I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had reading this! I thought it'd be an easy and fun read, but there were a lot more layers to the plot than I expected.

Nora has asked to be released from her vows as a nun to investigate the case her missing friend, Frieda. She moves in to Frieda's previous living situation with a quirky cast of characters at Gulls Nest in a small seaside holiday town.

I loved Nora as a character. Her personality is fun and feisty and I enjoyed her history getting revealed to the reader in snippets. There were more heavy topics than I was expected, but I think they added a lot to the story and made the characters more interesting. Even with the heavy topics, there was a lot of whimsy and humor as well.

I hope this becomes a series!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Cozy Mystery

This is the first installment in this cozy mystery series that takes place in 1954 England. The story follows Nora, a former nun who has been in the convent for thirty years. What makes Nora leave the convent is the sudden disappearance of her friend, Freida. She decides to investigate why her friend disappeared and to find out the truth about it.

Nora’s search leads her to Gulls Nest, a guest house where she believes Freida was last known to reside. There she meets all the different residents, who she can trust will be a challenging thing, because every one of them has his own secrets to hide. With the help of the local detective, Nora’s mission becomes somewhat easier.

I think the author did a fantastic job with the cozy setting and the atmosphere of the story. The 1950s vibes of England were truly vivid throughout the book. The protagonist was quite interesting. A former nun getting in the shoes of a detective is something I believe will appeal to many readers.

While the book excels in some storytelling aspects, some portions didn’t resonate with me. It was generally a slow reading experience. The story features several subplots, which can make everything feel overwhelming at times. I believe the author focused more on character development and gradual mystery reveals rather than a fast-paced cozy mystery. There's nothing wrong with that, but I personally prefer cozy mysteries to maintain a quicker pace with a lighter theme.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Clever series premier with this one - great setting and time period for background. I found it compelling and kept trying to figure it out. Fans of gothic and Agatha Christie will enjoy this one and hopefully more will follow in the series. Solid mystery.

This is definitely a different kind of cozy mystery. This is the first book in a new series, and this was a new author for me. The setting is an English coastal village in the mid 50's and the main character Nora is a former nun. All that makes for a different kind of story and vibe but also a very interesting and engrossing one. Some of this is a little darker and heavier than your average cozy, the characters at the boarding house, Gull's Nest all have interesting histories and stories that play into our mystery in various ways. I really enjoyed Nora's different perspective, a snapshot of a time in history, and the discovery of good and bad no matter the circumstances. Nora has a lot going on, but this journey with her is fascinating, and I will continue the journey with her in the future. I would say that taking yourself out of your usual cozy mystery scenario is definitely worth the risk. Thanks to #Netgally, #AtriaBooks, and the author for the introduction to this series. #MurderatGull'sNest #JessKidd #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

1/5 stars: This is the first entry in Kidd's Nora Breen Investigates series which is a Historical Mystery set in England, 1954 and features a nun who leaves her order in search for answers at the charming hotel in a small seaside town after the disappearance of her former novice and pen pal. Hiding her identity, she pries into the lives of her fellow guests and after a series of bizarre murders rattles the occupants she has to ask if a dark past can ever really be left behind. Kidd's writing and character work are well done. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the tense the book's written in; leading me to DNF it at 3%.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

4 stars

Fans of a solid cozy mystery and/or great character development will find a lot to love in the start of this new series from Jess Kidd.

Nora Breen, a former nun, arrives in the titular location to find out why her pen pal has recently gone radio silent. Immediately, Kidd makes Nora a round, likeable character. While Nora has a lot of baggage, she also has a lot of hope and optimism, and she is a problem solver who won't easily be told what to do. Considering the time in which this is set and the structure of her life so far, Nora's sense of agency is even more provocative than it may seem at first blush.

While Nora is the clear highlight of this book for me - a positive start for a new series! - the plot, additional characters, and pacing all come together nicely, too. I also appreciate that some of the borderline slapstick activity I've read in other recent cozies does not appear here. There are lighthearted moments, but this isn't a goofy read by any stretch.

I enjoyed this and was surprised by the depth considering the genre. I recommend it to folks who are struck by the description and will absolutely be waiting to devour the next in line.

I loved this cozy seaside mystery! Nora is a very likeable detective, and the other characters were layered and intriguing. The mystery was complex enough to keep my attention, and I really enjoyed it! I will eagerly await another Nora Breen mystery!

This first in series was a treat! Welcome to the world of mystery readers, Nora Breen! She is a former nun whom we meet when she seeks to discover what happened to her friend and also former nun, Frieda. Frieda promised to keep in touch and she did faithfully, until she just didn't. This was such uncharacteristic behavior that Nora was compelled to take the drastic step of leaving the order to find out what happened to Frieda...granted, she admits that it was probably the catalyst for a decision that was long in the making. Nora is intelligent and belovedly feisty. There was humor and insight galore here and I am looking forward to our next encounter with this interesting protagonist. This is one of those you don't want to put down, with plenty of interesting twists and revelations. I want more!

In Murder at Gulls Nest, Jess Kidd introduces readers to Nora Breen, a former nun who leaves her convent in 1954 to investigate the sudden disappearance of her pen pal and former novice, Frieda. Nora's search leads her to Gulls Nest, a quaint yet slightly shabby boarding house in the seaside town of Gore-on-Sea, Kent. Disguising her true identity, she immerses herself among the eclectic residents, each harboring their own secrets. As Nora delves deeper, a series of bizarre murders disrupts the community, intertwining with her quest to find Frieda and challenging her to confront her own past.

Kidd masterfully captures the post-war atmosphere of 1950s England, highlighting a society still bearing the scars of conflict. The setting of Gore-on-Sea, with its off-season desolation, mirrors the internal struggles of its inhabitants, adding depth to the narrative. The ensemble of characters at Gulls Nest is richly developed, each contributing to the story's intricate web of mystery and suspense.

Murder at Gulls Nest is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and character-driven storytelling. Jess Kidd's nuanced portrayal of a woman stepping beyond the confines of her former life to uncover hidden truths makes for a captivating read. This novel is a promising start to the Nora Breen Investigates series, leaving readers eager for more of Nora's adventures in sleuthing.

Loved this book. Great characters! Can’t wait to hear about more of Nora’s adventures! I left a detailed review on StoryGraph and have linked it below.

Top notch writing, a compelling protagonist, and a great cast of characters. It somehow manages to stay within the genre confines of a cozy mystery, and exceed it at the same time.

For fans of: Agatha Christie, Deanna Raybourn
Series: #1
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
Genre: Historical Mystery
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓 (mostly off’page)
Spice: 🚫
TW: death of a pet, PTSD, discussion of suicide

Premise: 1954, Southern England. When letters stop arriving, Nora obtains release from her religious vows to find former novice. She starts her search at Gulls Nest, the shabby boardinghouse where Frieda lived with a motley assortment of characters.

Thoughts: For those familiar with Jess Kidd (author of Things in Jars & Mr Floods Last Resort), this 1st in a cozy mystery series is a bit of a departure from her previous speculative fiction, though an otherworldly feel persists. But Murder at Gull’s Nest retains her distinctive fingerprint. The evocative, often whimsical, prose brings people & places to life. Even characters who appear only briefly are painted with memorable qualities, whether it be a herd of rabbits or a penchant for romance novels. Nora Breen, the novel’s main character, dances off the page. Kidd plays against type in crafting Nora , at times leaning into & at others away from the nun stereotype. The mystery at the novel’s heart is also pleasing, what started as a missing person’s case growing more & more complex as the pages add up. The fate of the tenants lends an “And Then There Were None” air to it, which I always enjoy, keeping me guessing until nearly the end. The relationship between Nora & the police inspector—who is at turns vexed & impressed by Nora’s investigatory skills—adds a delightful sub-plot to the novel. Overall, a great read & I’m looking forward to the sequel.

cute cozy mystery with a fun vibe and a very dramatic (but predictable) killer. definitely well-done and interesting. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

I do love a cozy mystery and this one is no exception. It has a strong sense of place and a large cast of characters who I found were very distinguished from each other, making it easy to keep everyone straight. Each character felt real and dynamic. Nora Breen is my first main character that was a former nun and I enjoyed the speculation on what challenges someone becoming a member of the public after so many decades would encounter. This is my first Jess Kidd book and several times throughout the book I was struck by how much this story benefits from a great writer. I think in other hands it would not have been as good of a book but each aspect- setting, characters, plot- was a step above most books and I found it really very enjoyable. I look forward to reading more in this series and more from this author.
This book will be released on April 8, 2025.
5/5 Stars

This is a wonderful Agatha Christie take on a the classic mystery. There are gothic elements with the big mysterious hotel and also pure thriller aspects as the reader desperately seeks answers.

I really enjoyed this mystery. A nun leaves the convent to find her friends who left months before. She lives in a boarding home called Gulls Nest with some quirky characters. Each character has a secret and one of them is a murderer.

A story set in the 1950’s that follows the life of Nora Breen, a nun who has left those days behind her when she left the world of a nun. She’s trying to contact her friend who seems to have disappeared, but she can’t seem to find where she has disappeared to, so she takes a chance that it might be where her friend stayed once upon a time, at Gulls Nest. It’s there that she begins to pay close attention to those staying at Gulls Nest.

This story weaves in and out, much like the sea itself, but ends in a way that is as wonderful as you’d expect from Jess Kidd.


Pub Date: 08 Apr 2025

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Atria Books

First, great cover. What looks to be the start of a series with former nun, Nora Breen, going to a hotel to find a friend who has seemingly vanished. An interesting premise. I like the authors style of handwriting.

Wow, this was my first book by this author and I would for sure read one. What a ride! I enjoy the suspense and the pacing throughout.

Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd. Publication Date: 08 Apr 2025. Atria Books. Mystery & Thrillers. 5 Stars.

Slow-burn story of a nun who leaves her cloistered world for reasons of her own—and to locate a missing friend—told in the surefooted prose of Jess Kidd..

It’s this thread of friendship that sustains the story through the rocky road of disbelief precipitated by the chilling murders of the innocent amidst long walks by the sea, strong tea and an apathetic, eccentric girl-child. The remaining characters still play upon the mind with the tingling upbeat fade of the last scene that is presaging a unique collaboration that may include romantic suspense, and who knows—maybe even a TV series.

Thanks much to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this ebook for review.