about that in a bit.
  I was drawn into ‘A Brutal Season’ from the very start. To say that reading ‘A Brutal Season’ became addictive is a massive understatement. I made the fatal mistake of picking the book up shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following day, but it was so worth it. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the characters that I would still be sat there reading over half a dozen chapters later. I soon got to the end of the book and I had to say farewell to Detective Sara Hirst and her team. I found ‘A Brutal Season’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
  ‘A Brutal Season’ is extremely well written. Judi certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention from the start and draw you into what proves to be a compelling read. For me the story hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. Reading ‘A Brutal Season’ was a bit like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which Judi literally brings the characters alive. She describes the characters so vividly and realistically that they seem just as real as you and I. I also love the way in which Judi makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. I found ‘A Brutal Season’ to be an a tightly plotted and dramatic read.
  In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘ A Brutal Season’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Judi’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
  
• 
  Alyson Read

  The initial hostility DS Sara Hirst first encountered due her skin colour and the fact that she was not expected in her new posting to the Serious Crimes Unit in Norfolk is well and truly over, and she is now settled into the team with DC Mike Bowen, DC Ian Noble and motherly admin Aggie working for DI Edwards and has already been involved in two high profile cases. Since finding and then losing her father, Sara has moved into his cottage in Happisburgh and even her relationship with her mother Tegan back in London’s Tower Hamlets is improving. Her romance with Chris the café owner is going well, although their time together is scarce, what with her move away from their shared block of flats and his passion for amateur dramatics. The story begins with the discovery in an alleyway of the body of Daisy Shaw, the Carnival Queen chosen for the week-long festival in Cromer. She died shortly after the opening night party and the subsequent investigation causes problems for the organizers, including Adele who has problems of her own. As the planned events are disrupted by the death and some unwanted visitors, the detectives struggle to make progress, although suspects and suitors are plentiful. There are many suspicious and downright nasty characters who all seem to be hiding secrets. Lots of them are up to no good but just which of them could have been involved in the death of a pretty and popular young girl? And how far are some of them prepared to go to protect themselves?
  There are great descriptions of Cromer which conjure up vivid images of the seaside town and an excellent portrayal of the characters involved as the author weaves a twisty and engrossing plot which will keep the reader guessing right up to the end. The whole team of detectives are very likable and I hope to be reading more about them soon, especially with the little unanswered question left at the end. 5*
• 
  Lynda

  The third in the Sarah Hirst Series and I really loved this book. I’m a big fan of a police procedural and this one hit all my buttons. Set in Cromer, a seaside town in Norfolk, this is well written with a great storyline and some interesting characters, both good and bad.
  
  Briefly, DS Sara Hirst has left a successful career in the Metropolitan Police Force and moved to the quieter Serious Crime Unit in Norfolk, or at least is was until she arrived. It’s carnival week and the town is full of people. When the body of a young girl, the carnival queen, is discovered dumped by waste bins Sarah has her first case. This main storyline runs alongside a thread about a washed up actor and another about an abused housewife. Is this a one off or is there a killer at large?
  
  This is a good, fast paced read with lots to keep the interest. All the different threads tie up skilfully and it was pretty close to the end of the book before I was sure who the killer was. I need to go back and read the previous books in the series. As for this one it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  
• 
  Julie

  Judi Daykin’s series featuring Detective Sara Hirst keeps going from strength to strength and the redoubtable cop has another tough case to solve in the third gripping installment, A Brutal Season.
  
  The Norfolk Police’s Serious Crime Unit has been enjoying a quiet summer season, but all that is about to change during Carnival Week. Tempers tend to flare and proceedings tend to get out of hand during Carnival, but this time around, events take a far more sinister turn when the body of Carnival Queen Daisy Shaw is discovered in a back alley clutching a plastic tiara. Suspicion immediately falls on the carnival crew – and on Daisy’s boyfriend in particular. But are the police jumping to conclusions far too quickly? Or could there be more to this story than they initially thought?
  
  Daisy’s murder beckons a nasty undercurrent that starts sweeping the whole town. Battle lines are drawn, roads are closed and locals and outsiders start locking horns. The police have got enough on their hands trying to find out who killed Daisy and they certainly do not need any more upheaval. They believe that the key to solving this case lies with the close-knit carnival community, however, they immediately close ranks and make it perfectly clear that they are not going to be helping out the police – even if that means that one of their own is a killer…
  
  With this case testing DS Sara Hirst like never before, further complications are the last thing she needs – until her mother and boyfriend drop two earth-shattering bombshells that threaten to change everything. Can Sara solve this murder in time before another victim is found? And will she manage to get her personal and professional life in some kind of order? Or is she doomed to fail on both counts?
  
  Judi Daykin writes terrific police procedurals with a strong sense of place underpinned by incisive plotting, brilliant character development, heart-jolting tension and shocking twists and turns that leave her readers on the edge of their seats. In A Brutal Season, she has written an intelligent, perceptive and chilling crime thriller that explores topical issues like prejudice, violence and conflict in a rural setting with great insight and subtlety.
  
  A nail-biting thriller with a brilliantly layered sleuth at its heart, with A Brutal Season, Judi Daykin continues to affirm her position as one of crime fiction’s rising stars.
  
  I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
• 
  Sue Wallace

  A BRUTAL SEASON by Judi Daykin.
  Detective Sara Hirst Book 3.
  Detective Sara Hirst has moved from London to Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit.
  
  Carnival week in Cromer. It’s been an easy-going summer for the Norfolk Police’s Serious Crimes Unit — until this morning.
  
  The body of Daisy Shaw, the Carnival Queen, is discovered in a back alley, stretched out on the cobbles. Her long blonde hair lies matted and dishevelled around her head, her fingers clutch a sparkly plastic tiara.
  
  Suspicion falls on the carnival crew, especially when it turns out that one of them is Daisy’s boyfriend.
  
  The atmosphere in Cromer soon grows nasty. The town turns against the outsiders. The roads are closed. The town descends into chaos. And the murder detectives are right in the thick of it, trying to piece together what happened to Daisy.
  
  The close-knit carnival community is all too used to prejudice and none too keen on helping the police.
  
  Meanwhile, both Sara’s mother and boyfriend have bombshells to drop. Can Sara solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?
  
  A really enjoyable read. I loved the story and some characters. Lots of twists and turns. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.
• 
  Books 'n' All Promotions

  Detective Sara Hirst is back in this brilliant new addition to the series. Adrenaline pumping suspense, an unusual story that keeps you guessing all the way to the end and realistic well defined characters. What more could you ask for?
  
  I have to admit I have never given much thought to the work that goes on behind the scenes for carnivals so this book was extra interesting in that it explained some of the workings. The setting is very much around the carnival area which put the focus onto the characters and the author made them very interesting and cleverly incorporated prejudices into the characters and the story.
  
  I was gripped from the very first page and really enjoyed reading on as the story played out. Absolutely loved that for a change the 'bad guys' turned out to be good guys and visa versa.
  
  A very different read from the norm and a thoroughly enjoyable one I cant waif for more in this series.
  
  5 stars from me xx
• 
  Donna McEachran

  Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
  
  Realised after starting this book that it's part of a series. Made no difference, as far as I could tell, that I hadn't read the others.
  
  A young girl is murdered and the local police need to put aside their prejudice to find her killer. There are also other things going on in the town so it's almost alternating chapters, bringing the reader into the town for carnival week. Not a bad read even though I guessed the killer early on. Some triggers to be aware of in that there is some quite graphic violence against women.
• 
  Robert Hiscocks

  Excellent Read
  
  This was a really enjoyable read. I found it hard to put down. Covers some really current issues and put them all together to create a brilliant storyline that kept you guessing up to the end.
• 
  Vanessa Boyle

  I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more in this series and love it when you find a book you enjoy that’s a series. Great characters and great storyline
• 
  ChillwithabookAWARD With

  A Brutal Season by Judi Daykin has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award
  
  www.chillwithabook.com
• 
  Linda

  I liked this one better than the first one. The characters are better developed. Looking.forward the the fourth in the series.
• 
  Gary Van Cott

  This book ends abruptly as did the previous one.
• 
  Janette

  This is the third in the crime series featuring DS Sara Hirst but it could easily be read as stand alone. It’s a really good police procedural set in the Norfolk resort of Cromer where it’s carnival week. However, just as the week begins, the newly crowned carnival queen is found murdered. Sara Hirst and the serious crime squad have to uncover many secrets before they can get to the bottom of the crime.
  The town of Cromer is brilliantly evoked and there is a wide cast of characters including the cast of the show in Cromer’s famous end of pier theatre, fair ground showmen and the local inhabitants.
  I liked the way the story was told from three view points, DS Hirst, Jessie the sound engineer at the theatre and Adele, wife of a well off estate agent and a member of the carnival committee. We see the mystery gradually unfold through each of the different perspectives. The book was really well plotted and there were plenty of twists and the occasional red herring to keep readers on their toes.
  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will certainly look out for further books in the series. Thank you to Net Galley and Joffe Books for providing an ARC in exchange for this review.
• 
  Lorraine Woodall

  A crime thriller set in a Norfolk coastal town at the start of their carnival week. Told from the perspective of three women, including DS Sara Hirst, it follows the investigation of a body found in an alley.
  There are plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and intrigued.
• 
  Sandra Vdplaats

  Another winner from Joffe Books!
  
  I love reading books set in places I have been, and in fact, know my way around Cromer (Norfolk).
  
  Cromer Carnival is always held in August, and it’s during this particular season, that only child and Carnival Queen Daisy is found murdered.
  With the coming and going of people, the fair and the soapbox race, is is not an easy task to find out what happened to poor Daisy.
  A pleasant writing style, with lots of attention given to character building, makes this crime thriller a winner for me. Love to read more from this author in the future!
• 
  Kathleen

  It’s Carnival Week in Cromer on the Norfolk coast. The morning after the opening reception, as the carnival organizers and shopkeepers await throngs of tourists, a body is found. It’s Daisy Shaw, the Carnival Queen. All planned events come to a halt as DI Sara Hirst and her team are called.
  
  A Brutal Season has three narrators. Sara Hirst leads the investigation. Jessie Dobson, a sound engineer, is employed by the summer theater. For personal reasons, she is hiding information that may help find the killer. Adele Hayward, active on the carnival committee, is keeping secret what happens behind her home’s closed doors. Over the course of a thorough investigation, Sara must discover these hidden secrets before there is another victim.
  
  Peopled by actors, gypsies and Cromer residents, A Brutal Season is a detailed, excellent police procedural. The Norfolk locale, with its small villages and bustling waterfront town is atmospheric. All the characters are well detailed and the multiple plots combine to make this thriller compulsively readable. 5 stars.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Judi Daykin for this ARC.
• 
  Kay Oliver

  Thank you Netgalley, Joffe Books, and Author Judi Daykin for this ARC.
  
  This was a pretty decent crime thriller told from the perspective of the detective on the case, Sara Hirst. Carnival Week becomes a problem for her as she attempts to get used to her new home and her new job when the Carnival Queen ends up dead. There were lots of red herrings, a good cast of detectives and law enforcement tackling the case. The thrill and suspense was steady throughout. S good read.