Book Review: Murder at Mill Ponds House by Michelle Salter

I’m very pleased to be welcoming Michelle Salter back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Murder at Mill Ponds House. 

When murder hits close to home, Iris must fight to clear her name…

Spring, 1924. Reporter Iris Woodmore plans to move to London to avoid a shocking hometown scandal. Longtime enemy Archie Powell has been threatening to reveal her darkest secret – and she’s desperate to flee before he does.

But when he’s found murdered after a violent argument with her, there’s no escape. Iris must stay and clear her name even though the truth could ruin her reputation.

With the police closing in, Iris has to find the real killer if she’s to keep her secret. Can she prove her innocence without revealing the identity of the one man who can provide her with an alibi?

A gripping new mystery for fans of Verity Bright, Clara McKenna, and Helena Dixon.

*****

It’s 1924 and the residents of Walden are gathering to see Mill Ponds House opening as a hostel for men. Iris Woodmore is fine with this concept. What she isn’t liking as much is her ememy, Archie Powell, being tasked with running it.

When there’s a murder in the town, Iris herself becomes a suspect. Can she figure out what happened in time?

I loved being able to head back to Walden for a new adventure. I am such a big fan of the Iris Woodmore mysteries series that I pretty much launched myself at a chance to be part of the blog tour for the latest in the series, Murder at Mill Ponds House.

As I had read the books that preceded this, it was like stepping back into a town I knew and seeing people I adored. I loved this familiarity. It was like checking in with old friends. However, if you’re new to this series and this book is your introduction, it can be read as a standalone.

Iris remains one of my favourite fictional sleuths. She has endured gossip and potential scandal but she still stands tall, not caring what people think of her. She cares deeply for those around her though.

It was great to see all of the familiar faces, including Ursula, Elijah, Percy and Millicent. There are a couple of new faces too.

As expected, the plot moved along well with many twist, turns and suspense. Michelle Salter is great at planting clues in the story and still having you guessing at the end.

Murder at Mill Ponds House is a fantastic addition to the Iris Woodmore Mysteries series. It’s a great whodunnit that’s compelling, fun and has a great puzzle. This book is cozy crime at its best. I am REALLY hoping that book seven will not be long coming. Please say that there’s a book seven…please. There is…right?

About Michelle Salter–

Thanks for taking the time to stop by my author page. You’ll see all my books are classic murder mysteries – because golden age whodunnits are the stories I enjoy reading most.

I love to create memorable characters and devise intriguing plots with a focus on mystery rather than violence.

I live in Hampshire, England, and it’s the setting for many of my books. My standalone novel, Murder at Merewood Hospital, features Sister Helen Hopgood, the last nurse left in a military hospital in Hampshire at the end of the First World War.

I also have family connections to Devon, and the fourth Iris Woodmore Mystery, A Killing at Smugglers Cove, is set on the south coast of Devon in 1923. Iris is back in her native Hampshire for A Corpse in Christmas Close, set in Winchester over Christmas 1923, and Murder at Mill Ponds House, which begins on 1st May 1924.

You can read all of my books as standalone novels, even the Iris Woodmore Mysteries, as each is a separate story, although the characters develop as the series progresses.

I hope you enjoy reading or listening to my books.

Come say hello via Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to my newsletter. 

Murder at Mill Ponds House is book six in the The Iris Woodmore Mysteries series. It was released by Boldwood Books on 9th march 2025. Click to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.