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 : Christmas in Newfoundland 3 : Sgt. Windflower Holiday Tales - Mike Martin

 

Certain things instantly make me feel Christmassy. The smell of a warm mince pie, the glimpse of a string of fairy lights flashing in a window, the sound of a children's choir singing Christmas carols under the Christmas tree in the middle of town, ... For the last few years, there has been a new festive trigger, helping to get me into a Christmassy mood - reading a couple of chapters of the latest Christmas in Newfoundland book.

This third instalment arrives like a perfectly gift-wrapped present. Instead of a sparkly bow and well-chosen wrapping paper, the book is tucked away inside a feel-good festive cover. Complete with snowy streets, front doors festooned with holly wreaths, passers-by, wrapped in thick coats and scarves, walking dogs and children, a lighthouse and old-fashioned street light reflected in the icy water and a frosty moon and stars highlighting Santa and his sleigh flying over the town. It's a festive work-of-art !

The book itself is equally heartwarming, looking at Christmas traditions in Newfoundland past and present. While Winston Windflower gets tied up in his usual policing, his family and friends get gaily involved in festive pastimes. Many of them reminded me of my own childhood memories - festive baking, preparing pies and cookies to leave out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve (and to munch on ourselves in front of the TV), visiting friends and family to exchange presents, ... Other traditions are more local to the Newfoundland setting, such as mummering, where people dress up to hide their identities then visit from house to house, singing, dancing and telling tales, before eating Christmas fayre and waiting to see if their hosts can guess their identities.

Whether the book reminds you of things from your own Christmas memories or shows you a glimpse of festive traditions in other parts of the world, this sneaky peek into the lives of the familiar characters from Grand Bank will leave you reflecting on the most important things at this time of year : family, togetherness and little moments of fun and laughter to look back on throughout the coming year.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £19.95

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 27 Oct. 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 152 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990896340
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896347
• Item weight ‏ : ‎ 286 g
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 0.97 x 22.86 cm
• Book 3 of 3 ‏ : ‎ A Sgt. Windflower Christmas Mystery

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.

Children's book review : A Friend for Christmas - Mike Martin

If you're a regular reader of my blog, the chances are you might have pricked up your ears at the mention of the name Mike Martin. He's been featured on my blog many times for his numerous works of fiction in the Sgt Windflower series, as well as many tasty Canadian-style recipes in my #readcookeat posts inspired by the foodie mentions in his novels. If that's got you interested, I highly recommend going to check out the recipe for Newfoundland Molasses Raisin Bread. Winston Windflower loves it and so do I !

This time though, I'm here to tell you about another of Mike Martin's new releases. In the run up to the festive season, he has turned to a younger audience, releasing two children's books with a Christmassy theme, The Christmas Beaver and, the one that we reviewed, A Friend For Christmas.

The story introduces us to a big bunny family living in a warren under a big city, made up of Robbie Rabbit, his wife Rowena and their nine offspring whose names all start with R, making it great fun to read out loud at bedtime. (Can I just point out that, as an adult, I learned something in this book. Baby rabbits are called kits or kittens. How did I get to age 50 without ever even realising that I didn't know that !)

The rabbits are getting ready for winter when they receive a surprise visit from an unexpected animal - Whisperer, a big grey cat. Robbie is initially scared of the cat, a natural enemy to the rabbit family, but the cat seems to want to be friends. Should Robbie trust him? As it is Christmas, a time for peace on earth and good will to all men (and animals), Robbie sets his doubts aside and everyone has a lovely time, enjoying the spirit of trust, acceptance and friendship.

It's a lovely tale, putting the focus on important human values, that I could imagine Sgt Windflower telling his daughters Amelia Louise and Stella at bedtime. A special mention goes out to the illustrator, Sri Lankan Shey Kolee, whose beautiful artwork really brings the story to life. Definitely one to share with the kids or the grandkids in the run up to Christmas.

RRP : £12.14

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mezzo Publications (25 Oct. 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1777131472
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1777131470
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 10 years
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.32 x 0.23 x 25.4 cm 

 

Disclosure : We received a review copy of the book.

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 : Christmas in Newfoundland 2 : Memories and Mysteries - Mike Martin

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin, mother and child

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

There's something about that song in particular that really brings out the essence of Christmas in my mind. It's not one specific memory. It's more like a layering of festive feelings and mental snapshots of Christmases past. I can remember singing it at primary school assemblies in the run up to the Christmas holidays. I can hear the delicate, seemingly fragile notes echoing around the old town church as the school choir sang during a carol service. I can remember it playing on a CD (or probably a cassette back then !) in the background as we giggled and squealed and ripped open our childhood presents that we'd been desperately trying to define by touching the packages under the tree for the past few weeks. I can picture it on the CD player in the kitchen as I rustled up another batch of mince pies, peppermint cremes and cinnamon cookies. Mike Martin's book is very similar in that it layers up stories and specific memories that give a real sense of Christmas through the years in the small town of Grand Bank.

Fans of the Windflower series will enjoy catching up with the main characters from the books. We watch Winston, Sheila and their two daughters in the run up to the big day, dealing with the girls' bad behaviour (as a parent, I couldn't help but smile, both at the overexcited little girls and their parents' clever way of dealing with it). Eddie Tizzard has to deal with the bad weather and try to make it home in time for Christmas with his wife and their new son. Herb Stoodley, all-round good guy and provider of multiple muffins and cheesecake at The Mug Up, has a bigger delivery on his hands in the middle of a snowstorm and comes out as a touching, sensitive hero.

But there is more to it than that. You will also get a general overview of Christmas past, with delicate hints of Newfoundland lore thrown into the mixture. The youngsters of Grand Bank back in the 1950's and 60's, dreaming of getting their hands on a new pair of ice skates so that they could go back down to the lake and play hockey with their friends ... the Mummers going round from house to house sharing a drink and a song and waiting to see if they would be recognised ... Tibb's Eve, marking the (for some very welcome !) start to Christmas drinking.

This is a heartwarming, nostalgic collection of festive-themed stories, perfect for getting into the Christmassy mood in the run up to the big day. Old-timers (like me and the generation before me) will enjoy a peek back into the family-focused festive memories of their own childhoods, but younger readers will do well to look back on times past, relive the uplifting feelings of spending time with your friends and neighbours and maybe put the technology away for a while to create some satisfying memories of their own for years to come.

RRP : $19.95 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing (26 Sept. 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990896030
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896033
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 1.02 x 21.59 cm

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

Book review : Dangerous Waters - Mike Martin (Sgt. Windflower book 13)

Ahhhh Sgt. Windflower is back in a brand new book, Dangerous Waters. It's the thirteenth title in the series, featuring the kind-hearted Canadian Mountie, but don't worry if you haven't read the others - each one can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, although it's lovely to see him and his family growing and developing in the small town of Grand Bank.

The last book, Buried Secrets, left Windflower wondering where his life would lead him. He was in the midst of examining his choices, deciding whether to face being relocated to a new job or leave the RCMP altogether. Neither of those solutions appealed to me as a reader - how could the Sgt. Windflower series continue without Grand Bank or the RCMP? 

At the start of this book, he is still unsure of what the future holds, using up his paid leave and working on the renovations of the new B&B. Things are progressing, which is just as well as he is called on to put up a group of German tourists, stranded when their vehicle breaks down in the middle of a snowstorm. Through his friends, he also hears about the latest case that his old colleagues are working on - a series of men have gone missing and one turns up dead. Is there a link to these unexpected visitors from out of town? Windflower listens but ultimately shrugs his shoulders, as it isn't his problem any more.

Or is it ?! With everything that's going on, Windflower is asked to help out, going back to work just for this case on a temporary contract. Instead of being in charge, he is following orders but apart from that, everything is back to normal ... including trips to the Mug Up cafe with Eddie Tizzard, dinner and chess with Dr Sanjay, BBQ dinners and dog walks with Sheila and the girls. There's still no final decision on where Windflower and his family will end up, especially as the very future of the Grand Bank RCMP detachment hangs in the balance, but reading this latest tale of Windflower's work and family life, I'm sure he'll be content whatever happens.

RRP : $24.95 CND (£13.75 on Amazon)

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing (30 April 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1988437822
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1988437828

 

 Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.

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 : Safe Harbour (Sgt. Windflower Book 10) - Mike Martin

I've just finished reading Safe Harbour, the latest instalment in the cosy life (and not quite so cosy job) of Sgt. Windflower, the kind-hearted Cree RCMP officer who has resettled (albeit temporarily, as he suggests partway through the novel) in St John's, a larger town close to their regular haunt of Grand Bank, that allows his wife Sheila to follow her studies at the university.

Windflower has taken on a desk job and isn't overly enthused by the introductory online course that he has to follow. Another downside is the big RCMP outreach van that he has to drive around in, constantly waving at people and agreeing to be taken in photographs.

Wandering around downtown, he spots a poster informing people about a missing girl, which leaps out at him because her parents come from Grand Bank. Over the coming days and weeks, more signs go up about other girls and Windflower is drafted in on a new mission between the two towns to try to uncover a sinister human trafficking plot. This brings in worrying tales of biker gangs, underage prostitution and drug gangs that show a bleaker side to this wintry wonderland.

Luckily, Windflower is there to put a positive spin on things, enjoying his family life, moaning in ecstasy as Sheila provides yet another plateful of delicious home-cooked fayre and branching out on a new project - building a skating rink in his back garden ! Their girls are growing up fast - daughter Amelia Louise has definitely inherited a cheeky streak of sassiness and a love of good food from her father and adopted daughter Stella, who joined them in the previous book, has settled into her new family life but finds it hard to talk. Sheila is on the case though and I'm sure this struggle to overcome the traumas of her early life will be picked up in the next book.

It's a peaceful, stress-free read, despite the difficult cases that Windflower is working on, and you'll come out of it with a smile on your face, feeling like you've spent a week catching up with your best friends in their happy family home, rather than worriedly following the local crimes that could give you nightmares.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £11.59

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery (31 May 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1988437733
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1988437736
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.68 x 22.86 cm

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.

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.

Project 366 : Photo diary week 43

 Hands up if you forgot to put the clocks back ! I went to get the roast potatoes out of the oven this lunchtime then realised it was only half past eleven - oops ! I was convinced it was next week we changed ! Oh well ... This week, we've been on holiday so it's been bliss. No rushing around, plenty of time to do everything, slowly ticking things off the never-ending to-do list. Basically lots of much needed rest and recuperation for everyone - and we still have a week to go. Aaahhh ! :)

Sunday - A stress-free day. All the usual must-do jobs for the weekend (laundry, cleaning, dealing with paperwork, lesson planning/marking, shopping, ...) have been put back to next week when I'm on holiday. After tucking into a laid-back Sunday lunch out of the slow cooker, I had a video call with Sophie and my mum and dad, walked the dog and that was it for the day ! I settled down to read A Perfect Storm, sent to me by the author all the way from Canada. You may have read some of my reviews of the previous Sgt Windflower books - this one will be up on the blog next week.

Monday - I've had no time for blogging lately so I gave myself a day (or two or three !) to catch up on replying to emails and sorting out blog posts. Walking the dog was as energetic as it got today ! I tried a new recipe for Chicken & Bacon Ranch Casserole today - not bad, especially in the colder weather. It's the first time I've made a casserole with rice in it. 

Tuesday - Juliette was off out with her friends for lunch at McDonald's and a trip to the cinema. I'm really pleased that she's settled in and made herself some new friends in her class, as she didn't know anybody when they went back. In the afternoon, I did a few jobs around the house then headed off to the supermarket. I bumped into my neighbour on the way who had kindly offered to get his dad in to help with all the jobs around the house, starting with changing the battery in the car and taking it in for its MOT before I finally sell it. He said he'd be over tomorrow. I've put together a list of jobs that need doing - everything from changing the shower attachment (the old one is so tightly screwed on (or probably blocked with limescale) that I can't get it off to changing the tap in the kitchen, changing the leaky flush in the toilet and taking a load of old furniture/junk to the dump (not easy when you don't drive !). The skies have been really menacing today - it doesn't make you want to get outside for fresh air, that's for sure !

Wednesday - After a lazy morning, I started on my list of jobs. First, I had a big tidy-up in the kitchen and cleared some space on the table (which gets used as a general dumping zone !) then I cleared out all the bags of rubbish that were in front of the car so that it can be accessed easily for the battery charging/changing. The dustmen come once a week so I've been trying to siphon off the excess bags (from the big clear-out over the summer in the kids' rooms) in the bin whenever there's room. The neighbour came around and did (in minutes !) all those jobs I couldn't figure out, like sorting out the cupboard door that wouldn't stay on its hinges or changing the shower head (the water tube had a hole but it was stuck on with limescale and I couldn't get it off). I'll have to get the other neighbour on to sorting out the car though, as they couldn't manage ! A quick pop to the supermarket revealed this selection of pumpkins and gourds - they're finally branching out and stocking parsnips regularly too. Woohoo !

Thursday - My new phone arrived, as my old one had totally stopped working - it looks very posh but it wasn't that expensive. I love the back which is blue fading into white and kind of reflective so you get pink flashes too if you tilt it. I also went into town and dropped off the paperwork for getting €80 back for buying a new bike for Pierre (a measure brought in at the end of confinement - presumably to help reduce the numbers of people on the (free) bus network?) and also enquired about the money you can claim back on changing your boiler.

Friday - We decided to bring our trip to town forward a day, to hopefully avoid the crowds. After a visit to McDonald's (definitely less busy than at the weekend), we headed to the shops. Juliette got a jumper and pointed out lots of things she likes as ideas for Christmas presents, then we bought a necklace that she fell in love with (that has been put aside for Christmas). I even bought some pyjamas and underwear for myself. I never normally start Christmas shopping this early but who knows what will happen with confinement. I need to head back to Le Furet du Nord (the equivalent of Virgin/HMV) as they had lots of bits that would be good as stocking filler-type presents for the kids. We finished off with a drink in a smoothie bar and Juliette sent a photo to Sophie to annoy her - kids !

Saturday - A total lazy day ! I played Gardenscape for far too long (as I changed phones, I lost my account so I was back to level 1 - oh well !), went food shopping and popped to see the neighbour so he can sort out the car before its MOT. Nothing to show today besides a picture from our dog walk along the canal !

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Book review : Fire, Fog And Water - Mike Martin

Fire, Fog And Water is the eighth book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series and gives us another insight into life in Grand Bank, Newfoundland. From the opening pages, I could tell something was not right - Winston Windflower was in a bad mood, arguing with his wife Sheila and shouting at his colleagues at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. What was going on? The gentle, kind-hearted Mountie is usually full of smiles and kindness for his fellow men ... and women ... and even pets !

Even Winston himself isn't really sure why he's in such a bad mood. He is having a hard time getting on with his obnoxious boss, Acting Inspector Raymond, his B&B needs a new roof and he is having strange dreams. Luckily, his daughter, the cheeky Amelia Louise, still manages to put a smile on his face, and his trusty dog, Lady, is always willing to go out on a long walk with him.

Things aren't much better at work. Windflower stumbles (quite literally, while out on a run) across a dead body wrapped in a rug, then a woman is run over and left on the highway, and finally, a house is burnt to the ground, revealing something unexpected in the basement. Winston has to work hard to try and fit all of these leads together to reveal the big picture.

Despite the idyllic setting in Grand Bank, Mike Martin brings in some of the major problems that we would expect to encounter more in the big cities. In this novel, drug problems are rife again, including the worrying presence of purple fentanyl, a deadly mix of drugs that offers big profits to the ruthless dealers.

Winston manages to sort out all of his problems eventually, both at work and at home, and soon finds his smile again. And his appetite for chocolate peanut butter cheesecake at the Mug-Up !

 I've reviewed all of the other Sgt. Windflower Mysteries, so search for "Mike Martin" if you want to see what I thought of the others. It is a great time for lovers of Grand Bank at the moment, as there is another new book out, which I reviewed last month : Christmas in Newfoundland : Memories &Mysteries. Perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit !

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £12.19

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing (8 Oct. 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1988437288
• ISBN-13: 978-1988437286
• Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 1.7 x 22.9 cm

Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.