The Gilded Nest

Crow Investigations #9

by Sarah Painter

Lydia Crow is back.

After the turbulent events of The Magpie Key, Lydia is trying to adjust to life without her home. She is living in Uncle Charlie’s house and learning what ‘head of the Crow Family’ truly means.

The four magical Families of London are playing nicely… for now, but a new threat has risen.

Lydia and DCI Fleet race against time to find a modern-day Jack the Ripper stalking the streets of Whitechapel. But all is not as it seems…

The unmissable ninth instalment in the bestselling Urban Fantasy mystery series, Crow Investigations.

Praise for the

'I'm a huge fan!'
Charlaine Harris, award winning and bestselling author of mystery and fantasy

‘My favourite new urban fantasy series, clever and twisty and deliciously magical, with a shivery sense of wonder that feels utterly grounded in its London setting. Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Genevieve Cogman or Robert Galbraith!’
Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled

'I raced through this book, it's thrilling, fast paced and full of adventure and intriguing characters. I cannot wait to read more about Lydia so I'm delighted that this will be a series and that there will be more stories about the Crow family. The Night Raven is perfect for fans of Anna McKerrow, Laura Laakso, Ben Aaronovitch and V. E. Schwab.'
LisaReadsBooks

'All my favourite things together - mystery, crime, a sassy female PI and a Magical underworld going on right under Londoner's noses.'
A.L. Michael

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Paranormal

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

Sarah Painter is the author of the bestselling magical novel, The Language of Spells, and its follow-up, The Secrets of Ghosts.

She has written 'book club' fiction with atmospheric settings and historical elements (In The Light of What We See and Beneath The Water), and a 'wonderfully dark and twisty' supernatural thriller, The Lost Girls.

Sarah's latest venture is an exciting new urban fantasy series, Crow Investigations. Yes, she finds it hard to stick to one genre!

Before writing books, Sarah Painter worked as a freelance magazine journalist, blogger and editor, combining this 'career' with amateur child-wrangling (AKA motherhood).

Sarah lives in rural Scotland with her husband and children. She drinks too much tea, loves the work of Joss Whedon, and is the proud owner of a writing shed.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I like this book it wasn't as good as the other's in the series that being said I still enjoyed The glided nest and will continue with series.


Happy Reading 📙📒📚📗📕📔📓📚📗📙📕📔📘📓📗📙📚📘📓📗📙📕📔📚📖🕯️

[Rob F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much filler for a mediocre story

The Gilded Nest, to me, is the weakest of the Crow Investigations series. The first half in particular is riddled with flashbacks that are mildly interesting but do little beyond inflate the word count. Over disappointing.

[Kathryn Jamieson Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, I loved it. Sections of the book go back to Lydia’s relationship with Paul which was a great idea giving a clearer picture of the emotional side of that relationship, and gave him greater depth. Dare I say it, I believe he actually loves Lydia? I was almost rooting for her ditching Grumpy Fleet, but not quite.

What I really loved though was the giving of the voices to the women and that with the fascination with true crime everyone knows the names of the killers but so rarely the names of the victims. It was done with real sensitivity and integrity, and took away some of the awful voyeurism that can happen in such cases.

It was everything I hoped for in Lydia’s latest adventure, thrills, (blood) spills, hot chocolate and toast, love, regret, whisky, redemptions arcs, questions were answered and new ones have been presented. It thrills me to see that there are still places for her to go and I cannot wait for Book 10.

Thank you to Sarah for an ARC

[Lottie Judge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the world of the Crows! Cannot wait for the next one

[Mel Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a joy to be back with Lydia Crow . An interesting tale that allows the characters to progress and sets the scenes for richer future stories. This book is like a comfy armchair, it is an easy read, packed full of favourite characters and some good twists and turns. It poses some interesting questions, weaves in colourful London history and gives space for the characters to breathe. It is an engaging episode, well worth the read and whets the appetite for more Crow adventures . I was delighted to receive an arc copy to read and review and liked it so much have pre ordered a published copy!

[selda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia the queen of crows is back.
Endlich.
Ich wusste gar nicht, wie sehr ich sie vermisst habe, bis ich Band 9 in den Händen hielt. Sarah Painter hat mich mal wieder unendlich glücklich gemacht.
Für mich ist die Crow Investigation Reihe die perfekte Urban Fantasy. Ich liebe das Setting im modernen London. Alle 4 magischen Familien haben ihre eigene Faszination. Band 9 ist für mich der bisher beste von allen (vermutlich sage ich das über jeden neuen Band, weil ich total voreingenommen bin ;))
Wer die Reihe noch nicht kennt, unbedingt reinlesen- es lohnt sich so sehr.
Hoffentlich gibt es noch ganz viele neue Abenteuer aus dieser großartigen Welt zu lesen.

[Ryan Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve read the other 8 books so far, you know what you’re getting yourself in for.

This one isn’t as urgent or high stakes as some of them, instead it’s a nice casual read that addresses the main consequences of the last book and doesn’t add too much to the overarching story.

While it’s not groundbreaking or particularly memorable, it held my attention from start to finish.

The story leaves a few loose ends by the conclusion, but it’s a feel-good, mindless kind of read. Refreshingly, it doesn’t push an agenda or force a message; it simply drifts along, offering a pleasant escape.

[Sharondblk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 9 in the series. If you haven't read the previous 8, read those first, or this won't make any sense. If you have read the previous books, read this now. It's a great addition to the series. It moves the story along, and also gives a bit more background into Lydia's relationship with her Fox ex-boyfriend. I need to stop reading these the day they are released, now I've got a long wait for the next book in the series!

[Lyndal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A change

I really enjoy this series and have been waiting for this one to be available. It is written slightly differently to others. It took some time to get into as I’m not a fan of flipping between times. Teen-twenties and present and it does take till the final chapters to see why.
Once I did however it was back to reading a familiar friend. U will enjoy this one with a twist you didn’t see coming.

[Ronald McCutchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painter is really in the groove for this one. I love the focus being back on Lydia and that Jason the ghost ends up playing a crucial role in this particular case, though it's a twist that does seem a bit convenient and, particularly when the ultimate bit of it is revealed, perhaps a little confusing. Jack the Ripper vibes are pretty good and the way Painter does some interesting things with backstory/previous character histories.

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite urban fantasy series and I’m thrilled that Painter has revisited it, given the way things were left at the end of The Magpie Key. Though the tone of this one is quite downbeat as Lydia is struggling to adjust to her new life and she and Fleet are both reeling from previous events. That didn’t prevent me inhaling this one – and I’m pleased to note that this is definitely not the end of the series. 9/10

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gilded Nest sees Sarah Painter back in her element—crafting cosy-fantasy crime with a gothic twist. All the familiar faces return for this Jack the Ripper–inspired caper, each slipping neatly into their roles: Lydia is back on the case, Fleet continues his trademark brooding, Jason proves (once again) that being dead doesn’t stop him from being the most reliable ally, and Paul Fox is as slippery as ever (and—dare I say it—is that the hint of a love triangle?). As Lydia battles to restore her powers to full strength, a sinister presence looms on the horizon, promising an even darker sequel. I, for one, can’t wait.

[Beth Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprise twist in this one!

I won’t give you a spoiler, but I must say I was surprised. Lydia is living at Charlie Crow’s former residence, not happy at all with the Charlie vibes remaining there, Fleet is distant and a mess, and Lydia is not yet herself. This one is largely about abusive men getting their comeuppance, though it’s never complete and there are threats still remaining.

[Peter Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Joy!!!

It is so good to have Lydia back although she is not whole - a bit battered and bruised and still powerless - but still game for a bit of sleuthing. Sarah Painter has such a great feeling for her main character and this is a terrific plot. Keep them coming please Sarah.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this series so far. Feels like a long time waiting for this book so lost track a bit of the story that had gone before. Love that the story weaves through the history of London. Seems to be missing a bit depth in the story telling in this one though. Done in a couple of hours and very light reading.

[Teresa Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for each book in this series

I love Sarah Painter's imagination and her ability to create new characters throughout this series. I was hooked from the first one! I can't wait to read the next book of here and I'm thankful to her for breaking my boredom with run of the mill books.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and I think this book is the best so far. Couldn't put it down! The way the famillies are described... Lydia's reactions to Paul Fox, or the Pearls, is so different and fascinating. The entire series is really unique and has become a firm favourite. I thought the Jack the Ripper tie-in along with the treatment of women was really interesting.

[Amy Westcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a win with Lydia crow

This is one of my favourite series I find it so easy to read and get into and I never tire of Lydia Crow. Honestly I wasn't too sure on the storyline and found it a bit confusing really. I still enjoyed the book and look forward to the new one with hope that fleets power is finally revealed.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anticlimatic

It was slower paced than the previous book and left you anticipating how Lydia would get her magic back. It was a bit anticlimactic when she did this was not the best book.

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crow Investigation series is one of the best. Lydia finds her power and place in the world. It may not be exactly what she wished for. And isn't that the truth? I've always thought you might get what you want, but it may not be exactly what you thought it would be.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ooooh I loved this series but possibly read too many too quickly and I HATE where this one ended... and that happens to be the most recent to be published right when I caught the series. It's unclear whether there will be another. I'm bummed.

[Michele Reise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and I can't wait for the next book.
This one was a little slower than the others. I get that it needed to be to set the stage for the next phase in this character's life/story.

[Stormcatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

As always. Painter is an auto buy for me and especially a Crow story. Lydia and Jason are just great characters and the story is moving along without getting stale. I will eagerly await book 10.

[Debba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved getting back to the world of the Crows. This is a good addition to the series, not as good as some of the prior ones, but still enjoyable and it ties up loose ends and sets up for more books, so I'm happy with it.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth waiting for and a great lead in to the next one!! Loved it!!!

[Kay Tarson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnetic read

I really wanted to call off work to finish reading this. Sarah Painter, please keep writing! I'm drawn to all of your books.

[Gail Cleare · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

Painter does a great job with her characters, building suspense and dropping in a bit of magic here and there to keep us guessing.

[Mrs G K Cockrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

fast pace plot

The plot moved along at a fast pace and raced to a very satisfactory conclusion. A good plot twist and a thumping good ending.

[Stephen John · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s great to have Lydia back and to have a bit more back story

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Great as always. Glad to be back with Lydia and Fleet and Jason!