A Change in Plans: The Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series Book 17

by Mike Martin

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2026

About the author

Mike Martin is a freelance writer and workplace wellness consultant. He has written and published thousands of articles about workplace issues for magazines and publications in Canada, the United States and New Zealand. He has worked in human resources for over thirty years and has experience both as a senior manager and a union representative. For the past fifteen years he has worked with dozens of small, medium and large organizations in the areas of workplace intervention and conflict management.

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acting Inspector Windflower’s responsibilities!

Once more we delve into the world of now Acting Inspector Winston Windflower of the RCMP, his family and friends, his spirit guides, his relationship with those you’ve gone before, and enter his dreams with messages.
I find it all fascinating! Even the tussle he and his partner Sheila are having with their nine year old daughter over a phone.
It’s not just Winflower’s day to day life and practices I enjoy, it’s the community dangers he helps solve and the programs he initiates to try and help youngsters back on track.
Then there’s the food traditions the family has, the blueberry pies, the music he shares with certain friends.
The mystery of a hit and run case in Marystown, part of his area, and what it might have to do with Mike Winger, an ex-veteran in a wheel chair, who’d settled in Grand Bank becomes an event that heralds major crime activities in the area.
Apart from the darker side of life he’s exposed to the Grand Bank community in Newfoundland is a place that feeds his heart and is somewhere I’d enjoy living despite the wintery depths.

Many thanks to the author for this ARC
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

RCMP officer Winston Windflower is looking forward to a rare afternoon off in Grand Bank. But when a routine hit-and-run quickly turns into a murder investigation, Windflower finds himself pulled into something far more dangerous than anyone expected, something that includes a trail of fentanyl, money, and bodies stretching across provincial lines. The case turns personal for Windflower when a fellow Mountie is kidnapped. Windflower has to make a choice between trusting the system, or trusting his instincts.

This was another excellent entry in this long-running series about a food loving Mountie, his coworkers, and his family. This series has the perfect balance of police procedural, family life, food, philosophy, topical, realistic crime, and a little bit of magic (dream visits from those Windflower dearly loves). There’s enough grit to keep me interested, but not so much that I can’t sleep, or that I regret reading the book. The hard parts are balanced by good friendships and uplifting conversation and hope.

I eagerly await the next book in the series. I find these best read in order.

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Change in Plans is the seventeenth book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series by Mike Martin and even though this series is set in Grand Bank, a small town in Canada and I live in New York in the United States, I always feel like I'm home when reading these books. The town and the people are so familiar to me that I thoroughly enjoy my time while the book is open ... and if I'm being honest, I'm always a little sad when I finish the book.

In A Change in Plans main character Sgt. Windflower is, as always, busy with his job and his home life but you won't hear him complaining too much about either. While he is enjoying a little alone time picking berries so his wife, Sheila can bake something yummy, he gets interrupted with a call from an employee to report a hit and run at a local Walmart. This hit and run will eventually take him and his team into something much bigger.

After the victim of the hit and run dies, she is linked to someone in town that gets himself into some hot water that ends up boiling over when drugs and a significant amount of money is found in his house. Windflower's team is very good at their jobs and before long they have uncovered a lot more than they expected but they will handle it like the champs that Windflower knows them to be.

Even when Windflower is under pressure, he seems so cool and collected, and residents of Grand Bank and the surrounding areas will be safer because of that. He always makes sure of that.

Readers cannot help but enjoy this series. Even though there are some nail biting, adrenaline pumping things going on, it is balanced out by the personal parts of the story. Yes, Windflower could be chasing down a killer or a drug dealer, but he is always grounded with his wife and two daughters, his friends and his community. I personally enjoy when he does his smudging and reconnects with his deceased Auntie and Uncle and gives back to the earth.

One piece of advice that I will give readers, which I probably have in the past, is make sure you have a snack handy when reading this series. Martin loves his food and sharing it with readers. I, for one, am planning on having fish for dinner tonight because of that.

[Joanne Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

With "A Change In Plans", the 17th book in the series, Mike Martin has carefully crafted another excellent mystery, blending intrigue, family, friendship, community and food.

From the very beginning of the series, RCMP Sgt. Windflower has been at the heart of his community - Grand Bank, Newfoundland; and he continues to build up, adding new characters instrumental to the stories (and sometimes saying goodbye to beloved friends) - and this book is no different.

In A Change in Plans, a routine hit-and-run rapidly becomes a murder investigation and then something far more dangerous than anyone expected- a trail of fentanyl, money, and bodies stretching across provincial lines.

With Mounties from Newfoundland and Labrador, and joining forces with police in southern Ontario, Windflower and his team work diligently to dismantle an international drug-smuggling ring operating in the shadows.

When things get seriously out of hand - including the kidnapping of one of their own - Windflower faces one of the most difficult moments of his career: trust the system or trust his instincts.

With time running out and lives on the line, and emotions running high - Windflower must lean on his team, his training, and the steadfast support of his family and community. Because in Grand Bank, loyalty runs deep and no one gets left behind.

This entry into the series never lets you down, and everything you’ve come to expect from a Winston Windflower novel is there.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very beginning of A Change in Plans by author Mike Martin instantly transports us into Sgt. Winston Windflower’s life in Grand Bank, Newfoundland. He is picking blueberries, so you know there will be a recipe coming up, delicious food and family time. We are reminded that Windflower is a husband, a father, and an RCMP officer - in that order.

A Change in Plans is the 17th book in the Sgt. Winston Windflower Mysteries series. As always author Martin give us perfect balance: small-town life with up-close and personal looks at relationships and activities with friends, family and co-workers both present and departed, happy, funny, sad and poignant times set against the reality of the drugs, crime, violence and unsavory characters that also exist in idyllic small towns and commit acts that are devastating and life-changing.

It seems that over the course of the series the crimes have gotten more severe and serious. Not surprising but sobering and done very well by the author. Winston Windflower at this point is an experienced officer, a strong, mature man fully capable of confronting these dangers. There are repeat offenders in Grand Bank and those he has arrested in the past who carry grudges and seek revenge, but Windflower’s goal is to see justice done. He is fair and always tries to give the benefit of the doubt but doesn’t hesitate to make the tough decisions or confront the danger head-on, resulting in some very suspenseful scenes and heart-pounding action.

In addition to being an experienced Mountie, Winston is by now a husband of ten years with a growing family. His wife Sheila is the love of his life and his rock. I wouldn’t say she is ever going to be happy about the danger he faces but she is always there to support him and can tell when he needs a bit more TLC. She also keeps him on his toes and doesn’t let him take himself too seriously. When he tells her something she said is the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to him her comeback is “Boy, have you led a sheltered life,” and when he enthuses that he has the hottest date in Grand Bank she advises, “Better go a bit bigger than that, I’ve seen all the competition.” Their daughters – and pets – round out the family life and balance out the heart-pounding with heartwarming. Family grounds him. He’s a fun dad and we get a glimpse of young, playful Winston when he’s with them. They let the girls act like real children, not the picture of well-behaved all the time, and in this book Stella is really pushing it about that phone.

A Change in Plans is tense and thrilling, beginning with a deadly hit-and-run and the discovery of dangerous drugs and drug lords present in Grand Bank and continuing with the kidnapping of an RCMP officer, murder, broken promises, treachery and implications that go far beyond Newfoundland.

Against this, perfectly balanced as noted above is the day in the life of Sgt. Winston Windflower. Everything you need to know is in each book; the story is complete and satisfying but if you’ve read the series from the beginning you’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of all the stages of life, love and loss that have brought Windflower to where he is today, that have made him the man he is today. The smudging, the dreams that always have meaning but are also often witty and funny, where Windflower visits with his aunt and uncle and old friend Vijay. There are the Shakespeare quotes with Ron, the classical music with Herb, the times on and off the job with friends and fellow officers, and of course the food. Always the food. Whether it’s at the café, at Winston’s backyard barbeque or in roast beef heaven, one of his most favourite places in the world, or in the kitchen with Sheila and a casserole, food is front and center. Comforting and delicious. All of this makes you feel as if you are coming home, once again spending time with a man you’ve come to respect and appreciate and enjoy.

I received an advance copy of A Change in Plans from the author and I was excited to immerse myself in Windflower’s World once again. I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, recommend it without hesitation and cannot wait for the next adventure in Grand Bank. Or one of author Mike Martin’s other books of poetry or children’s stories. All wonderful, satisfying reads. I voluntarily leave this review all opinions are my own.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Together we are much stronger than trying to fight on our own’ – A Superb novel!

Canadian author Mike Martin, born in Newfoundland, is a well-known freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand. His books include Change the Things You Can: Dealing with Difficult People as well as his ongoing series The Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series of which A CHANGE IN PLANS is the 17th volume. He lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario.

With a nod to readers for whom this may be the first adventure in this award winning series, Mike opens with an intro that informs well: ‘Summer was nearing its end in the small town of Grand Bank on the eastern shore of Canada, Winston Windflower, husband, father and RCMP officer was enjoying some quiet time while his wife, Sheila Hillier, and their two girls, Amelia Louise and Stella, were in St. John’s for their annual back-to-school shopping spree…’ Characters focused, the plot is well condensed: ‘A quiet afternoon. A deadly hit-and-run. And a case that reaches far beyond Newfoundland’s shores. RCMP officer Winston Windflower is looking forward to a rare afternoon off in Grand Bank. But when a routine hit-and-run quickly turns into a murder investigation, Windflower finds himself pulled into something far more dangerous than anyone expected. What begins as a local tragedy soon reveals a trail of fentanyl, money, and bodies stretching across provincial lines. Windflower assembles a team of Mounties from Newfoundland and Labrador and joins forces with police in southern Ontario to dismantle an international drug-smuggling ring operating in the shadows. But the case turns deeply personal when fellow Mountie Fil Romano is kidnapped. As negotiations unfold and higher-ups at HQ consider granting safe passage to powerful drug lords in exchange for Romano’s life, Windflower faces one of the most difficult moments of his career. Trust the system or trust his instincts. With time running out and lives on the line, Windflower must lean on his team, his training, and the steadfast support of his family and community. Because in Grand Bank, loyalty runs deep and no one gets left behind.’

This is one finely written mystery, complete with all the aspects of mature writing that allow the description to be a ‘cozy mystery: it has it all. Very highly recommended!

[James Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Martin’s A Change of Plans is exactly the kind of story longtime Windflower readers hope for: a quiet, steadying novel that trusts in the power of community, kindness, and the small decisions that shape a life. It’s a book that doesn’t shout for attention—it simply invites you in, sets the kettle on, and lets you settle into a world where decency still matters.

At the heart of the story is a turning point—one of those deceptively simple crossroads where a character must choose between the familiar and the unknown. Martin handles this with his signature gentleness. There’s no melodrama, no forced tension. Instead, he gives us the emotional truth of change: the hesitation, the hope, the tug of responsibility, and the quiet courage it takes to step forward.

What makes the novel shine is Martin’s deep affection for his characters. They’re not flawless heroes; they’re people doing their best, sometimes stumbling, sometimes surprising themselves. The relationships—family, friendship, community—feel lived‑in and honest. Even the smallest interactions carry a sense of warmth and humanity.

Martin’s Newfoundland setting remains one of his greatest strengths. He writes in the way some writers write music: with rhythm, memory, and a sense of belonging. The landscape isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a companion, a source of grounding, and occasionally a nudge toward the future.

While the book stands comfortably on its own, readers familiar with the Windflower series will appreciate the thematic continuity: food as comfort, community as anchor, and change as something to be met with both humility and hope. But A Change of Plans also marks a fresh chapter—quieter, more reflective, and beautifully attuned to the emotional weather of starting over.

In the end, this is a story about choosing a life that feels true. It’s tender, steady, and quietly uplifting—the kind of book that leaves you breathing a little easier.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 17th book, A Change in Plans, a Sgt Windflower mystery by Mike Martin, is another compelling read and even though I tell myself I will read it slowly, the more I read, the more I want to read, and before long the book is finished.  It will be reread again at a slower pace.

A hit and run by the Walmart in Marystown turns from a local tragedy into a murder investigation after Sgt Windflower links other crimes together. A local, Mike Winger, known to the RCMP, started random gunshots into the air and ended up being taken into custody. A search warrant revealed many things.

Sgt Windflower gets together his team to start investigating. It involves fentanyl and drug money, coming in and out to Winger and this leads to connections to the Ontario police and perhaps the source.

Another moutie, Romano, goes undercover, to help with the operation but things go wrong, and he ends up being kidnapped. 

Negotiations unfold, Windflower remains calm, and the drama continues. Windflower relies on his team and the local authorities from Ontario to get his fellow RCMP officer out safely.

I love this series and highly recommend it to others. Everyone seems real, they are loving and serious at the same time, and the plot keeps you involved right to the end.

Thanks Mike for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. If this book isn’t on your reading list, you need to add it and move it to the top.

[Margot Kinberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Martin’s A Change in Plans kept me turning pages from start to finish. It all begins with a disturbance at the home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland resident Mike Winger. For Acting Inspector Winston Windflower, it’s supposed to be a simple matter of keeping the peace. But it ends up in a dangerous case of international crime and murder. The pacing and timing keep the suspense going and the reader interested.

But the crime plot is only one part of this excellent, uniquely Newfoundland, novel. It’s also a delightful look at life in small-town Newfoundland, complete with delicious food, fun, and local culture. The novel addresses the sobering reality of crimes like drug smuggling and gangs without sugar-coating them. At the same time, it shows that life offers joy, too, in the form of family, friendships, love, laughter, and community. Windflower himself is appealing. He’s a fully fleshed-out and multidimensional character who’s devoted to his family and his community and does his best for both. The other characters are also well developed and interesting. Regular readers of this series will enjoy spending time with the residents of Grand Bank and Marystown, and with the Windflower family. Those new to the series will enjoy meeting the characters and getting to know them. Highly recommended!

[Janice Spina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Change in Plans is another book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series with this likeable and memorable character, Windflower. He is once again on a case that calls for his expertise and patience in solving another crime. One of his own men is in danger when he is kidnapped and pushes Windflower and the rest of the department to rescue him before he is harmed.

This story not only involves Windflower in his role at RMP but also shares his home life with his wife and two daughters. The author shares some recipes of some of the meals that Windflower has with his family.

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 wonderful series that I thoroughly enjoyed!

[Kelly Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Change in Plans, the 17th book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series by Mike Martin, is another fascinating and atmospheric book that keeps you turning the pages to the very end.
The crimes to be solved this time around grows from a relatively simple shooting off of a shotgun in public by a grumpy resident to the more complex drug trafficking and kidnapping that crosses borders, and the reader is swept along for the ride. Balancing out the intensity are the now familiar times between Windflower and his family, his cultural practices, and his interactions with his friends and coworkers.
Martin examines the effects of grief on a person, and the importance of support from those around him, providing a poignant contrast to the growing intensity of the mystery.
Thank you to the author for the ARC of this excellent new installment of the series.

[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Change in Plans was honestly a great book to read in my free time. It made me think about how people stay loyal to dead plans way longer than they should. That part hit hard because I’ve done it too. Stayed in situations just because I already spent years trying. A relationship that was clearly over. A career path that looked good on paper but made me feel numb every Monday morning.
The part about identity collapsing was brutal, but real. Life does that to people all the time. You think you are your degree, your salary, your role in the family, the person holding everything together, then one thing changes and suddenly you don’t even know who you are anymore.
This book reminded me that being lost is not always a tragedy. Sometimes it’s the moment the fake map stops working. And good. Some maps deserve to fail.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

RCMP officer Winston Windflower has had many high-stakes adventures. Now, he is all set to enjoy an afternoon off in Grand Bank. However, there’s a hit and run accident that causes Windflower to leap into action. Now, he’s been tipped off that there’s massive criminal activity taking place, with drugs and dirty money at its center. He puts together a team of Mounties from Labrador and Newfoundland to combat a drug-smuggling ring.

When a Mountie is kidnapped, it further complicates matters. As the tension keeps increasing, the action reaches a fever pitch. This author knows how to keep the plot moving swiftly to keep readers hooked. You will enjoy spending time with Windflower, a hero who’s clever, brave, and endlessly resourceful.

[Jo Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author. I appreciate Mike Martin's generosity and always enjoy reading about Sgt. Windflower and his family.

A Change in Plans is the latest Sgt. Windflower mystery. Windflower is a RCMP officer living and working in Newfoundland. This episode features a dangerous drug empire that stretches across several provinces and across North America. The action ramps up when one of Windflower's officers is kidnapped by the gang. Lives are at stake!

Perhaps as important as the case, Martin's books always contain interesting family dynamics and the relationship between Sgt. Windflower and his community and fellow officers. The reader feels that they know the family and would like to just "drop in" for a visit.

[Charlie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

By book 17, you either know Windflower or you don't. If you do, this one feels like going home, familiar faces, the quiet rhythm of Grand Falls, and whatever small-town trouble is brewing this time around. What I liked most is that the series keeps finding small, human things to put at the center of the story, a family meal, a conversation that goes wrong, a moment of unexpected kindness. The mystery sits inside that world, not the other way around, and this is what makes the series unique. If you're new to the series, start at the beginning. But if you've been here a while, book 17 is exactly what you'd want it to be.

[May G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Efforts

The true strength of this story lies in the moral dilemma faced by its protagonist when the political upper echelons clash with the reality on the ground. In a scenario where time is running out and a colleague is in danger, instinct and trust in the team become more valuable than any office protocol. It is a satisfying read, both for its rigor in criminal procedure and for its portrayal of life in a close-knit community, where shared meals and solidarity provide the necessary counterpoint to the darkness of organized crime. A clever plot that reminds us that, at the end of the day, justice is a collective endeavor.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be my favorite one yet. This is book 17 in the Sgt. Windflower series and it's another great read about life in Canada and a member of the RCMP. Winston is enjoying a day off when a hit and run accident turns deadly and begins an investigation into the fentanyl trade trafficking through his small town of Nova Scotia. I really enjoy the wisdom and ancestor knowledge Winston gets through his dreams with his ancestors. He's come a long way from his bachelor days with his wife and two daughters. I recommend all the books in the series but this one stands out.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful visit with Windflower and the gang, always good to be back.