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Murder at Gulls Nest: A Novel
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Expected 8 Apr 25Win a free print copy of this book!
20 days and 08:23:24
100 copies available
U.S. only
A cozy mystery series about a former nun who searches for answers in a small seaside town after her pen pal mysteriously disappears
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.
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.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 8, 2025
About the author
Jess Kidd
14 books2,193 followersJess Kidd was brought up in London as part of a large family from county Mayo and has been praised for her unique fictional voice. Her debut, Himself, was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards in 2016. She won the Costa Short Story Award the same year. Her second novel, The Hoarder, published as Mr. Flood's Last Resort in the U.S. and Canada was shortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2019. Both books were BBC Radio 2 Book Club Picks. Her latest book, the Victorian detective tale Things in Jars, has been released to critical acclaim. Jess’s work has been described as ‘Gabriel García Márquez meets The Pogues.’
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 27, 2024
I have been an admirer of Ms Kiid's talent since I read her first book, and was delighted to receive a copy of her later offering, so different from her previous works but engaging and enjoyable thoroughly.
A mystery surrounds silence from a young former nun, despite promises to write, and the mystery is powerful enough for Sister Agnes, a nun of thirty years, to leave the convent and travel south to track down her young friend. Ms Kidd is famous for imagining characters that you become attached to almost immediately, and Nora Breen, former Sister Agnes, is another wonderful addition to the group. The plot is intriguing, but Nora won my heart instantly. She had been through a lot, however, her experience did not make her bitter and she learns how to gradually step into the new world, and find bits of happiness daily.
There is the atmosphere of a small seaside town in the early 1950s, and a plethora of characters who have their own secrets and regrets.
If this going to be a series, I will be happy to continue with it.
*A big thank-you to Jess Kidd, Faber and Faber, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
A mystery surrounds silence from a young former nun, despite promises to write, and the mystery is powerful enough for Sister Agnes, a nun of thirty years, to leave the convent and travel south to track down her young friend. Ms Kidd is famous for imagining characters that you become attached to almost immediately, and Nora Breen, former Sister Agnes, is another wonderful addition to the group. The plot is intriguing, but Nora won my heart instantly. She had been through a lot, however, her experience did not make her bitter and she learns how to gradually step into the new world, and find bits of happiness daily.
There is the atmosphere of a small seaside town in the early 1950s, and a plethora of characters who have their own secrets and regrets.
If this going to be a series, I will be happy to continue with it.
*A big thank-you to Jess Kidd, Faber and Faber, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Want to read
December 8, 2024A new cozy series by Jess Kidd! 🤩
Shelved as '2025'
November 27, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books
November 7, 2024
With only the slightest nod to the supernatural, this is a very different novel to Jess Kidd's other books. What remains the same is her brilliant observations of character, witty dialogue and a story that hooks you in and races along. I loved it and hope that the hint of a sequel at the end of the book comes to fruition as I'd love to see how Nora's life pans out!
Many thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for this ARC
Many thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for this ARC
November 30, 2024
Thank you #Atria Books and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is April 8, 2025.
4 Stars • Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd is a cozy mystery set in 1954. The story follows Nora Breen, a former nun who leaves her convent to investigate the sudden disappearance of her pen pal, Frieda. Nora travels to Gulls Nest, a charming hotel in the seaside town of Gore-on-Sea, Kent. Disguising her identity, she begins to pry into the lives of the hotel's guests, each of whom seems to be hiding a secret. As bizarre murders start to occur, Nora must confront the possibility that a dark past can never truly be left
behind
#MurderAtGullsNest #JessKidd
#Bookstagram
4 Stars • Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd is a cozy mystery set in 1954. The story follows Nora Breen, a former nun who leaves her convent to investigate the sudden disappearance of her pen pal, Frieda. Nora travels to Gulls Nest, a charming hotel in the seaside town of Gore-on-Sea, Kent. Disguising her identity, she begins to pry into the lives of the hotel's guests, each of whom seems to be hiding a secret. As bizarre murders start to occur, Nora must confront the possibility that a dark past can never truly be left
behind
#MurderAtGullsNest #JessKidd
#Bookstagram
December 9, 2024
Boy oh boy, I do love a Jess Kidd novel! I believe I have read them all and I know that I have thoroughly enjoyed every one that I have read, and that includes this one. A cozy mystery, as the sleuth is a former nun, but quite intricate in the plotting and pacing. Twice I thought I was on to the killer, but twice I was wrong. What I really love about Jess Kidd books is her ability to write casually and conversationally so that I am immediately comfortable and ready to settle in for a long read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy and provide my honest opinion.
December 15, 2024
I so enjoyed getting to know the complicated, clever, no-nonsense, late-blooming, menopausal former nun at the forefront of this cozy mystery. The seaside setting was wonderfully downtrodden, the cast of characters satisfyingly distinct, and the potential for partnership with a handsome police detective romantically pitch perfect. I'm already eager for the next installment!
November 25, 2024
This was so fun! Jess Kidd is a new to me author, and I am so thankful to have had to opportunity to read this in advance! I really loved the main character, Nora Breen. I really enjoyed that this story involved nuns, Ireland and England, and a historical time setting! All yes-es from me! The physical setting description was great, and I really felt like I was there by the sea at Gull's Nest. I am definitely looking forward to reading more Nora Breen mysteries!
December 5, 2024
Once again Jess Kidd’s brilliant characterization shines through. Nora Breen leaps from the page fully formed and admirable as the just released from Her vows Nun, trying to find out what happened to Her friend. When I heard that Jess Kidd was writing a Mystery again I really hoped that Bridie Devine was being revived and was a little disappointed to discover she wasn’t. Until I read the book though and all doubts disappeared.
Jess Kidd books come with a hearty recommend from me at The Bookery in Crediton and I will definitely be showing this to all and sundry once it’s published.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the TRC
Jess Kidd books come with a hearty recommend from me at The Bookery in Crediton and I will definitely be showing this to all and sundry once it’s published.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the TRC
October 21, 2024
Not for me unfortunately; the writing was so jolting it took me out of the book quite a lot. I didn’t enjoy the short and basic sentences, or the structure as it lacked depth and I therefore didn’t feel any connection to the characters or the story. The story itself didn’t feel that natural and I guessed the murderer well before the end so I was left disappointed without any real twists or turns.
December 6, 2024
I'm definitely not a murder mystery type of gal but Jess Kidd is an instant read author for me so I made an exception.
Murder at Gull’s Nest is a well-executed period mystery set in a 1950s seaside guest house where appearances and intentions are seldom what they seem. At the centre is Nora Breen, a former nun who has stepped away from decades of cloistered life and into the uneasy social dynamic of Gore-on-Sea’s Gulls Nest. This shift in environment provides her with an unusual vantage point: as both an outsider and a woman of quiet determination, Nora is uniquely positioned to observe subtle tensions and unspoken alliances.
Jess Kidd’s careful attention to historical detail results in a setting that feels authentic without becoming overwhelming. The atmosphere captures the quieter side of postwar Britain, with its muted optimism and lingering shadows. Within this context, the tensions of daily life at the guest house, including disappointing dinners and politely guarded conversation, gain an underlying significance.
The narrative unfolds at a measured pace, offering insight into the habits, histories, and guarded personalities of the residents. Kidd keeps the mystery carefully layered, ensuring that revelations never feel forced. Instead, they arise through Nora’s patient observation and the gradual surfacing of long-held secrets. The result is a sense of continuity and coherence that respects the intelligence of the reader.
Nora’s character is handled with restraint; the story acknowledges the complexities of her transition from convent life to civilian existence without relying on melodrama. Her skills—honed in silence, reflection, and humility—prove unexpectedly valuable in a world where subtlety and patience are more effective than force. The supporting cast is distinct, providing a range of plausible suspects and motives that build toward a resolution both satisfying and credible.
Overall I really enjoyed it, it was a charming read and I'll most likely read the next book too (where Nora better give Rideout a big old smooch)
Murder at Gull’s Nest is a well-executed period mystery set in a 1950s seaside guest house where appearances and intentions are seldom what they seem. At the centre is Nora Breen, a former nun who has stepped away from decades of cloistered life and into the uneasy social dynamic of Gore-on-Sea’s Gulls Nest. This shift in environment provides her with an unusual vantage point: as both an outsider and a woman of quiet determination, Nora is uniquely positioned to observe subtle tensions and unspoken alliances.
Jess Kidd’s careful attention to historical detail results in a setting that feels authentic without becoming overwhelming. The atmosphere captures the quieter side of postwar Britain, with its muted optimism and lingering shadows. Within this context, the tensions of daily life at the guest house, including disappointing dinners and politely guarded conversation, gain an underlying significance.
The narrative unfolds at a measured pace, offering insight into the habits, histories, and guarded personalities of the residents. Kidd keeps the mystery carefully layered, ensuring that revelations never feel forced. Instead, they arise through Nora’s patient observation and the gradual surfacing of long-held secrets. The result is a sense of continuity and coherence that respects the intelligence of the reader.
Nora’s character is handled with restraint; the story acknowledges the complexities of her transition from convent life to civilian existence without relying on melodrama. Her skills—honed in silence, reflection, and humility—prove unexpectedly valuable in a world where subtlety and patience are more effective than force. The supporting cast is distinct, providing a range of plausible suspects and motives that build toward a resolution both satisfying and credible.
Overall I really enjoyed it, it was a charming read and I'll most likely read the next book too (where Nora better give Rideout a big old smooch)
December 15, 2024
Though it took me a while to get through, I ended up really enjoying "Murder at Gulls Nest"! I related to our protagonist (and former nun) Nora, who was thoughtful, interesting, and didn't make exceedingly dumb decisions like other mystery main characters tend to do in order to heighten the tension. The progress of her investigation into the disappearance of her friend Frieda—and the subsequent murders of several residents at Gulls Nest—did drag on a bit, and I think that slow pacing hampered my overall enjoyment and desire to keep picking up the book. I was pulled in every time I opened it, but once I put it down I was never really itching to pick it back up again.
I also thought the revelation of the murderer came a bit too suddenly, without enough clues for the reader to make a good guess about what was really going on. And there were other moments where Nora would seem kind of stalled in her progress, then to suddenly just figure something out or confront someone without much context for the reader about how she got there. This type of uneven pacing was a recurrent theme in the construction of the story, and knocked off a few stars for me.
But still, the setting was cozy and mysterious, the characters were intriguing, and their relationships were appropriately tangled to keep my interest throughout. 3.5/5 stars from me!
I also thought the revelation of the murderer came a bit too suddenly, without enough clues for the reader to make a good guess about what was really going on. And there were other moments where Nora would seem kind of stalled in her progress, then to suddenly just figure something out or confront someone without much context for the reader about how she got there. This type of uneven pacing was a recurrent theme in the construction of the story, and knocked off a few stars for me.
But still, the setting was cozy and mysterious, the characters were intriguing, and their relationships were appropriately tangled to keep my interest throughout. 3.5/5 stars from me!
December 3, 2024
I’ve loved everything I’ve read from Jess Kidd and was thrilled to be approved for an ARC of her newest, Murder at Gulls Nest. The book is a departure for Kidd – it lands firmly in cozy mystery category – and I wasn’t sure going in if I’d like it. I shouldn’t have doubted the talented writer, though. While the genre is not one of my usuals, this book features terrifically drawn and varied characters, genuine-feeling dialogue and a plot that propels the reader forward toward its culmination. I was drawn into the mystery of not one murder, but three, iif you count the dog, and found myself staying up late to see the conclusion. As good as this book is, though, I hope Kidd sticks to literary fiction, like her debut, the pitch-perfect Himself, and her latest, Things in Jars. That is where she excels imo. But I will read a continuation of Nora Breen stories if and when she decidees to continue the series.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my opinion.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my opinion.
December 3, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the eARC.
This is such an enjoyable and atmospheric read, set shortly after the War. The main character, Nora Breen, has just left her convent after 30 years there as a nun and nurse. The reason for leaving is to find her young friend Frieda, who left the convent some time ago, after promising to keep in touch and faithfully writing to Nora, then inexplicably stopping. Nora has a nasty feeling something is amiss.
She ends up renting a room in the same boarding house as Frieda did before she suddenly left without warning.
You can hear the sea and the gulls and feel the tension building as nasty happenings occur, such is the great writing.
Every character is well-drawn, and the chemistry between Nora and Inspector Rideout is charming. It'll be interesting to read about their future entanglments!
This is such an enjoyable and atmospheric read, set shortly after the War. The main character, Nora Breen, has just left her convent after 30 years there as a nun and nurse. The reason for leaving is to find her young friend Frieda, who left the convent some time ago, after promising to keep in touch and faithfully writing to Nora, then inexplicably stopping. Nora has a nasty feeling something is amiss.
She ends up renting a room in the same boarding house as Frieda did before she suddenly left without warning.
You can hear the sea and the gulls and feel the tension building as nasty happenings occur, such is the great writing.
Every character is well-drawn, and the chemistry between Nora and Inspector Rideout is charming. It'll be interesting to read about their future entanglments!
December 14, 2024
[Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC] I've made the comment that I would read a cereal box if Jess Kidd had written it, but thankfully I don't need to resort to that. Murder at Gull's Nest is a foray into mystery for Kidd, who brings her trademark eerie and unsettling touch to the genre. Nora Breen has recently left her convent and is searching for her friend Frieda, another former nun who abruptly stopped writing from the village of Gore-on-Sea. Nora steps into the role of amateur sleuth, taking a room at Gull's Nest to discover the whereabouts of her friend. Along the way, she navigates quirky characters, life outside the convent, and mysterious deaths. As with all things Kidd, things are rarely as they seem. A promising first (fingers crossed) in a new mystery series.
December 8, 2024
Murder at Gull’s Rock by Jess Kidd
Having read and enjoyed The Night Ship, Things in Jars and Himself I was very much looking forward to reading this latest Jess Kidd novel which is a departure from her usual writing. This could be termed “Cosy Crime” but it is so much more than that. Her characters are interesting and nuanced and the plot is intriguing.
A mystery surrounds the whereabouts of a young novice stops who writing to Agnes, a nun of 30 years, she decides to set off to discover what has happened to Frieda. She renounces her calling and leaves the convent. She arrives at Gull’s Nest and finds a strange collection of people. None of them seem to have any idea what has befallen Frieda.
Agnes becomes Nora Breen and begins to investigate what happened to Frieda. Nora is a character who you immediately warm to and as she recounts what happened to her before she went to the convent you feel her pain. The author beautifully evokes the seaside town of the 1950’s and the seedier side of the type of boarding house in which Nora finds herself. As Frieda said to Nora in her last letter “everyone here is hiding a secret.
Through Nora’s quiet observation, honed through years of silence and contemplation, we gradual uncover the secrets but not before a grisly murder is committed. There was a strong hint at the end of the novel that this could be the first in a new series and I will be looking about for book 2 to see how Agnes’ life unfolds. Many thanks to Jess Kidd, Faber and Faber, and NetGalley for a copy of the novel in return for my honest review.
Having read and enjoyed The Night Ship, Things in Jars and Himself I was very much looking forward to reading this latest Jess Kidd novel which is a departure from her usual writing. This could be termed “Cosy Crime” but it is so much more than that. Her characters are interesting and nuanced and the plot is intriguing.
A mystery surrounds the whereabouts of a young novice stops who writing to Agnes, a nun of 30 years, she decides to set off to discover what has happened to Frieda. She renounces her calling and leaves the convent. She arrives at Gull’s Nest and finds a strange collection of people. None of them seem to have any idea what has befallen Frieda.
Agnes becomes Nora Breen and begins to investigate what happened to Frieda. Nora is a character who you immediately warm to and as she recounts what happened to her before she went to the convent you feel her pain. The author beautifully evokes the seaside town of the 1950’s and the seedier side of the type of boarding house in which Nora finds herself. As Frieda said to Nora in her last letter “everyone here is hiding a secret.
Through Nora’s quiet observation, honed through years of silence and contemplation, we gradual uncover the secrets but not before a grisly murder is committed. There was a strong hint at the end of the novel that this could be the first in a new series and I will be looking about for book 2 to see how Agnes’ life unfolds. Many thanks to Jess Kidd, Faber and Faber, and NetGalley for a copy of the novel in return for my honest review.
December 16, 2024
I loved Jess Kidd’s Things in Jars! This is not that!
A cozy mystery with nuns! With her signature character descriptions, snappy dialogue, and a new favorite.
It is 1954 and Nora is worried. Her former novice has stopped writing and there is something in the last letter that has her very worried.
So she asks to be released and heads to Gulls Nest. And oh my the people she meets there. Every single one is hiding something. And Nora intends to find out what happened to her friend.
When people start dying, she has a puzzle on her hands. One she may not live through.
NetGalley/ Atria Books April 08,2025
A cozy mystery with nuns! With her signature character descriptions, snappy dialogue, and a new favorite.
It is 1954 and Nora is worried. Her former novice has stopped writing and there is something in the last letter that has her very worried.
So she asks to be released and heads to Gulls Nest. And oh my the people she meets there. Every single one is hiding something. And Nora intends to find out what happened to her friend.
When people start dying, she has a puzzle on her hands. One she may not live through.
NetGalley/ Atria Books April 08,2025
Want to read
December 17, 2024ARC received, thank you to Edelweiss and Atria Books!
SIDENOTE FOR ALL RECENT ARCS: I have hundreds of ARCS to get through and while I promise that I WILL read and review them, it's going to take time and it may be after publication— WAY after. I love reading ARCs, but I also want to keep reading fun for myself & not turn it into a chore. I appreciate the authors and publishers who send these my way SO much and have since learned not to go so “request crazy.” I promise to give each book received the time (and words) they deserve. Thanks for understanding! -Ash
SIDENOTE FOR ALL RECENT ARCS: I have hundreds of ARCS to get through and while I promise that I WILL read and review them, it's going to take time and it may be after publication— WAY after. I love reading ARCs, but I also want to keep reading fun for myself & not turn it into a chore. I appreciate the authors and publishers who send these my way SO much and have since learned not to go so “request crazy.” I promise to give each book received the time (and words) they deserve. Thanks for understanding! -Ash
November 21, 2024
I am a huge fan of Jess Kidd and really enjoyed this one! Even writing a cozy mystery, she adds color, flavor and beautiful description to wherever she does. To me this was a literary fiction meets Agatha Christie read. I would also like to point out that the protagonist, Nora, is a middle aged woman trying to find her feet after being in a monastery for most of her life. It is so refreshing watching a woman like her come to terms with her past and decide what her future could be.
November 6, 2024
I'm not the biggest fan of cosy crime, but I do like this author a lot.
So I dived in.
Took me a while to really get into the book, settle into the old fashioned seaside vibes.
Very much liked the character of Nora Breen, where she had come from, what she was doing.
It was an enjoyable read, though non too taxing on the old brain cells.
So I dived in.
Took me a while to really get into the book, settle into the old fashioned seaside vibes.
Very much liked the character of Nora Breen, where she had come from, what she was doing.
It was an enjoyable read, though non too taxing on the old brain cells.
November 28, 2024
This was a very enjoyable read. It's a well written cosy crime with very good characters and a an interesting plot. The main character is an ex-nun turned detective and keeps the readers entertained with her witty comments. It looks like this may be the beginning of a series. I would definitely read more of the same.
November 24, 2024
Loved all her books and this was so different from her previous yet still so good! Nun turned detective. Fun and easy read!
November 27, 2024
We meet Nora Breen, originally from County Mayo in the west of Ireland, as she's making her way to a boarding house, Gull's Nest, at Gore-on-Sea. She's quite apprehensive about what she'll find, but also about what she's doing. Nora has just left the convent where she lived as Sister Agnes for 30 years and is unsure about life in the wider world. However, she has her reasons for this plan of action, so she moves forward in spite of her doubts and fears. She quickly discovers that there are some weird things going on at Gull's Nest. People behave in strange ways and secrets abound. She is more convinced that she's on the right track as she learns more about the people who live there. As the narrative unfolds, we learn why Nora has taken this huge step as well as how and why she ended up in the convent in the first place.
This is a wonderful book! I fell in love with Nora from the moment I met her. She's feisty, no nonsense, going with her gut, and in the process of self-reflection and discovery. I wouldn't quite characterize this book as a cozy mystery because I think it's slightly deeper and less 'light reading' than I expect a cozy to be. This is not to disparage this book or cozy mysteries--I love a good cozy and enjoy reading them. It's just that while this has some similarities, like the small town that's past its glory days, the cast of quirky characters, the amateur sleuth going toe-to-toe with the police detective, the treatment of these things has a different tone than I find in the cozy mysteries I read. There are serious issues underlying all of these things and the quirky people are sometimes hiding painful secrets. There is also a good deal of humor in this book and I laughed out loud more than once. There is one scene, which I won't describe due to spoilers, that was particularly hilarious and highlighted the reasons why I love Nora. In the description of this book, I read that it's the first in a seaside mystery series by this author. I am thrilled! I can't wait to see what Nora gets up to next. She is fabulous and I hope that I get to read much more about her in future as she continues to adjust to her new life and learns more about herself.
I thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
This is a wonderful book! I fell in love with Nora from the moment I met her. She's feisty, no nonsense, going with her gut, and in the process of self-reflection and discovery. I wouldn't quite characterize this book as a cozy mystery because I think it's slightly deeper and less 'light reading' than I expect a cozy to be. This is not to disparage this book or cozy mysteries--I love a good cozy and enjoy reading them. It's just that while this has some similarities, like the small town that's past its glory days, the cast of quirky characters, the amateur sleuth going toe-to-toe with the police detective, the treatment of these things has a different tone than I find in the cozy mysteries I read. There are serious issues underlying all of these things and the quirky people are sometimes hiding painful secrets. There is also a good deal of humor in this book and I laughed out loud more than once. There is one scene, which I won't describe due to spoilers, that was particularly hilarious and highlighted the reasons why I love Nora. In the description of this book, I read that it's the first in a seaside mystery series by this author. I am thrilled! I can't wait to see what Nora gets up to next. She is fabulous and I hope that I get to read much more about her in future as she continues to adjust to her new life and learns more about herself.
I thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
November 30, 2024
Nora comes to a small town to find her missing friend. There are lots of characters and several plot lines, but I had a hard time caring about what happened for some reason. I couldn’t quite get into it.
I received an early copy through Netgalley but all opinions are my own.
I received an early copy through Netgalley but all opinions are my own.
December 18, 2024
A fun cozy mystery!!
December 1, 2024
Wow what a different genre for this author. I didn’t know if I would and I loved it. A thoughtful whodunnit and a few twists and turns. Enjoyable. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews