Murder at Waldenmere Lake by Michelle Salter
A murder shocks the small town of Walden. And it’s only the beginning…
Walden, 1921. Local reporter Iris Woodmore is determined to save her beloved lake, Waldenmere, from destruction.
After a bloody and expensive war, the British Army can’t afford to keep the lake and build a convalescent home on its shores yet they still battle with Walden Council and a railway company for ownership. But an old mansion used as an officer training academy stands where the railway company plans to build a lakeside hotel. It belongs to General Cheverton – and he won’t leave his home.
When the General is found murdered, it appears someone will stop at nothing to win the fight for Waldenmere. Iris thinks she can take on the might of the railway company and find the killer. But nothing prepares her for the devastation that’s to come…
About the author
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.
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Review
It was such a treat to return to Iris’ world and the beautiful setting of Waldenmere! I have fallen head over heels for this series and I thoroughly enjoyed this outing for Iris and the gang. This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone but I would encourage you to read the first book as it was a corker and it was always good to get in at the start of a series. Especially, one I can see being here for quite a while. I have banged on before about how much I love this little subgenre of strong independent women between the wars, maybe as this was what I studied at uni but I love it and the Iris Woodmore Mysteries are a brilliant example of it!
Iris Woodmore lives in the picturesque town of Walden and especially loves the local lake Waldenmere. When the plans of a railway company are announced, the whole town is up in arms. They want to build a huge lakeside hotel and beach club. But there is a spanner in the works as the house and land they want to use is owned by General Cheverton and he refuses to leave! The army also wants to build a rehabilitation centre for convalescence for the armed forces but is struggling to raise the money. But when General Cheverton is found murdered it seems someone is determined to make sure their plans to develop Waldenmere succeeds! Iris is on the case to find out who…
Iris is thrown a lot to deal with in this book and I loved how her character developed. I especially loved her radical thinking in a certain area and her feminist leanings. Also, it was historically accurate as this generation of women did do a lot more of this (trying to word it so I don’t spoiler myself here) than what is the general consensus! The historical details were spot on throughout the book and I loved learning about the movement for national parks. It’s always the sign of a good piece of historical fiction if you start Googling and in this case I did!
Roll on book three - I can’t wait!
