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 New Zealand country charm.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DWVD5XRM
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0DWVD5XRM
Review
About the only thing I know about orchids is that they are incredibly fussy plants that bloom at the store and never again - and yet this lovely mystery had me absorbed in the world of exotic orchid hunters as they hold a conference in a little town in New Zealand and one expert topples to the floor, dead. Our eclectic crew of sleuths - titular retired assassin Dante, gardener and ghost whisperer Charlie, and international woman of intrigue Eleanor - must solve the murder before conference finishes and the attendees scatter back around the globe. Joining the cast are an English Lord, an Italian scientist, a French collector, and a mysterious redhead - oh, and Inspector Avery, who is definitely on holiday and wants nothing to do with mysterious deaths and the even more mysterious Eleanor.
Written in short, engaging chapters, the characters reel you right in. I simply love to read about Dante and his struggles to maintain his no-kill streak. His former profession colours his perspective in the most entertaining manner, until a first date is approached with just as much gravity (if not more) than the murder at the conference. Oh, and his cat is getting fat.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first one or are simply a fan of cosy mysteries with a touch of the paranormal, this is definitely the book for you. As a kiwi, I also adored the little touches of home in the narrative - from the native flora and fauna, to geography, colloquialisms, and the overall vibe. I just felt the whole book was such a delightful cosy mystery about orchids, relationships, and trying really hard to not kill people.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.
Author Bio
Naomi is a writer living in New Zealand. When not busy writing or raising her twin son and daughter, she spends her free time (ha!) surfing, kitesurfing, and retrieving her shoes from Max the dog.
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