July 1923 - Iris Woodmore travels to Devon with her friends Percy Baverstock and Millicent Nightingale 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. The link between both murders is Katherine. Could Iris’s own father be in danger? Love historical mysteries and this did not disappoint. I like the main character, Iris and I think I need to go back and read the rest. A fun and engaging mystery.

A Killing at Smugglers Cove is the 4th book in a pleasantly engaging and well written historical cozy series by Michelle Salter. Released 10th July 2023 by Boldwood Books, it's 216 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, along with the other books in the series. A fifth book, A Corpse in Christmas Close, is due out in third quarter 2024 from the same publisher.

For cozy mystery fans there are (happily) a wealth of series which fit the bill. There aren't as many which also combine modern day relevance and sensibility with a period setting and well constructed mystery plot. Iris Woodmore is intelligent, sensible, and likeable. Additionally, she has a good relationship with her friends (one is a "perennial bachelor", the other is a primary school teacher).

With the discovery of skeletal remains on a summer holiday, they're soon drawn into investigating the circumstances around the unfortunate man's demise when it's clear the local constabulary has no intentions of doing so. There are several disparate subplot threads which entwine into a very well crafted denouement and resolution.

All in all, a satisfying and well written cozy interwar mystery very much in the classic style, with the addition of sympathetically written non-traditional male supporting character (and his private life is *not* central to the plot, which is a welcome change), and a healthy friend relationship between the two female characters.

There are 4 books currently in the series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone, with the codicil that some of the names were easily confused for the first couple of chapters. Being able to do a quick search with the ebook version is a benefit to keep the names straight until they're fixed in the reader's head.

Four stars. A good choice for public library acquisition, or home use.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

"A Killing at Smugglers Cove" by Michelle Salter is a delightful cozy historical murder mystery that transports readers to a charming setting with a captivating storyline. Salter skillfully combines elements of mystery and historical fiction, delivering an engaging and entertaining read.

One of the novel's strengths is Salter's ability to create a cozy atmosphere that evokes the charm of a bygone era. The quaint setting and well-drawn characters contribute to the overall appeal of the story. The mystery unfolds with a blend of suspense and humor, keeping readers invested in solving the puzzle alongside the characters.

However, readers familiar with the cozy mystery genre may recognize certain common elements within the storyline, such as the amateur detective and the close-knit community setting. While the pacing is generally effective, there may be instances where the plot follows familiar patterns. Despite this, Salter's storytelling and the cozy ambiance of "A Killing at Smugglers Cove" make it an enjoyable and engaging mystery.

In summary, this cozy historical murder mystery successfully delivers on its promise of an entertaining and light-hearted read. Michelle Salter's skillful portrayal of the historical setting and the engaging characters make it a delightful choice for readers who enjoy a blend of mystery and historical fiction. While incorporating some familiar elements within the cozy mystery genre, the novel distinguishes itself with its charming atmosphere and the delightful puzzle at its core.

I have read others in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them, but I just couldn't take to this one, The main plot just seemed obvious and for me, there were no real surprises.

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.

Murder hits far too close to home in the latest Iris Woodmore mystery by Michelle Salter: A Killing at Smugglers Cove.

July 1923 and there’s celebration in the year as Iris is off to Devon with her friends Percy and Millicent for her father’s wedding to Katherine Keats. Everything is set for this happy occasion, but jubilation quickly gives way to trepidation when Millicent makes a shocking discovery that might end up putting this wedding in jeopardy – not to mention somebody in prison: skeletal remains buried deep on the private beach of Katherine’s former home.

Iris cannot help but wonder just what her soon-to-be stepmother is mixed up in. What does she know? What secrets is she hiding? Could she be a threat to her family? Or is Katherine covering up for somebody? Never one to resist a mystery, Iris begins doing some sleuthing of her own. As the police unearth evidence that reveal that the dead man had gone missing in 1918, another body is found. There is a killer in their midst and Iris needs to find them quickly – or who knows who might be next…

A Killing at Smugglers Cove is another entertaining historical cozy mystery by Michelle Salter in her always enjoyable Iris Woodmore series. Beguiling, exciting and unpredictable, A Killing at Smugglers Cove keeps readers guessing and on the edge of their seats turning the pages late into the night desperate to find out whodunnit.

A satisfying mystery I hated putting down, Michelle Salter’s A Killing at Smugglers Cove will delight fans of the Golden Age of Crime Fiction everywhere and have them eager for the next installment of this fantastic series.

This is book 4 in the Iris Woodmore Mysteries series and is the first I’ve read by this author. When Iris and her pals, Millicent and Percy, are in Devon for a wedding, Iris is a bit put out. It’s her father who’s about to be married and Iris thinks it’s way too soon for him to be moving on after the death of her mother. The thought of digging the dirt on her dad’s wife-to-be, gives Iris something to concentrate on. However, while out for a walk on the beach, she and her friends discover the skeletal remains of a man.

Billed as a period cosy mystery, the book’s cover and the setting, place it firmly in the 1920s. The story is appealing enough and while there are occasionally a lot of characters to keep track of, there are some nice distractions and a few red herrings in the tradition of Agatha Christie. Having said that, the comparison with Christie (by some reviewers) is perhaps a little out of place, as the plot doesn’t have anything like the same level of development about it as the Queen of Crime’s novels.


Nevertheless, it’s an enjoyable tale that kept me reading right to the end.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Iris is in Devon to attend the marriage of her father to Katherine. She is not happy with the situation as she believes his remarriage somehow diminishes the marriage he had with her late mother. When she and her friends Percy and Millicent stumble across a skeleton in a cave beneath the cliff where Katherine once lived, her imagination is fired up to find some flaw that will justify her feelings towards her future step mother.

Considering how “modern”” Iris is with some of her own life decisions, she can be not only harsh but judgemental. She does realize what she is doing and has a qualm or two. When the whole story emerges about who the deceased was and who committed a second murder, Iris has a new perception of Katherine that allows her to be happy for the couple. Like her father, Katherine has led an exciting life.

Iris is very nosey, as many of the other characters tell her but she never does stupid or high risk things as she tries to uncover the truth. All the characters in the story are three dimensional and compelling. It makes for a satisfying read. Five purrs and two paws up.

I love cozy mystery stories and this one was brilliant. I enjoyed trying to work out the clues for myself and read this quicklyHope to read more by this author. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Iris Woodmore is on vacation in Dawlish with friends Millicent and Percy. Iris is not looking forward to the event that is to happen soon: her father is marrying Katherine Keats. Iris is worried that her father has forgotten her mother, and Iris is against the marriage, and is hoping something will prevent it, despite everyone else thinking how good it would for both her father and Katherine to be married.

While the friends (who are part of the wedding party) are at a beach, Millicent finds a several years dead man, sitting in a cave. The cave and that part of the beach are called Smugglers’ Cove, and are owned by Rupert Keats, Katherine’s brother-in-law. With the unexpected find, police are involved, and the trio meet Rupert and his wife Nathalie, a former Belgian refugee, and their son Timmy.

Iris can’t help herself, and begins digging into local stories to find out who the dead man could be, especially after police are quick to say that the dead man was a former town ne’er do well.

Iris also is reacquainted with two other former Belgian refugees, Emile and Marc, whom Iris met in a hospital during the war, and who’ve made their lives in the town.

Iris becomes even more suspicious of Katherine the more she learns about the woman, her deceased husband, and her activities during the war. She also becomes better acquainted with Nathalie and Annette, Marc's wife. Then Rupert dies during a dinner with his family, Marc and Annette, and Iris.

Iris suspects that someone is responsible for the deaths of both Rupert and the other dead man, and keeps asking questions. Iris' father is unhappy about Iris talking to the police, and digging, especially as the more she digs, the more she convinces herself that Katherine has something nefarious in her past, despite everyone telling her to quit. What she ends up finding about the murders is nothing she wanted to know. But she does find herself more accepting of Katherine, finally.

This was another good entry in this series. There are lots of twists, secrets, conflicting stories, and sadness. I liked the vacation activities (the sea bathing and the cumbersome swimsuits the women wore made me thankful for the progress of cultural attitudes), and the descriptions of Devon.

I liked how difficult Iris found the upcoming marriage. She's only just healed from her mother's death, and it's understandable that she has misgivings about her father moving on, particularly as he hasn't seemed to have been as affected as Iris by the death. Of course, nothing is ever as clear cut as it seems, whether in Iris' understanding of her personal relationships, or in the relationships that bind those affected by Rupert's death.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and look forward to more sleuthing by Iris.

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

In her latest adventure, Iris Woodmore is not at her home in leafy Walden in the south-east of England, but travelling to Devon to attend her father's wedding to Katherine Keats. She's still not able to come to terms with the fact that her father is re-marrying, and she fears her mother's memory will drift further into the background. But unable to talk to him about it, she makes herself miserable with her attitude – which has not gone completely unnoticed by her friends.

Fortunately (for Iris and us), Iris doesn't travel alone – her friends Percy and Millicent are with her, as are her newspaper boss, Elijah, and his wealthy partner, Horace (who, of course, have taken separate rooms in a plush hotel). I'd been concerned about missing those regulars in Iris’ latest murder mystery case, but I needn't have feared.

So when Millicent stumbles across a skeleton in a concealed cave on a small cove belonging to the property of the family of Katherine's late first husband, we know Iris would not be fobbed off easily by the local police's quick assumption as to the dead man's identity.

Despite the surprisingly quick solution, questions remain, and Iris draws in her network of friends, including Horace's influence, to dig deeper – and discover long-hidden secrets in her new stepmother's family. When she meets old acquaintances from London – exiled Belgian friends who'd remained in Devon – she is delighted, but this encounter also has consequences she'd rather not explore too deeply.

And little does she know the series of dangerous events her snooping triggers...

In A Killing at Smugglers Cove, we see a somewhat sombre Iris to start with. She has concerns about her father's marriage to Katherine, and when she realises the woman is somehow involved in this old murder case, her thoughts verge between relief – that perhaps it was better her father did not marry the woman – and guilt at her frail hope. She is almost unlikeable, which is intentional, as she acts like a spoilt teenager. Deep inside, her fear is real, but she's reluctant to talk to her father about it.

Elijah (my fave character in the series) warns her about her sometimes foul mood and what he considers unfounded suspicions about Katherine. He's not only her employer, but also a good friend, concerned with the impact her attitude has on her father, in turn an old wartime friend and colleague of his.

A Killing at Smugglers Cove is a gripping new instalment in this fabulous murder mystery series, this time set in beautiful countryside on the Devon coast, with plenty of stories about smugglers and other illegal activities. The author knows the area well, and this shows in the story, with plenty of local details fed nicely into the plot, so we get the full picture of what life at the coast was like 100 years ago. This added to an already riveting reading experience.

Another cleverly intriguing read by Michelle Salter. I'm looking forward to Iris’ next adventure...

A historical murder mystery set in 1923. A lovely read from start to finish. Thank you for the opportunity to have an advanced copy.

I enjoyed this cozy historical Murder mystery. I just couldn’t come to terms with the main character, being a sleuther. She had so much going on. She was trying to find out who really is Catherine, who is to marry her father, & figuring out this murder mystery that seems to go back a couple of years. There was so much going on, but sometimes it was good because you could easily get lost. The think I enjoyed was the friend circle and their personalities. This does seem to be the 4th book in the series, so maybe I could have felt more attached to them if I would have started from the beginning.

Thank you @netgally for the free e-arc
#akillingatsmugglerscove #netgally

This is a historical cosy mystery and crime,
Set in the 1923 period of time.
Iris Woodmore travels to Devon with her friends
Her father's wedding there to attend.

Iris isn't certain about Katherine, his wife to be,
She convinced she's not quite just what you see.
However, no one seems to share her concern
And Katherine's past she can't discern.

When skeletal remains are found by Millicent, her friend
The friends' exploration of the shore comes to an end.
With police suppositions not ringing true
Iris and friends decide to investigate, too.

With old friends and new ones embroiled in the mix
Iris isn't sure how they mystery she'll fix.
Especially when her father's wife to be
Seems to be involved in this mystery.

Who was the skeleton and what happened there?
He's been missing for years, does no one care?
The search to identify him brings new information, too,
Will that help uncover the vital clue?

An engaging read with twists and surprises
As Katherine's past roles Iris finally realises.
Will this bring her and Katherine closer or push them apart?
What of the danger to her father's heart?

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The latest in the Iris Woodmore mystery series set shortly after the end of World War 1 in Britain. Iris and her friends investigate the identity and murder of a skeleton found in a cave. Iris is particularly interested in whether the murder involves her future stepmother since the skeleton was found where Katherine used to live - and Iris isn't too happy about the upcoming wedding.

I really enjoy this series and the latest entry. Michelle Salter is excellent at conveying the longstanding effects of the war on society and on how life in Britain is changing particularly for women. Watching Iris develop her investigative skills while she gets involved with unsuitable men is a treat, and overall the characters and settings are well-portrayed. This could be read as a standalone, but given the development of the characters and their relationships over the course of the series, it's best to read the series in order. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

4.5 stars

♦️It is July 1923 when Iris Woodmore has come to Devon to attend her father's wedding to Katherine Keats. She is not happy with the wedding as she has still not come out of the grief of losing her mother. Iris has been accompanied by her friends, Millicent and Percy. However, things take a different turn when Millicent uncovers a skeleton hidden in a cave on the private beach of Katherine's former home. When another murder occurs within a few days of discovering the skeleton, it is also somehow related to Katherine. So, Iris starts worrying about her father's life. Is Katherine is, what she claims or she is harbouring any secret? Is Mr Woodmore committing a mistake by marrying her?

💥This book is a part of the Iris Woodmore mystery series, a historical cosy mystery series by the same author. It was an enjoyable read and I loved the style of storytelling. While reading, one can get an idea about the author's fabulous sense of humour. The way the mystery is weaved into the story deserves praise. Though it is set a few years after World War 1, it mentions the atrocities of the same.

💥Iris Woodmore is a journalist who lands herself in trouble wherever she goes and this statement is proved right when her friend Millicent discovers skeletal remains while exploring the beach with Percy and her. She is always sneaking for a story as a journalist should be. With her quick wit, she helps in solving this mystery. In this book, one gets to learn how she is still coping with her mother's death even after nine years. She cannot accept the fact that her father is getting married again and that is reflected in her dislike for Katherine. So, when the skeleton is discovered near her future stepmother's previous home and another murder occurs which is also linked to Katherine, Iris becomes suspicious of her.

💥I loved the story and though I did not read any other book in the series, I did not face any trouble. I think other readers will adore it as well. I would definitely check out the other books in this series.
            I want to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this book.

A Killing At Smuggler’s Cove’ by Michelle Salter is an Iris Woodmore mystery, set in 1923. Iris has travelled to Devon to attend the wedding of her father to Katherine Keats. Whilst exploring a local beach, Iris and her friends Percy and Millicent discover a skeleton in a cave. The cave happens to be directly below the former home of her soon-to-be stepmother, Katherine. Already uneasy about the forthcoming wedding, Iris feels she must investigate any links to Katherine. Will she be able solve the mystery - and clear any suspicion from Katherine - before the nuptials? And will the wedding party’s safety be assured, when a murderer may be still on the loose?

I loved the historical elements of this novel. As it is set in the early 1920s, it deals with the aftermath of the First World War, and the effects on those who were involved. The war blighted the lives of many ex-soldiers, but civilians caught in the crossfire, and those left at home were also fighting their own wars. Michelle Salter captures this brilliantly. She nails the sense of time and made me feel as if I was right there with them.

I enjoyed the Devon setting, as the beauty was expertly described. The ugliness of murder and war played against an idyllic background, making the story all the more compelling. Iris is a fascinating character, bringing vitality and a determination to succeed. Her role as a journalist was unusual for the time, but she was a trailblazer for other women. I loved it.

I was given this ARC for review.

A Killing at Smugglers Cove by Michelle Salter was a fun read. I loved the time period and how fabulously Salter’s writing transported me there. Historical cozy mysteries are a favorite of mine and this book did not disappoint. The FMC, Iris Woodmore, was likeable and relatable and the banter between her and her companions was very entertaining. I was pleased that I did not predict the big reveal at the end. While this was book four in the series and I have not read the others, I felt that I was able to read it as a stand-alone without confusion.

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‘A Killing at Smugglers Cove’ is a nostalgic-filled tale that was packed full of action and twists and turns! I have begun to adore this series and this outing was a brilliant addition to it. Then I have a soft spot for historical mysteries set on the South English coast - blame ‘Evil Under the Sun’ for that! Sometimes when you have a series and it moves location it can feel clumpy and not flow as well but was not the case here. The location added to the story and is the perfect example of when mixing it up goes right. Although we are now on book 4 you can easily pick this up as a new reader! I do recommend reading the rest of the series though as they are great reads.

Iris Woodmore is on the way to Devon for the marriage of her father to Katherine Keats, along with her friends Percy and Millicent. But when Millicent finds the skeletal remains in a hidden cave on an isolated cove life gets a bit more complicated for Iris. The cove happens to be the private property of Katherine’s former house and this causes Iris to question everything she knows about her future stepmother. The police reveal that the body is that of a local smuggler who went missing in 1918 but when another death occurs we know the murderer is still around. Is Katherine a killer and is Iris’ father at risk?

I just loved the storyline in this one. You have a great murder mystery that involves Iris’ family so this time it's personal for her to solve it. The vulnerability shown by Iris was touching as it shows that she is still a young woman confused and hurting from the death of her mother some years ago. Change can be confronting and the author did a great job of putting this onto the page. I think this is the best book of the series and a lot of it is to do with the development of the characters in a way since the series started. Iris is a different woman - more confident at work and in relationships, both romantic and familial. She has a bit of experience under her belt and I can't wait to see what happens next in her story! Oops, I went off-topic a bit there. The inclusion of wartime stories proved to be a winner as it gave the whole book an air of danger and then the nod to the history of smuggling was wonderful.

Let me know if you pick this one up!

Compulsive reading at its best. Iris Woodmore's fourth mystery has a mix of love, jealousy, and betrayal of the kind that can only lead to murder. Iris has put it upon herself to unravel the threads of how the victim and the people of the area are connected and who had the most reason to want the victim dead.

The discovery of one murder leads to another and things start getting more tense as it is clear that a murderer is amongst them hiding in plain sight. Red herrings and clever twists made this an addictive read.

I like the fact that this book can be read as a standalone even though it's the fourth in the series. It is obviously more enjoyable to follow Iris from the beginning but there will be no confusion for any reader jumping in at this point.

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.