Book review : Darkest Before The Dawn - Mike Martin

Just in time for Christmas, Sgt. Windflower is back, in the latest novel from Mike Martin, Darkest Before The Dawn. This is the seventh book in the series, but can be enjoyed just as much as a standalone novel too. 

For those following the whole series, Sheila and Winston are settling into life as new parents remarkably well, with their gorgeous little girl Amelia Louise, who seems to spend the whole time sleeping or cooing happily. (If only all babies did this !) This is very convenient as the pair are currently setting up their new venture, a B&B with a restaurant that Winston is happy to cook for, alongside his job as a local cop.

Sheila is still mayor and, along with Winston, is looking at the number of people, men in particular, who attempt to commit suicide in the area and what can be done about it. Winston, meanwhile, is busy in his day job, looking into a series of burglaries and deaths in the local region. There are a number of suspicious-looking deaths, and mentions of the Dark Web, and a strange crypto-currency, but, in keeping with Winston's attitude, it's all pretty laid-back and things almost sort themselves out ! 

This being a Sgt. Windflower mystery, home life is just as important as the cases he's working on, so there are also a number of personal events, including dream sequences, Cree Indian smudging rituals and a visit from his uncle, not to mention many trips to the local cafe for a slice of cake!

It's quite rare to find a detective series that gives work and home life equal importance, but Sgt Windflower really does seem to have the best of both worlds at his home in Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £11.39

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing (27 Sept. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 198843713X
• ISBN-13: 978-1988437132
• Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 1.7 x 22.9 cm

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.