“Murder at Gulls Nest” by Jess Kidd

Title: Murder at Gulls Nest
Author: Jess Kidd
Publisher: Atria Books
Year: 2025
Genre(s): mystery, historical fiction
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1.

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club pick

Summary: When letters from her friend Freya suddenly stop, Nora Breen leaves her convent to go search for her. She travels to the small English seaside town where Freya last was known to be and settles at Gulls Nest. When two residents of Gulls Nest die under mysterious circumstances, Nora realizes Freya’s disappearance is just the tip of iceberg.

Rating: 

“The Last Tale of the Flower Bride” by Roshani Chokshi

Title: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Year: 2023
Genre(s):  gothic, mystery
Part of a Series: No

Rating: 

Why I Read It: Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: A scholar specializing in fairytales and legends marries a mysterious woman named Indigo on one condition – he never asks about her past. But when they return to her childhood home for her aunt’s last days, he realizes he needs to break his promise and discover what happened to her friend Azure. But will learning this secret not only end his marriage but his life?

"The Night Olivia Fell" by Christina McDonald

Title: The Night Olivia Fell
Author: Christina McDonald
Publisher:  Gallery Books
Year: 2019
Genre(s):  contemporary, suspense
Part of a Series: No

Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club pick

Summary: Abi’s life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter ends up in a coma. Declared braindead, Olivia is kept alive due to the baby growing inside her. As the weeks fly by, Abi struggles to find out the truth about what happened to her daughter before she has to say goodbye for good.

“The Book of Cold Cases” by Simone St. James

Title: The Book of Cold Cases
Author: Simone St. James
Publisher:  Berkley
Year: 2022
Genre(s):  mystery, suspense, paranormal
Part of a Series: No

Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club pick

Summary: By day, Shea Collins is a receptionist at a doctor’s office. By night, she is a popular blogger who runs a site called The Book of Cold Cases. She writes about true crime, her way of coping with being a player in one as a child. Her two worlds collide when she meets Beth Greer, the last member of a prominent family in their Oregon town. Back in 1977, Beth was accused of being the Lady Killer – the murderer of two men who left behind taunting notes. Though she was ultimately acquitted at trial, suspicion has followed her since then. She decides to tell her story to Shea, who realizes that there is more to the story than anyone has known. Will she be able to tell the truth – or will some force make sure the truth remains a secret?

“The Space Between” by Dete Meserve

Title: The Space Between
Author: Dete Meserve
Publisher:  Lake Union
Year: 2018
Genre(s): mystery, romance
Part of a Series: No

Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: After presenting the biggest discovery of her career to NASA, Sarah returns to find that her husband Ben is missing. The authorities search for him but also suspect him of a murder which may be why he is missing. Sarah has to sort through the jumble of evidence left behind to determine what happened to her husband, if he is innocent – and if their marriage can be saved.

“The Night She Disappeared” by Lisa Jewell

Title: The Night She Disappeared
Author: Lisa Jewell
Publisher: Atria Books
Year: 2021
Genre(s): thriller, mystery
Part of a Series: No

Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club pick

Summary: One night, young lovers Tallulah and Zach go out for a nice evening away from their young son. But when they fail to come home the next morning, Tallulah’s mother Kim begins to frantically search for the two. She finds out that they spent time with some local teens their age, including the mysterious Scarlett Jacques, whose wealthy family owns the ominous manor house called Dark Place. Scarlett and her friends insist Tallulah and Zach left the night before and don’t know what happened to them. Everyone believes Tallulah and Zach ran away from the pressures of being young parents and would return in good time. Kim believes otherwise but is stuck waiting and hoping she will find her daughter.

The following year, Sophie moves into a local boarding school with her boyfriend, the new headmaster. She ends up drawn to Tallulah and Zach’s disappearance when a mysterious sign appears that says “Dig Here.” What she finds reignites the case and could reveal the truth about Tallulah, Zach, Scarlet and what happened that fateful night.

“15 Minutes of Flame” by Christin Brecher

Title: 15 Minutes of Flame
Author: Christin Brecher
Publisher: Kensington
Year: 2020
Genre(s): mystery, modern
Part of a Series: Yes, book #3
Rating: 

Why I Read it: Once Upon a Book Club Halloween box

Summary: After agreeing to help the local Girl Scout troop with a Halloween fundraiser, Stella ends up biting off more than she can chew when she finds a dead body in the house she convinced a friend to let them use for it.  The body is determined to be a couple centuries old, reigniting interest in an old Nantucket mystery. It brings some newcomers to Nantucket and when a more modern murder occurs, Stella finds herself trying to figure out who is there for good and who is there for ill. Can she solved two mysteries before it’s too late?

“The Impossible Girl” by Lydia Kang

Title: The Impossible Girl
Author: Lydia Kang
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Year: 2018
Genre(s):historical fiction, historical romance, historical mystery
Part of a Series: No
Rating: 

Why I read it: A Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: In 19th century New York, bodies are in high demand for doctors to study and improve their medical knowledge. They are supplied by Resurrectionists (AKA graverobbers) and one of the best in the business is Jacob Lee. He and his crew are able to produce intriguing cases for the doctors and universities they sell to but he’s hiding the most intriguing case—himself.

Or rather, herself.

Jacob Lee is really Cora Lee, the bastard daughter of a disgraced socialite and a Chinese immigrant. She sometimes is herself or plays the role of Jacob, moving around New York’s medical community as she tries to survive. But when people with strange medical afflictions start dying, Cora’s job grows more dangerous as she tries to keep her big secret from coming to light—she is the legendary girl with two hearts.