Thank you Atria Books, #partner, for the advanced copy of Murder at Gulls Nest in exchange for my honest review. I borrowed the audiobook from the library.
Publisher: Atria Books / Simon & Schuster Audio
Published: April 8, 2025
Summary:
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.
My thoughts:
This is the first book in Jess Kidd’s new series; The Nora Breen Investigates Series. As someone who occasionally likes to dip her toes into cozy mysteries, this appealed to me, plus that cover really grabbed my attention!
I loved that this actually falls into the historical cozy mystery category – I haven’t read too many of those and I do love a good historical mystery! Nora Breen is a charming, endearing MC and one I definitely want to know more about. I mean, how many times do you get a former nun as a MC?
Filled with quirky characters, an atmospheric setting and a mystery that kept me guessing, this was quite an enjoyable book, especially with the added humor I wasn’t expecting. I always love an amateur sleuth and this, paired with a smartly plotted mystery is definitely a winner for me!
Audio thoughts:
I saw this available as an audio at my library and I grabbed it. The narrator, Siobhan McSweeney, does a great job giving voice to Nora and I do hope she continues to narrate the rest of the series.
Books in this series:
- Murder at Gulls Nest
- Murder at the Spirit Lounge – due out June 2026
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