Friday, 4 July 2025
Degustabox June 2025 review : Picnic & On-The-Go
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Book review : Friends Are Forever - Mike Martin
I did a bit of a double-take when I started writing this review. I went to check which number book this one is in the Sgt. Windflower series and discovered that it is number 16. How is that even possible ?! Yes, our friendly, kind, even-tempered Mountie hero has already starred in an amazing 15 other books. This surely explains why readers (or at least I) have a real sense of coming home and catching up with a family member or friend when a new Sgt. Windflower book hits the shelves.
If you have yet to read any of the books in the series, let me explain the homely setting and its heart-warming main character. Sgt. Windflower is a RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) officer who lives in the small town of Grand Bank. Imagine beautiful sea views disappearing in the swirling fog that also hides the numerous giant moose lurking on the fringes of the roads, with a distinct scent of por'cakes and curried salmon wafting along on the breeze. As well as being a police officer, Sgt. Windflower is a big-hearted family man, husband to Sheila and daddy to two daughters, Stella and Amelia Louise, as well as guardian of two pets, a dog named Lady who loves to go for walks with Windflower and a cat called Molly who is far too important to cast a look at her master if he doesn't come bearing salmon-flavoured gifts ! Sgt. Windflower also shares some elements of his Cree heritage, whether through his smudging rituals or his dreamweaving, where he catches up with his family members who have passed on.
Sgt. Windflower has a close-knit group of friends and workmates who pop up in the various novels. Colleagues Eddie and Carrie Tizzard, along with their growing brood of children, Herb Stoodley at the local diner The Mug-Up and the whisky, food and literary quotation-lover Doc Sanjay, who sadly puts in his final appearance in this novel.
Despite all the good times in Newfoundland (the novel begins with a celebration for the newly promoted members of Sgt. Windflower's team), criminal shenanigans are never far away and this book throws Windflower into a series of violent bank heists, involving international mobsters and local biker gangs. As the body count starts to rise, Windflower realises that these crimes are the test run for a bigger crime spree, probably based in Toronto.
While he doesn't hold back, even willing to put his own life on the line, it's the warmer, more comforting moments of his life that will keep me coming back for more tales of his life - a catch-up with friends, a good meal shared with loved ones or a witty battle of Shakespearean quotes with his friends. Bring it on, Sgt. Windflower, bring it on !
star rating : 4/5
- Publisher : Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery
- Publication date : 1 May 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 286 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1990896308
- ISBN-13 : 978-1990896309
Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Degustabox May 2025 review : BBQ & Garden Party
Sunday, 11 May 2025
What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 20
Sunday, 4 May 2025
What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 19
Sunday, 20 April 2025
What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 17
Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Degustabox April 2025 review : Snacking & New Recipes
Just in time for the school holidays, the postie dropped off this month's Degustabox. Its Snacking and New Recipes theme fit in perfectly with the kids being off school, so much so that the contents started to get eaten before I'd even taken the photos for the blogpost ! I managed to retrieve the Cheez It chips packaging from the bin but the pork scratchings disappeared too soon so they're missing from the main photo - apologies for that ! It shows how popular this box was though ! Here's what was in this month's box.
Sunday, 30 March 2025
What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 14
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Degustabox March 2025 review : Hello Spring & Ready for Easter
I really feel like spring has sprung in the past week or so. Temperatures are rising, we've had lots of sunshine and very little rain for the past couple of weeks and the sight of daffodils, tulips and tree blossom is guaranteed to put a smile on my face on the way to work every day. We're starting to move away from wintry, warming belly-fillers and onto lighter and brighter, veg-packed springtime dishes. Would this month's Degustabox follow this trend? Let's go and have a look at the contents of this month's box.
Finally, this month's Product of the Month, Tilda Easy Meals (RRP 2 x £2.50) are perfect for students, those with limited cooking facilities or anyone who needs a quick lunch at work. Each pouch contains one meal and just needs two minutes in a microwave to be ready. We got Sundried Tomato and Beans which I used (for two people) as a baked potato topping with a little cheese on top. We also tried Chickpea Korma, along some leftover rice, for a tasty and filling dinner. Also available in a Vegetable Paella variety, they provide one of your five a day and are a source of protein while also being low calorie. These are great to store in a food cupboard as a fallback plan when someone needs a quick lunch or a veggie option. Available in Sainsbury's.