Book review : A Change In Plans - Mike Martin

 

Settling down with a new Sgt Windflower mystery always feels like sharing a hug with a well-loved family member that you haven't seen for a while or sitting down for a natter with a long-lost friend. Despite constantly finding himself in dangerous situations and scary crime scenes, Winston Windflower's home life is a reassuring bubble of good food, family discussions, looking after the pets and cheeky childish mischief. It was a bit of a shock to see that his two daughters, Stella and Amelia Louise, are approaching the pre-teen years, with Stella starting to put in her moody demands for her first telephone ! Time has flown but this is book 17 in the series so it's hardly surprising that they are growing up.

In this book, Winston is dragged into a case involving a hit-and-run accident that, as often happens in Grand Bank and Marystown, turns out to be something deeper and darker. As a murder investigation is launched, Winston and his team of Mounties join forces with the police in Southern Ontario to take down an international drug-smuggling ring. Things don't really go to plan and an undercover Mountie, Fil Romano, is kidnapped. As always, Winston depends on his family, his friends and his departed loved ones through his dreams, to help give him the strength to fight on and help keep his beloved Newfoundland a safe place to live.

I always love the way that Windflower fully represents both sides of his life, taking out the bad guys and protecting the innocent civilians and colleagues of Newfoundland with a bullet-proof vest and a gun in his hand, but also taking his beloved dog on coastal walks, picking wild blueberries and discovering new music passed on by his friend Herb Stoodley.

As always, Sgt Windflower does it again. There is no need to lose any sleep as Grand Bank is in safe hands !

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £17.95

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 18 April 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 268 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990896391
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896392

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

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.

Book review : Too Close For Comfort - Mike Martin

 

With the temperatures dropping outside, along with bone-chilling winds and constant drizzly rain leaving you feeling damp and dejected all day long, it was the perfect time to get my hands on the latest Sgt. Windflower mystery. Reading the stories of the permanently good-natured Mountie and his friends and family, it feels like the literary version of a soft blanket around the shoulders and a decadent mug of hot chocolate, topped with gooey marshmallows and cinnamon, to warm the cockles of your heart. His wife, Sheila, keeps busy looking after their home and providing Winston with delectable food, his fun-loving daughters Stella and Amelia Louise enjoy their new hobbies in their figure skating and dance classes, Dr Sanjay invites the family over for whisky tasting and an Indian feast, Eddie Tizzard is wrapped up in a bubble of domestic bliss with his wife Carrie and young children, ...

Despite the happy times and well-adjusted households, all is not well in Grand Bank though. A string of  unexplained fires have been damaging some of the local properties and the finger of suspicion points in an unexpected direction. Worse still, a dead body is discovered in one of the ruined houses. Windflower cannot resist digging into every nook and cranny and ends up making a surprising discovery : traces of gold, presumably linked to a major gold heist on the mainland. With major criminals suddenly thrown into the mix, things take a turn for the worse, especially when Windflower receives a message from beyond, warning him that his friend and colleague Eddie Tizzard may find himself in danger. If only Eddie would believe the warnings from his good-hearted friend.

As always, the novel offers the perfect balance of dangerous and exciting work business and a happy and carefree home life. Windflower knows how to maintain the perfect equilibrium, working hard to keep everyone happy at home ad beyond.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : $24.95 CAD

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery (1 Oct. 2024) 

Language ‏ : ‎ English 

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 430 pages 

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990896227 

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896224 

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 2.74 x 22.86 cm

Available on amazon

Disclosure : I received a review copy in order to share my honest opinion.

Book review : Better Safe Than Sorry - Mike Martin (Sgt Windflower Mysteries #14)

 

When life gets hectic and it feels like things are starting to spin out of control, I have the perfect solution for you : settle down in a comfy corner with a mug of hot chocolate and the latest adventures of Sgt Windflower. Whatever dark deeds are going on in Newfoundland, his level-headed way of thinking, combined with his deep love for his family, his enjoyment of tasty food and his links to his Cree culture, will reassure you that everything is under control with Winston in charge.

I have to admit, I was disappointed when Winston Windflower retired from the RCMP in one of the previous books and settled into a less dangerous role in his community. While he enjoyed having the opportunity to focus more of his time on his wife and children (Stella and Amelia Louise, now aged six and four) it seemed that there was something missing in his life and, when his young replacement Eddie Tizzard started to feel slightly overwhelmed and wanted to step back, who better to fill his boots and take up his former role in the RCMP? Why, Sgt Windflower of course! But only if his wife Sheila gave her approval. (Luckily for Sgt Windflower, and for us readers, he managed to convince her.)

Despite the setting in the sleepy backwater of Grand Bank, a big new crime spree has kicked off, evolving around a dangerous new drug called Green Monsters. As well as being a risk in the nearby high schools, these drugs seem to set off a serious of strange events. Winston has to deal with the wrong body showing up in a hearse, followed by another mysterious corpse. Warily, Windflower steps back into his role as the big-hearted Mountie, taking care of his Newfoundland community. I can't wait to see what he gets up to in the next book.

This is book 14 in the series and you can read my reviews of the rest of the series, as well as check out my recipes for some of Sgt Windflower's favourite foods, here on my blog. The book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel, but half of the fun is following Winston's progress through life.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : $24.95CAD

Available on amazon UK for £19.95

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery (7 May 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990896200
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896200
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.65 x 22.86 cm

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book, in order to share my honest opinion.

Book review : All That Glitters - Mike Martin

All That Glitters is the thirteenth book in the series by Mike Martin featuring Winston Windflower and his life in Grand Bank, Newfoundland. (Click here to see my reviews of the other books in the series.) Up until now, as well as being a married father of two, Winston has been an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but this book sees a new beginning for him as he starts a new job as a Community Safety Officer in his small town. As the book begins, he is about to start his first day in his new position and he is not at all sure how his role will develop. It turns out that nothing much changes at all though as he is swept into a new police case involving many of his friends and former colleagues.

Things begin at the guest house run by Winston and his wife, Sheila. A dead body is uncovered in one of the rooms and the victim is soon discovered to be involved with a diamond smuggling operation, having ingested a quantity of jewels. The lovely Dr Sanjay, fan of fine whiskey and chess games with Winston, is brought in to examine the body and ends up getting kidnapped by another group of diamond smugglers, keen to recover the gems. They want no police involvement in the exchange of jewels for Dr Sanjay so, obviously, Winston is the perfect choice.

Due to various departures and transfers at the RCMP, the newly promoted Corporal Eddie Tizzard is brought in on the case and works alongside Winston. It is lovely to catch up with him and his wife, Carrie, along with their growing son. Winston's own children, the cheeky Stella and Amelia Louise, are growing up too. Now aged six and three and a half, they love playing together and baking cookies with their mother Sheila, but they are also great at squabbling and fighting with each other. The numerous references to Winston's mealtimes and the moments that he spends with his family add another focus to the stories and frequently reminded me of the time when my own children were small.

While Winston's life is deviating from his career as a Mountie, his new professional horizons look equally exciting and unpredictable. Grand Bank is a lovely, charming small town with a close-knit community feel, but that doesn't stop it having its fair share of dangerous criminals and dodgy goings-on for Winston to help stamp out. I look forward to seeing where his new life takes him next.

star rating : 4.5/5

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery (19 May 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 199089609X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896095
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.65 x 22.86 cm

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

Book review : In The Shadows - Jane Isaac

 

The recently released In The Shadows is the fifth book in the series by Jane Isaac, featuring the determined female police officer, DCI Helen Lavery. I have yet to read the others but nevertheless really enjoyed this book and I felt as if I really understood the lead character and her motivation.

As a popular school reunion disco at a busy pub winds to an end, all hell breaks loose as some of the guests head outside. With gunfire puncturing the stillness of the night, five victims are left lying on the ground and the assassin has fled into the shadows. Who is behind these murders and why has the peaceful town of Hampton been targetted ? Could this be linked to the past investigations of DCI Lavery and her detective father and the criminals they put behind bars?

Helped by the counter-terrorism unit, Lavery leads the investigation into this bloody crime. But that is not all she has on the cards. The trial of Chilli Franks is being arranged and this organised crime boss has Lavery and her family in his sights as revenge for being put in prison back in the 1990's. Helen's teenaged son Robert is best friends with Zac, who just happens to be the nephew of Chilli Franks. DCI Lavery has her hands full, trying to solve the case, track down the criminal but also look after her family. 

With short chapters packed full of action, the tension builds as the narrative progresses. The constant references to the issues going on in DCI Lavery's personal life help to see her as more than just a police inspector and help us to understand the stresses that she is going through.

It's a gripping read and has definitely made me want to go back and catch up with the previous titles. The only bad point in my view is that I frequently read way past my bedtime and felt tired the next day, but it was definitely worth it !

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £8.99

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Legend Press (25 May 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1915643899
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915643896
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Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

Book review : Buried Secrets - Mike Martin

There's something about this time of year that can be quite depressing. Putting away the Christmas decorations so the house looks bare and miserable, coming home from work every day in the dark, trudging off to work in the cold (and the rain and the wind) ... Luckily, though, I have found the perfect antidote - tucking up under a blanket on the sofa with a good book. A good book guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Time to bring in Sgt Windflower !

The kind-hearted, family-loving Mountie is back in a new novel, which is, as usual, perfect for warming the cockles of your heart. That's not to say that all is well in Grand Bank though. The normally calm and near perfect region in Newfoundland is rocked by a series of murders of prominent figures - an RCMP staff sergeant in St John's (who was actually Winston's old supervisor) and a minister in Grand Bank. While this is already alarming, there are suggestions that national security may be under threat and linked to these crimes, plus there are weird things going on in town and in the church, with a suspicious and threatening character putting in an appearance that leaves Sgt Windflower with a whole lot of things to look into.

As always, and however serious the crimes that he is investigating, Sgt Windflower gives just as much time to his family and we see him moving back to his home town for the case, catching up with his friends, exploring his ancestral dreams and customs and chilling out with his beloved wife and daughters. (And dog. And cat, but I'm not quite sure the "beloved" thing works both ways, as far as the cat is concerned !)

Whatever is going on in his life, Sgt Windflower always seems content with his lot, especially if he's settling down for a slice of peanut butter cheesecake and a chat with his friends. In this book, however, he seems to be asking himself a lot of questions. Does he want to remain in the RCMP? Is he willing to risk being relocated and, if so, how would that work with his family? I'm looking forward to seeing how he works out these latest existential crises in the next book. Something I particularly liked in this book was the little nod towards COVID - a reminder to future generations (or even our future selves) of the little moment of world history that we are currently living through.

RRP : £12.26

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery (13 Oct. 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1988437784
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1988437781
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.65 x 22.86 cm

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

Book review : Primary Obsessions - Charles Demers

Primary Obsessions is a great new read by Charles Demers that combines two intriguing elements - mental health issues and a quest for the truth. The opening premise seems quite believable. Sanjay is a young patient, suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, who is arrested for the brutal murder of his roommate. At first sight, this is logical. Sanjay is subject to repeated thoughts of a violent nature so he is the prime suspect for the crime. The police are happy to have solved the case so quickly and all is well and good.

Except for Dr Annick Boudreau, the doctor that deals with Sanjay and other tortured souls in her psychiatric practice at the West Coast Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Clinic. She is shocked by the arrest and doesn't believe that Sanjay is capable of the crime. He is horrified by his violent thoughts and she is convinced that he would be incapable of acting them out in real life. The police and prosecutor are unwilling to help and Dr Boudreau is reined in by the doctor-patient confidentiality rules that prevent her from speaking out on his behalf. She can't get let it go though and sets out to investigate the case under her own steam.

The author, Charles Demers, is one of Canada’s top stand-up comics and, all importantly, a longtime Cognitive Behavioural Therapy patient and his insight into the largely unknown (to me, at least) work of psychiatric practises is fascinating. I also enjoyed learning more about the intriguing city of Vancouver (even if this novel principally reveals its darker, seedier side) and the enchanting mix of cultures and heritage - Dr Boudreau is Acadian, her boyfriend is Chinese, her patient Indian and her partner at work  "one hundred percent of the Jamaican-Canadian Zen Buddhist community in Vancouver". Is that even a thing ?!

This book is the first in a series of mysteries, with each new title uncovering a different aspect of psychiatric care. The next book, Suicidal Thoughts, will be released by Legend Press in 2022. I'm looking forward to following the further adventures of the witty, feisty and unrelenting Dr Boudreau.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Legend Press (15 Sept. 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1800310013
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800310018

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.

Book review : Pressure Chamber - Nir Hezroni

I love crime fiction and I've been reading it for years, delighting in the complex tales of cruel, sadistic serial killers, family dramas based on deep, dark secrets, uncovering hidden, unsuspected motives and quests for justice for past wrongs, not to mention the unflinching investigators out to set the world to rights and unmask the villains. I have to admit, during the lockdown, I started to wonder if I had read my fill of detective novels and crime fiction. There are, after all, only so many ways to kill people, even on paper,  and the plots started getting too samey, with too many details reminding me of things from other books that I'd read in the past. Had I covered all bases ? Could nothing surprise me any more ? Well, I'm relieved to say, reading Pressure Chamber was just what the doctor ordered. It includes a whole series of shocking, seemingly unrelated crimes and an intriguing investigator with an interesting backstory to boot. Perfect !

The key character in the book is Daphne Dagan, a young female investigator from the Israeli police forensics department who is investigating the case. While this sounds exotic, it should be noted that the author, Nir Hezroni, was born in Jerusalem and now lives with his family near Tel-Aviv. The novel is, in fact, translated from Hebrew.

Daphne is called on to investigate the crime scene of a hit and run that left a medical student dead. When a second medical student is targetted and kidnapped, there are clear links between the two incidents. A few weeks later, four babies are kidnapped from different maternity wards in Tel Aviv and the kidnapper is dubbed 'The Babysitter'. Daphne links these new crimes to the hit and run incidents.

But that's not all she has on her plate. After a busy day at work, she needs the night-time to rest and recover, but sadly, she is prone to a recurring nightmare in which she is the victim of a horrific murder. She starts looking into ways to uncover the past trauma that is coming back to haunt her in her sleep.

It's as intriguing and original as it sounds and some of it is very creepy. If you're looking for one of those books that will keep you up until stupid o' clock, reading "just one more chapter" before you turn out the light, this comes highly recommended!

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP: £8.99

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Legend Press (1 Jun. 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 412 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1789559030
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1789559033

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

Book review : The Coffin Trail - Martin Edwards

 

The Coffin Trail is the first book in The Lake District Mysteries series by Martin Edwards. We are given a good introduction to the main characters in the stories (notably Daniel Kind and DCI Hannah Scarlett) and the ever-present Cumbrian setting almost starts to feel like another character, watching over the events unfolding in her midst. As well as magnificent views of mountainsides, green hills and clear, blue lakes, this location provides close-knit communities, with everyone living in each other's pockets, sneering at the tourists and those who have only just moved to the area. 

Daniel Kind is one such newcomer. An Oxford historian and TV personality, he is visiting the Lake District with his girlfriend Miranda, a lifestyle writer for the glossy magazines. On a whim, they end up buying Tarn Cottage in Brackdale, a secluded valley which offers them the chance to get away from it all - a welcome break from their busy lives in Oxford and London. But Daniel has failed to mention that he has deeper ties to this area. As a boy, he came here on holiday with his father and befriended a local boy, Barrie Gilpin. Barrie was a bit of a loner and had some learning difficulties but the boys shared some fun times in the hills. Then a local woman was found murdered and Barrie's dead body was discovered nearby. With all the ends nicely tied up, nobody bothered digging any deeper, but Daniel is determined that his old friend would not have carried out such a dastardly crime.

DCI Hannah Scarlett has just been put in charge of a new cold case review team. One of the cases that her team start to take a new look at is this old murder up on the Altar Stone. An anonymous phone call suggests that there is more to discover so the team start to re-interview the locals, which ruffles a few feathers.

While Daniel is hoping to clear his old friend's name, he also wants to uncover tales of his long-absent and now dead father - a policeman who used to work with DCI Scarlett. The two get in touch with each other and, separately, start chasing the truth about what happened on that fateful night.

I've never been to the Lake District but, as I read, I could really imagine the muddy paths and misty hillsides with views stretching out as far as the eye can see. Things have been majorly hectic at work lately and sitting down to read a few chapters each evening gave me a welcome break and a feeling of getting out in the fresh air (much appreciated during lockdown !). I enjoyed all the interplay between the characters and watching their personal lives slowly being revealed. I failed to predict the wrongdoer and even at the last moment, there was a final twist in the tail.

It's a fairly sedate read that is not big on blood and guts so even the faint-hearted won't be offended reading it. I had a slight inkling that the characters' names rang a bell and, after checking, I've just discovered that I read and reviewed The Frozen Shroud, the sixth book in the series, a year and a half ago. I've just started book two, The Cipher Garden, so look out for that review some time soon.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £8.99

• ASIN : 0749082917
• Publisher : Allison & Busby; UK ed. edition (31 Oct. 2005)
• Language: : English
• Paperback : 288 pages
• ISBN-10 : 9780749082918
• ISBN-13 : 978-0749082918

Book review : A Killer Came Knocking - S. B. Caves

From the title to the picture on the front cover, A Killer Came Knocking looks like it is going to be a classic work of crime fiction. It turns out that the end came as a surprise though, but I'm not telling you about that - you'll have to find out for yourselves if you read it !

The book starts in a supermarket. Jack, minding his own business, picking up some shopping, has the shock of his life when he sees a man with striking green eyes walk in front of him. Jack is is mesmerised and follows the man to find out where he lives. Those eyes are unmistakable - he has to find out more.

It turns out that Jack's pregnant wife was murdered at her door step several years ago. When she opened the door, someone slashed her throat and, as he ran away, Jack saw him, locking eyes with the killer. Those eyes will never leave him ... and he has just seen them again in the supermarket. Jack's mission sounds simple - he needs to kidnap the man and find out why he killed his wife. 

He calls on an accomplice - his dead wife's twin sister, Emily. She is still suffering, missing her sister and subject to haunting nightmares, so she agrees to help him out. But how far will he go? As things start to veer off plan, she finds herself getting dragged deeper and deeper into the kidnapping plot. She is starting to have doubts - is this the right thing to do? Are they even totally sure that this is the right person? - but Jack is in charge and leaves her no choice.

I actually felt very sorry for Emily. After enduring the pain of losing her twin, she is dragged into things that she doesn't really feel comfortable with and the end of the novel suggests that she will end up paying the price, despite being a largely unwilling participant. Jack is a trickier character to relate to. While he is clearly still suffering from the anguish of his wife's death, his anger and manipulative character make it harder to feel sorry for him. His girlfriend, May, seems completely crazy, switching from sickly sweet lovey-dovey behaviour to screaming, raging tantrums when things don't go her way. Thinking about it, none of the characters in the book really seem worthy of much compassion !

It's an interesting read, with a twist at the end that came as a surprise. The narrative is left open-ended, giving the reader the job of working out what will happen to the various characters. I found this unsatisfying, as I doubt there will be a sequel. 

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £8.99

• Paperback : 352 pages
• ISBN-13 : 978-1788637657
• Product dimensions : 12.9 x 2.1 x 19.8 cm
• Publisher : Canelo (23 Jan. 2020)
• Language: : English

Book review : A Perfect Storm - Mike Martin

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.

Book review : Four Blind Mice - James Patterson

Four Blind Mice is the eighth book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson - a series which currently comprises twenty eight novels and is still going strong. I have only read one other book from the series - Jack and Jill, which is book number three (click through to read my review) - but I had no problem jumping in and following the story without knowing all the ins and outs of the main characters' lives.

At the beginning of this book, Detective Alex Cross is planning on giving up his job in the Washington DC police force, moving into a new job in the city that will give him more time with his kids and elderly grandmother, who has stepped in to help look after the family in place of Alex's dead wife. But Nanna is getting on in years and her health isn't as robust as it was. On top of that, Alex is following up a new love interest, meeting up with Jamilla, a cop he met on a previous case and who has great potential. If only she didn't live on the other side of the country ...

But Alex doesn't have time to ponder on his personal life. He receives a visit from his long-time friend, John Sampson, who needs his help. His friend, a master sergeant at the army base, is in prison, accused of murdering three army wives on a girls' night out. All the evidence points to him but John is convinced that his friend is innocent. The two friends start digging into the case, finding their efforts hindered by the army, who don't want outsiders taking a look into their domain. Time runs out and the sergeant is put to death - this surprised me, as he was portrayed as an all-round good guy and I could see him getting off scot-free - but justice isn't always meted out in Alex Cross novels, just as in real life.

This is not the end though, as the two cops decide to dig a little deeper. Alex soon discovers other mysterious murders in the past, involving corpses daubed in red, white and blue paint and supposed murderers, also put to death, from the military. The cop friends start questioning the families of the convicted murderers and soon start to learn of strange similarities.

The reader knows who the real criminals are from the beginning, as their crimes and their vindictive, sadistic behaviour is described. Will Alex and John manage to track them down before it's too late?

It's a fast-paced, nerve-wracking game of cat and mouse with the cops putting their life in danger in their quest for the truth. 

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £8.99

• Paperback : 416 pages
• ISBN-10 : 0755349369
• ISBN-13 : 978-0755349364
• Product Dimensions : 13 x 2.9 x 19.6 cm
• Publisher : Headline (7 Jan. 2010)
• Language: : English

Book review : The Secret Hangman - Peter Lovesey

 

The Secret Hangman is the first book by Peter Lovesey that I have come across - I think it was a random pick from The Works in their 3-for-£5 offer - but he has a huge back catalogue that you can check out. He is best known for writing two series, one featuring Sergeant Cribb, a Victorian-era police detective based in London, and the other Peter Diamond, a modern-day police detective in Bath. The Secret Hangman falls into this latter category and is the ninth book in the series - a series which contains a whopping nineteen titles, the last of which was released this year. If that's not impressive enough, his son, Phil Lovesey, also writes crime novels. Despite all this, I enjoyed the book, even without having any of the background. The only thing that I would assume I have missed out on is the tale of his wife's death, as he is a widow in this book. I'd be intrigued to find out what happened to her, but not knowing certainly didn't detract from thoroughly enjoying this book.

Peter is happy enough on his lonesome, but a trip to the supermarket that ends in disaster brings a new woman into his life. He is also receiving some rather unwelcome anonymous gifts and messages from a secret admirer at work. His woman troubles continue with his slightly condescending boss, who wants him to look into the missing daughter of one of her choir friends. 

Things take a turn for the worse when a woman's body is discovered hanging from a swing in a playground, with a suspicious second ligature mark that suggests this wasn't a suicide. As another body is discovered, Peter isn't sure if things are as simple as his boss assumes, and decides to investigate further before everything is filed away as a solved case. With his trusty team of detectives, they manage to uncover the details of another pair of supposed suicides, whose deaths tie in with this new loss of life. What if there's a serial killer on the loose ? 

Peter is a believable and appealing character, happy enough to bend the rules when he thinks his boss is wrong and things need checking out, but ultimately a kind-hearted and trustworthy character. Despite the multiple deaths, the storytelling avoids the excesses of violence that crime fiction sometimes falls into. Think more along the lines of an Agatha Christie whodunnit that an all-guns-blazing Hollywood crime flick ! I'd definitely be interested in reading more of the series and finding out more about the homely detective Peter Diamond.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £8.99

• Paperback : 320 pages
• ISBN-10 : 0751539600
• ISBN-13 : 978-0751539608
• Product Dimensions : 19.8 x 2.2 x 12.6 cm
• Publisher : Sphere; paperback / softback Edition (3 April 2008)
• Language: : English

Book review : Kill Me Twice - Simon Booker

Kill Me Twice by Simon Booker is the second book in the Morgan Vine series, but I hadn't read the first book and discovered that it can be perfectly enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. Morgan is a journalist who focuses on miscarriages of justice, a theme close to the author's heart, as his ex-wife married a man who spent 26 years in a prison in America for a crime he didn't commit. As well as writing novels, he is a screenwriter, having worked on primetime TV dramas for ITV and BBC1, as well as romantic comedies for American TV. This comes through in his writing, as he focuses on describing the landscapes in perfect detail. This appealed to me even more as the action takes place in and around Dungeness, a place I've visited, and the descriptions of the lighthouse, the little wooden houses, the miniature railway and the beach brought back memories.

Kill Me Twice introduces (or reintroduces) us to single mum Morgan and her twenty-year-old daughter Lissa. The action starts on the very first page when the pair are attacked on a clifftop walk. And this is just the beginning ! 

Morgan works as an investigator, trying to check out the stories of people in prison who claim to be innocent. One such person is Angelica, a young mum accused of murdering her partner, Karl Savage. Various forensic experts have identified the corpse recovered from a fire as that of Karl but, when Morgan's daughter comes across a picture of Karl, she is in for a shock - it's her ex-boyfriend, Pablo !

Morgan sets out to protect her daughter and get Angelica out of custody, but this is not an easy job and her life is frequently put in danger as she follows all the leads, being drawn into a sordid underground web that centres on the prison. The police can't help her so she goes on a one-woman mission to set the world to rights. One thing I did notice that grated slightly is that there is not one single character in the book who appears to be on her side. She is the only "good" character and all the others are either distinctly evil or just substandard hero-helpers. The character of the hotel manager is a great example - he seems like a bog standard nice guy, he has no real part to play in the novel, but even he gets dragged into a quick tale of installing peeping Tom cameras in smoke alarms. I just shook my head and thought "why him?" as it didn't really add anything to the story.

That's my one criticism though. It's a fast-paced book that is big on action. The little flashbacks to Karl Savage's childhood do help you to understand why he ended up so evil, even if you can't feel sorry for him. It's a tense read with plenty of descriptions of people and places to help you really imagine the settings and a feel-good ending that all the bad guys are locked up and you can go to sleep happy. Just one thing disappointed me - the fact that the series ends here. Come on Simon, I'm sure Morgan has a few more great stories in her yet !

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £7.99

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Zaffre (24 Aug. 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1785760785
• ISBN-13: 978-1785760785
• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 2.7 x 19.8 cm