Rating: 5⭐️

I love this series so much. Intelligent storytelling, great characters, and unusual plot elements make this a really great series and entertaining read. 

A paranormal cozy murder mystery that takes place in a unique small town in New Zealand, the author continues to explore her fascinating town and its unique inhabitants, many of whom have secret identities and unique backgrounds. 

Including Dante, retired assassin, master wet worker, reluctant gardener and now cat owner. He’s trying to learn how to integrate into society, stop being an assassin (no small task when killers still pop up), and have a “normal life”. His small group of friends now include a neighbor and former con artist, Eleanor, and Charlie, a gardener who sees and communicates with ghosts. 

Along with his AA group/(Assassins Anonymous), Dante has a full time just getting into the day. Here it’s an Orchid Society holding a special event in the town where events of the story are set to take place.

Kuttner uses New Zealand, from its gorgeous flora and fauna, to its connection to nature and its people here with the orchid and a special moth. The moth in particular turns into a powerful and beautiful aspect of the story. 

Charlie, sweet yet deep in his beliefs connected to the land is one character who is evolving into a spectacular person.  So is Eleanor. Rock on, Scooby gang!

The writing is so good. The flow of the story is fast, and the entire book goes way too quickly because it’s over before I’m ready for it to be. 

Highly recommended. But start with the first book and then read on. Fabulous!

Love the simplicity of the covers.

Retired Assassin’s Guide (3 book series):

• The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening #1
• The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting #2
• The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Amateur Theatrics #3 – Dec 7, 2026

Buy link

 Book 2 of 3: Retired Assassin’s Guide 

Blurb 

Assassin. Gardener. Reluctant cat adoptee.

All Dante wants is to be left alone in the small New Zealand town no one’s heard of. No drama. No bodies. No questions.

But then, of course, the orchid convention comes to town, and Dante is knee deep in suspects, intrigue, and red herrings.

On top of all this, Dante must navigate a mysterious woman from his past, cat issues, and the terrifying prospect of a first date.

And he has to do it while fighting his instinct to solve problems the old-fashioned way: permanently.

The ‘Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting’ is a cosy paranormal mystery with found family, ghosts, a grumpy assassin and a sunshine gardener.

Come for the murder, stay for the cat, the gardens, and the chaos.

Publisher

Inkblot Publishing Ltd

Publication date

December 16, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

320 pages

Book 2 of 3

Retired Assassin’s Guide