Review: Murder at Mill Ponds House by Michelle Salter

March 15, 2025

Review: Murder at Mill Ponds House by Michelle Salter

Today, I'm delighted to share my review for Murder at Mill Ponds House by Michelle Salter. The latest in her intriguing Iris Woodmore mystery series gets our intrepid heroine into big trouble. Iris is being accused of murder. Check it out!

Murder at Mill Ponds House is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. My thanks to Rachel, and to Boldwood Books, for a copy of the book.

Murder at Mill Ponds House

An Iris Woodmore Mystery

Michelle Salter

Mill Ponds House – one of the four manor houses near Waldemere lake – is being turned into a home for men in unfortunate circumstances. That in itself is a worthy cause, even in Iris’ eyes – was it not for the fact that the her nemesis, Archie Powell, has been put in charge of the place. Following his prison sentence for shooting at her friends, Mrs Siddons and Constance Timpson, the charismatic, but dangerous man has never forgiven Iris for betraying him to the police. So it is with mixed feelings that she goes about her job as a feature writer for the Walden Herald. Interviewing the first three residents of the home, she is curious to uncover more about the men's background, and finds that one of them seems to have secrets – and her curiosity is peaked.

When Archie is found shot, with his own rifle, there are plenty of suspects, one of whom is Iris. Archie knew about her secret love – married Belgian, Marc Jansen – and had been spreading rumours, accusing her of adultory, though there never had been any. Several of her friends would also have reason to get rid of Archie.

Can Iris prove her innocence, and help find the real murderer?

Murder at Mill Ponds House is an intriguing whodunit, with plenty of dead ends to keep you guessing. I had an incling halfway through the novel, but had no idea about the reason, which was a very clever twist near the end.

The pace moves the story along nicely, most of the time. Iris’ worries about having to reveal details about Marc to the police do become a little repetitive, and also selfish, at times. But she does realise she needs to help her friends as much as she can.

Iris’ character continues to develop well, in an era of great change for women, and her rather unconventional outlook grows stronger. She harbours doubts about staying, or moving to London for a more anonymous and fulfilling life. Her dilemma adds a realistic slant to her otherwise rather calm life (well, apart from the various murders she has to solve!).

Murder at Mill Ponds House is a clever whodunit, with a great twist at the end that you didn't see coming. I'm looking forward to more of Iris’ adventures...

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Blurb:

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.

Buy Link: https://mybook.to/MillPondsHouse

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About the Author:

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.