Murder at the Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd

 I've been a fan of Jess Kidd since her debut novel, Himself. Each book since then has been a gem, so I was excited to get the opportunity to get an advance copy of this new cozy mystery series; she didn't disappoint.

Set in the mid-50s, Norah Breen has forsaken her vows as a nun and has traveled to a small seaside town in search of another former nun, Frieda. Fast friends from when they were nuns, Frieda disappeared from the Gulls Nest hotel. Soon after Norah's arrival, a guest dies, and although Norah suspects foul play, the local police disagree. Armed with the knowledge gained from reading detective novels, Norah also begins her investigation into the death and the other guests with secrets they would prefer not to reveal. As the body count rises, Norah is convinced there is a murderer among them, and it's up to her to uncover the culprit.

I loved the characters in this book. From the feral child to the aloof hotel owner and her surly cook, all were interesting and wouldn't pass the smell test for being the murderer. Norah's relationship with DI Rideout looks to be an interesting storyline in future books in the series. The pacing is excellent, with good twists and red herrings. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 8, 2025.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

 I love The Thursday Murder Club series, but when I read that Richard Osman was releasing a new series, I was skeptical that it could be as good. Boy, was I ever wrong to doubt him!

Amy Wheeler is a bodyguard for a private security company. Her current assignment, guarding bestselling author Rosie D'Antonio from a Russian oligarch out to kill her, is a challenging one. Rosie is a free spirit, and when Amy is forced to kill a man, Rosie puts her considerable resources into finding out who is behind multiple murders aimed at framing Amy. With few people she can trust, Amy turns to her retired police detective father-in-law, Steve, to assist her and Rosie. Together, the trio begins following clues while trying to outsmart a hired assassin hot on their trail.

Following in the vein of The Thursday Murder Club series, Osman uses older characters to help solve murders, showing that retired individuals are just as intelligent and resourceful as their younger counterparts. Handled with humor and fast pacing, the story unwinds quickly as the trio spans the globe in search of answers. I loved the characters, especially Rosie, and I can't wait to read more about them. 

5/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

I admit it: the title grabbed me, but the story kept me engaged. Although the title could indicate a time travel book, instead, it is a cleverly plotted whodunit.

Frances, Rose, and Emily are best friends. In 1965, they were at a fair in the English hamlet of Castle Knoll when Frances has her fortune told--one that predicts she will be murdered. She spends the rest of her life trying to find out what happened to Emily, who disappeared soon after the fair and trying to prevent her own murder. Unfortunately, she fails at both.

Flash forward to the present day. Annie Adams, Frances's great-niece, is summoned to Castle Knoll because Frances has changed her will and named Annie the prime beneficiary, which is odd because they have never met. Upon arrival, Annie and others designated in Frances's will find Frances murdered at her country estate. In a letter from beyond the grave, Frances pits the three most interested parties to her vast estate against each other: whoever solves her murder gets it all.

This book was a page-turner for me. It is an imaginative, well-written story with twists and interesting characters, especially Annie and Frances. The subplot of Emily's disappearance moved the story along, and the past, as recounted in Frances's journal, made me wonder how the disappearance and murder were connected. It is apparent that the author is not finished with Annie and company, and I look forward to the next book in this new series. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dutton, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 26, 2024.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

 In this fourth outing of the Thursday Murder Club, Osman again combines humor and danger with love, regret, and grief to take the reader on an exciting, emotional rollercoaster ride.

When Stephen's antique dealer friend, Kuldesh Sharma, is found murdered,  the four members of the Thursday Murder Club spring into action. They discover that Kuldesh had come into possession of a heroin shipment that is now missing. Elizabeth, Joyce Ibrahim, and Ron begin searching for the shipment only to encounter two gangsters to whom the heroin belongs, and the race is on as to who can find the shipment first. Oh, and the police are also aware of the shipment but seem more interested in it than in solving Kuldesh's murder. A few exciting subplots also introduce new characters and bring back characters from previous books.

It's so easy to fall into the lives of these characters and feel the pain and love they do. I especially like how minor characters continue to populate the series as it progresses--they aren't just discarded at the end of a book--it's like welcoming back old friends. I love this series and am sorry that Osman will take a break from it. The good news is that it will continue after a hiatus.

I look forward to the next installment.

5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

 The gang is all back in this third installment of the Thursday Murder Club series, and romance, as well as murder, is the focus of this book.

A decade-old cold case grabs the attention of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim: TV host Bethany Waites appears to have been murdered over her investigation into a money laundering scheme when her car was sent over a cliff, but the body was never recovered. What became of her body, and who is behind the supposed murder? Focusing on these questions leads them to her former co-host, Mike Waghorn, who is still mourning her even after all these years. While investigating their latest case, they also get involved with a former KGB agent and a mysterious Viking who instructs Elizabeth to kill the former agent, or he will kill Joyce, all because of a misunderstanding involving cryptocurrency. What lengths will Elizabeth go to save her friend?

Osman once again deftly works multiple storylines into a cohesive whole while exploring the intricacy of money laundering and cryptocurrency. Additionally, there are several new, interesting characters introduced who will probably be featured again--or at least I hope so. I loved the intricate plotting and humor the series is known for. This is a terrific addition to the series. 4.5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

 

I wasn't sure Richard Osman could top The Thursday Murder Club, but this second book in the series is just as good.

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron are back together, with detectives Chris and Donna playing supporting roles in the Thursday Murder Club's newest adventure. Elizabeth's ex-husband shows up at the retirement village, hiding from the men from whom he stole 20 million pounds of diamonds. He is tracked down, and an attempt is made on his life, so he must find another place to hide while Elizabeth and the TMC try to figure out who is behind the attempts on his life.

Like the first book in the series, this is a fast-paced story with twists, turns, and multiple subplots--it is also highly entertaining. To my great satisfaction, Elizabeth's mysterious past and the other  character's lives are fleshed out more, helping the reader to get a better understanding of their motives. All-in-all, this is a wonderful addition to the series and I'm looking forward to the third book, The Bullet That Missed. 5/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 

I'm a bit late to The Thursday Murder Club  fan base but I have arrived! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to start the second one in the series.

In the retirement community of Coopers Chase, residents Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim have formed a murder club in which they review old unsolved murders from files supplied by a former police detective. When an actual murder occurs close to them, they put aside the cold cases and focus their various skills on solving this much more interesting case. Their involvement often treads on the toes of the two lead detectives working the case, Chris and Donna, but they form an uneasy alliance that seems to produce results. When another murder occurs, the club and the detectives work to see if the two are connected and how. With multiple suspects and a time span going back years, the game is afoot.

This is a highly entertaining book with a complex plot and charming characters. There are red herrings galore and enough misdirections that kept me guessing who the murderer(s) could be. This is the start of what promises to be an excellent series and I'm on board for it.

For more information:

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble | Penguin Books