In Michelle Salter’s A Corpse in Christmas Close, journalist-turned-sleuth Iris Woodmore is drawn into a Christmas mystery that’s as layered as it is gripping. Set in 1923 Winchester, the story kicks off when Iris, sent to cover the Prince of Wales’s visit, is instead pulled into the aftermath of a shocking murder: the leading lady in the local pantomime is found dead, with the finger of suspicion pointing at Freddie Baverstock, the younger brother of a family friend. Iris is determined to clear Freddie’s name, but her investigation reopens old wounds and brings her face to face with a dangerous adversary from her past.

Salter skilfully paints a vivid historical backdrop, allowing readers to experience post-World War I England, where society is still grappling with the aftereffects of the Great War. This historical depth enriches the narrative, adding complexity to the characters’ motives and vulnerabilities. Iris stands out as a resilient, independent heroine, navigating the challenges of her profession at a time when women had only recently gained partial voting rights and were often excluded from the professional world. Her role as a female journalist offers an empowering perspective, and she deftly balances personal risk and compassion in her quest for justice.

The mystery itself is full of twists and turns, each one upping the stakes for Iris. Readers will find themselves captivated by the puzzle of the murdered actress and the cast of characters around her, each hiding secrets of their own. Salter’s skill in creating both suspense and empathy shines here; while some plot twists may stretch believability, they keep the reader guessing until the very end. Returning characters add tension and continuity for fans of the series, hinting at long-standing animosities and unresolved issues that make this instalment even more engaging.

While A Corpse in Christmas Close may not exactly overflow with festive cheer, the pantomime setting and seasonal timing provide a subtly atmospheric backdrop. New readers can comfortably start here, as Salter weaves in enough context to make this book accessible. For those seeking an engaging cozy mystery with historical charm, an unconventional heroine, and a tightly plotted mystery, A Corpse in Christmas Close is a worthy choice. With Iris Woodmore, Salter delivers a protagonist whose determination and courage stand out, even in an era reluctant to welcome women like her into the fray.

Book Review: A Corpse in Christmas Close by Michelle Salter

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished reading A Corpse in Christmas Close by Michelle Salter, and it was quite the delightful ride! As a fan of cozy mysteries, this book ticked all the right boxes for me. Set against the backdrop of a Christmas pantomime in 1923 Winchester, the story revolves around Iris Woodmore, a spirited reporter who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when the leading lady of the charity show turns up dead.

From the moment Iris is assigned to cover the Prince of Wales' visit, things take a dark turn. When the charming prince of the pantomime, played by none other than Freddie Baverstock (the younger brother of a prominent local figure), becomes embroiled in the scandal, Iris can’t help but dive deeper into the murky waters of intrigue. The stakes rise as she confronts an old adversary, and suddenly, her world is filled with potential suspects and hidden agendas.

What I loved about this book is how Salter crafts Iris as a strong female character during a time when women's roles were often confined to the background. This aspect added depth to the narrative and made me root for her even more. The mystery itself is filled with twists and turns, keeping me on my toes right up until the end. I have to admit, though—while the resolution to the murder felt a bit far-fetched, the unexpectedness of it kept me engaged and entertained.

One thing I found interesting was that even though this is the fifth book in a series, it was my first experience with Iris and her escapades. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story at all. Salter does an excellent job of making sure new readers can jump in without feeling lost.

Now, if you’re looking for a book steeped in Christmas cheer, you might be slightly disappointed. The festive elements are mostly limited to the pantomime rehearsal and the time period rather than an abundance of holiday spirit. However, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment; I was too busy trying to untangle the web of mystery!

In conclusion, A Corpse in Christmas Close is an engaging historical cozy mystery that’s perfect for fans of the genre. Salter’s writing keeps you guessing, and Iris Woodmore is a character I’d love to follow on more adventures. If you're in the mood for a little intrigue mixed with a touch of historical charm, this book should definitely be on your reading list!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Iris is a woman who is prepared to challenge the norms. She is a reporter in her home village of Walden and a good one at that. Tasked with reporting on a visit by the Prince of Wales, she is drawn into a murder when the body of the young woman who is set to star in a pantomime is discovered in Christmas Close. She is a woman with many dark secrets that have ensnared some of Iris’ friends. Partly drawn by the mystery of why she was murdered and partly out of loyalty to friends, she is determined to piece Rachel’s story together.

Her investigation is hampered by two blasts from Iris’ past who think she was responsible for their falls from grace. She suspects that both have played a part in the tragedy and the more she learns, the more convinced she becomes. But there are forces at work complicated by a second murder. There is a mystery within a mystery as Iris attempts to unravel the spider’s web. The reader will be lead merrily down several dead ends until the truly Machiavellian villain is revealed. I love when you do not see the final twists coming and I did not.

Five purrs and two paws up.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, the characters were fun and the mystery was interesting. With each subsequent book however I have found myself enjoying them less and less. The main character is less and less likable to me and I'm caring less about her and friends. I am also finding that the mystery aspect is less exciting. There were times that were still fun, but in general this book was a bit of a slog and I almost stopped reading it a couple times. I doubt I will read any further books in this series.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This story is a perfect charming holiday read that is set in the 1920’s .
The author does a Great job detailing the historical details and covering back the women’s role back in that era
Although it’s a cozy heartwarming story it is also a suspenseful, murder mystery that has suspense and intrigue.
If you like a cozy mystery and historical fiction stories you’ll enjoy this story. It’s a perfect holiday read.

Thank you netgalley

During the rehearsals for a Winchester pantomime, investigative reporter Iris learns an actress has been murdered. With her friend Percy, Iris uncovers a web of deceit and danger in the snow-covered streets.

This is a menacing mystery with a hint of humor and well-developed relationships. I recommend reading the series in order, as this book contains spoilers for the previous books. The audiobook narrations was well done.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I like a strong protagonist, one that is clear about who she is and making her way in the world. I have read each of the five books in the series, and have not felt as connected with the last two as much as I did with the initial ones.

The main plot just seemed obvious and for me, there were no real surprises. It felt a little laboured. Not much really Christmassy about the story - other than the victim was rehearsing for the annual pantomime.

Perhaps I will connect more with the next one I really hope so

It's three stars out of five on the enjoyment scale. Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A murder of the lead actor in a post-war fundraiser Christmas play and the return of an odious person from Iris’ pastcome together in this sixth instalment of this series.

Iris Woodmore is at Winchester for the Prince of Wales' visit, when the actor playing Cinderella for the Christmas performance to raise funds for the cathedral's war fund is found dead. It's quickly discovered that she died of a drug overdose, and Iris' sleuthing instinct tells her there's more going on. And her friend Percy is concerned as his younger brother, also an actor in the play, is seen by the police as a potential suspect as he was rebuffed by the dead woman.

Two people from Iris' past feature in this fifth mystery in this series: Gordon Tolfree, son of a suspect (book one), and Archie Powell (book three), former vicar. The dead woman, Rachel, worked as a receptionist at Tolfree motors, and Archie has gained a sympathetic ear with Gordon, and Archie keeps implying knowledge of Iris' romantic activities.

Both Gordon and Archie make life difficult for Iris, who, nonetheless, keeps asking questions and digging into the life of the dead woman and others involved with her. The case is sufficiently involved to keep me interested, and the reveal and resolution felt earned. There are outstanding issues left in this satisfying mystery, particularly in the form of Archie, who will no doubt figure in a future entry in this series.

Iris continues to intrigue me, as she's fairly unconventional, though she really needs to do something about her terrible choices in romantic partners, including her current paramour, who is a married man.

Despite my slight annoyance with Iris with respect to this one aspect of her life, I enjoyed this latest, and look forward to more Iris Woodmore mysteries.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Well-written historical cozy with a good setting and fascinating mystery. I enjoyed it enough but am not sure why I couldn’t connect with the book on the whole. It may be because there seems to be some backstory and I started the series with this book. I liked it enough to go back and start from the beginning. The mystery was easy to follow as a standalone but there were references to previous events that left me confused.

A Corpse in Christmas Close is a joy to read and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Iris in Walden and Winchester. Michelle Salter has a very chatty welcoming style, like Iris is a friend you know addressing you directly. She is very much a young lady about town in 1923 Winchester and this instalment starts with her touring the city, reporting on the Prince of Wales’s visit. After a surprisingly close royal encounter, Iris becomes aware of a suspicious death in the titular Christmas Close and is drawn to start investigating the local amateur Pantomime troupe.

Iris is the daughter of a suffragette and therefore unsurprisingly is very modern in her thoughts and actions, although the book very much uses the language and terms of the time. There is reference in A Corpse in Christmas Close to events in a previous book, with what might be a spoiler for an earlier tale, so you may prefer to start this series at the beginning.

Iris’s investigations take her back and forth from Walden to Winchester and up to London and back again, her role as reporter for the Walden Herald enabling her to snoop on her cast of suspects far and wide, with the occasional help of tame policeman, Ben. Unfortunately, during Iris’s sleuthing an unwanted face from the past reappears, threatening to destabilise her current carefree existence in Walden.

In the end, there is a very clever twist in the tale and I did not at all guess whodunit or why. The solution was ingenious and the icing on the cake of a very enjoyable cozy murder mystery. I will definitely be reading more from Iris and Michelle Salter. With huge thanks to the publisher for my copy of A Corpse in Christmas Close and to Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour.

This new instalment in the Iris Woodmore Mysteries is an absolute delight, just as its predecessors!

Set against the backdrop of 1923 Winchester, it is an engaging read with a festive touch. The pièce de resistance, however, is Iris herself. Charming, modern for her times and independent, meeting her again was a pleasure.

The historical details make for an immersive and enjoyable reading experience, while the mystery itself was solved in a clever way, which – yet again – I couldn’t have done on my own.

I eagerly await Iris’s next adventure! If you’re new to this series, this book can be read as a standalone cozy mystery, but it does contain references to earlier books in the series, which I also highly recommend.

I'm quite fond of Christmas cosy mysteries, and I was instantly drawn to this one by the gorgeous cover and the enticing blurb. I didn't read the previous books, and it can be read as a standalone, and it was nice to find some nods to previous installments, but you do get a sense that you're missing out on stuff. The investigation was intricate and interesting, but rather difficult to follow too.
Regarding the writing style, I found it very sleek and pleasing.

In Michelle Salter’s latest historical mystery, readers spend Christmas in 1923 Winchester, just before the Prince of Wales plans to visit the town. Iris Woodmore’s assignment for her paper is to write about the Prince’s visit, but the leading lady in the Winchester Cathedral Christmas charity pantomime has recently and mysteriously died. With many local men as prime suspects in her murder, Iris must solve the case for the town, for her friends the Baverstocks (the younger son Freddie being a suspect), and for herself. However, old enemies reappear in Winchester, and the line between Iris’s friends and enemies is much less clear than she would like. With high stakes, a complicated mystery, and too many suspects for one detective to handle, this is a complex mystery that readers will love solving alongside Iris. The characters in this novel are particularly enjoyable, and their complications and secrets add to the atmosphere of the mystery. Iris is a complex, clever reporter and detective, and she can carry a novel as the protagonist. An excellent continuation of Salter’s historical mystery series starring Iris Woodmore, readers will love the high stakes of this murder mystery set against the backdrop of a Winchester Christmas.

This was such a good cozy mystery!! I really enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more from Michelle Salter! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read it early and give this review.

It's 1923 and journalist, Iris Woodmore, is in Winchester to cover the visit of the Prince of Wales. Along with other events, an annual pantomime is being planned in Christmas Close a hall next to the Cathedral. But when the leading actress is found murdered and the brother of a close family friend is the main… actually, the only…suspect, Iris is determined to prove his innocence. But she is up against a murderer much wilier than she anticipated and she may have to put herself in danger if she is to uncover them.

Overall, A Corpse in Christmas Close, by Michelle Salter, is an entertaining historical cozy mystery. Iris is a strong female at a time when women’s roles were very limited, a subject which Salter uses to good effect in the novel The mystery is interesting with plenty of twists and turns and it kept me guessing throughout. I did find the solution to the murder a bit of a stretch but, hey, cozy, and it was definitely unexpected at least to me so it wasn’t a huge problem. This is the fifth book in a series although the first I’ve read but I didn’t find that affected my enjoyment.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Net Galley for this ARC. I'm really enjoying this series. The characters develop more with each novel and i'm loving the reintroduction of a previous villain. Looking forward to the next in the series

Michelle Salter’s A Corpse in Christmas Close is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and historical intrigue, set against the picturesque backdrop of Winchester during the festive season. The story follows Iris Woodmore, whose visit to the city’s annual pantomime takes a dark turn when the lead actress, Rachel Lacey, is found murdered. Salter’s writing shines as she brings the snow-covered streets of Winchester to life, creating an atmosphere that is both charming and filled with suspense. Iris and her friend Percy make for an engaging detective duo, their determination to uncover the truth driving the narrative forward with plenty of twists and turns.

The novel excels in its character development and the intricate web of secrets that Iris and Percy must unravel. The mystery surrounding Rachel’s death is compelling, with enough red herrings and surprises to keep readers guessing until the very end. While the pacing slows at times, particularly in the middle, the rich historical details and the atmospheric setting more than compensate for any lulls. A Corpse in Christmas Close is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and anyone looking for a cozy, yet thrilling, story to curl up with during the holiday season.

4.5 stars. A great addition to this cosy historical mystery series featuring journalist Iris Woodmore. This one features an am dram pantomime where the leading lady is killed and then later one of the suspects is killed too… add in motor cars and cocaine (smuggling and as the murder weapon), and whodunnit and why? I did guess the who/how, but it was no less enjoyable for that - this is a great series and I’d recommend it.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: A decent read

Iris Woodmore is back sleuthing when the leading lady in the pantomime charity play is found dead. With Percy’s younger brother being one of the suspects, Iris decides to investigate the case. She also comes face to face with her nemesis intent on regaining his lost name.
Can Iris solve the case and try not to mess up her private life again?
The story comes in Iris’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I was happy to see the next book in the series set during Christmas. Walden does sound good in winter. The festival doesn’t have a major role in the plot, though. Don’t look for a proper Christmas mystery here.
As always, we have to deal with a large cast of recurring characters and new ones related to the case. While the book works as a standalone, it can be overwhelming to remember who is who without prior knowledge. I enjoyed the presence of the recurring characters, though not all.
The pacing is steady, and we get a clue or tidbit as the story progresses. How it fits the bigger picture is for us to guess. There are a few lighthearted moments too, which I quite enjoyed.
The mystery started out well with a couple of subplots to thicken the plot. However, the reveal could have been better. No issues with who the killer is but I did want the method of solving the mystery to be more detail-based.
I like how the social situation of the period is woven into the plot. With many characters in business and politics, we get more than enough feel of the time.
While I like Iris’s determination to do the right thing when it comes to the cases she solves, her disregard for ethics in her personal life is worrying. Sorry but not sorry. No amount of feminist talk can make her look good in this aspect. Her pathetic track record in men has to break somewhere.
That said, I am excited for the next book and hope a scandal knocks sense into her silly mind. The MC could do with a reality check about her life. At the same time, I want the nemesis to be put in place. He shouldn’t get away for what he did (is doing).

To summarize, A Corpse in Christmas Close is a decent addition to the series even if isn’t the best. The book does take the story forward, so I’m hoping the next one will be a much better read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A Corpse in Christmas Close comes in as the fifth in the Iris Woodmore Mysteries and the first I've read by this author.

Set in the roaring twenties, the age of jazz and the flapper, Salter delights us with a delightful cosy mystery where historical fact and fiction come together as one.

The characters are solid and I'm looking forward to reaquainting with them in future books. Main character Iris is one of those unforgettable characters, she's headstrong, feisty and so easy to become invested in.

I had hoped for a little more Christmas, but that soon fell by the way the further I delved into the plot.

An enjoyable and entertaining read that's definitely piqued my interest in the author's previous works.