Published: September 2018 by Ottawa Press and Publishing
Category: Cosy Murder/Mystery, Book Review
Darkest Before the Dawn is the latest adventure of Sgt. Winston Windflower, a Mountie who finds himself surrounded by a new family and a new life in tiny Grand Bank, Newfoundland. There are signs of trouble that may disturb his pleasant life, including a series of unsolved break-ins and the lack of supports for young people in the most trying time of their lives. But there are always good friends, good food and the sense that if we all pull together, we can find a way to get through even the darkest days.
Although Darkest Before The Dawn is the latest in a series of cosy murder/mysteries set in the small town of Grand Bank, Newfoundland, it could be read as a standalone at a push but like any series started half way through means the development of the characters and their storylines are missed.
Sergeant Winston Windflower, an RCMP officer, is a full-blooded Cree from Northern Alberta who practises the native customs of his ancestors. He begins each day with a smudging ritual and gratitude for the good in his life. Also passed down the generations is the ability to learn to experience dreams and take note of the predictions/insights they may offer. Windflower is friendly, an advocate of community policing and has won over the residents of Grand Bank, who can initially be disinclined to welcome outsiders.
Windflower and his wife, Sheila, are the proud parents of one month old Amelia Louise, and completing their lovely family is Lady, the collie. It’s a refreshing change, once in a while, to have a protagonist without issues and one who is more than happy with his lot. Windflower loves his family, his job and gets on well with most people. He and Sheila are also in the process of opening a B&B. I enjoy the way the author captures life in a small town and the interactions between the residents. The setting descriptions are lovely, food is a big part of life in Grand Bank and shown to be so.
He and Sheila prepared the vegetables together until she heard the familiar squeal of the baby monitor. She went upstairs to look after Amelia Louise while Windflower finished putting the final touched on the dinner. He loved Sunday nights most of all. It felt more like a big family dinner, the ones that you see on TV, the ones that Windflower never had growing up. But he could certainly have them now.
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thank you xx
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Oooh, a cozy mystery set in Newfoundland, I’m gonna have to share this with my friend.
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Oh good, sounds like a great place.
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Very refreshing to have a detective with a happy, stable family life! This sounds like a good series in an interesting setting. I’m intrigued to know what a “smudging ritual” is…
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It was originally a native American spiritual practice but lots of people do it now, burning sage leaves is believed to cleanse the space and aura of bad energy.
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Interesting – I must try it! 😀
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Many thanks to Cathy for reading, reviewing and sharing.
Mike Martin
Author, Sgt. Windflower Mysteries
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You’re very welcome, Mike.
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Sounds like a great read Cathy, and as you say it is a pleasant change not to have a tortured soul as a protagonist…. thanks
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Thanks, Sally
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