I’ve read three books by Jess Kidd and so far they’ve all been completely different. This new one, though, is described by the publisher as ‘the first in a sparkling new 1950s seaside mystery series’, so presumably she’s going to stick with one style and genre for her next few books. The series stars Nora Breen, a former nun who has left the convent that has been her home for the last thirty years. She’s an interesting and unusual character and I enjoyed meeting her in this first novel, Murder at Gulls Nest.
Gulls Nest is a guest house in the seaside town of Gore-on-Sea on the southeast coast of England. It’s also the last known address of Frieda, who was once a novice at Nora’s convent before leaving the order and promising to keep in touch. Frieda had been a good friend of Nora’s and when her letters stop arriving, Nora becomes so worried that she also decides to leave and travel to Gore-on-Sea to find out what has happened. Once at Gulls Nest, Nora learns that Frieda disappeared one night without explanation, yet no one else seems to be concerned about it, including the police. Convinced that something bad must have happened to her friend, Nora takes the room that was once Frieda’s and begins to investigate.
As Nora gets to know the other lodgers, she discovers that some of them are not what they seem and appear to be hiding secrets. Then a murder takes place, which may or may not be linked to Frieda’s disappearance. Nora is sure that if she can solve one crime it could provide clues to the other, but Inspector Rideout makes it clear that the police don’t want or need the assistance of a middle-aged ex-nun. Of course, Nora isn’t going to give up that easily!
Murder at Gulls Nest is as entertaining as I’ve come to expect from Jess Kidd’s books, with her usual array of colourful, quirky characters. Some of the most memorable are Professor Poppy, an elderly puppeteer who runs a Punch and Judy show; Dinah, the young daughter of the Gulls Nest landlady, who never speaks but sees everything that’s going on; and the exasperated Inspector Rideout, who wants Nora kept away from his investigation at all costs. I loved Nora’s relationship with Rideout and look forward to seeing how it continues to develop in the next book. As for Nora herself, although I couldn’t quite believe that she had until recently been a nun, I did like her as a character and enjoyed seeing her interacting with the other residents of Gore-on-Sea. I particularly loved the chapter where she’s invited to afternoon tea with the vicar and his ‘family’ – and I won’t spoil the fun by telling you what happens there!
At times this felt like a parody of a mystery novel rather than one to be taken too seriously, but at other times it became surprisingly dark, which kept things interesting all the way through. There’s also a good sense of time and place, bringing the 1950s British seaside setting to life. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the second book.
Thanks to Faber & Faber for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
She Reads Novels 
This definitely sounds like a book that I want to read. I don’t like it when mysteries become too cosy so a book with darker elements really appeals.
This book is a good mixture of light and dark. I hope you have a chance to read it!
Kidd never writes the same book twice, does she! Although she does have a tendency to smash sarcasm and wit up against real darkness—sometimes it works for me and sometimes I find it too jarring. I don’t think I’d have guessed that she’d write a cosy-adjacent seaside mystery, but the nun investigator makes me think a little of the redoutable Bridie Devine of her earlier novel Things in Jars (2019), who’s a great character.
I hadn’t really expected a seaside mystery from Kidd either, particularly as there’s apparently going to be a whole series of them! I loved Bridie in Things in Jars too – and yes, the nun is quite a similar character, although that didn’t occur to me until you mentioned it.
It’s nice when writers evolve, isn’t it? Often I think publishers try too hard to pigeonhole them into marketing categories—I love to see them evading that.
I haven’t read anything by Jess Kidd and I’m thinking I should start, I like the sound of this one but I’m intrigued that everything she’s written has been different!
The Jess Kidd books I’ve read so far have all been unusual and quirky, but with completely different settings and plots. I’ve liked them all, but my favourite is Things in Jars.
I love that seaside setting! And quirky characters can be so much fun. I think I would like this one. 😀
The 1950s seaside setting is great! I hope you’re able to read this one.
Really like the sound of this – will have to take a look. Love the name Gore-on-Sea too!
It’s a great name, isn’t it? Perfect for a murder mystery! I hope you enjoy it if you decide to read it.
Even though you said, “parody of a mystery novel,” I’m ready for this one. In fact, I have it in my pile. I really enjoy Jess Kidd.
I didn’t mean that in a bad way – just that it feels like a comedy at times rather than a serious mystery novel. I hope you enjoy it!
No, I know you didn’t, and it sounds just like Kidd’s sense of fun.
I enjoyed this one too. It’s got me interested in reading more of Kidd’s books especially Things in Jars.
Things in Jars is probably my favourite of the Kidd books I’ve read so far.
Definitely tempting, especially from the way you describe it! By the way, I had a sense of déjà-vu here, having just watched the adaptation of Christie’s Towards Zero where the murders take place at … Gull’s Point!
I missed that connection, despite having both watched and read Towards Zero! I’m sure Christie would have been one of Kidd’s inspirations in writing this book, so it’s possible it was intentional.
Hello Helen, I am pleased to hear you enjoyed this new book. You had me at ‘sparkling new 1950s seaside mystery series’! I am going to have to put this on my wish-list. 😊
Blessings, Jessica 💌
I loved the 1950s seaside setting and am already looking forward to the second book! I hope you enjoy it too if you do get a chance to read it.
Im glad you enjoyed this one, although it’s a shame that it was hard to believe the MC had been a nun until recently at times. Still the mixture of characters sounds intriguing and I do really want to try something by the author sometime. What’s been your favourite book by them so far?
Things in Jars is a great Victorian mystery novel with a touch of fantasy (one of the main characters is a ghost). I would probably recommend starting with that one!
Ooh thanks for the recommendation. That sounds perfect for me I’d say 😊
I started a Jess Kidd book once but never finished it. Not deliberately, just other books got in the way. I should go back and pick it up again
Thanks for sharing this review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
It’s easy to get distracted by other books! I hope you manage to finish it one day.