Synopsis:

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.

Review:

What a fab start to a brand-new mystery series! The year is 1954 and ex-nun Nora Breen is searching for her friend. She’s left her convent and headed to Gulls Nest, a guesthouse in Gore-on-Sea, which is the last place she knows Frieda lived. It’s not long before people start dying, and much to the local Detective’s ire, Nora decides to investigate.

I really enjoyed the character of Nora. She is shrewd and intelligent and kept me engaged through the entire book. I liked learning about her past slowly with relevant details being shared at points that fit the unfolding plot. I also liked watching her adapt to the world outside the convent while at the same time trying to uncover the mysteries presented to her.

The other characters we meet are all just as interesting. Gulls Nest is full of unique people from the enigmatic landlady Helena Wells to a young married couple that Nora suspects aren’t as happy as they say they are. As Nora slots herself into these characters’ lives, carefully prodding at their backstories, we start to understand that every single one of them has something to hide and Nora’s determined to figure them out. Outside of Gulls Nest, it was also a lot of fun to watch her insert herself into the investigations of D.I. Rideout. Their relationship develops from mutual irritation to something not too far off fondness and it was lovely to read.

Jess Kidd writes brilliantly. The guesthouse and town are so well-realised that they are almost characters themselves. It is very clearly set not long after WWII, the shifting society making an excellent setting for the plot. Kidd weaves humour through the pages too, with witty dialogue that drew a chuckle from me more than once. The plot, as others have noted, is meandering, but I feel that it worked. After all, what mystery is solved without some deviations and lots of pondering?

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this Christie-esq novel and I will definitely be looking out for the next! Thank you so much to @faberbooks for sending it my way, and you can pick up a copy yourself on April 8th.