Tag Archives: mystery

What People are Saying about Better Safe Than Sorry

What People are Saying about Better Safe Than Sorry

Better Safe Than Sorry is the latest book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series. It will be released on May 10, 2024. Book Launch May 15 at Perfect Books in Ottawa

Here’s what some early readers have to say about Better Safe Than Sorry:

“Mike Martin has cleverly crafted an elaborately complex series wisely presenting a myriad of human foibles and the challenges faced by his protagonist. Sgt. Winston Windflower.”

“One of the best of a great series”

“Reading this series is like taking a deep cleansing breath and feeling relaxed and happy while visiting with Windflower and his family and workmates.”

“Another enjoyable book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series.”

“Love the food and recipes that Windflower uses throughout the book along with the different quotes of famous writers that added meaning and substance to each scene.” 

“Highly recommend this emotionally charged cozy police procedural.”

Book Launch Perfect Books, Elgin St. Ottawa

Wednesday May 15 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Reading, book signing and special musical guest

There will be cake!!

Better Safe Than Sorry

Winston Windflower is (sort of) enjoying his retirement from the RCMP in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, happily spending time with his young family, but feeling a little restless. Corporal Eddie Tizzard is running the Marystown detachment and struggling with the demands of the role while his own family grows. When a new kind of drug threatens the community, a body (the wrong body) is found dead in a hearse, and then another drug-connected mysterious death occurs, Tizzard knows he’s dealing with a deadly menace in their quiet, close-knit community.

Windflower finds himself inexorably (and not unhappily) drawn back into the action, first in an unofficial role to help snare the dealers and then back to active duty in a community that desperately needs his steady hand and good judgement.

Our favorite Mountie, Sgt. Windflower and his fellow courageous cops in small-town Grand Bank, Newfoundland are back to fight a new threat in this compelling page-turner. Award-winning author, Mike Martin once again brings us a stirring story, blending down-home Newfoundland charm with the warmth of family life.

Better Safe Than Sorry will soon be available for pre-order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

Signed copies will be available after May 10 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

Cover Reveal: Better Safe Than Sorry

Cover Reveal Better Safe Than Sorry

We’re very pleased to introduce you to the cover for the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery: Better Safe Than Sorry. Designed by Joanna D’Angelo from Ottawa Press and Publishing, we hope you like it. Tell us what you think! We love it.

Better Safe Than Sorry is at the printers and will be released on May 10, 2024. To celebrate Book 14 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. Stay tuned for announcements about events and book signings. Book Launch will be on May 15.

Book Launch Perfect Books, Elgin St. Ottawa

Wednesday May 15 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Reading, book signing and special musical guest

There will be cake!!

More comments from early readers about Better Safe Than Sorry

“One of the best of a great series”

“Reading this series is like taking a deep cleansing breath and feeling relaxed and happy while visiting with Windflower and his family and workmates.”

“Love the food and recipes that Windflower uses throughout the book along with the different quotes of famous writers that added meaning and substance to each scene.” 

“Another enjoyable book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series.”

Better Safe Than Sorry

Winston Windflower is (sort of) enjoying his retirement from the RCMP in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, happily spending time with his young family, but feeling a little restless. Corporal Eddie Tizzard is running the Marystown detachment and struggling with the demands of the role while his own family grows. When a new kind of drug threatens the community, a body (the wrong body) is found dead in a hearse, and then another drug-connected mysterious death occurs, Tizzard knows he’s dealing with a deadly menace in their quiet, close-knit community.

Windflower finds himself inexorably (and not unhappily) drawn back into the action, first in an unofficial role to help snare the dealers and then back to active duty in a community that desperately needs his steady hand and good judgement.

Our favorite Mountie, Sgt. Windflower and his fellow courageous cops in small-town Grand Bank, Newfoundland are back to fight a new threat in this compelling page-turner. Award-winning author, Mike Martin once again brings us a stirring story, blending down-home Newfoundland charm with the warmth of family life.

Better Safe Than Sorry will soon be available for pre-order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

Signed copies will be available after May 10 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

New Sgt. Windflower Mystery is on the Way

New Sgt. Windflower Mystery is on the Way.

Better Safe Than Sorry is at the printers and will be released on May 10, 2024. To celebrate Book 14 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series we will be holding several events and book signings. Some in person and some online. Stay tuned for more information and to see the beautiful cover design for this new addition to the series.

Book Launch Perfect Books, Elgin St. Ottawa

Wednesday May 15 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Reading, book signing and special musical guest

There will be cake!!

Here’s what some early readers have to say about Better Safe Than Sorry

“Superb characterizations, intricate plots”

“One of the best of a great series”

Cover Reveal Coming Soon

Better Safe Than Sorry

Winston Windflower is (sort of) enjoying his retirement from the RCMP in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, happily spending time with his young family, but feeling a little restless. Corporal Eddie Tizzard is running the Marystown detachment and struggling with the demands of the role while his own family grows. When a new kind of drug threatens the community, a body (the wrong body) is found dead in a hearse, and then another drug-connected mysterious death occurs, Tizzard knows he’s dealing with a deadly menace in their quiet, close-knit community.

Windflower finds himself inexorably (and not unhappily) drawn back into the action, first in an unofficial role to help snare the dealers and then back to active duty in a community that desperately needs his steady hand and good judgement.

Our favorite Mountie, Sgt. Windflower and his fellow courageous cops in small-town Grand Bank, Newfoundland are back to fight a new threat in this compelling page-turner. Award-winning author, Mike Martin once again brings us a stirring story, blending down-home Newfoundland charm with the warmth of family life.

Better Safe Than Sorry will soon be available for pre-order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

Signed copies will be available after May 10 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

Take a listen to a great story: New Audiobook from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries: Darkest Before the Dawn

Here’s a sample from Darkest Before the Dawn:

Frank Kearney continues the strong tradition of audiobooks in the series available from Amazon all over the world. Sit back and relax to his soothing tones as he takes you back to Grand Bank and the beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Darkest Before the Dawn won the Bony Blithe Award for Best Light Mystery of the Year in 2019. “Ghosts, mysterious deaths, and a new, perplexing character confront Sgt. Windflower, Tizzard and the other police officers in Grand Bank as they unearth secrets that have been lying hidden in the sleepy hamlet for decades. A fast-moving mystery, Darkest Before the Dawn is also a story of love, loss and learning how to grow old gracefully; a tale of family, community and looking after each other, of not giving up hope, just before the dawn.”

Promo codes are available for all reviewers in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Message for more information.

Darkest Before the Dawn is available on Audible and iTunes all over the world.

Other audiobook titles available from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries include:

The Walker on the Cape

The Body on the T

Beneath the Surface

A Twist of Fortune

A Long Ways from Home

A Tangled Web

All Sgt. Windflower Audiobooks are available on Audible and iTunes

You can follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

@mike54martin

New Audiobook from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries: Darkest Before the Dawn

There’s a new Audiobook available from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. Darkest Before the Dawn is again narrated by the great Frank Kearney and continues the strong tradition of audiobooks in the series available from Amazon all over the world. Sit back and relax to his soothing tones as he takes you back to Grand Bank and the beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Darkest Before the Dawn won the Bony Blithe Award for Best Light Mystery of the Year in 2019. “Ghosts, mysterious deaths, and a new, perplexing character confront Sgt. Windflower, Tizzard and the other police officers in Grand Bank as they unearth secrets that have been lying hidden in the sleepy hamlet for decades. A fast-moving mystery, Darkest Before the Dawn is also a story of love, loss and learning how to grow old gracefully; a tale of family, community and looking after each other, of not giving up hope, just before the dawn.”

Promo codes are available for all reviewers in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Message for more information.

Darkest Before the Dawn is available on Audible and iTunes all over the world.

Other audiobook titles available from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries include:

The Walker on the Cape

The Body on the T

Beneath the Surface

A Twist of Fortune

A Long Ways from Home

A Tangled Web

All Sgt. Windflower Audiobooks are available on Audible and iTunes

You can follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

@mike54martin

Happy New Year from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

Happy New Year from Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

Two New Windflower Mysteries in 2024. Plus, an audiobook version of Darkest Before the Dawn and maybe a few surprises.

May 2024 be filled with health, happiness and success in all your endeavours!! Thank you for all of your support, love and encouragement. Thank you for being part of the Windflower family.

We are very excited to tell you that there will be two new Sgt. Windflower Mysteries in 2024. Better Safe Than Sorry will be coming to you in May from Ottawa Press and Publishing and Book 15 in November.

Better Safe Than Sorry

Winston Windflower is sort of enjoying his retirement from the RCMP in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, happily spending time with his young family. Corporal Eddie Tizzard is running the Marystown detachment and struggling with the demands of the role while his own family grows. When a new kind of drug threatens the community, a body — the wrong body — is found dead in a hearse, and then another drug-connected mysterious death occurs, Tizzard knows he is dealing with serious new problems in their quiet, close-knit community.

Windflower finds himself inexorably — and not unhappily — drawn back into the action, first in an unofficial role to help snare the dealers and then back to active duty in a community that badly needs his steady hand and good judgement. Better Safe Than Sorry is another page-turning combination of down-home Newfoundland charm, the warmth of family life, and a story of small-town cops fighting to keep their community safe.

Darkest Before the Dawn Audiobook

We are also pleased to announce that Darkest Before the Dawn will soon be released as an audiobook. It joins 6 other Windflower Mysteries that have now been done as audiobooks, with more to come. Narrated again by the great Frank Kearney, this audiobook is must-have for any audiobook collection.

Darkest Before the Dawn was the 2019 winner of the Bony Blithe Award for the Best Light Mystery of the year. It features a ghost, mysterious deaths, and a new character that perplexes Windflower and his crew of Mounties in Grand Bank, Newfoundland. A fast-moving mystery, Darkest Before the Dawn is also a story of love, loss and learning how to grow old gracefully; a tale of family, community and looking after each other, of not giving up hope, just before the dawn.

You can find all Sgt. Windflower audiobooks on Audible around the world.

Thank you as always for your support of Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. It has been an incredible journey and we’re glad your along for the ride.

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

Cozy Crime Collective Blog: October 2023

Welcome to the Cozy Crime Collective Blog. Every month one of us, cozy and light mystery writers, will post about our writing life. Hopefully it will give you some insights into our creative process as we share a bit more about ourselves. So, here goes.

My process is pretty simple. I find a quiet place with little distraction, and I start writing. I try and write from 1,000 to 1,500 words a day, Monday to Friday. I write what some people call from the seat of my pants. I’m what they call a ‘pantser’. That really means I don’t have an outline or pre-set plan for what I’m going to write. Instead, I try and connect with what I call the ‘creative flow’. When I do, the ideas and words just flow, and I write them down as they come.

Now, it’s not quite that simple. I do need a place to start from and since I’ve written 13 books so far, I have a crew of recurring characters already formed. That starting point is usually a story I have heard or an article in the news that spikes my interest. For example, I have heard people in the Grand Bank area talk about smuggling. A lot more in olden years, especially during prohibition days. But still today. Tax- and duty-free alcohol and cigarettes are still pretty attractive to criminals. That led me to thinking about modern day smuggling and into a whole range of stories, crimes and even murders that came out of those activities.

Once I have a beginning, the middle part isn’t easy, but it becomes clearer. I write my word count every day for about three months and at the end I have something that looks like a book. I do periodic revisions, every 10,000 words or so and a final, for me, edit right after I type “The End”. Then it goes to my fabulous team of beta readers who comb through it and point out my many errors and inconsistencies. After that, over to my excellent editor, Allister, who straightens out all the wrinkles and gives me a clean final copy. That goes off to the publisher who formats it and send it back. One more quick review by me and then a final proofread by the excellent Alex Z. and we have a book that is ready to meet you and the world.

Is it hard? Sometimes. But so is breathing, sometimes. I am very proud of my work and what I have created along with my team. As one of my favourite authors, Richard Wagamese has said when people congratulated him on his books. “I claim only the discipline, dedication, sacrifice and commitment as my own. All else belongs to Creator.”

Mike Martin is the author of the Award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. His latest book, All That Glitters is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Cozy Mystery.

Order the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery All That Glitters

All That Glitters is available

All That Glitters, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery is now available for from Ottawa Press and Publishing and Amazon. Simply follow the links below to order your copy today.

The Reviews are in!

We have some advance reviews of All That Glitters on Goodreads. Here’s the link and some excerpts:

“We learn more and more about Winston, Sheila, Eddie Tizzard, Sanjay and all of the other characters as we go along, and he also weaves in – seamlessly – Winston’s back story, family ties, spirituality and love of family. Even after receiving bad news, Winston prevails and grows. I highly recommend this 13th book in the series, which could be read as a standalone, but you really should read the series.”

“Windflower is also the proud owner of a B&B and does most of the food preparation. This is another brilliant aspect of the book, the loving descriptions of cooking, especially at mealtimes with family–– his wife, Sheila, and their daughters Amelia Louise and Stella. He is of Cree First Nations heritage and is also a Dream Weaver from a line of master Dream Weavers. This is another distinct and entertaining aspect to the book, the dreams Windflower has and the revelations they bring to his investigations.
While Mike Martin reveals his humorous side with many light-hearted moments, this unique and complex story shows a deep respect for Canadian heritage. All in all, a terrifically entertaining read. Highly recommended.”

Here’s a teaser from All That Glitters:

Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns, diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.

Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to pull off his dirty business.

This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.

All That Glitters will soon be available from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. Signed copies will be available after May 22 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

Every Picture Has a Story

The picture on the cover of All That Glitters is from Newfoundland. But I have to confess that I didn’t know where it was from in Newfoundland. My excellent cover designer, Patti Moran found it online, added her magical touches and the ATG cover was born. I loved it then, and still do. But there’s a story behind this picture. And thanks to social media I just found out what that is.

I’m doing a Virtual Book Launch in Newfoundland and doing some promotion for that. (May 23… check it out. https://fb.me/e/2HzbMBdMG

And I get a Facebook message from a woman who says that this is a picture of her grandfather’s property in Newfoundland. I ask her where it is from. Turns out that this is from a small community called Change Islands. A small town of 300 people on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. 

The woman said that she was surprised but very happy to see it pop up in her FB feed and that it was close to the anniversary of her grandmother’s passing. She took that as a message or a sign of something. I just think that it’s pretty neat. That we are able to make a connection over thousands of miles and years of memories.

All That Glitters is available for Pre-Order and Will be on Sale May 19

Upcoming Events

Virtual Book Launch A.C. Hunter Library St. John’s NL

https://fb.me/e/2HzbMBdMG

Tuesday May 23 6:30 pm NL time (5 pm EST)

Pizza Party Official Book Launch In-Person Colonnade Pizza 280 Metcalfe Street Ottawa

https://fb.me/e/1h4sT8vkG

Wednesday June 7  6:30-8 pm

Books, Pizza, Cake

It’s A Party

Did we mention Free Pizza??

Library Double Book Event with Brenda Chapman NGPL

Kemptville Public Library Saturday June 17 2 pm

Readings, Author Interviews, Prizes

Here’s a teaser from All That Glitters:

Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns, diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.

Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to pull off his dirty business.

This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.

All That Glitters will soon be available from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. Signed copies are available at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

All That Glitters is available for Pre-Order

All That Glitters is available for Pre-Order

All That Glitters, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery is now available for Pre-Order from Ottawa Press and Publishing. And it’s on sale at $19.95. Simply follow the link below to order your copy today. Full release date May 22, 2023. E-books coming soon.

Early Reviews are Great

We have some advance reviews of All That Glitters on Goodreads. Here’s the link and some excerpts:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136278862-all-that-glitters

“We learn more and more about Winston, Sheila, Eddie Tizzard, Sanjay and all of the other characters as we go along, and he also weaves in – seamlessly – Winston’s back story, family ties, spirituality and love of family. Even after receiving bad news, Winston prevails and grows. I highly recommend this 13th book in the series, which could be read as a standalone, but you really should read the series.”

“Windflower is also the proud owner of a B&B and does most of the food preparation. This is another brilliant aspect of the book, the loving descriptions of cooking, especially at mealtimes with family–– his wife, Sheila, and their daughters Amelia Louise and Stella. He is of Cree First Nations heritage and is also a Dream Weaver from a line of master Dream Weavers. This is another distinct and entertaining aspect to the book, the dreams Windflower has and the revelations they bring to his investigations.
While Mike Martin reveals his humorous side with many light-hearted moments, this unique and complex story shows a deep respect for Canadian heritage. All in all, a terrifically entertaining read. Highly recommended.”

Upcoming Events

All That Glitters is at the printers and will be released on May 22, 2023. To celebrate Book 13 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series we will be holding several events.

Virtual Book Launch A.C. Hunter Library St. John’s NL

Tuesday May 23 6:30 pm NL time (5 pm EST)

Pizza Party Official Book Launch In-Person Colonnade Pizza 280 Metcalfe Street Ottawa

Wednesday June 7  6:30-8 pm

Books, Pizza, Cake

It’s A Party

Did we mention Free Pizza??

Library Double Book Event with Brenda Chapman NGPL

Kemptville Public Library Saturday June 17 2 pm

Readings, Author Interviews, Prizes

Here’s a teaser from All That Glitters:

Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns, diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.

Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to pull off his dirty business.

This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.

All That Glitters will soon be available from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. Signed copies will be available after May 22 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Twitter

@mike54martin