A different kind of back ground for a cozy mystery or two or more as this is #9 in the entertaining Sgt Windflower series. The characters and their community are the same likeable cast with a couple of new faces and a couple of changes that don't quite work out the way they were planned. But it wouldn't be a mystery without a couple of plans gone wrong. The series tackles current problems at their core, this one is drug abuse and the attendant crimes, but it's the characters and their quirky personalities that keep me coming back for more. #10 anyone?

This is book 9 in the Sgt. Windflower mystery series and is sure shakes things up with wife, Sheila and the usual crime wave in Grand Bank Newfoundland, Canada. Tizzard has a starring role in this book. I would recommend reading some of the previous books in the series to help understand all the characters in this story. I enjoy the characters and the setting in these books, they are just a little different from most police stories. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This series is becoming a favorite and I loved this story.
A gripping and entertaining mystery with a cast of interesting characters, an unusual setting and a tightly knitted plot.
The mystery is solid and it kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I loved this new to me mystery. I loved the 2 main characters and loved the setting. I really enjoyed this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

This was my first foray into the "Sgt Windflower" series. I was impressed with the reviews of previous entries, and was looking forward to this. Unfortunately, it just did not resonate with me. I found myself continually thinking that the book read more like a screenplay for a movie than an actual novel. There was a lot of unnecessary filler regarding conversations that did not matter and descriptions of food. And the plot itself left much to be desired. For one example, the placing of former police officer Tizzard in a jail cell in Las Vegas with various neer-do-wells; I find it hard to believe any law enforcement agency would place another officer in this situation, he would have been separated for his own protection. And the ease with which he was placed in undercover roles was very amateurish. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil the book for those who like the series. I just did not enjoy it myself.

Thanks to #Netgalley and the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review "A Perfect Storm" by Mike Martin, the 9th instalment in the Sgt. Windflower series.

It's always a treat to read the books in this series, as they are a respite from some of the usual police procedurals that have more emphasis on crimes and criminals and less on the detectives, their lives, their families and their communities.

Mike Martin sets his Sgt. Windflower in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, where Windflower is a sergeant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and his wife Sheila is Mayor. Over the span of the previous eight books, we have come to know both Windflower's fellow RCMP officers, his wife and daughter, and the residents of Grand Bank.

Recovering from his demotion, Eddie Tizzard has decided that he wants to be a private investigator, and he leaves Grand Bank for Las Vegas for a learning experience. But he ends up learning something totally different, as he is inadvertently plunged into the underworld of drug trafficing. After a tough few days, he ends up heading back to Grand Bank and his fiancee and co-worker.

Meanwhile, in Grand Bank, Sgt. Windflower is sadly preparing for the imminent death of his favourite Auntie Marie. Mr. Martin gives us a lot of insight into how the Indigenous peoples prepare for death, along with the continuing exploration by Windflower of his heritage.

But the drug trade seems to have spread even to quiet Grand Bank, and Windflower and his team are plunged into a series of raids, shootouts, arrests, car crashes and prisoner grabs in their efforts to stem the tide.

There are lifestyle changes in the wind, too, as Tizzard and Evanchuck discover some happy news, and Sheila decides to make a change by going back to school, which prompts Windflower to contemplate changes of his own.

The Sgt. Windflower mysteries may be termed 'cozy', but sometimes cozy is just what we need. I highly recommend this series.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. After reading and reviewing #8, I got email from the author with an invitation to read #9. Thank you Mike Martin and NetGalley for this opportunity.

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the characters. Although part of a series, the book is a standalone. Sgt. Windflower is the head of the RCMP unit in a small Newfoundland town. Drug trafficking has become a major problem in this rural area. The reader is introduced to the dangers both the citizens and police must face to fight this scourge.

We are also introduced to some of the First People's cultural beliefs and practices. We learn more about the Sergeant and his family.

I look forward to future episodes in this series.

Windflower is back again and this case is even more dangerous.

The author and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published so you can grab a copy now.

The first thing that happens is that he goes into an abandoned business and the floor gives out and he's in a fairly deep hole. There's no way he can get out by himself and it's a dead area for cellphones. He has no idea how long it will be before someone finds him. Luckily one of the other Mounties wants to talk to him, so he calls the receptionist who went home sick to find out where he was going. He finds him and helps him out but he has to go the hospital. He broke his arm in two places and twisted his ankle. He doesn't stay in the hospital long but he has a long road to wellness.

The main focus of this story is drug running. You wouldn't think a little town in Canada would have a problem with that, but that's why the drug runners went there. It's peaceful there. Then people start dying. Anyone who talks gets killed.

The Mounties are bouncing around from one job to another, the White Aryan Brotherhood is involved, witnesses die and they are trying to get close enough to take some to jail. It's very dangerous.

While all this is going on, Windflower's aunt dies and they have to fit a funeral in.

The way it turns out is amazing. And the changes aren't over yet. It will be fun to read the next book in this series. It's not at all boring.

I loved the characters, especially Tizzard and Windflower. The characters are so clearly created that it is impossible not to get invested in them. The story is a decent mystery in a wonderful series of settings but I did struggle a bit to keep interested in the motorcycle gang aspect. That is only a small complaint, though - these wonderful characters make this book a winner.

Windflower Returns.....
Book nine in the Sgt. Windflower mystery series. A return to Grand Bank and another mystery but with changes afoot for Winston Windflower and crew. Can Windflower save his beloved community from a criminal influx? With engaging characters, an enjoyable backdrop and a solid plot. Escapist reading.

Change is certainly coming to Grand Bank, and Sgt. Windflower will have some decisions to make. I have so enjoyed this small town book, it contains a little bit of everything. This is a storyline that you can very easily see happening in our everyday lives at the present time. I would certainly recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Ottawa Press and Publishing I was under no obligation to leave a favorable review, and all opinions expressed here are my own.

I always really enjoy the time I spend reading the latest Sgt. Windflower Mystery by author Mike Martin. In A Perfect Storm, Book 9 in the series, he continues to masterfully blend warm and fuzzy feelings with hard-edged crime. He addresses tough issues – racism, harassment, drug abuse, crime and violence, including murder, but wraps it in the beautiful Canadian town of Grand Bank, highlighting Sgt. Windflower’s beliefs, history and traditions, and love of family, friend, and animals. Author Martin doesn’t skimp on the authenticity of the horrific events but reminds you that good can exist as well.

Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but each book also builds on the previous one. Sgt. Windflower has grown in his personal beliefs and career, acquired a family that means more to him than anything, and enjoys his life. However, this Windflower is a bit different than the Windflower we are used to. He has a bit of an edge, he is a little sharper with subordinates than we’ve seen before, even sarcastic and rude and unwilling to accept help for a minute or two, and he’s thinking about change. This new Windflower is somehow even more human and relatable.

When the story opens, Eddie Tizzard, who until recently was a member of Windflower’s team in Grand Bank, has gotten himself in serious trouble in Las Vegas. Windflower doesn’t know about that because he’s fallen down a mine shaft and no one knows where he is. As he waits to be missed and hopefully rescued he goes on another of his always-fascinating spiritual journeys, revealing a little more that things aren’t quite settled, he has some choices to make.

A Perfect Storm is an exciting tale, moving back and forth in pursuit of crimes and criminals both in the US and Canada. Back are the quotes from Shakespeare, Ben Franklin, and others, the gorgeous feel of the surroundings, the close relationships with the animals, the well-drawn cast of supporting characters, uncertainty of relationships – and the detailed, mouth-watering description of the meals Windflower and his family make and enjoy. Winston Windflower and Sheila have been married for a while now and their life with toddler daughter Amelia Louise is solid, comforting and good. She is an adorable handful, although I must admit I will be glad when she is a little older and stops repeating everything three times! All through the story, however, there is a subtle undercurrent of slight dissatisfaction or maybe of dreams and goals as yet unrealized for both Winston and Sheila; change is in the air. This suspense continues until the end: are the Windflowers leaving? Permanently? For a year? It may be time to move on, but the stories give you such a good, warm feeling that you are conflicted – yes, change, no keep everything the same. A good story, a good ending, an all-around good series that you should read.

Thanks to author Mike Martin and Ottawa Press and Publishing for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it without hesitation. It may be the best yet in the series All opinions are my own.

A Sgt. Windflower RCMP mystery!

A touch of synchronicity, a death in the family and change in the wind. Grand Bank becomes the focus for meth dealing tracking from Las Vegas. Bikers are involved and Sgt. Windflower's quiet town becomes a whole lot noisier. Eddie Tizzard's trip to Vegas opens up some interesting horizons, especially as a major meth dealer has tentacles reaching into Grand Bank. A Canadian--US operation is in the offing.
I was fascinated as usual with Winston Windflower's dream weaving abilities and a further look into his animal spirit guides. Naturally his Shakespeare references and interplay add a further facet to Windflower's thought processes. And let's not forget his cooking that gives another dimension to one of my favorite RMCP characters. Sheila and baby Amelia Louise as usual occupy Windflower's heart. Lovely vignettes! An unexpected member is welcomed. A satisfying Windflower read that's setting up for a new chapter in his small family's life.

An Ottawa Press ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Another perfect Sgt. Windlfower mystery. There are drugs, gangs, Las Vegas, Newfoundland, all mixed up. Plus there are the decisions for the Sgt. to make in regards to his next career move as his wife is going to finish her last year of university in St. John. What is going on RCMP in NFL with shootings, changes in positions, moves away? Through out the book philosophical quotes are given. Sgt. Windflower has his dreams or visions which this time feature Auntie Marie and the spiritual animals.
Mike Martin treats you to interesting scenes from hurricane, to interviews, to Cree country, to family life. Read and enjoy.

Sgt. Winston Windflower and other members of the Grand Bank RCMP are facing difficulties, challenges, and changes. Tizzard, on a leave of absence from the RCMP, has gone to Las Vegas to work towards getting a PI license when he ends up finding a dead man and a load of cash in his hotel room. The dead man had Tizzard's name and phone number in his pocket. Not surprisingly, the Las Vegas Police arrest Tizzard and put him through the interrogation wringer. Meanwhile, Windflower has gone to investigate a call and ends up falling through an abandoned mine shaft. Injured, Windflower wonders when anyone will notice he is missing and come to his aid.

The meth crisis has come to Newfoundland and there is a gang war for control between bikers, white supremacists, and other no-gooders. Windflower and the rest of his team are determined to put an end to the violence and drug chain before it is too late.

On the personal front, Windflower and his mayoral wife Sheila are adjusting to life with their bubbly toddler Amelia Louise, an encounter with an orphaned girl, and dealing with the death of Winston's beloved Auntie Marie. New career opportunities for both Windflower and Sheila might mean leaving their beloved community of Grand Bank for a while. The local food and native dreamscapes that Windflower experiences also enriches the story. This was another delightful entry in the Sgt. Windflower mystery series.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Ottawa Press and Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

This is the 9th in the Winston Windflower series. I started reading them with the 8th, "Fire, Fog and Water" so I don't have a long history with this character, but really enjoyed this installment.

As light mysteries go, this is a good blend of police investigation of serious crime balanced with a loving and supportive circle of friends and family. Sgt. Windflower has a lot going on in his personal life even as he manages his small-town police department through some big time crime.

As in the 8th book, Winston endeavors to see his spiritual awareness on a continuum with his secular and family life. He and his circle regularly add context to each other's experiences with pithy quotes from Shakespeare, Tagore, etc., which add to a thoughtful and uplifting reading.

These characters make visiting Grand Bank, Newfoundland a real pleasure.

This book has a readable story and an OK plot, but if you cut out the repetitions, the dreams and a lot of other unnecessary side stories, there would be very little left. In fact, the characters seem to be eating a lot more than they are doing police work.

4 stars

Constable Eddie Tizzard, on leave following an altercation at work, is in Las Vegas to attend a seminar. He intends to leave the RCMP and become a private investigator. The problem arises when returning to his hotel room, he finds a very dead body. It gets worse when he discovers that the dead man was also from Newfoundland and had his name in his pocket.

The Vegas cops decide to believe his story and use him to run a sting on one of the bad biker guys. Eddie has a moment where he decides maybe he should stay in the RCMP.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Winston Windflower is in some trouble in Grand Bank. While responding to a call, he falls down a hole at an old mine. He has broken his arm and injured his ankle. When will someone find him?

At the same time Eddie returns from Vegas, it seems bad luck (or something), that follows him. There's a nasty biker gang involved in violence and drugs. People start dying. Cops get shot. That's the exciting part.

The heartwarming part is Windflower's relationship with his daughter and wife as well as his dedication to his tribal beliefs. I found it fascinating – as always. It had a calming effect on me as well as on Windflower.

All in all, this is a very good book. It is well written and plotted and the transitions are nearly flawless. I always enjoy the Windflower books and will continue to avidly look forward to the next one.

I want to thank NetGalley and Ottawa Press and Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book for me to read, enjoy and review.

**This book is not yet available to review on Amazon, GoodReads or BookBub.

RCMP, illegal-drugs, friendship, family-dynamics, law-enforcement, supernatural, investigation, murder, support-system, organized-crime, Newfoundland

Part family fiction and more police drama, Sgt Windflower mysteries involve a small town in Newfundland and its RCMP detachment. This one begins with former RCMP Eddie Tizzard in Las Vegas, where he has been learning to become a private investigator but winds up in jail as a murder suspect. "I'm stuck in a Las Vegas jail and my lawyer is quoting Shakespeare!" At the same time, Sgt Winston Windflower has fallen through the boards of an old abandoned silver mine he was checking for arsonists and has no radio or cell phone contact. More dramatic than usual, but this one has more good people, First Nations religious practices, bad people bringing meth and other drugs into the area, and a little girl stuck in the middle and orphaned. It also brings out the problems of law enforcement and also of the good people who are being harmed by the encroaching problems being brought in by greed. I love this series and all it entails.
It bears noting that each book in the series stands alone on its own merit.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Ottawa Press and Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you NetGalley and Ottawa Press and Publishing for the eARC.
Sergeant Windflower is back in this Newfoundland series, which starts off with one of his officers in Las Vegas coming back to his hotel room only to find a load of cash and a dead man. He ends up in jail. He can't get hold of Windflower because Windflower is in the basement of a dilapidated building, hurt and unreachable.
This is another cozy with a bite, involving meths, amphetamines and drug gangs. It looks like life is going to change for Windflower and his family, since his wife wants to go back to university which means a move to St. John. And there might be a surprise newcomer to the family too. A good addition to this heartwarming series,