Murder at Gulls Nest Book Review
Book One in the Nora Breen Investigates Mystery Series
Murder at Gulls Nest
Murder at Gulls Nest is an extraordinary mystery with a seaside setting, a fascinating protagonist, and dynamite storytelling.
Series: Nora Breen Investigates
Written by: Jess Kidd
Publication date: April 8, 2025
Mystery type: Cozy mystery
Plot Overview
It’s 1954. Nora Breen, a nun in Northern England, becomes concerned when she stops getting letters from Frieda Brogan, her former novice and longtime pen pal. Nora asks to be released from her vows to go to Gulls Nest, a hotel in Gore-On-Sea in Kent, the last place Freida was known to be.
When Nora arrives at Gulls Nest, she finds a motley crew of long-term guests who live at the hotel. None of the mysterious occupants want to talk about Frieda, and they all seem to be concealing some type of secret.
Spoiler-Free Review
Murder at Gulls Nest was written by bestselling author Jess Kidd, who has been lauded for her masterful storytelling and poetic prose. Her skills are on full display at Murder at Gulls Nest.
This book hooks you right from the start and never lets go. You are immediately drawn into the story by the unique protagonist (Nora Breen) and her predicament (a missing pen pal). The fact that Nora is ready to request a release from her vows and head out into the secular unknown after three decades as a nun shows you exactly how much the pen pal means to her.
The other characters, essentially all suspects at the outset, are also intriguing. You have amiable old Professor Poppy, kindly Stella, irritable Teddy, dapper Bill, cranky Irene, and the mysterious Karel. As Nora learns about each, she determines that they all have a secret they are trying to conceal, and whether or not these secrets are related to the missing Frieda is unclear.
The mystery is excellent and becomes more so when a series of bizarre murders begins, rattling Nora and the occupants of Gull’s nest. Throughout it all, you have Nora, who is learning how to do everything differently now that she is no longer a nun. Even simple things, like the wind in her hair and chatter at dinner time, feel strange.
Jess Kidd’s writing is delightful to read. It keeps the story interesting and sticks with you long after you close the book. I loved Murder at Gulls Nest and can’t wait to read more Nora Breen books!
Disclosures: Cozy Crime Reads received an advanced reader copy of Murder at Gulls Nest from Net Galley and Atria Books. This page may contain affiliate links. Cozy Crime Reads may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
