Mike Martin's Blog

A Change in Plans is the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery. It will be released on April 20 but early reviews are great. You can pre-order your copy from Ottawa Press and Publishing or in Kindle from Amazon. Links below. Signed copies will soon be available from Books on Beechwood in Ottawa and the Sleuth of Baker Street in Toronto.

Here’s what early readers have to say:

“Mike Martin has carefully crafted another excellent mystery, blending intrigue, family, friendship, community and food.”

“It’s also a delightful look at life in small-town Newfoundland, complete with delicious food, fun, and local culture.”

“It is a down-to-earth series with characters that makes you feel like you are coming home again. The community that Windflower lives in is a warm and welcoming place that beckons for the reader to come and visit and stay awhile.”

“A Change in Plans is another fascinating and atmospheric book that keeps you turning the pages to the very end.

A Change in Plans

RCMP officer Winston Windflower’s rare afternoon off gets interrupted when a hit and run turns into murder and he must pull together a team of Mounties from Newfoundland to resolve the crime. Following the money and fentanyl— and bodies—Windflower and his team join forces with police officers in southern Ontario to take down an international drug-smuggling ring.

Windflower must face personal doubts and fears when fellow Mountie Fil Romano is kidnapped. While the higher-ups at HQ make plans to give safe passage to the drug lords in return for Romano’s life, Windflower worries Romano will get caught in the crossfire. Windflower again looks to his friends and allies for help in the difficult hours and days ahead.

Mark Your Calendars: Book Launch May 6 at Perfect Books Ottawa

Pre-order available

Ottawa Press and Publishing

Amazon

Signed copies of A Change in Plans will be available soon at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

X

@mike54martin

A Change in Plans is at the printers and will be released on April 20, 2026. Soon, we’ll have a Cover Reveal so we can show you the stunning new cover. Pre-sale from Ottawa Press and Publishing is also on its way. Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook for details. And we will be having an official Book Launch at Perfect Books on May 6. Readings, book signings and special musical entertainment. Of course there will be cake!!

“RCMP officer Winston Windflower’s rare afternoon off gets interrupted when a hit and run turns into murder and he must pull together a team of Mounties from Newfoundland to resolve the crime. Following the money and fentanyl— and bodies—Windflower and his team join forces with police officers in southern Ontario to take down an international drug-smuggling ring.

Windflower must face personal doubts and fears when fellow Mountie Fil Romano is kidnapped. While the higher-ups at HQ make plans to give safe passage to the drug lords in return for Romano’s life, Windflower worries Romano will get caught in the crossfire. Windflower again looks to his friends and allies for help in the difficult hours and days ahead.”

Signed copies of A Change in Plans will be available after April 20 at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

X

@mike54martin

This is a re-imagining of a horrible night in 1942:

On February 18, 1942, two U.S. Navy ships, the U.S.S. Truxtun and the U.S.S. Pollux, heading to the U.S. Naval Base in Argentia, Newfoundland, were caught in a violent Atlantic storm and shipwrecked off the coastline of southern Newfoundland at Chambers Cove and Lawn Point. Prospects were dim for the sailors until one sailor from the U.S.S. Truxtun managed to reach Iron Spring Mine, St. Lawrence. The miners rushed to the scene risking their lives on ice-covered cliffs and in the raging sea, and managed to save 186 of the US sailors. Despite the courageous and heroic acts displayed by these men, 203 American sailors lost their lives.

Shipwrecked Souls

Along the narrow path that leads from the sky down to the water

Towering cliffs that stand together

Holding up the hands of time

One night so long ago they cried

Cold and wet, they could not survive

Until someone heard their cries

In the darkness when they felt the rush of ocean water in their breech

They shouted, prayed for deliverance

From the dark graves of the sea

Finally, a voice called back

To wonder if this was truly real

Or ghosts that lived within the wind and chased their dreams away

More voices came to witness the scene of desperate men between the seams

Some living and some surely passed

They hung on to forever

Then, one by one they were raised above

With callused hands that spoke of love

Ever grateful to the rope that brought them to salvation

A moment worth celebrating…

My Ode to Newfoundland reached a remarkable milestone this week —
#1 in Canadian Travel
#1 in Hot New Releases in Canadian Poetry

For a collection inspired by memory, place, and the enduring spirit of Newfoundland, this recognition is deeply meaningful. Thank you to every reader who has taken the time to explore these poems, reflect with them, and share them.

If you haven’t yet discovered My Ode to Newfoundland, I invite you to step into its pages — into the shoreline, the weathered wood, the wind, and the quiet stories that shape a home.

Sometimes a poem finds the reader exactly when it’s meant to.

My Ode to Newfoundland is available now:
 https://www.amazon.ca/Ode-Newfoundland-Mr-Mike-Martin/dp/1997899000/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3BhO0fYYaXND2ZbYYt86di3imstyt_IpEejTKMqdF88.S7l5tI7dMHbO4FGJmKpXsQ6zg47xQhGT9w9z3pSR87o&qid=1768913985&sr=8-1

Now Available: My Ode to Newfoundland

A beautifully crafted collection that captures the history, landscapes, and quiet magic of Newfoundland. Through vivid, heartfelt poetry, this book invites you into moments shaped by wind, sea, memory, and home.

Whether you are from the island or simply drawn to its enduring charm, these poems offer a compelling journey into a place where land, sea, and memory intertwine.

Discover the stories, emotions, and reflections woven into every page.

 Order your copy today:
 https://www.amazon.ca/Ode-Newfoundland-Mr-Mike-Martin/dp/1997899000/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3BhO0fYYaXND2ZbYYt86di3imstyt_IpEejTKMqdF88.S7l5tI7dMHbO4FGJmKpXsQ6zg47xQhGT9w9z3pSR87o&qid=1768913985&sr=8-1

Welcome to a new Sgt. Windflower adventure. Many of them, actually. And all holiday themed and ready to warm your heart before Christmas.

“Sgt. Windflower loves Christmas and we’re happy to share what he and his family and friends do at Christmastime in Grand Bank or Marystown or Ramea, Newfoundland. Some of the stories feature Windflower and Sheila’s adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard and his family make several spotlight appearances. Other stories take you back to Christmas seasons of any years long past and there’s even a return of a fabulous Newfoundland tradition, the Mummers.

Christmas is a time to celebrate but it is also a time to reminisce and remember. We hope that it will bring back pleasant memories for you and your family to share at Christmas and throughout the year. Come celebrate Christmas in Newfoundland with Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.”

It is available now in Indigo bookstores in Ottawa and soon will be available at all Chapters and Coles outlets across Newfoundland. In St. John’s it is also available at the Downhome Shoppe on Water Street.

And as always it is available for order all over the world through Amazon

Now available for Pre-Order

A Capital Mystery is an anthology of 21 short stories spanning the length and breadth and history of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. Some are set in modern times and some reach far back into Bytown, Ottawa’s original settlement. There are stories in swanky restaurants downtown, suburban townhomes and upscale, suffocating households. There are department store owners, a busy pedestrian mall, a store clerk, a famous Canadian hero, jilted lovers, those who may be loved too much and desperate people during desperate times. Even a weird ceramic polar bear enters the scene. All are fiction and feature delicious crimes that will leave you wondering, shocked, relieved or maybe awake at night. A Capital Mystery celebrates the magic, history and most of all—mystery—that is Ottawa.

Pre-order now from Ottawa Press and Publishing: https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

Cover Reveal:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGyfAS-Uxo/uWLSdnDzsuvHwNIu0XTHJw/watch?utm_content=DAGyfAS-Uxo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hf516b32d2f

Follow A Capital Mystery on Facebook for special deals, announcements and up-coming events: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577817650494

Book Launch October 16 at Ottawa Public Library Main Branch

I have now published sixteen books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series (plus Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries Vol 1 and 2) and each time I have chosen to give away a number of copies, absolutely free. Not only that, but I actively seek out strangers or near strangers on social media to give them away to. Now, I am not giving away all copies of my books. I am neither rich nor daft and I am not particularly altruistic, but I do believe in helping people to read my book.

And quite honestly not everyone can afford to buy a book, especially new books. Tons of people are living on a tight budget, on social assistance or on a fixed income because of disability or not being able to work anymore. It’s hard to comprehend in this world of plenty, but twenty bucks is a lot of money if you haven’t got it and one of the ‘luxuries’ that many people give up is purchasing new books. They wait until they are available from the library or get them from friends or from the second-hand bookstore. I support libraries, but why do some people have to wait?

I realize that I can’t give anybody a raise in their monthly stipend to help them with their book budget, but I can help at least a few of them enjoy my new books, fresh out of the printer’s box. I believe in an idea called Reading Equality, a radically new concept that everyone should have access to quality, new release books. That’s why I am making 20 copies of Friends are Forever available to people on a low or fixed income. I am advertising this offer on Facebook and Twitter and as the time of writing there are still a few copies left.

If you want one or know of someone who could use one but can’t afford it, just message me with the mailing address and I will send a copy in the mail. And yes, I will even sign them. No questions asked. You can send me a message thru Sgt. Windflower Mysteries or Facebook.

Of course, if you have the money, I hope you will consider buying a copy for yourself. Maybe even one for somebody you know doesn’t have the cash. Pay it forward. It works for me.

And if you want to help get this book into even more hands, ask your local library to order a copy. They’re looking for your suggestions. And if they don’t have the budget, tell them to contact me and we’ll make them an offer they can’t refuse.

You will soon be able to buy Friends are Forever from Chapters/Indigo/Coles bookstores in Ottawa and Atlantic Canada and you can get a signed copy these fine independent bookstores:

Ottawa

Books on Beechwood

Perfect Books

Toronto

Sleuth of Baker Street

And of course, you can Friends are Forever from Amazon all over the world

Follow Sgt. Windflower on Facebook

 Twitter

@mike54martin

The purpose of writing a book is so that people can read them. And, while I love seeing people buy my books, I also love the fact that they can read them, for free, at their local library. That’s why I actively support libraries. I do that by providing copies from my own supply to the Ottawa Public Library and the Kemptville Branch of the North Grenville Library. I spend part of my working time in both communities. So why not give a little back to those who support readers and writers? And I sent a couple of copies of the latest book, Friends are Forever, to the Grand Bank Public Library, because, well… you have to read a Sgt. Windflower book to figure that out.

The reason I do this is because libraries gave me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. A love of reading. The ability to travel the world and visit other worlds. A way to not just escape boredom and drudgery but to live other lives and meet a wider range of people and characters that I could never have accomplished on my own. So, it’s an easy decision to give back to libraries. They may have saved my life.

But public libraries are like every other public service these days. Under-staffed and under-funded. Many do not have the budget to buy new books and those that do can only afford to purchase one or two copies. That means long wait times for almost any new release. So, please ask your local library to consider buying some copies of Friends are Forever so that they can be available to all readers. Or maybe donate your copy after you read it. Sharing the gift that you have received with someone else will bring new pleasure. Guranteed.

I hope that you will read Friends are Forever, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery. And I don’t care if you get it from the library, from a bookstore, or from a friend. More than that, I hope you enjoy it. Let it take you away to little Grand Bank, Newfoundland where the locals are friendly, the cheesecake is wonderful and the weather… well, we won’t talk about the weather.

Thank you for supporting my writing and Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.

Friends are Forever

Friends are Forever expertly weaves together small-town charm with high-stakes intrigue. Set in the picturesque backdrop of Newfoundland and Labrador, the story follows Sgt. Winston Windflower, as he navigates not just a celebration of RCMP promotions, but also the aftermath of a sophisticated heist involving international mobsters and local biker gangs.

The vivid cultural and geographical details transport readers to Marystown and Grand Bank, where por’ cakes, lighthouses, and family gatherings are as much a part of the tale as the unfolding crime. While the stakes are high, Friends Are Forever is a story of resilience, camaraderie, and the enduring power of human connection. Both longtime fans of Sgt. Windflower and new readers alike will find themselves captivated by this compelling blend of small-town life and crime-solving adventure. With its unique setting and heartfelt storytelling, Friends Are Forever is a must-read for cozy mystery enthusiasts.

Friends are Forever is available as always from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

Copies are also available from these fine bookstores:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Soon from select Chapters/Indigo stores as well

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

Twitter

@mike54martin

@mike54martin

Upcoming Events Mike Martin and Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

There are a number of up-coming events in Toronto and Ottawa where people can get their personalized copy of Friends are Forever.

Bony Blithe Mini-Con Friday May 9

Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The High Park Club, 100 Indian Road, Toronto. I will be appearing on a panel called Funny You Should Say That

Book Launch Wednesday May 14, 2025 7-8 pm Perfect Books Ottawa

Readings and Live Music by the amazing Victoria Vlad

And there will be Cake!!

Ottawa Small Press Book Fair June 21

Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Tom Brown Arena, 141 Bayview Station Road.

Friends are Forever

Friends are Forever expertly weaves together small-town charm with high-stakes intrigue. Set in the picturesque backdrop of Newfoundland and Labrador, the story follows Sgt. Winston Windflower, as he navigates not just a celebration of RCMP promotions, but also the aftermath of a sophisticated heist involving international mobsters and local biker gangs.

The vivid cultural and geographical details transport readers to Marystown and Grand Bank, where por’ cakes, lighthouses, and family gatherings are as much a part of the tale as the unfolding crime. While the stakes are high, Friends Are Forever is a story of resilience, camaraderie, and the enduring power of human connection. Both longtime fans of Sgt. Windflower and new readers alike will find themselves captivated by this compelling blend of small-town life and crime-solving adventure. With its unique setting and heartfelt storytelling, Friends Are Forever is a must-read for cozy mystery enthusiasts.

Friends are Forever is available for order from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

Signed copies are available at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

Twitter

@mike54martin