Book Review: The Body at Carnival Bridge by Michelle Salter

I am pleased to be welcoming Michelle Salter to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her novel, The Body at Carnival Bridge – book three in the Iris Woodmore Mysteries series. 

How deadly is the fight for equality?

It’s 1922, and after spending a year travelling through Europe, Iris Woodmore returns home to find a changed Walden. Wealthy businesswoman Constance Timpson has introduced equal pay in her factories and allows women to retain their jobs after they marry.

But these radical new working practices have made her deadly enemies.

A mysterious sniper fires a single shot at Constance – is it a warning, or did they shoot to kill? When one of her female employees is murdered, it’s clear the threat is all too real – and it’s not just Constance in danger.

As amateur sleuth Iris investigates, she realises the sniper isn’t the only hidden enemy preying on women.

*****

Iris has just returned from Europe and in 1920’s Britain, she knows her trip will have raised some eyebrows. She is soon kept busy when someone attempts to shoot local business owner, Constance Timpson.

When one of Constance’s employees is found murdered, Iris finds herself unravelling another mystery. Can she find the answers before someone else gets hurt?

This was the first book I have read in the Iris Woodmore Mysteries series. I could keep up with what was going on but reading the first two books would enrich the knowledge around these very established characters if you wanted to read those prior to reading The Body at Carnival Bridge.

Iris is a character you can really root for. She’s got gumption. She doesn’t let people’s opinion get her down and I love that. I think she’s become one of my favourite fictional detective/journalists actually.

The supporting characters are a brilliant and interesting mixture. I will always have a soft spot for Ursula though. She’s fabulous.

The plot moved along really well and doubt, mystery and discord was threaded through the novel. I couldn’t stop reading actually. I also want to go back and read the first two in the series..

This book deals with some hard themes and does so well. I also feel that Michelle Salter has done her research on the era. I felt very immersed in the world she has created.

OK, no more as I don’t want to give too much away. This cozy murder book is compelling and full of real, strong characters. It will have you guessing until the end. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced review copy in exchange for a honest review.

About Michelle Salter–

Michelle Salter is a historical crime fiction writer based in northeast Hampshire. Many local locations appear in her mystery novels. She’s also a copywriter and has written features for national magazines. When she’s not writing, Michelle can be found knee-deep in mud at her local nature reserve.

She enjoys working with a team of volunteers undertaking conservation activities.

Say hello to Michelle on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

The Body at Carnival Bridge by Michelle Salter was released by Boldwood Books on 11th May 2023. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

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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.