Drugs and Outlaw Biker Gangs!

A spate of deadly drugs, “Green Monsters” are spreading across Newfoundland and now are in the vicinity of Grand Bank and Marystown. It’s vital that they be stopped. Already someone’s died. The tension of the threat ratchets up. Time is of the essence.
Windflower is the community safety officer for Grand Bank in Newfoundland. He becomes involved with the menace from this angle.
Outlaw biker gangs have joined forces to deal drugs. Their pipeline is being investigated.
Windflower has his hands full. He’s seconded back to the RMCP but it’s a very different Windflower now.
At some level community safety officer is not really a job that makes use of all his skills. Sure, he’s successfully kept kids out of trouble but he misses being a police officer. Working in Grand Bank does however give him time with his family—his wife Sheila and their two daughters Stella and Amelia Louise. Both girls are now in school. Sheila has developed a co-op for Newfoundland crafts which are being exported across Canada and beyond.
Always in the background is Windflower’s spiritual life, steeped in the lore of his people, including his dreams. Interpreting them is key. Windflower’s spirit guides are constantly present.
It’s his literary discussions and repartee with Superintendent Ron Ron Quigley and Acting Inspector up in Marystown, Eddie Tizzard, that give a measured reflection of Windflower’s sense of humor and attitude to life. Eddie has developed the habit of using quotes now to make a point. More often than not it’s his father’s Mark Twain observations, or his own home grown wisdom. The community and people around Windflower have matured.
Windflower’s love of music is legendary At the moment he’s exploring Brahms.
His musical discussion with a biker, Bernard Thibeau, whom he’s working with undercover, is a beautiful moment of accord. They listen to each other’s taste in music, finding a common appreciation. Thibeau is into rap. This is Windflower’s gift. Finding a point of contact with people.
Once again I’m drawn into the seasons of Sergeant Winston Windflower’s life.
I’m struck by his sense of self, his spirituality, his appreciation for people, for the everyday activities with family and friends, be it sledding with the children, or the sharing mouth watering meals. This is what he treasures, and I must admit I treasure him.

Many thanks to the author for this ARCcanadian-mystery mystery-and-detective5 s Jan5,481 78

You can take Winston Windflower out of the RCMP, but you can't take law enforcement out of one who is called to the The Job.
Budget cuts caused the closing of the local detachment and the former staff were reassigned. Except for Windflower. He gave up law enforcement to be better father and husband and to run the inn that he and his wife operate. He is also a consultant to the town and is at the forefront of the new positive changes to local policing. But when his friends and former coworkers get overwhelmed it seems that he is needed in law enforcement again, but now in a limited capacity that will not impact his family the way that full time does. It's drugs again and the scourge covers an even larger area with even deadlier consequences.
It's good to see the collection of essential characters again and to know that their values and friendships have not changed. I confess that I am addicted to this series and the characters who people it.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!canadian-author cree drug-trafficking ...more1 Sally735 26

Faith, family, friends, good food – all important to Winston Windflower, as is his job as community safety officer for Grand Bank and a number of other surrounding communities. When his local RCMP detachment closed because of budgetary concerns, he decided to leave the Mounties and accept this new position. He’s happy spending more time with family and friends, and the job is okay. But only okay? Well, maybe better than okay, but he misses the challenge of running the station, protecting the public, solving crimes. I daresay he might even miss the excitement of a fast-paced, active investigation. He’s an active, vigorous young man, and as we’ve gotten to know him more and more through this wonderful series, we can recognize that Windflower is starting to get a little stir-crazy.

As a community service officer he is well-known, well-d, and competent. He’s in a good routine. But that’s the problem, Windflower isn’t satisfied with routine. He looks forward to the occasional RCMP request to consult, fill in, offer his opinion and advice. The problem, though, is that serious crime hasn’t left Newfoundland or St. John’s alone but has popped up in Marystown and Grand Bank as well. This is a darker world than we are used to seeing Windflower in; he’s had some close calls and narrow escapes in the recent past.

And his wife Sheila worries about that. Windflower would never go against Sheila’s wishes and makes that clear to his temporary superiors. On the other hand, Sheila knows how important being a Mountie was to Winston, how it’s in his very bones, his passion. She sees a man that is a little more mature and a whole lot less reckless today and she doesn’t want to stand in the way of his dreams, his calling if you will. Some tough decisions coming up.

A new drug has found its way to Marystown, and as the temporary head of the RCMP detachment there it’s Windflower’s long-time friend Eddie Tizzard’s job to deal with that as well as a number of recent crimes and a short-staffed disgruntled workforce. Eddie is perfectly capable, but temporary is the key word here: Eddie has a young family of his own and a wife who is also in law enforcement. He doesn’t want the responsibility, stress or time demand leading the detachment requires.

Sgt. Windflower is brought back in first an unofficial position, then a temporary official one, and the carrot for a permanent position is always dangling. Once again, he’s in his element being back in the thick of things, using his brain to solve problems and outsmart criminals. Leadership comes naturally to him. And he will need all of his skills in this current situation.

Better Safe Than Sorry is the darkest, sharpest, edgiest story yet in the series. It feels crime is rampant; the criminals are bolder, more reckless, more desperate. The detachment is understaffed and morale is low and rebellious. Some members of upper management aren’t exactly giving off a trustworthy vibe. Combine that with the distribution, sale, and deadly use of the new drug, the wrong body in a hearse and more mysterious deaths and life is no longer calm and serene. The pace picks up. The danger is larger and closer. Better Safe Than Sorry is full of intrigue, suspense and many suspects.

If author Mike Martin has shown us a darker side of Marystown and Grand Bank and a Sgt. Winston Windflower who has to rise to the task, he’s also done what he always does so well: balanced that with the Winston whose core treasures are faith, family, friends and good food. When he’s home with the family he is immersed in that life and fully present.

It’s always a pleasure and a welcome change of pace to catch up with this side of his life. Sheila’s business is successfully growing in her capable hands. The girls are growing too: Stella is now six and a half and Amelia Louise is four. Amelia Louise has always been a little character and she is still delightfully so. Stella was such a welcome addition to their family and she’s adorable with her interests and activities and her interaction with her little sister. I look forward to reading about their outdoor fun, movie nights, pancake breakfasts in every book. Lady the dog and Molly the cat, with their unique contributions, round out this warm, loving family. The detailed descriptions of the delicious food and Winston’s preparations of it always make my mouth water and make me want to mark my place in the book and start cooking. Old friends, family and co-workers pop up in abundance. And at his center is Winston’s faith. The smudging, the dream weaving and the communication with and insight from ancestors, some of whom have only recently departed this life, is always a welcome glimpse into something a little otherworldly and fascinating.

Thanks to author Mike Martin for providing an advance copy of Better Safe Than Sorry. This is a series I have enjoyed from the very start, watching Winston Windflower grow, mature, struggle, find happiness, make hard choices. I recommend every book in this series without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
2024-read Linda9

My collection of books by Mike Martin grew to one more recently with the addition of the book Better Safe Than Sorry, the 14th book in the mystery series about Sgt. Winston Windflower.

Sgt. Windflower is now the community safety officer for Grand Bank in Newfoundland. He has retired from the Mounties, but is he truly happy in his new role? He is successful in this new job, but does he want a bit more?

A new lethal drug, Green Monsters, is spreading rapidly across Newfoundland and other provinces. Windflower in his community officer role attempts to get the word out about how unsafe this drug is.Tizzard, now acting Inspector, is facing all sorts of challenges, and this new drug is just one of them. He doesn’t want the responsibility or stress of running the detachment. He loves his family, and has just found out that Carrie is expecting their second child.

The new drug, a death, and the wrong body in a coffin are some of the challenges facing him. Morale is low in the detachment which leads to Tizzard requesting more help.

Windflower takes on an unofficial position to assist with the work involving the latest drug. Sheila isn’t really happy about this, and before he takes on a temporary position he needs to get her approval.

A lot of thought goes into the offer of a new permanent position with the Mounties. Will he accept the terms?

I love reading about Winston’s family, his indigenous culture, his pets, his friends, his love of good food, and there is always a quote from famous people to go with each situation.

Close calls, his understanding of the people, his love of being a Mountie, and the fact that everyone works together to tackle this situation, makes this a great read. It is the perfect example of the quote “There is no I in team”

I prefer to read books in the order they are written to get familiar with the people and places. This book can certainly be read without knowing the rest of the series, but I think you will be hooked and want to read all of them.

Thanks Mike for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. If it isn’t on your reading list, you need to add it and move it to the top. I highly recommend this series by a Canadian author and set in one of Canada’s most beautiful provinces.mike-martin Joanne Hurley381 7

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” (The Godfather III)

Welcome back to Winston Windflower’s world, where he’s getting accustomed to his retirement from the RCMP, whilst still taking an active role in the safety of his little community of Grand Bank, Newfoundland. His family is happy, his cat tolerates him, and his dog is all too pleased to have many walks and treats.

His assistant, Betsy, still calls him Sergeant, and his former compatriots still come to him for advice; Eddie Tizzard, whose own family is about to grow, is finding it difficult to fill the shoes of the previous Inspector at the Marystown RCMP detachment.

An insidious new drug is making its way into the public - most worriedly, school children are being exposed - and Winston is drafted in as an undercover sting is being put in place to weed out the worst of the offenders - the traffickers.

By the time we reach the entirely satisfying and emotional end of Better Safe Than Sorry, change is once again in the air, setting up future adventures.

With superb characterizations and intricate plots, author MIke Martin continues the ever evolving story of Windfower’s family life, love of local food, music and friendships (and their lives, too).

As always, the book combines a subtle mixture of the characters’ internal and external lives - the spiritual and the material/physical, and individual characters’ storylines slowly meld as plot lines interconnect.

As much as this is a crime novel with an all-too-relatable plot, Mr. Martin always tempers the criminal with humour and down-to-earth characters.

Could be read as a standalone, but you really need to go back - maybe to the beginning, but definitely a few books previous - to prior stories to feel the full effect of the intertwined characters. James TerryAuthor 6 books25

Master storyteller, Mike Martin, has created a singularly unique concept in The Sergeant Windflower Mystery Series by blending police procedures with Cree spiritual traditions. The series abounds with life lessons. He has cleverly crafted an elaborately complex series wisely presenting a myriad of human foibles and the challenges faced by his protagonist. Winston Windflower, a recently retired RCMP Sergeant struggles to find fulfillment in his new role as community safety officer for Grand Bank.
In the heart-pounding thriller "Better Safe than Sorry," the picturesque streets of Newfoundland turn deadly as a sinister drug, dubbed the Green Monster, grips the community in fear. Acting RCMP Inspector Eddie Tizzard is short-handed and pleads with Superintendent Ron Quigley to send reinforcements. Quigley calls on the recently retired Sergeant Winston Windflower for help.
In a bizarre twist, an unidentified woman's body is found in a coffin belonging to someone else. Is there an as-yet-undiscovered connection to the recent spate of criminal activity? With the biker gang's insidious leader pulling the strings, Tizzard and Windflower must race against time to unravel the truth before more lives are lost.
“Better Safe than Sorry” is a timely tale reflecting the current reality of the life and death struggle across this country against the rapidly rising tide of deaths from dangerous new street drugs.
I highly recommend this emotionally charged cosy police procedural or what I refer to as a brosy mystery. Kelly YoungAuthor 39 books43

Better Safe Than Sorry is the latest instalment of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series by Mike Martin, and it doesn't disappoint.
This time around we see Winston Windflower struggling to adjust to the quieter job of community safety officer, and when he gets the chance to return to the RCMP temporarily to help out with a complex case, we see how his time away has made him a more thoughtful and careful person at work and in his personal life.
The case he is drawn into deals with the difficult subject of drugs, and the high price everyone in a community pays for the presence of the illegal substances. Martin treats the complex subject with all of the consideration it deserves, through his wonderfully fledged out characters and active police procedural storyline.
As usual, the book provides an in depth look into indigenous culture that enhances the book. And bibliophiles will once again love all of the literary quotes embedded in the story.
I am happy to have been provided with an ARC of #BetterSafeThanSorry from the author and #NetGalley. Janice SpinaAuthor 48 books108

Windflower is back again in this new addition to the Winston Windflower Mysteries. Reading this series is taking a deep cleansing breath and feeling relaxed and happy while visiting with Windflower and his family and workmates.

The Sargent is on a new case and pulled into his former position as his supervisor sees the need for Windflower’s expertise in solving crimes and catching the perpetrators in his calm and polished manner. He and Tizzard, his former employee, work together to bring some closure to drug problems and murders that are linked.

I 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.

Mike Martin created another enjoyable book in this Windflower Mystery Series.books-reviewed e-books Margaret Yelton1,919 36

It is always a pleasure to return to Grand Bank, and meet up with now what feels old friends. Better Safe than Sorry is the 14th book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, and as with all the previous books this author has the ability to pull you in and keep you turning the pages until the very end. I really enjoy how he interweaves the characters into the story line, and we feel we know them personally. I most definitely would recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC NetGalley and the author, and I am leaving my review voluntarily and the opinion expressed here are my own Renee71 3

Book takes place in Newfoundland. Winston Windflower, ex Mountie and now community safety officer for Grand Bank and a number of other surrounding communities has a female dead body that funeral home got instead of the dead male. Acting Inspector Eddie Tizzard has a very dangerous drug epidemic on his hands. Inspector Tizzard gets Wildflower for 30 days to help out with the deadly drugs. There were several different crimes to solve. It was an enjoyable book.

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review Nancy Fagan101 4

I'll start by saying that, since this was book 6, I read the preceding five. I really the series. I find it to be more about the people with crime happening along the way. I also enjoy reading about places I know. I certainly recommend this book and the series.

I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Lisa Diaz135 2

This story was okay, there were parts that I really d but parts that just seemed out of no where so it was hard to stay into the box at those times. Ann5,467 70

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