Caffeinated Reviewer | Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd
14th Apr
Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd is the first mystery novel in the Nora Breen Investigates series. The author transports the reader to 1954 Gulls Nest, a charming hotel in Gore-on-Sea in Kent. Mystery, friendship and, and murder await you in this delightful mystery that reminded me of Agatha Raisin.
Murder at Gulls Nest
by Jess Kidd
Series: Nora Breen Investigates #1
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
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.
We meet Nora Breen who has just left the service of the lord to find her friend who last wrote to her from the Gulls Nest, hotel along the shore in Kent. Nora has very few belonging and a small stipend. The charming hotel is mostly inhabited by guest staying long term. Nora finds herself in the room once occupied by her friend Frieda. She tells no one and sets about asking questions. The tale that unfolds pulled me in and I quite enjoyed Nora and her investigative skills.
As we meet the guests, a series of murders prompts Nora to wonder what trouble her friend is in and who is responsible. It was a clever whodunit. Kidd unraveled things slowly with plenty of suspects. She kept things plausible, all while keeping me guessing.
I loved the quirky characters, Nora in particular, whose rather clever, soft-spoken and sharp as a tack. Secondary characters carry secrets, burdens and added depth to the story. From the angry maid/cook to the married couple upstairs, I was pulled into their stories. The story flows wonderfully as the suspense builds and the danger grows.
The seaside town and its inhabitants were as much a character as Nora herself. I laughed as Nora interacted with the police chief and her desk sergeant. It made me glad that this is a series. Fans of cozy mysteries with depth and a touch of darkness will delight in the mystery. This is perfect for fans of Agatha Raisin. This was my first experience with author Jess Kidd, but it won’t be my last.
About Jess Kidd
ess was brought up in London as part of a large family from County Mayo. After returning to college as a mature learner on a bursary Jess lectured and taught creative writing to all age groups. Her debut novel, Himself, was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2016, Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2017 and longlisted for the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger 2017. Her second novel, The Hoarder, was shortlisted for Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2019. Both books were selected for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club. Jess’s third novel, Things in Jars, was published to critical acclaim. Her fourth book, an epic shipwreck saga called The Night Ship, is out this year. Jess won the Costa Short Story Award in 2016 with ‘Dirty Little Fishes’ and has recently contributed short fiction to The Haunting Season, a collection of ghostly winter tales. Jess’s first book for children Everyday Magic is a teacher’s pick. Jess has lately been developing original TV and film projects alongside short fiction and her fifth novel.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
