I adore the Iris Woodmore mystery series, and A Killing at Smugglers Cove does not disappoint.

Moving away from Walden, where many of the previous adventures have taken place, Iris is on holiday, if you can call it a holiday, when it’s for her father’s remarriage. But no sooner does she arrive than a body is discovered, or rather, the skeletal remains of a body.

Iris, of course, can’t help but involve herself, especially as it’s possible her soon-to-be stepmother might somehow be involved, and that might just prevent her father from marrying again – not that she ever quite says as much.

What ensues is a delightfully twisty tale, interwoven with what a holiday in the 1920s might have been like and featuring her trusty sidekicks alongside her.

A Killing At Smugglers Cove is filled with rich period drama, including a lesson in smuggling and avoiding the excise men, and the mystery, as in the first three books, is perfectly staged and well-developed, poignant and unexpected.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the Iris Woodmore Mysteries are a firm favourite of mine – rich with period detail but with a damn fine mystery as well. Highly recommended.

I have loved every single book in this wondeful series, I think they get better and better. I love that even though they are written so than can be read as a standalone mystery I like that there is a thread of character development woven through the novels. The more books I read the more I want to read about about Iris and her wonderful family I hope the sequels keep coming in this beautiful cosy mystery series

It doesn't get much better finding yourself transported to Devon in 1923 with a cast of characters that find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation. Oh, an a wedding.. well who knows if it will take place or not!!

Iris and her friends travel to attend the wedding of her father and Katherine. But when a skeleton is found and another death occurs, all is seems something is not right in Devon!!

An entertaining, whodunit with several red herrings and guesses as to who the villian might be! Loved it!

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another great cosy mystery, and book 4 in the series. It was a great standalone, I didn’t realise it was part of a series until I got the blurb from Amazon (even though I read book 3 earlier in the year!).

Set just after the First World War, Iris is in Devon for her fathers wedding, and whilst rock collecting in a cove with her friend, they find a body in a cave. This starts the inquisitive mind of Iris whirling and she sets about finding out who the body was and what happened to him.

As the story progresses, we find out more about Iris and her soon to be stepmother Katherine, and the history that joined all the characters together. At times, it seems the wedding may be in jeopardy.

Well written, fun and serious at the same time. Hoping for more adventures of Iris soon.

In July 1923, memories of the Great War and its impacts are all too real to everyone. As Iris prepares for the second marriage of her father to Katherine, she's conflicted about many things including this woman whose is now her father's chosen companion. When invited to the Cornish coast for the wedding, she enlists her two dear friends for moral support. And are they surprised when they discover a dead body, sitting upright, in a cave on a private beach that was formerly owned by Katherine and her first husband. When tragedy strikes, Iris is drawn into resolving the case, particularly if it has anything to do with her father and Katherine's future. Clever premise; interesting characters and a good setting. While the fourth book in this series, I was able to read it as a stand-alone.

Another good mystery featuring Iris Woodmore, another solid mystery that kept me guessing and made me learn something new.
I love Iris' character arc and the was glad to catch up with the cast of characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Evocative in place and time, this historical mystery set in 1923 Devonshire is engaging. Iris travels to Devon with friends Percy and Millicent to enjoy a holiday before her father's wedding. When they discover skeletal remains, Iris is drawn into a wartime mystery involving Belgian refugees and Katherine, her father's fiancee, who she is unsure about. I love the vibrant characters and the immersive twisty mystery. This tale has a believable mix of humour, poignancy, and a clever conclusion.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining read!!
Iris and her two friends, Millicent and Percy are down in Devon for the wedding of Iris's father. She is none too happy about it, feeling that the memory of her mother is fading fast and this marriage won't help. She's almost determined to find something against Katherine, her future stepmother that will perhaps, stop the wedding. While out sight seeing with her friends, they stumble across a body and so the mystery begins.
This is an absolute must for Christie fans or anyone who enjoys the Golden Age Mysteries of the 20's and 30's. It had everything! Wonderful descriptions of Devon, a mystery with many twists and turns but above all some fascinating characters. I would read the book for these alone.
Percy was one of my favourites. He was so funny at times but always looking out for the girls. I thought Iris was a bit selfish regarding her father and Katherine. She was only considering her own feelings.
I had an inkling about something and I was delighted when I was right but I didn't guess who committed the second murder. This is my first book by this author and I see it's a series. I'm going to go back and start at the beginning because this was so entertaining.
It's also begging to be televised!!
Highly recommended!

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

This is the 4th instalment of the Iris Woodmore series and it's a slight departure for our lady detective. Her father and Katherine are getting married, so everyone has relocated to Devon in anticipation of the wedding. When Iris, Millicent and Percy stumble across a body, they are immediately drawn into the intrigue and mystery surrounding the events both during and after the war. Iris is on top form and although Elijah and Horace take a bit of a backseat in the story, they are on hand to act in their usual capacity as Iris' sounding board and to rein in some of her more outlandish theories.

We also find out more about Iris' own back story and it was nice to see her relationship with Katherine develop more amicably. At least now, Iris seems to recognise that her dislike of her soon-to-be stepmother is essentially unfounded and stems from some of her own insecurities and experiences. It was about time - for someone so often good at picking up on the motivations of others, she sometimes seems remarkably short sighted about her own emotions and behaviour. However, I think given the age she was when she lost her mother, this is probably not particularly surprising and although I find it frustrating at times, I think it adds to the depth of character being developed. I'm hoping that she will now turn that same personal insight into her love life and notice what we, as the readers, picked up on in the last book.

Books which take the protagonist away from their usual haunts serve to take them out of their comfort zone and to allow new avenues and areas to be explored (otherwise every crime series would end up with a Midsomer Murders level of body counts). Sometimes they work and the character flourishes, sometimes they don't and the character doesn't work outside of their usual surroundings. Iris is a character who can definitely travel, particularly when they key people in her life come along for the ride and in Millicent, I think she has found a sidekick who is much better suited to life with Iris than perhaps her former friend was. I find myself as intrigued by Millicent as I am by Iris and I look forward to the developments in her life as much as I do Iris'. Percy too, shows previously hidden depths in this book and I am hopeful that this is a side to him that will continue to be explored. The best books set in the inter-war period don't shy away from the effects of the war on those who fought in it and although I recognise that in a cosy crime series there are limits to how far this can be explored I think it does the genre a disservice to imagine that it cannot be referenced at all. In this series, Michelle Salter does more than reference it - indeed, it's at the very heart of this book - and I hope there will be more of the same in future books.

Bring on Book 5!

4.3 Stars
One Liner: A good combo of history and mystery

July 1923, Walden and Dawlish
Iris Woodmore, Percy Baverstock, and Millicent Nightingale travel to Dawlish (on the coast of South Devon) for a holiday and to attend Iris’s father’s wedding to Katherine Keats. The trio explores Smugglers Cove on a private beach and stumble upon a dead body (rather skeletal remains).
The police reveal that the remains belong to a smuggler who went missing a few years ago. However, Iris and her friends know the case has too many inconsistencies. Iris decides to investigate it herself. She can’t help but wonder how her would-be stepmother is tied to the case. When a new murder occurs, Iris knows she needs to find the truth and possibly save her father’s life.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Iris Woodmore.

My Thoughts
I can happily say that the series is getting better. While this one can be read as a standalone, it will work better when read in order (or at least after book one). One of the main themes of the book is how Iris deals with her father’s remarriage, and the context in previous books will help understand her emotions.
The book uses the historical setting to enhance the main and the subplots. From bathing machines and swimming stockinettes for women to the changes brought by the railways, smuggling, the impact of war (WWI), the lives of Belgium and Dutch refugees, etc., are seamlessly incorporated into the plot.
Iris’ character is growing well. She is a rebel but still bound by societal restrictions on women. She cannot resist being inquisitive until she learns the truth. While this leads to some strained relationships, she does her best to balance the two.
The case introduces new characters Iris knew in her past. This book has a lot of characters to track, but it won’t be an issue if you are familiar with the recurring ones. They already have distinctive personalities and are easy to remember.
Despite the seriousness of the themes, the overall tone is light-hearted and suits the genre. The case throws a few twists and red herrings too. It took me a while, but I could figure out the mystery correctly.
There’s a small revelation at the end, which seems like a surprise, but it does tie up with the contents until then. We just have to pay more attention. I don’t think this will have a huge impact on the coming books anyway. It might come in handy if necessary.
True to the premise, the wedding is not the central point despite it being a crucial element. I like how everything works together cohesively so that the case is solved, new information is revealed, and there’s character development.
In fact, this one gets better with the pacing too. It’s a few pages smaller than the previous books and has the right pacing. No dragging in the middle or going around in circles. I hope the same continues throughout the series.

To summarize, A Killing at Smugglers Cove is an entertainer that deftly combines the historical setting and an intriguing mystery. I like that Iris is taking her stand about her love life without giving in to pressure from everyone around her. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A Killing at Smugglers Cove is now the fourth installment in the Iris Woodmore mystery series and I got started with book 3. It's 1920's England and the heroine of the series is Iris Woodmore. Iris is in her mid-20s, from a wealthy home, a well-to-do family, with an impeccable upbringing. Her late mother, however, was an active suffragette and has been imprisoned several times for her beliefs. That shapes. Iris is a modern young woman with a job: she works as a reporter for the local newspaper. That murders keep happening in her area of all places and she has to solve them, she really can't do anything about that...
In the present case we are in Devon. Iris' father will soon marry his fiancée Katherine, a childless widow with whom he has found new happiness. Iris, her friends Millicent and Percy arrive a few days earlier, they want to combine the trip to Devon with a little vacation. On a walk along the coast, they discover a body in an old smuggler's cave - and since the police are not really keen on investigating, Iris's instincts are awakened. Smugglers Cove is on her future stepmother's property... and when a few days later a murder occurs that also includes Katherine's name, Iris is even more curious and excited. It's going to be exciting in the sleepy coastal town...
Telling much more would be spoilers; mainly because the book is (unfortunately) relatively short: the print edition only has 255 pages. But what I do want to reveal is a little bit about Iris' approach in this case. A good part of her interest in clearing up the cases is based on the fact that her would-be stepmother seems to be involved. Of course, she definitely doesn't want her father to make the wrong decision - that's the superficial explanation. But of course, Iris herself knows that her relationship with Katherine isn't as warm as it could be because she misses her late mother and wants to cherish her memory. And I found this aspectof the story really exciting. Iris is a mature, smart and tough young woman who tragically lost her mother as a teenager. And who still has to nibble at this loss and still has a lot to process. The author portrayed this very sensitively, and Iris herself is also quite self-critical. I really liked this psychological aspect, I thought it was worked out well. I found the developments that Iris and Katherine go through in their relationship to each other almost more interesting than the solution to the two murders (although: they were plotted well and I didn't see it coming!).
My conclusion: I liked it very much, the protagonists have gained depth for me here, the series is picking up speed. Written vividly and excitingly, with fine English humor and a cool setting. I definitely recommend it and I'm looking forward to the next volume!
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy!

The Iris Woodmore Mysteries book 4

July, 1923 - Iris Woodmore travels to Devon with her friends Percy Baverstock and Millicent Nightengale for her father's wedding to Katherine Keats. But when Millicent uncovers skeletal remains hidden on the private beach of Katherine's former home, Iris begins to suspect her future stepmother is not what she seems. The police reveal the dead man is a smuggler who went missing in 1918, and when a new murder occurs, they realise a killer is in their midst.

There were plenty of twists and red herrings in this historical crime series. Iris, Millicent and Percy stumble across the skeletal remains in a hidden smugglers cave and Iris has to do some investigating into what had happened to him. There is a lot of historical detail in this well written book that reads quite like an Agatha Christie novel. This book does read well as a standalone, there's plenty of backstory included so you don't feel you have missed out on anything. This is a good cosy mystery.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #MichelleSalter for my ARC of #AKillingAtSmugglerCove in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this!! And English cozy mystery that takes place in the 20s. It is perfect. I loved every word of this. I had not read the previous 3 books but I'm going to now! This has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mysteries!
I just reviewed A Killing at Smugglers Cove by Michelle Salter. #AKillingatSmugglersCove #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

WOWZA!!! I have enjoyed every Iris Woodmore Mysteries so far and it goes without saying that A Killing at Smugglers Cove is another FANTABULOUS addition to the series.

As I was reading through, it did feel like I was in Devon (and back in time to 1923), exploring the coast, going to movies and dancing with Percy (and Iris, Emerald, and Millicent), and sleuthing with Iris.

The mystery behind the smuggler who went missing in 1918 kept me guessing till the end. Lots of twists and unexpected turns so if you are used to playing detective, please give your detective hat a rest this time.

Plenty of red herrings and a couple of side stories kept me entertained until the end. Do keep in mind that Iris and her friends are in Devon for a wedding, so yes, there's a bit of pre-wedding festivities, parties (thanks to Emerald), swimming on the beach (with some kind of a machine for the ladies to swim in privacy), and finally, the wedding!!

A Killing in Smugglers Cove by Michelle Salter is my new favorite in this series. From start to finish, I was completely hooked on to the story and couldn't put it down until the end.

A Killing At Smugglers Cove by Michelle Salter is an entertaining historical cosy crime novel. It is part of An Iris Woodmore Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The action takes place in 1923 at Dawlish on the south Devon coast. The light-hearted tone is reminiscent of Miss Marple as the amateur super sleuthing kicks in.
World War I is over but still some secrets remain as people are forbidden to talk of wartime exploits due to the official secrets act. It does not stop Iris Woodmore trying to sniff out a story!
As remains are found in Smugglers Cove and then another body turns up, the residents wonder if they could be linked. The local police seem to be decidedly lacking in their investigations as Iris Woodmore decides to dig deeper.
The roaring twenties are in full swing. There is a gaiety at times as people try to put the war behind them.
Michelle Salter has perfectly captured the atmosphere of the time with her words.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Killing At Smugglers Cove. I think it would make a perfect early evening television drama. I look forward to more exploits from Iris Woodmore.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I’m enjoying this series and find it continues to get better and better. Iris has grown as character which has been good to see as have her relationships with the secondary character's This story has plenty of twists and red herring to please any reader. A real page turner with lots of great historical detail. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This historical cosy crime story features Iris Woodmore, a 24 year old inquisitive journalist.
Although Iris is technically on holiday, when she and her friends stumble across a body hidden in an old smuggler's cave, she can't help but investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery!
Unfortunately some evidence points towards her father's fiancée - and the wedding is in a few short weeks!
This gorgeous story has sufficient twists to please any reader and evoked memories of reading Agatha Christie books for me. A genuine page turner.
This is the first book I've read from this series, but I feel sufficient back story was explained to ensure this wasn't a problem and I fully intend to now read the first 3!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read others in the series but think it could also be read as a stand alone novel. I loved the Devon setting, with beautiful seaside descriptions. Would be a great holiday read if you are in that area. I’m already looking forward to the next volume of Iris’ detecting adventures!

This is the fourth book in the Iris Woodmore mysteries series.

I have reviewed two of the previous books in this series and enjoyed them, and I enjoyed this one too. These are charming cosy mysteries set in the 1920s. I like Iris as a protagonist, and I like the way she connects with and interacts with the other characters. In this one, there were some new characters that I didn't recall from the previous two that I've reviewed, and these new characters interested me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

The Iris Woodmore mysteries by Michelle Salter are fast becoming my favourite historical mystery series and I loved A Killing at Smugglers Cove.
I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.

Iris’s is a little suspicious of her father’s fiancé and the story of when Katherine and her father met and being at the location of the wedding just confirms this when she finds skeletal remains.
Iris finds herself in the middle of another mystery as she tries to find out who the man was? Where did he come from? Why did he die? And of course, who killed him? The skeletal remains also brings traumatic memories of the first world war for everyone involved.
This is a good old fashioned murder mystery with plenty of suspects and motives that will satisfy any cosy crime fans. But to me the best part of the book is the rich and sometimes weird historical detail. I loved reading about ( and then googling) bathing machines and swimming stockinettes. The story is set 1923- a time of great societal change especially for woman and their clothes as well as the resettlement of refugees and former servicemen and women dealing with aftermath of war.
Iris has grown as character but who is still ahead of her times while still being bound by the restrictions of 1920’s England.
Percy, Millicent, Horace and Elijah are great supporting characters and book end with slightest hint of romance for Iris.