"From Jess Kidd, the bestselling author of Things in Jars who "is so good it isn't fair" (Erika Swyler, nationally bestselling author), the first in a cozy mystery series about a former nun who searches for answers in a small seaside town after her pen pal mysteriously disappears.

I believe every one of us at Gulls Nest is concealing some kind of secret.

1954: When her former novice's dependable letters stop, Nora Breen asks to be released from her vows. Haunted by a line in Frieda's letter, Nora arrives at Gulls Nest, a charming hotel in Gore-on-Sea in Kent.

A seaside town, a place of fresh air and relaxed constraints, is the perfect place for a new start. Nora hides her identity and pries into the lives of her fellow guests. But when a series of bizarre murders rattles the occupants of Gulls Nest it's time to ask if a dark past can ever really be left behind."

Jess Kidd is a fabulous writer, but what draws me most to this is the Goreyesque town of Gore-on-Sea.

I really loved this story. It's paced really well and I found the writing style unique, in the best way. I want to be Nora Breen's friend. I was emotionally invested in her story and who she is as a person and her development throughout. They mystery was well done and kept you guessing right up to the end.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced readers copy.

Picture this: a house perched on a cliff, waves crashing below, secrets swirling within. Jess Kidd's "Murder at Gull's Nest" plunges us into this deliciously ominous setting, where mystery lurks in every shadow and whisper.

At the heart of this story stands Nora Breen, our amateur sleuth extraordinaire. Don't let her novice status fool you – Nora's quiet grace belies a razor-sharp mind and an uncanny knack for observation. As she peels back the layers of deceit, you'll find yourself captivated by her journey as a determined truth-seeker.

The cast of suspects is a veritable smorgasbord of intrigue. Each character harbors their own dark secrets, and the process of uncovering them is as thrilling as it is unsettling. Kidd masterfully weaves a web of red herrings that will have you second-guessing your every assumption. Trust becomes a precious commodity in this house of lies, and you'll relish every moment of trying to discern friend from foe.

But it's not just the suspects that keep you on your toes. The growing dynamic between Nora and the inspector adds another layer of complexity to the tale. Their tentative alliance hints at a future ripe with potential for more mysteries to be unraveled together.

From the first page to the last, "Murder at Gull's Nest" grips you in its talons and refuses to let go. The plot twists and turns like the treacherous coastal paths surrounding Gull's Nest itself, leading to a reveal that embodies the adage "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" in the most spine-tingling way possible.

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for my free books.

Nora is a nun who, after not hearing from another former nun whom she had been faithfully corresponding with, decides to leave the convent and find out where her friend is. She goes to the last place she knew her friend had lived and finds herself in the middle of a couple of suspicious deaths. I enjoyed Murder at Gulls Nest, Nora's character in particular. Loved her feistiness and inquisitive attitude. If this becomes a continuing series, will definitely look forward to reading more of her story.

I enjoyed this mystery. It wasn't too simplistic and I enjoyed the characters. I look forward to a second book. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

If you liked Murder She Wrote, but with a nun, this might be worth a read. Nora wants to discover why her friend's letters stop coming, so she finds herself in a quaint town to get to the bottom of things. A mystery unfolds because shortly after another person dies, the question is, Gulls Nest holding secrets. While I figured out who the killer their reasons were surprising. Readers should keep in mind the timing of this because it speaks to the time.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. It was incredibly slow paced with not a lot of action in the first 50 pages, and the chapters were so incredibly long and wordy. I feel like this concept has potential, but the way this book was written will not appeal to the mystery or thriller crowd based on my experience. I found our main character to not have a lot of character to her, and the people in the hotel with her were quite hard to keep track of. At the end of the day, I really didn't care what happened to these people. I'm sure it'll find a crowd with some folks, but I'm unfortunately not one of them.

"Who among us really knows our own heart, let alone someone else's?"

#murderatgullsnest is the first in what I fervently hope will be a new series (and since it's designated "Nora Breen Investigates #1"), I think it will be. I was pulled right into the story...which is at turns humorous, sad, and enlightening, with a good mystery thrown in. I loved Nora so much. She's wise, super sharp and self aware. I can't wait for her next adventure.

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley and @simonandschuster for the ARC.

Murder at Gulls Nest is author Jess Kidd's first attempt at a "cozy mystery" and is absolutely wonderful. Sister Agnes/Nora Breen has left the order after over 20 years to find her friend, Frieda. Frieda has also left the order, to explore the world outside of the cloister. Every week she sends a letter to Nora. When the letters stop, Nora begins her quest for answers to her friend's disappearance. Nora soon finds that Gull's Nest is as full of secrets as Frieda hints at in her last letter. As Nora adjusts to life without the veil, she uses her skills of observation (and a steady diet of mystery novels) to unravel the secrets that the guests are hiding. The characters we meet are charming and full of hidden stories that are slowly unveiled by Nora. I can't wait for the continuing tales of Nora the ex-nun detective!

Jess Kidd’s "Murder at Gull's Nest" is a charming and engaging cozy mystery that blends intrigue with a quirky, seaside-town vibe. The story follows Nora Breen, an ex-nun on a mission to find her missing friend, Frieda Brogan. Frieda’s abrupt silence draws Nora to the weathered boarding house, Gulls Nest, where she quickly finds herself surrounded by an eccentric group of residents and an escalating series of secrets.

The opening prologue sets an ominous tone before transitioning to Nora’s determined arrival at the seaside town. Nora’s decades as Sister Agnes of Christ give her a unique perspective, and her resourcefulness shines throughout the story. Her search for Frieda is soon complicated by the murder of Teddy Atkins, one of the Gulls Nest’s guests. As Nora starts piecing together clues about both the murder and Frieda’s disappearance, the tension builds, and nearly every character falls under suspicion.

The cast of characters, from brusque landlady Helena Wells to Professor Poppy with his unnerving puppet collection, ensures there’s never a dull moment. While some characters may lean into eccentricity, they contribute to the lively and unpredictable atmosphere of the story. The mystery itself is well-crafted, offering plenty of twists and red herrings to keep readers guessing. Nora’s determination to uncover the truth, paired with her subtle wit and unorthodox methods, makes her a protagonist worth rooting for. As the book wraps up, Kidd leaves room for future adventures, with the colorful setting and characters setting the stage for a promising series.

Overall, "Murder at Gull's Nest" is an entertaining and delightful read, perfect for lovers of cozy mysteries with a touch of humor and a memorable protagonist at its heart.

I was so excited to read Jess Kidd's latest novel. Ever since the release of Himself back in 2016, I have been a huge fan. Although each of her stories is quite different from the others, they all contain a motley collection of lovable, quirky characters...and Murder at Gulls Nest continues this trend. It is the 1950s, and Nora Breen has left her cloistered nunnery after 30 years to track down a fellow nun and friend, Frieda, who has gone missing. Frieda, who has regularly written to Nora about her convalescence at the seaside, has suddenly and mysteriously disappeared from the Gulls Nest boarding house. Upon arrival at Gulls Nest, Nora immediately senses that something bad has happened and so decides to keep her identity and connection to Frieda a secret. Indeed, something very dark has enveloped Gulls Nest. Shortly after Nora's arrival, a fellow boarder is found dead. Is it suicide or murder? Why did the man have Frieda's handkerchief in his pocket? No longer needing to rein-in her detecting skills or strong will, Nora joins a somewhat less enthusiastic Inspector Rideout in the search for her friend and the solution to a number of murders along the way. While Jess Kidd has never written a sequel to one of her stories, she certainly could do so for Murder at Gulls Nest. As usual, I have become quite invested in the characters and would love to see what the future holds for them! Thank you very much Net Galley for the advance copy of Murder at Gulls Nest

'Murder at Gulls Nest' has a similar vibe to 'The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp', which I read as an audiobook. It has elements of dry humor and endearing seriousness from a one-of-a-kind older female lead. It was a bit slow for me and I think I would enjoy this writing style more as an audiobook. I would recommend it to fans of mysteries with unique characters in small towns.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Atria Books, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Nora Breen has spent thirty years as Sister Agnes of Christ, cloistered away from the pleasures and vices of the world; her role as a nun and nurse filling her days with a pleasant, if not monotonous, sense of duty and pride. So when her pen pal (a dear friend and former postulant, sent away from the order to seek medical treatment and experience life outside the embrace of the church) suddenly stops responding, Sister Agnes makes the decision to become Nora Breen once more.

Shed from her vows and thrust into the post-war world, Nora makes a new vow: to discover what happened to the lovely and vibrant Frieda. Her investigation leads her to the small coastal town of Gore-on-Sea in Kent, and, more specifically, to the apartments at Gull's Nest. However, as her investigation progresses, more mysteries (and murders) begin to unfold until Nora herself may be in danger...

A mix between a cozy mystery and a more traditional murder mystery, MURDER AND GULL'S NEST was a wonderful start to Kidd's newest series. It took me a while to warm up to Kidd's style of writing and the story itself, but once I fully invested and gave it a real chance, I was surprised by how much I thoroughly enjoyed GULL'S NEST and its quirky cast of characters. Nora was particularly endearing, she was a perfect mix of mischievous and pious (well, as pious as a former nun questioning the existence of God can be), and was a very compelling main character. I look forward to reading about what she gets up to next!

I've been a fan of Jess Kidd since her debut novel, Himself. Each book since then has been a gem, so I was excited to get the opportunity to get an advance copy of this new cozy mystery series; she didn't disappoint.

Set in the mid-50s, Norah Breen has forsaken her vows as a nun and has traveled to a small seaside town in search of another former nun, Frieda. Fast friends from when they were nuns, Frieda disappeared from the Gulls Nest hotel. Soon after Norah's arrival, a guest dies, and although Norah suspects foul play, the local police disagree. Armed with the knowledge gained from reading detective novels, Norah also begins investigating the death and the other guests; all of whom have secrets they would prefer not to reveal. As the body count rises, Norah is convinced there is a murderer among them, and it's up to her to uncover the culprit.

I loved the characters in this book. From the feral child to the aloof hotel owner and her surly cook, all were interesting and wouldn't pass the smell test for being the murderer. Norah's relationship with DI Rideout looks to be an interesting storyline in future books in the series. The pacing is excellent, with good twists and red herrings. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 8, 2025.

Nora Breen leaves her convent and goes in search of her friend who mysteriously stop writing. She head to Gulls Nest Hotel, where her friend was staying. The story is set in the early 1950's when houses converted to hotel was a thing. It was common for widows to do, as there were very few jobs women to get, especially if they have a child. Dinah doesn't speak and is really left to run wild.

After Nora arrives she immediately digs in and quietly starts to learn all the gossip trying to solve her friends disappearance. Very quickly there is a murder, so she joins forces with the detective as they work to solve the many mysteries of the hotel.

This was a cozy mystery that a really enjoyed.

Nora Breen is a woman on a mission from the moment she arrives at Gulls Nest, a miserable little boarding house in Kent. The last letter she had from her friend, Frieda, mentioned that Frieda had found out something potentially incriminating about one of her housemates. Now Nora hasn't heard from Frieda in weeks. To the surprise of nearly everyone, Nora renounces her vows, leaves her convent, and sets off to find out what happened using only her natural nosiness and persistence. Jess Kidd's Murder at Gulls Nest is quirky and occasionally dark--something I've come to rely on with Kidd. Murder at Gulls Nest isn't as strange as some of Kidd's other books. For Kidd, I'd say this book is downright lighthearted (apart from a couple of spots of darkness) compared to Himself or Things in Jars.

As soon as I arrived at Gulls Nest with Nora, I was suspicious of everyone. On the one hand, several of them are struggling to keep their secrets secret. There’s clearly something going on with Teddy Atkins, who can barely make it through a meal without snapping at his wife. Another boarder named Ježek is suspect simply because he’s never around to answer questions. On the other hand, I had to wonder about some of the less suspicious characters in case there was a big twist. I’ll admit right now, though, that Kidd fooled me. I love it when an author can do that to me, even after all the mysteries I’ve read.

What really appealed to me about Murder at Gulls Nest wasn’t so much the mystery itself (though I very much enjoyed the complexity of what happens) but Nora herself. As a child, we learn, Nora felt a calling to be a nun. She was one for thirty years. The glimpses we see of her life in orders, however, made me think she missed her real vocation. Nora has a talent for finding clues and piecing them together. She also has the doggedness to keep going even when warned off, much to the annoyance of the local police inspector. The longer Nora spends out of her habit, the more brazen she gets. One scene, in which Nora questions a local rich man’s son, had me crying with laughter at her audacity. I am very much enjoying the recent trend of middle-aged or elderly women who just don’t give a shit anymore.

Readers who enjoy mysteries packed with eccentric characters will enjoy Murder at Gulls Nest.

I really enjoyed the coastal setting and Nora’s amateur sleuthing. Glad this is the start of a series! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nora Breen has sprung the coop, run away from her home of the past thirty years and come to Gull’s Nest, a rooming house near the sea. “Gull’s nest is that sort of place, isn’t it? Where the dreamers and schemers wash up.” And indeed, that’s our Nora. “A washed up nun…An abandoned friend. Flotsam and jetsam.”

Murder at Gull’s Nest is the first mystery in a series by one of my favorite novelists, Jess Kidd. I’m grateful to NetGalley and Atria Books for the review copy. This singular story will be available to buy in the U.S. April 8, 2025.

Nora is indeed a former nun; she’s shed her holy orders along with her tunic and scapular; she’s asked Christ for a divorce. Now she’s middle aged, and dressed in whatever castoffs were available when she departed. She has very little money, and is appalled at what inflation has done to prices between the time that she entered the monastery and the present day. Her first order of business now is clear, regardless: she must find her beloved friend Frieda, who left the order, came to live at Gull’s Nest, corresponded faithfully, then apparently dropped off the surface of the earth. If she’s alive, Nora will find her; if not, Nora will find her anyway.

She settles into the rooming house, and as she gets to know the other boarders, we get to know them along with her. The owner is a stickler for rules, and the cook and housekeeper—one person—is a tyrant. The food is dreadful! Nora resolves to float along beneath the radar for a bit, get the lay of the land before she does any obvious snooping about. However, since this is a murder mystery, someone dies while she’s still getting her bearings. And in time honored tradition, she irritates the very bejesus out of the local law man, Inspector Rideout, who is still deciding whether this death is due to murder at all.

“’I am not yet investigating a murder, Miss Breen.’
“’Are we not?’
“’No, I am not.’”

Don’t ask me to give away anything else about what happens here, because I won’t. I will tell you, however, that it crackles. Jess Kidd writes everything well: internal monologue? Check! Dialogue? Check! Denouement? Check, check, check!

Get this book and read it. You won’t be sorry.

Nora Breen certainly left no stone unturned in her search in finding a murderer and to discover what happened to her friend Frieda. She is a woman of sheer tenacity and grit which makes for a fantastic investigator.

This is the first book I’ve read written by Jess Kidd and I enjoyed her writing style, character development and the way she weaves a mystery.

The occupants at Gore-on-Sea were intriguing, secretive, baffling, corky, and at times I just wanted to shake them and at the same time to sit down with them, have a lovely cup of coffee or tea and a nice chat. That is if I know who is making the coffee or tea.

The mystery surrounding the murders and disappearance of Nora’s friend, Freida was well plotted and with all the right twist and turns. I look forward to reading the book in this series!

Murder at Gulls Nest is a little grittier than a cozy mystery with the vibes of a cozy. When Nora stops getting letters from her former-nun friend, Frieda, Nora leaves her convent to go investigate. She stays at a boarding house, the Gulls House, and meets a cast of characters/suspects. As Nora gets to know each character, we learn possible motives for each suspect. This mystery kept me guessing until late in the novel, and I enjoyed Nora's practical approach to solving the mystery. She reminded me of a Jessica Fletcher-type amateur sleuth, and I liked trying to solve the mystery alongside her.