3.5 rounded up - this was a fun read, although a very big departure from this author's usual dark and twisty novels. I adore a good mystery, and I will absolutely keep reading this series (I loved Nora Breen!). There was just enough cozy to keep it fun, and just enough grit to keep it engaging. Appreciate the advance copy from the publisher - Jess Kidd has long been one of my favorites. This one is out tomorrow!

I always find cozy mysteries set in seaside towns so intriguing, but Jess Kidd's book Murder at Gulls Nest is nearly perfect for lovers of historical mysteries. It reminded me of an episode of Sister Boniface (spin off show from Father Brown).

1954: Nora Breen leaves her vows as a nun when a former novice convalescing in a seaside town has vanished. In search for her friend Frieda Brogan, Nora comes to a hotel in Kent where the former novice lodged. It is said that each tenant at the hotel holds a secret past, and without disclosing her true identity, Nora digs into the lives of each lodger only to stumble on a series of unfortunate deaths.

What I loved most about this story was how Nora sets about adjusting to life outside the convent. She describes a regimented life under the rules of her former life and is having trouble breaking free from all she knew for the past several years as a nun. Her relationship with God is strained, but she habitually finds herself returning to the traditions of her past. The detective in this story is such a foil character to Nora. I loved reading about his reluctant partnership in solving the mysteries with her. Nora is brilliant, trustworthy, and a whizz at noticing details that go unnoticed.

I loved this book! This locked room mystery is sure to win the hearts of fans of Father Brown.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

As a fan of Kidd's previous books, I was very intrigued by her writing a cozy mystery. It did not disappoint! Kidd is a talented storyteller, and I loved this. It has the feel of a classic Golden Age mystery.

Set in 1954 on the coast of Kent, England, this follows Nora Breen, who has been a cloistered nun for thirty years. She leaves the convent for good to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her friend Freida.

I adored the quick-witted Nora. She is a compelling and well-developed character—bright, direct, observant, unafraid, and wryly funny. The supporting characters are also vividly portrayed and interesting. Inspector Rideout stood out to me, and his dynamic and banter with Nora have me eagerly anticipating how their relationship will evolve in future installments.

Kidd's writing is beautiful and distinctive in style. It features rich descriptions and witty dialogue. I was utterly immersed in 1950s England and could visualize the dingy coastal boarding house. The mystery was intriguing and well-plotted, filled with red herrings that kept me guessing. I particularly enjoyed how Kidd turned one cozy mystery trope on its head. Most feature food in a mouthwatering way, but in this, the opposite is true. The food sounds truly awful, but it totally fits the rundown setting. A fantastic read and it will undoubtedly be one of my favorite mysteries of the year!

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted ARC

Nora Breen is a nun and a nurse. She helped a girl at the monastery, Frieda, regain her health. The doctor told Frieda to go live by the sea and get fresh air to continue healing. After Frieda left, Frieda and Nora have been writing letters back and forth, until one week Nora doesn't get a letter and then another week, and another week. Nora becomes very concerned. She decides to leave the monastery and leave behind her role as nun to go find Frieda. Nora decides to stay at the same boarding house as Frieda to learn about the other people staying there and to get information about Frieda. However, Nora doesn't tell anyone at Gulls Nest that she knew Frieda or why she is really there. Then, one of the other boarders is found dead. Is it suicide or murder? Now, Nora has two mysteries to solve. Nora forces her way into the investigation, but the lead detective finds her information helpful, so he lets her help. The first 50-60% of this book was very, very slow with some lengthy chapters. It finally picked up a little speed towards the end. Although we find out what happened to Frieda and the boarder, it seems very anti-climatic. I found this book just overall very meh.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

There is nothing I love. more than a murder mystery set in a small English seaside town! Nora has left her life as a nun behind to investigate the disappearance of a young friend; when she arrives at the boarding house called Gulls Nest, she meets the other residents, about half of whom will be murdered before the book ends. Nora is a thoroughly likable protagonist; it's fun to see her explore life outside the church, but it's poignant as well, especially as she investigates her missing friend Freida. I loved that Nora has some sparks with the local police chief investigator. A mildly irritated police investigator is very necessary to the cozy murder mystery set in a small English town! I really liked Jess Kidd's writing style and this book made me excited for what comes next as well as eager to go back and read her backlist while I wait.

It’s always a joy when a book reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place. MURDER AT GULL’S NEST does precisely that, delivering a cozy, character-driven story that’s full of charm, nostalgia, and just the right amount of intrigue.

At the heart of it all is Nora Breen, a nun turned amateur detective. Nora is one of those characters you can’t help but root for from the very start. She’s not just clever—she’s layered, vulnerable, and filled with a deep sense of justice that makes her a unique and refreshing sleuth. Nora is drawn to the Gull’s Nest boarding house after a former fellow nun, a young and vibrant woman, went there to recover her health—and her letters suddenly stopped coming. Nora feels compelled to investigate, uncovering a mystery along the way.

The boarding house itself is the perfect cozy mystery setting—full of quirky characters, a bit of charm, and just enough atmosphere to keep you hooked without feeling too eerie.
The tension in the house is palpable, as everyone seems to have something to hide, and every shadow feels like it holds a piece of the puzzle. Jess Kidd masterfully blends the suspense with heart, and it’s her characters, especially Nora, that elevate the story beyond a simple whodunnit.

This isn’t just about solving a crime; it’s about the people we meet, the things we leave behind, and the quiet, emotional journey that comes with uncovering the truth. If you love cozy, character-driven mysteries with a touch of nostalgia and charm, MURDER AT GULL’S NEST is an absolute must for you.

5 stars for this one, and I can’t wait to see where Nora’s story goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

Thanks to Atria Books for my advanced copy of Murder At Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd.

This is a cozy mystery set in 1954 at a seaside in Kent. This is the first book in the series about a former nun who left the order to find out more about the disappearance of a former novice.

I enjoyed this book. I don't read too many cozy mysteries but I was intrigued by the former nun turned detective aspect, plus 1950s England. The characters were fun and I liked trying to solve the mystery along with Nora
I'm looking forward to more books in this series!

This book comes out on Tuesday - April 8th.

Nora asks to be released from her vows as a nun so she can try to figure out what happened to her former novice, when Frieda’s letters suddenly stop arriving. Because it’s the last place Frieda mentioned, Nora goes to Gulls Nest, a hotel in Kent, looking for answers. But what she finds there only raises more questions… and puts her own life in danger.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to realize that the book wasn’t going to live up to those expectations. I really didn’t like any of the characters, except for teenaged Rose and maybe the detective inspector. The rest were too busy hiding their own secrets to really care about anyone else, making it hard to care what happened to or around them.

While we were still trying to find proof of what happened to Frieda, there were several murders that may have been related to her disappearance, but maybe not? Everything was so wrapped up in secrets and only tidbits of information that I didn’t even bother to try to figure out what was going on. I didn’t have any one person at the top of my (almost non-existent) list, but I wasn’t surprised when the culprit was revealed, but the motive seemed a bit odd.

Goodreads shows this to be the first book in a series, but I doubt that I will continue with it. This book was apparently well-received by many other GR users, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

This book was very nearly a 5-star read for me (more like 4.5 stars). I absolutely loved the cozy mystery feel, the setting, and the main character (a nun who leaves the order to investigate the disappearance of her friend). There were plenty of red herrings and a few twists that I didn't see coming. The only downside for me is that the reveal at the very end isn't all that surprising. It also felt a bit rushed, and I would have liked the whole ending to have been a bit more developed. I would gladly read more books in this series though, and I'm excited to see what else Kidd has in store.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the latest book by Jess Kidd. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Set in the 1950s, Nora Breen is a nun who has left her monastery behind. She's trying to find her friend, Frieda, a former novice, whose letters to Nora suddenly stopped. Nora heads to Gull's Nest, a hotel in Kent, where Frieda was staying, and tries to quietly investigate what happened to her friend. But then there is a series of murders at the inn, and her investigations take a deeper turn.

This is the first in a coming series entitled Nora Breen Investigates, and sign me up for the rest! In Jess Kidd's very capable hands, a cozy mystery delves into a very multi-layered story. Nora's backstory slowly plays out, as we learn what led her to the monastery, as well as what prompted her to leave. We see her explore a new world and become a different person away from her past life. Everyone in the small inn has a secret, and the characters are a story onto themselves. Nora slowly gathers respect from the local police chief, Rideout, as they try and solve the mysterious deaths. Wonderful!

This was such a fun and cozy mystery. Loved the adorable characters and the beautiful scenery.
I had never read anything by Jess Kidd before, but when I’m the mood for something a little more lighthearted, I would totally pick her up again.
Nora Breen, a nun, is compelled to investigate her friend’s death when she she stops receiving letters from her. She heads to Gulls Nest, a quaint seaside town, where she questions her way through delightful characters. I feel like the ending wrapped quickly and the beginning started a bit slow, but other than that - loved it.
Thank you Atria books for sending me an ARC! So fun!

I absolutely adore a cozy mystery and Jess Kidd did not disappoint! Nora as our main character was absolutely fantastic. The way Kidd explores and weaves the characters together was absolutely masterful. The tension in this!!! Also being able to discover with Nora who she is after 30 years of erasing herself was such a treasure. This book was well-written and perfectly paced. I cannot wait for the next one!

Many thanks to Atria books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have really enjoyed Jess Kidd in the past. I very much liked Himself, and very much loved Things in Jars, so I was excited to see a new one coming out by her. Surprisingly, this read nothing like the previous books by her I've read, and yet I loved this one too! Murder at Gull's Nest follows Nora Breen, formerly of a Carmelite monastary, as she leaves her order to go look for former novice and friend, Frieda, who has gone missing from a boarding house called Gull's Nest.

To me, this read more like a Golden Age mystery, and with richly drawn and interesting characters and a setting I could so clearly imagine- both the geography of the coast and the deteriorating, formerly stately home. Nora is a fantastic character: smart, witty, self-aware, compassionate and stubborn, and as she works to solve the mystery of Frieda's disappearance on top of other very suspicious deaths and the reckoning with her own past, I was really, really pulling for her. This is set up to be series, and I will enthusiastically pick up the next one when it comes to see where Nora's new life takes her, along with her new partner in crime (solving), Inspector Rideout.

Murder at Gulls Nest is a solid beginning to a new series featuring former nun, Nora Breen. It is 1954 and Nora, who used to be Sister Agnes of Christ, is worried about her friend, Frieda Brogan, a former novice. Nora and Frieda corresponded on a regular basis since her friend went to Gore-on-Sea and stayed at Gulls Nest boarding house. Butcher suddenly the letters from Frieda stop. Nora is released from her vows and moves into Gulls Nest, even staying in Frieda's old room hoping to find clues as to what has happened to her friend.

There are some interesting characters staying at the boarding house and it seems that they have secrets in their past and these secrets are catching up to them. One of the guests dies and Nora, much to the frustration of DI Rideout, Nora begins to ask questions and investigate. Further mystery follows when more deaths occur.

Nora is a great character. She has been a nun for 30 years and is now out among the public learning how to get around. She even starts smoking and drinking. The author did an excellent job of creating the atmosphere of a seaside town in England in the 1950s. I loved Nora bonding with a seagull she named Father Conway. There are some twists and red herrings thrown our way. This is a fun read and I am looking forward to more of Nora.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Atria Books, for an ARC. The review is my own.

Who doesn't love a cozy seaside British mystery following an Irish former nun??

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

⚠️Please see TW/CWs before consuming: Death and sexual assault.

Set in 1954, after Nora stops receiving letters from her best friend living in a boarding house called Gulls Nest in Kent, England. Scared for her friend, Nora decides to leave the convent to find out what happened. Nora disguises her background and moves into the boarding house to learn the truth about what happened to her friend.

What really drew me to this book was a former nun as the main character/amateur detective. I just knew some religious trauma was going to be unpacked in this story! And it wasn't explored too much, but I did love our MC, she was very confident in all she did, and SO determined! She had such gusto, and I loved that she is at an older age, which you do not often see in MCs nowadays.

I thought the plot moved very quickly, as there are a lot of eventful things going on while you read. And Nora can easily get answers from just about everybody in the story, I do wish the romantic subplot had just a little more tension between them, but I still appreciated it.

Go read this new release, or add a hold with your local library to read in April!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4 stars)

I really liked this at first. But the suprise rape scene really threw me for a loop. I think that there should be a trigger warning for it. If I had expected it, maybe it wouldn't have thrown the cozy mystery vibe off. It's first mentioned in chapter 9. It's not detailed and very brief, but if that's something you'd like to know about before reading this, than I think you should.

This one started strong but unfortunately about a third of the way through the story just lost speed and slowed way down. I enjoyed the character of Nora Breen and am curious to see where the series goes from here. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria Books for an eARC ♥️

Oh, what an absolute treasure of a book! If you love mysteries that feel like a warm cup of tea with just a dash of poison, then “Murder at Gulls Nest “is your perfect match. Imagine Agatha Christie and Father Brown had a literary love child—only this one’s a quick-witted ex-nun with a habit of stumbling over corpses.
Nora Breen is the kind of heroine you’d want as your best friend—or at least your partner in crime-solving. She’s sharp, compassionate, and refreshingly human, wrestling with her faith, her past, and the very earthly problem of *multiple murders* in her cozy seaside hotel. The setting—**Gore-on-Sea, *—is so vividly drawn you can almost smell the salt air and hear the seagulls squawking over the guests’ scandalous whispers.
And what a cast of characters! From the delightfully nosy Mrs. Peabody (who definitely knows more than she lets on) to the brooding Dr. Marsh (does he have secrets, or is he just *that* serious about his tea?), every guest at the “Gulls Nest Hotel” feels like they’ve stepped out of a classic golden-age mystery—with a few modern twists.
If you adore cozy mysteries with depth a dash of mid-century atmosphere and a sleuth who’s equal parts nun and Nancy Drew, this is your next obsession. **Five stars—and a whispered prayer that the next book comes soon! ♥️

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book.

Murder at Gulls Nest is an absorbing mystery filled with odd and engaging characters.

It is the early 1950’s, and Nora Breen, newly released from her vows as a Carmelite nun for 30 years, comes to the boardinghouse called Gulls Nest in Kent, England. She is there to find out the fate of her younger friend and former postulate, Frieda. Nora is a nurse, and during a serious illness of Frieda’s, they became close. Frieda, too, has left the monastery, and wrote regularly to Nora. Then the letters abruptly stopped, Frieda disappeared, and no one can say what happened to her.

Joining the small but motley crew of boarders at Gulls Nest, Nora seeks answers. Though WWII is several years behind them, many still suffer from its physical and emotional scars, and the consequences of events that occurred around it. Further deaths at Gulls Nest bring some to a breaking point.

Nora, herself, is a lovely character: interested in others, strong and sympathetic, as well as self-aware, noting her own transformation from cloistered nun to part of the larger world. She is inquisitive, clever, and finds people endlessly fascinating.

Gulls Nest does not have the depth, breadth, drama and fantasy elements of some of Jess Kidd’s earlier works, but this is like comparing a busy landscape painting to a small one: Gulls Nest is a more focused canvas, but with a vivid setting and quirky characters.

I hope that the advance materials, calling this the first in a series, are accurate. I would greatly like to spend more time with Nora Breen.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I unfortunately DNF'ed this at about 25%. This was just not for me at this moment. I thought Jess Kidd's writing was great, and it was incredibly descriptive, but the pacing and the tense of the novel made it feel like the story was dragging. The best thing I could compare this to is a noir detective film with the internal narration and realization Nora has. While this could be exactly what someone is looking for, I think I prefer a mystery novel that is slightly faster paced.