Readers will so enjoy meeting Nora Breen, the former nun, who serves as the amateur investigator in this 1950s set novel. Formerly Sister Agnes, she has left the convent after many years to take up residence at Gulls Nest. Nora has chosen this location because someone close to her, who had been living there, is missing. Did Frieda meet with foul play? Nora fears so as Frieda had promised to write weekly and her letters have stopped.
At Gulls Nest Nora meets quite an assortment of characters. There is the woman who owns the boarding house and her daughter, Dinah, who does not speak. The reader never knows where she will be found. There are also the housekeeper (an awful cook) and Rose, who both work there, and then, of course, the boarders. These include a couple Teddy and Stella, a puppeteer and performer called Professor Poppy, the mysterious Karel, and others. On the side of the law is Rideout who engages in much verbal play with Nora.
The story becomes more intricate when someone is found murdered. This is not Frieda but, no spoiler, so I won’t say who. What else will happen? Will order be restored?
Nora is outspoken and sometimes brash (she throws a shoe at an unresponsive officer in the police station). She is also determined, bright and a keen observer with whom I loved spending time.
This is a terrific mystery and one that it is easy to recommend. I eagerly await Nora and Rideout’s next appearance.
Kirkus Reviews notes: “A delightful series kickoff in a cozy community primed for more murder.”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 08 April 2025
336 pages
Mystery & Thrillers
From the Publisher
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 