Amateur Sleuth

It’s 1954, and most people in Great Britain seem happy to put the second world war behind them. Nora Breen, previously a nun and a nurse, asks to be released from her vow of 30 years to pursue Frieda, a young novice she is fond of who has left the monastery. Frieda promised Nora she would write—and she did, until suddenly she stopped. The only choice Nora has is to head south, settling at Gulls Nest, a small, shabby guest house in the seaside town of Gore-on-Sea, Kent, where Frieda had been living. One would think that Gulls Nest was all fresh air and new starts, but while the air is fresh, nearly every resident of Gulls Nest has their own secrets, some nastier than others, which Nora tries to pry from her fellow residents. But within days of arriving, Nora stumbles across a series of murders, offering the police her medical knowledge in helping to discover the murderer, an offer that initially is met with disdain (although by the end of the book, the police chief is seeking her advice). It’s a pleasure to watch Nora adapt to the secular world, use her immense empathy, and explore her rich inner life. It would seem that this is the first book in the series “Nora Breen Investigates,” something that will delight traditional and cozy readers alike.

It’s 1954, and most people in Great Britain seem happy to put the second world war behind them. Nora Breen, previously a nun and a nurse, asks to be released from her vow of 30 years to pursue Frieda, a young novice she is fond of who has left the monastery. Frieda promised Nora she would write—and she did, until suddenly she stopped. The only choice Nora has is to head south, settling at Gulls Nest, a small, shabby guest house in the seaside town of Gore-on-Sea, Kent, where Frieda had been living. One would think that Gulls Nest was all fresh air and new starts, but while the air is fresh, nearly every resident of Gulls Nest has their own secrets, some nastier than others, which Nora tries to pry from her fellow residents. But within days of arriving, Nora stumbles across a series of murders, offering the police her medical knowledge in helping to discover the murderer, an offer that initially is met with disdain (although by the end of the book, the police chief is seeking her advice). It’s a pleasure to watch Nora adapt to the secular world, use her immense empathy, and explore her rich inner life. It would seem that this is the first book in the series “Nora Breen Investigates,” something that will delight traditional and cozy readers alike.

Readers of this author’s Tess Monaghan series might remember Muriel Blossom as a minor character. She’s plump and elderly, which gives her the ability to disappear into the background, making her effective at surveillance. But life is very different now. For one thing, a found lottery ticket has made her wealthy. She is on her way to France to meet an old friend for a cruise on the Seine, and arrives so early for her flight that she is upgraded to business class. Allan, gray-haired, attractive, also early, takes her under his wing, giving her a melatonin gummy to help her sleep. When they arrive in London too late for her connecting flight to Paris, he shepherds her through the unexpected day. This is not what our Muriel is used to, and though she is flattered and intrigued, her natural skepticism and self-awareness are ever-present. In Paris, she is confronted with murder, art theft, and an FBI agent (or is he?) and a newer, stronger, more outspoken version of herself. The river cruise offers more interests, but also more dangers, and ultimate solutions. Overarching all are Muriel’s memories of her dead husband and a lifetime of shame for her weight, which she finally confronts. The story is complicated, but the character of Muriel is so compelling and wonderful that it’s more important than any crime. Here’s a woman who has found her rhythm and style along with the culprits. Readers cannot fail to love her.