Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd

Murder at Gulls Nest is a wonderfully quirky seaside murder mystery with a dark sense of humour and a detective you'll instantly love.

Former nun Nora Breen arrives at the faded boarding house of Gulls Nest searching for her missing friend, Frieda. What follows is a delightfully eccentric mystery filled with suspicious guests, buried secrets and plenty of surprises.

Jess Kidd populates the boarding house with an unforgettable cast, from a rabbit-breeding vicar to a collection of lonely souls carrying regrets and heartbreaks. The setting is gloriously atmospheric, all salty sea air, peeling wallpaper and food so alarming that the murders may not be the greatest threat to the guests.

Funny, surprisingly moving at times and packed with character, this is more than a clever whodunnit. Nora Breen is a terrific sleuth, and we'll certainly be returning for her next case.

Richard