Here we are, about to settle down for another period of confinement in the run up to Christmas (although, as a teacher, I don't think that I'll notice that much difference this time, with classes carrying on as usual), so it's time to stock up on some feel-good movies and books to help us while away the time. With perfect timing, author Mike Martin has just released the latest Sgt Windflower Mystery, entitled A Perfect Storm. I've read and reviewed the previous eight titles in the series, but don't worry if you haven't - they can be perfectly enjoyed as standalone novels. The warm-hearted Mountie, with his love of good food (or pretty much any food actually !), walks with his dog around his native Grand Bank in Newfoundland and home life with his wife Sheila and toddler daughter Amelia Louise, is guaranteed to help lift your mood when things are looking bleak.
It's not all happy times for Winston and his buddies though. In the opening chapters, as he follows a lead to a deserted site, Winston falls down a mine shaft and badly twists his ankle. His phone isn't working and, obviously, he ignored his administrative assistant Betsy's advice to leave a note of where he was going. Things are no better for Eddie Tizzard, all the way over in Las Vegas following his private detective training. As he heads back to his hotel room, he finds a dead man in the bathroom and oodles of cash strewn around the room. When the dead man turns out to have links to Grand Bank, Eddie finds himself locked up in the police station with lots of suspicious looks cast his way.
But this is a Sgt Windflower novel so there's no need to worry. Everything will turn out OK for everyone - except for the bad guys and who cares about them anyway ?! As in all the other books in the series, there are references to murder, drug smuggling and violence - the author doesn't shy away from mentioning the social problems and crime rings in the peaceful town of Grand Bank and in Canada at large - but it is all "off camera" with nothing gory to put you off your dinner or give you nightmares !
Alongside the heavy workload in his professional life, Winston also has some big changes in his private life. His beloved auntie passes away, but through his dreams, Winston views her being welcomed to the other side and surrounded by spirit animals - a reassuring view of what awaits us at the end of our life. Winston and Sheila both look ahead to their future plans and consider moving away from Grand Bank - as well as extending their family. I'm saying no more, but not in the way you'd immediately imagine !
Whatever choices they make, it will all work out OK and I'm looking forward to catching up with their latest adventures whenever the next book is released.
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £11.56
- Paperback : 262 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1988437491
- Product dimensions : 15.24 x 1.68 x 22.86 cm
- Publisher : Ottawa Press and Publishing (17 Sept. 2020)
- Language: : English
Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.
Sounds a dream read b
ReplyDeleteSounds a really good book would love to read it
ReplyDeleteThis sounds interesting and different!
ReplyDeleteSounds intriguing. I wanted to check out how much the first book in the series on amazon, and it's over £17 for a paperback. It's much cheaper on Kindle, but I really don't like reading e-books. I might go for it, as I feel like I'm missing on a good crime series, and better start from the book 1.
ReplyDelete