I am a long-time mystery reader, but not in general a particular fan of the “cozy”—I tend to like my mysteries on the darker side. But I just read a charming and unexpectedly funny one that made me laugh out loud while keeping me guessing.

The book is The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Gardening, by Naomi Kuttner. There is a sequel I already have queued up on my Kindle, and a third book comes out later this year, which I will most certainly pursue when
it lands.

Although I did enjoy the novelty (for me) of a story set in New Zealand, with its unique flora and fauna and different sensibilities to the more common British cozy, the real attraction of the book was its characters and their difficulty fitting in with the small-town vibe.

The title character is Dante, a former MI6 assassin who has lived a life so focused on one thing that he has no idea, in retirement, what appeals to him. He has chosen to settle in the town of Te Kohe but, despite its friendly and outgoing atmosphere, Dante is maintaining the lifestyle he learned when he was trying to fade into the background and make no impression. He is socially inept, wishes to avoid the inevitable outreach from what he perceives as intrusively nosy neighbors, and hides in his sparsely furnished house subsisting on protein shakes.

The first person to breach his privacy is Charlie Wilson, a 20-year-old gardener who is determined to continue the botanical services he provided to the former occupant (now deceased) of Dante’s house. Dante considers that he might enjoy learning something about gardening while allowing Charlie to do the heavy lifting, so he acquiesces to Charlie’s employment.

Next is an invasion by local landowner Ted Andrews, who has done his research and has decided that Dante can assist him by providing bodyguard services at an upcoming big event. Dante is less than thrilled to be called upon for this, but Ted makes a forceful case that convinces Dante the easiest route to his peaceful existence is to go along with it.

The most significant and also the most mysterious character is Eleanor Graham, who presents as a typical social manager of her small town, with a finger in every pie and extensive knowledge of all the town’s inhabitants and their foibles, but who drops hints about a past life that was vastly more exciting and certainly in some cases illegal. She fills the role of prime sleuth, although the others contribute and there is also a police presence.

The crime and ensuing mystery here are clever and not obvious; there are some unexpected twists as regards the character and abilities of the three incipient friends (and those of the villain), and the best part of the book is what I call “deadpan” humor. I was also charmed by Dante’s inadvertent acquisition of a cat whose attentions advance him towards a more human and humane outlook.

My sole complaint is that the gardening promised in the title turned out not to play much of a role in the story and, since that is what attracted me to the book in the first place, I felt this as a lack. But otherwise, a greatly entertaining lighthearted read!