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The Retirees: Retirement has never felt so deadly
Welcome to the idyllic yet eccentric retirement community of The Ocean’s Edge—where retirement has never felt so deadly.
Disco is dead, there’s a serial killer on the loose, the coffin dodgers are solving cold cases, and only the neighborhood cat knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried.
When sharp-tongued sugar heiress Diana is ousted from the empire she helped build, she retreats to a posh 55+ paradise expecting peace, maybe even a pool boy. Instead, she finds a ragtag group of retirees with a knack for solving cold cases—and a disturbing knack for attracting new ones. She quickly finds herself entangled with this quirky yet capable team of senior sleuths: a psychic, tarot-reading twin duo, a retired detective, a conspiracy-minded tech guru, and a nurse who might just talk to animals.
Among tarot cards, a talking cat, and dark web dives, this misfit crew uncovers more than just bingo night secrets. Because in a place this sunny, the shadows run deep, and someone at The Ocean’s Edge has blood on their hands.
As the group begins investigating cold cases, darker truths emerge, uncovering clues that tie back to mysterious pasts, hidden traumas, and residents with more secrets than memories.
Hilarious, heartwarming, and deliciously twisted, The Retirees is a witty, tightly woven, charming, cozy mystery that reminds us it’s never too late for redemption, reinvention, or revenge—and that sometimes the most unexpected heroes come with walkers, wisdom, and wildly colorful personalities.
Disco is dead, there’s a serial killer on the loose, the coffin dodgers are solving cold cases, and only the neighborhood cat knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried.
When sharp-tongued sugar heiress Diana is ousted from the empire she helped build, she retreats to a posh 55+ paradise expecting peace, maybe even a pool boy. Instead, she finds a ragtag group of retirees with a knack for solving cold cases—and a disturbing knack for attracting new ones. She quickly finds herself entangled with this quirky yet capable team of senior sleuths: a psychic, tarot-reading twin duo, a retired detective, a conspiracy-minded tech guru, and a nurse who might just talk to animals.
Among tarot cards, a talking cat, and dark web dives, this misfit crew uncovers more than just bingo night secrets. Because in a place this sunny, the shadows run deep, and someone at The Ocean’s Edge has blood on their hands.
As the group begins investigating cold cases, darker truths emerge, uncovering clues that tie back to mysterious pasts, hidden traumas, and residents with more secrets than memories.
Hilarious, heartwarming, and deliciously twisted, The Retirees is a witty, tightly woven, charming, cozy mystery that reminds us it’s never too late for redemption, reinvention, or revenge—and that sometimes the most unexpected heroes come with walkers, wisdom, and wildly colorful personalities.
300 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2026
25 people are currently reading
9261 people want to read
About the author
Leah Orr
17 books362 followersLeah Orr, a resident of Jensen Beach, Florida, is not just a mother and wife, but also a #1 best-selling Amazon children’s author and thriller novelist. Her success in the literary world is evident in her 17 published books, each one a testament to her storytelling prowess.
Leah donates the profits from her books to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Upon learning that her daughter Ashley was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (while still in the womb), Orr knew she wanted to do something special. With some input from her mother and three daughters, it was decided that she'd write books to benefit the (CF) Foundation. The Orr Family has raised over $1,400,000 over the past 22 years to help find a cure.
Leah has recently been featured on ABC’s Health Watch, NBC Today South Florida, CBS South Florida, CBS This Morning Virginia, NBC the 10! Show Philadelphia, Fox 4 News Morning Blend, National Syndicated, “The Daily Buzz”, and Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act.”
Leah has been featured in Publications such as: Forbes Magazine, Medical News Today, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel, etc. Ashley was also a recipient of Oprah’s generosity in “The Big Give”.
Books by Leah Orr include children’s books: Goodnight, Molly, Messy Tessy, It Wasn’t Me, Kyle’s First Crush, & Kyle’s First Playdate. Her thrillers include The Executive Suite, The Bartender, The Champagne Toast, and #1 Amazon Bestseller, The She Shed, and The Fruitcake. Coming soon: The Retirees
Orr and her husband were recently nominated as one of Florida’s Finest Couples by the CF Foundation and included in “IN THE SPOTLIGHT on CFF.ORG. Leah was also nominated as one of Broward County’s top 100 Outstanding Women. Orr grew up in Boston, MA, and is a graduate of the University of Miami.
More information is available at www.leahorr.com
Leah donates the profits from her books to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Upon learning that her daughter Ashley was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (while still in the womb), Orr knew she wanted to do something special. With some input from her mother and three daughters, it was decided that she'd write books to benefit the (CF) Foundation. The Orr Family has raised over $1,400,000 over the past 22 years to help find a cure.
Leah has recently been featured on ABC’s Health Watch, NBC Today South Florida, CBS South Florida, CBS This Morning Virginia, NBC the 10! Show Philadelphia, Fox 4 News Morning Blend, National Syndicated, “The Daily Buzz”, and Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act.”
Leah has been featured in Publications such as: Forbes Magazine, Medical News Today, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel, etc. Ashley was also a recipient of Oprah’s generosity in “The Big Give”.
Books by Leah Orr include children’s books: Goodnight, Molly, Messy Tessy, It Wasn’t Me, Kyle’s First Crush, & Kyle’s First Playdate. Her thrillers include The Executive Suite, The Bartender, The Champagne Toast, and #1 Amazon Bestseller, The She Shed, and The Fruitcake. Coming soon: The Retirees
Orr and her husband were recently nominated as one of Florida’s Finest Couples by the CF Foundation and included in “IN THE SPOTLIGHT on CFF.ORG. Leah was also nominated as one of Broward County’s top 100 Outstanding Women. Orr grew up in Boston, MA, and is a graduate of the University of Miami.
More information is available at www.leahorr.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Dating after seventy is like trying to find the least damaged thing in a thrift store that doesn't smell."
The Retirees was exactly what I wanted from The Thursday Murder club, a bunch of seniors solving a mystery with a whole lot of witty banter. I felt Thursday Murder Club missed on the humor front, which is what The Retirees got right. It reminded me of the underrated short lived sitcom The Cool Kids. With an extra fun character Mr Anderson, the feisty cat.
The Retirees is a fun cozy mystery, where the seniors are super sleuths cracking cold cases. There is a ton of fun dialogue and I found myself often laughing out loud.
I do wish it was longer to have more character development and a greater focus on one mystery so that we could go deep into one storyline.
The Retirees was exactly what I wanted from The Thursday Murder club, a bunch of seniors solving a mystery with a whole lot of witty banter. I felt Thursday Murder Club missed on the humor front, which is what The Retirees got right. It reminded me of the underrated short lived sitcom The Cool Kids. With an extra fun character Mr Anderson, the feisty cat.
The Retirees is a fun cozy mystery, where the seniors are super sleuths cracking cold cases. There is a ton of fun dialogue and I found myself often laughing out loud.
I do wish it was longer to have more character development and a greater focus on one mystery so that we could go deep into one storyline.
September 26, 2025
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. WOW! What a fun read. I read this in one day. I could not put it down! Senior sleuths....a talking cat....I laughed out loud so many times. I smiled my way through this whole book. By the end, I felt like these characters were my friends and I hated to leave them behind. I hope there will be a sequel.
December 2, 2025
Leah Orr is an instant read for me. I received this as an ARC and I was so excited! I was not at all surprised that I loved this book. This book was fast paced, the plot was entertaining and it also had some funny parts in it. The characters were well developed (there’s even a talking cat), it was cozy and takes place in my favorite place (Florida). I felt the storyline was original and creative. It’s definitely worth the read!
October 6, 2025
The Retirees by Leah Orr
Publication Date: January 5, 2026
I received an ARC of this paperback. It was an absolute delight from start to finish. Set in a quirky Florida retirement community, the story follows a group of eccentric senior sleuths and a talking cat as they tackle cold cases with humor and ingenuity. The characters are wonderfully developed, their banter and unconventional problem-solving adding levity even in tense moments. I especially enjoyed the creative “swear words” they’re forced to invent due to HOA fines, which added a clever touch of humor.
The mystery itself is engaging, with several smaller puzzles woven into the larger storyline, and the ending delivered a twist I didn’t see coming. Lighthearted yet full of surprises, this book balances fun, heart, and suspense seamlessly. As a bonus, the coffee recipes and short horror story included at the end made for an even richer reading experience.
A quick, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable read—I sincerely hope there will be more stories featuring this unforgettable group.
Publication Date: January 5, 2026
I received an ARC of this paperback. It was an absolute delight from start to finish. Set in a quirky Florida retirement community, the story follows a group of eccentric senior sleuths and a talking cat as they tackle cold cases with humor and ingenuity. The characters are wonderfully developed, their banter and unconventional problem-solving adding levity even in tense moments. I especially enjoyed the creative “swear words” they’re forced to invent due to HOA fines, which added a clever touch of humor.
The mystery itself is engaging, with several smaller puzzles woven into the larger storyline, and the ending delivered a twist I didn’t see coming. Lighthearted yet full of surprises, this book balances fun, heart, and suspense seamlessly. As a bonus, the coffee recipes and short horror story included at the end made for an even richer reading experience.
A quick, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable read—I sincerely hope there will be more stories featuring this unforgettable group.
January 13, 2026
Sugar, Sugar
A review of the Orrplace Press eBook (January 5, 2026) released simultaneously with the hardcover / paperback.
I took a chance on The Retirees because it sounded like a fun version of The Thursday Murder Club series. I find the latter to be somehow too convoluted and I've never really warmed to it, abandoning it after the first few books. The Retirees is not exactly a feisty elders book as it often gets into much more cozy and fluffy territory. It does have its dark edges though with its combination of cold cases and present day murders inside the community. It was definitely fun and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The final sentence of the first chapter will definitely surprise you and bring a smile to your face.
74-year-old forcibly retired Florida sugar empire heiress Diana joins the 55+ community of The Ocean's Edge, which consists of townhouses and apartments around a central country club. She soon makes friends with several further retirees who investigate cold cases. They are led by one member who, due to past law enforcement experience, has contacts and access to official police records. Several cases are solved very easily through the combined talents and connections of the group.
Meanwhile, one vigilante member of the community appears to be writing their memoirs, consisting of the stories of the criminals and / or rude people they've eliminated over their lifetime. But suddenly members of the community itself start being targeted. These victims appear to have been innocents. Will the cold case club solve the current murder spree as well?
Even though it was on the lighter side, I thoroughly enjoyed The Retirees as a refreshing take on the recent trend of seniors solving crimes. In a rather clever loss-leader marketing move, the eBook edition is selling for only .99 cents at Amazon and Kobo (this is still as of January 13, 2026 i.e. a week after the book's release).
Soundtrack
There are countless song references throughout this book, especially during a disco dance evening organized at the country club. In case you feel nostalgic about the 1970s-1980s disco era you can listen to a Spotify playlist of 78 tracks at The Best Disco Songs of All Time.
The playlist does not include Sugar, Sugar by The Archies from 1969 which pre-dates the disco era but which inspired my title lede-header. You can listen to it on YouTube here.
Trivia and Link
Leah Orr is an independent author with her own publishing imprint Orrplace Press. She writes both children's fiction and mystery novels. All of the profits from book sales are donated to Cystic Fibrosis. Read further at her website here.
A review of the Orrplace Press eBook (January 5, 2026) released simultaneously with the hardcover / paperback.
It’s an aging thing; the youngsters wouldn’t understand. As you age, the outer shell never matches the youth within.
I took a chance on The Retirees because it sounded like a fun version of The Thursday Murder Club series. I find the latter to be somehow too convoluted and I've never really warmed to it, abandoning it after the first few books. The Retirees is not exactly a feisty elders book as it often gets into much more cozy and fluffy territory. It does have its dark edges though with its combination of cold cases and present day murders inside the community. It was definitely fun and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The final sentence of the first chapter will definitely surprise you and bring a smile to your face.
74-year-old forcibly retired Florida sugar empire heiress Diana joins the 55+ community of The Ocean's Edge, which consists of townhouses and apartments around a central country club. She soon makes friends with several further retirees who investigate cold cases. They are led by one member who, due to past law enforcement experience, has contacts and access to official police records. Several cases are solved very easily through the combined talents and connections of the group.
Meanwhile, one vigilante member of the community appears to be writing their memoirs, consisting of the stories of the criminals and / or rude people they've eliminated over their lifetime. But suddenly members of the community itself start being targeted. These victims appear to have been innocents. Will the cold case club solve the current murder spree as well?
Even though it was on the lighter side, I thoroughly enjoyed The Retirees as a refreshing take on the recent trend of seniors solving crimes. In a rather clever loss-leader marketing move, the eBook edition is selling for only .99 cents at Amazon and Kobo (this is still as of January 13, 2026 i.e. a week after the book's release).
Soundtrack
There are countless song references throughout this book, especially during a disco dance evening organized at the country club. In case you feel nostalgic about the 1970s-1980s disco era you can listen to a Spotify playlist of 78 tracks at The Best Disco Songs of All Time.
The playlist does not include Sugar, Sugar by The Archies from 1969 which pre-dates the disco era but which inspired my title lede-header. You can listen to it on YouTube here.
Trivia and Link
Leah Orr is an independent author with her own publishing imprint Orrplace Press. She writes both children's fiction and mystery novels. All of the profits from book sales are donated to Cystic Fibrosis. Read further at her website here.
January 15, 2026
Diana, 74, has just been forced to retire and is no longer the reigning "sugar queen". She's decided to move to The Ocean's Edge, a 55+ retirement community. As soon as she arrives, she finds a group of retirees who drink spiked coffee out of fun mugs and solve cold cases. She's immediately drawn to the group and becomes a welcome additon. They're definitely a unique bunch and they seem to get the job done. Meanwhile, there have been deaths in their community. Everyone assumes the deaths are due to natural causes, but there seems to be something peculiar about them. Is someone causing the deaths, and if so, why are they doing it?
Told from the POV of Diana, Mr. Anderson (the resident cat), and Theo (a vigilante killer), this was such a great cozy mystery! It was SO much fun to read! It was short and totally addictive! The pacing was on point, and the story had me totally hooked! I loved getting to know the colorful cast of characters and finding out what kind of spiked coffee they were drinking, not to mention the snarky sayings on their mugs every morning. There was an intriguing mystery and even a little romance. The cat's POV was definitely a unique twist, and I loved that the MC's name was the same as mine. If you're looking for a highly entertaining, humorous, engaging cozy, this is it! I enjoyed this so much and definitely recommend it!🩷
Told from the POV of Diana, Mr. Anderson (the resident cat), and Theo (a vigilante killer), this was such a great cozy mystery! It was SO much fun to read! It was short and totally addictive! The pacing was on point, and the story had me totally hooked! I loved getting to know the colorful cast of characters and finding out what kind of spiked coffee they were drinking, not to mention the snarky sayings on their mugs every morning. There was an intriguing mystery and even a little romance. The cat's POV was definitely a unique twist, and I loved that the MC's name was the same as mine. If you're looking for a highly entertaining, humorous, engaging cozy, this is it! I enjoyed this so much and definitely recommend it!🩷
December 18, 2025
Special thanks to Leah Orr for the arc. This is my second book from this author and she doesn’t disappoint. If you like cozy mysteries that are fast paced with fun characters then this is for you. I loved Mr. Anderson, the communication was unmatched. Towards the end of the book you get some coffee drink recipes to keep the vibes going which I thought was a really cute touch as well.
December 8, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up!
A huge thank you to @leahorr723 for the gifted copy!
Pub date: January 5th, 2026
"𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺. 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥."
An elderly community murder mystery told from the POV of a cat, the sugar heiress, and the killer himself? You bet your ass I was SOLD!
I had such a fun time getting to know the residents of The Oceans Edge community. Diana and Bill reminded me so much of my grandparents with their constant back and forth banter. Carol was my spirit animal, her relationship with Mr.Anderson, the community cat, melted my heart. And let's not forget about the psychic twins?! There truly wasn't a character in this story that was hateable, dear I say, even the killer 🙊
I’m not usually a cozy mystery fan, but the witty humor throughout completely won me over. There’s just something irresistible about a group of crime solving seniors who start their mornings with spiked coffee. And it gets better, Leah gives you the mouthwatering recipes of them all at the end of the book!
If you liked The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre, but wanted more cozy vibes, this is the perfect next read for you!
*Leah donates all profits from the sale of her books to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation*
𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚...
☕elderly sleuths
🐈psychic characters
🪩witty humor
💉talking cats
A huge thank you to @leahorr723 for the gifted copy!
Pub date: January 5th, 2026
"𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺. 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥."
An elderly community murder mystery told from the POV of a cat, the sugar heiress, and the killer himself? You bet your ass I was SOLD!
I had such a fun time getting to know the residents of The Oceans Edge community. Diana and Bill reminded me so much of my grandparents with their constant back and forth banter. Carol was my spirit animal, her relationship with Mr.Anderson, the community cat, melted my heart. And let's not forget about the psychic twins?! There truly wasn't a character in this story that was hateable, dear I say, even the killer 🙊
I’m not usually a cozy mystery fan, but the witty humor throughout completely won me over. There’s just something irresistible about a group of crime solving seniors who start their mornings with spiked coffee. And it gets better, Leah gives you the mouthwatering recipes of them all at the end of the book!
If you liked The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre, but wanted more cozy vibes, this is the perfect next read for you!
*Leah donates all profits from the sale of her books to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation*
𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚...
☕elderly sleuths
🐈psychic characters
🪩witty humor
💉talking cats
January 8, 2026
The Ocean's Edge has everything you could need in a retirement community and then some. When Diana is ousted from her empire in the sugar business that she helped build, she makes the leap and moves into the idyllic community. She expects to find a quiet, posh paradise. What she finds is much, much darker. She is immediately befriended by a quirky group of friends who make it their mission to solve old cases through some very unusual practices (trust me, they're unique). Everyone in the community is gearing up for a disco party, but things aren't quite as they seem. By the end of the night, it will be more than just confetti on the dancefloor.
This book has a little of everything: humor, intrigue, and a really twisty mystery that I had to solve (spoiler: I didn't solve it). The characters have big personalities and even the cat, Mr. Anderson, is a scene stealer. If you like your mysteries with a large splash of humor and served up with some very sketchy characters, then look no further. This is the book for you!
I read The Executive Suite by Leah Orr previously and really enjoyed it, and I'm glad I snagged this one that just released. I'm definitely going to be checking out more of her work!
This book has a little of everything: humor, intrigue, and a really twisty mystery that I had to solve (spoiler: I didn't solve it). The characters have big personalities and even the cat, Mr. Anderson, is a scene stealer. If you like your mysteries with a large splash of humor and served up with some very sketchy characters, then look no further. This is the book for you!
I read The Executive Suite by Leah Orr previously and really enjoyed it, and I'm glad I snagged this one that just released. I'm definitely going to be checking out more of her work!
December 5, 2025
You need to read this book! If you read her other book you’re in for another treat. Will update my full review soon but loved it
September 26, 2025
Leah Orr strikes again, with another can’t put down mystery. This one was my favorite of hers that I have read so far. It was funny and interesting. It’s an easy read and definitely got me out of my book slump. A group of retirees who all retired to The Ocean’s edge, get together to solve cold cases. What they didn’t know is that there is a murder living among them. At the start of every meeting, which usually takes place in the morning, they take turns making morning cocktails. The author added those drinks at the end of the books. I love when authors take the time to do that for readers. Excuse me while I try all these drinks.
September 26, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from the author, it does not affect my review in any way.
This was a really great read, lots of mini mysteries within the main story. I want more of the crew in future stories. The ending came as a surprise, one I didn't see coming and enjoyed.
I love the recipes for all the coffees in the back and the short story as well.
Excellent read!
This was a really great read, lots of mini mysteries within the main story. I want more of the crew in future stories. The ending came as a surprise, one I didn't see coming and enjoyed.
I love the recipes for all the coffees in the back and the short story as well.
Excellent read!
October 20, 2025
Good cozy murder mystery. Such a quick read, full of quirky characters.
Diana is entering the life of retirement and with that she is moving into a beloved community, Ocean's Edge. Ocean's Edge is home to 55+ and is a wonderful community for those entering their retirement age. Upon her arrival, she is greeted by twin sisters, Estelle and Filomena. She is quickly acquainted with the twins and introduced to Bill, Dennis and Carol. Together this group works on cold cases surrounding the community and they have a pretty impressive solve rate.
The cold case group is just for fun, until reality starts to hit too close to home, way too often. Not only are they solving cold cases, but now there are several active deaths within their own community at Ocean's Edge. Is this a result of a murderer amongst them, or are these residents really dying from "natural causes"?
Only one character knows the truth, and that would be Mr. Anderson. Unfortunately, Mr. Anderson won't be telling anyone the truth any time soon.
This is the perfect cozy murder mystery. Just enough to keep you engaged. Super quick read. Thank you to Leah Orr for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. All profits of her book sales are donated to Cystic Fibrosis research.
Diana is entering the life of retirement and with that she is moving into a beloved community, Ocean's Edge. Ocean's Edge is home to 55+ and is a wonderful community for those entering their retirement age. Upon her arrival, she is greeted by twin sisters, Estelle and Filomena. She is quickly acquainted with the twins and introduced to Bill, Dennis and Carol. Together this group works on cold cases surrounding the community and they have a pretty impressive solve rate.
The cold case group is just for fun, until reality starts to hit too close to home, way too often. Not only are they solving cold cases, but now there are several active deaths within their own community at Ocean's Edge. Is this a result of a murderer amongst them, or are these residents really dying from "natural causes"?
Only one character knows the truth, and that would be Mr. Anderson. Unfortunately, Mr. Anderson won't be telling anyone the truth any time soon.
This is the perfect cozy murder mystery. Just enough to keep you engaged. Super quick read. Thank you to Leah Orr for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. All profits of her book sales are donated to Cystic Fibrosis research.
July 23, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of this book. Wow! What a delight. A fast-paced crime caper with senior sleuths solving cold-cases. This had an ending I never would have imagined, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fun plot twist. What I loved best: The Retirees get fined by the HOA if they swear in public. They get fined a public nuisance fee, so they have to come up with creative ways to swear- so funny!
December 4, 2025
Let me scream about this book for a minute because…
😭📣 I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
When sharp-tongued heiress Diana gets pushed out of her own family empire, she retreats to a luxurious 55+ community expecting peace and maybe a cute pool boy, definitely not murder. But The Ocean’s Edge is full of surprises, including a quirky crew of retirees who secretly solve cold cases… and attract new ones. With a psychic twin duo, a retired detective, a tech conspiracy king, a nurse who might talk to animals, and a neighborhood cat who definitely knows more than he should, Diana finds herself pulled into a twisty, hilarious mystery that proves it’s never too late for chaos, friendship, or catching a killer.
I knew it was going to be good when I read the dedication.
“Dear readers, because I often receive emails from fans who enjoy my novels but don’t care for some of the language within, I cleaned this story up just for you. Until then… fuck, facility, fuck, fuck, fuck…”
☠️ Best dedication ever. This was honestly the funniest book I’ve read.
If you want a cozy murder mystery that feels like you’re hanging out with your favorite unhinged grandparents, full of dirty language (kinda), humor, heart, and plot twists, THIS is your book.
The little touches???
• the specialty mugs for each drink
• the retirees sipping spiked coffee during case discussions
• the actual drink recipes in the back of the book
• plus a bonus novella???
Oh AND all profits from Leah Orr’s books go to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which makes loving this story even sweeter.
Do yourself a favor and add The Retirees to your holiday wishlist. 🎄📚 Cozy chaos awaits.
December 30, 2025
This book is the true definition of a cozy mystery. The book’s prologue will make you laugh with the very first paragraph and then the last line of it will get you!! So what is this book about? It’s about a group of seniors at a retirement community that solves cold cases. The cast of characters is led by sugar heiress Diana. Then there’s the tarot reading twins, a nurse that can communicate with animals, a retired detective, and then of course, Mr. Anderson. These group of seniors helps solve cold cases. At the same time, there’s people dropping like flies at the retirement community. Are they related, or are these people really dying of natural causes?
Orr writes such a dynamic cast of characters and the cast makes the book. If these characters weren’t as eccentric as they are, this book would not be as good as it is. Every character is interesting and unique. They don’t really have anything much in common except for living in this community and being really great at solving cold cases.
I love that these characters are sort of reinventing themselves. It emphasizes that as you get older, you don’t have to just “wait to die, ” that even when you’re older, there are still many things that you can do. Even fall in love.
Lastly, the reveal at the end is AMAZING!!! I didn’t see that coming at all. I was kept wondering throughout the whole book what was happening at the retirement community, as Orr’s writing keeps you guessing.
This is a great read, so please make sure to pre-order it!
Orr writes such a dynamic cast of characters and the cast makes the book. If these characters weren’t as eccentric as they are, this book would not be as good as it is. Every character is interesting and unique. They don’t really have anything much in common except for living in this community and being really great at solving cold cases.
I love that these characters are sort of reinventing themselves. It emphasizes that as you get older, you don’t have to just “wait to die, ” that even when you’re older, there are still many things that you can do. Even fall in love.
Lastly, the reveal at the end is AMAZING!!! I didn’t see that coming at all. I was kept wondering throughout the whole book what was happening at the retirement community, as Orr’s writing keeps you guessing.
This is a great read, so please make sure to pre-order it!
December 27, 2025
4.5 Stars!
This was such a fun cozy mystery!
The Retirees is about a group of retirees living in a retirement community who solves cold cases while within their community more and more fellow residents keep falling dead from “natural” causes.
The group of characters are quirky and very likeable! The story is entertaining and fast-paced. You enjoy going along for the ride with them as they solve cold cases while also trying to figure out who in the community is taking out residents.
With it being under 300 pages- it is a very bingeable read - I read it all in the same day! I loved the different POVs - Diana (the newest resident), the killer, and Mr. Anderson (the cat).
Overall this book is both heartwarming and funny. Recommend reading this cozy mystery when it releases on January 5th!
Thank you to the author for this gifted copy!🫶🏼
This was such a fun cozy mystery!
The Retirees is about a group of retirees living in a retirement community who solves cold cases while within their community more and more fellow residents keep falling dead from “natural” causes.
The group of characters are quirky and very likeable! The story is entertaining and fast-paced. You enjoy going along for the ride with them as they solve cold cases while also trying to figure out who in the community is taking out residents.
With it being under 300 pages- it is a very bingeable read - I read it all in the same day! I loved the different POVs - Diana (the newest resident), the killer, and Mr. Anderson (the cat).
Overall this book is both heartwarming and funny. Recommend reading this cozy mystery when it releases on January 5th!
Thank you to the author for this gifted copy!🫶🏼
December 1, 2025
Y’all, The Retirees is a wildly fun, twisted cozy mystery where retirement comes with tarot cards, tech conspiracies, and a cat who knows all the dirt. 😎🐈⬛💀
Diana—the sharp-tongued sugar heiress I didn’t know I needed—lands in a fancy 55+ community expecting relaxation and instead gets sucked into serial-killer shenanigans with the most lovable misfit sleuth squad ever. The psychic twins? Obsessed. The retired detective? Iconic. The humor? Chef’s kiss.
Leah Orr’s writing is snappy, clever, and laugh-out-loud sharp, with just the right amount of heart and mayhem. Fast, funny, and deliciously twisted—this cozy mystery absolutely sparkles. ✨📚
Diana—the sharp-tongued sugar heiress I didn’t know I needed—lands in a fancy 55+ community expecting relaxation and instead gets sucked into serial-killer shenanigans with the most lovable misfit sleuth squad ever. The psychic twins? Obsessed. The retired detective? Iconic. The humor? Chef’s kiss.
Leah Orr’s writing is snappy, clever, and laugh-out-loud sharp, with just the right amount of heart and mayhem. Fast, funny, and deliciously twisted—this cozy mystery absolutely sparkles. ✨📚
December 10, 2025
Welcome to the retirement community of The Ocean’s Edge, where a group of seniors work on cold cases in their spare time. There’s a retired detective, a twin duo in matching tracksuits who read tarot and talk to dead people, and a talking cat. I couldn’t get enough of these quirky characters! Diana truly finds the joy in being young at heart and I love her for it.
The Retirees is an entertaining cozy mystery with heartfelt emotion, lots of laughter, and intriguing cold cases to solve. I was certain I had it figured out before the end, and I ended up being so wrong! This was such a fun, quick, and lighthearted read. There are also coffee recipes in the back I can’t wait to try ☕️
📖 Thank you Leah Orr for sending me an ARC of your book!
All profits from the sales of Leah’s books go to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 🫶🏻
The Retirees is an entertaining cozy mystery with heartfelt emotion, lots of laughter, and intriguing cold cases to solve. I was certain I had it figured out before the end, and I ended up being so wrong! This was such a fun, quick, and lighthearted read. There are also coffee recipes in the back I can’t wait to try ☕️
📖 Thank you Leah Orr for sending me an ARC of your book!
All profits from the sales of Leah’s books go to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 🫶🏻
January 17, 2026
2.75 ☆'s
Unfortunately, this one didn't really do it for me.
I'm a huge fan of similar books by another author, and I think I went into this having set the bar too high, and it just didn't hit the mark.
I wasn't overly keen on the characters themselves, with one in particular giving me really creepy old man vibes. The best character by far was the cat!
The storyline itself wasn't a bad one, and I didn't guess who was committing the murders. I feel a bit more depth to the characters would have helped along with fewer cold cases and more about the present-day murders.
An OK book as a palate cleanser.
Unfortunately, this one didn't really do it for me.
I'm a huge fan of similar books by another author, and I think I went into this having set the bar too high, and it just didn't hit the mark.
I wasn't overly keen on the characters themselves, with one in particular giving me really creepy old man vibes. The best character by far was the cat!
The storyline itself wasn't a bad one, and I didn't guess who was committing the murders. I feel a bit more depth to the characters would have helped along with fewer cold cases and more about the present-day murders.
An OK book as a palate cleanser.
October 6, 2025
The Retirees by Leah Orr is a delightful read with just the right amount of added mystery!
The story takes place at The Ocean’s Edge, an upscale retirement community in southeast Florida. A motley crew of residents welcome newcomer Diana to their boozy coffee gatherings and nighttime clubhouse parties. Diana discovers their most intriguing group activity involves detective work where they come together to solve local murder cold cases. Soon enough this eclectic group find themselves working to solve some mysterious deaths that have recently occurred right in their own community.
The book is filled with surprise twists & turns along with an abundance of warmhearted humor that keeps you engrossed until the very end! Who knew that retirement could be this much fun!
The story takes place at The Ocean’s Edge, an upscale retirement community in southeast Florida. A motley crew of residents welcome newcomer Diana to their boozy coffee gatherings and nighttime clubhouse parties. Diana discovers their most intriguing group activity involves detective work where they come together to solve local murder cold cases. Soon enough this eclectic group find themselves working to solve some mysterious deaths that have recently occurred right in their own community.
The book is filled with surprise twists & turns along with an abundance of warmhearted humor that keeps you engrossed until the very end! Who knew that retirement could be this much fun!
October 27, 2025
If you’re looking for a quick read filled with murder, mystery, and a touch of love, The Retirees by Leah Orr is a must-read. Leah does not disappoint in this witty, spicy, and funny short story about a group of retirees who take on the challenge of solving unsolved murder cases. The characters are diverse and full of surprises—and I especially loved Mr. Anderson, the clever cat who helps crack the cases.
November 26, 2025
*ARC REVIEW*
I was given this arc by the lovely Leah Orr! The premise of this book is super intriguing. Think golden girls, meets Dexter, meets only murders in the building. Plus an all knowing cat. It’s a fun a fast paced read with some great dialogue! The only thing is I wish it was a bit longer the plot and characters could become even more developed.
I was given this arc by the lovely Leah Orr! The premise of this book is super intriguing. Think golden girls, meets Dexter, meets only murders in the building. Plus an all knowing cat. It’s a fun a fast paced read with some great dialogue! The only thing is I wish it was a bit longer the plot and characters could become even more developed.
October 6, 2025
Release date Januray 5, 2026
“Retirement has never felt so deadly…” 👀
This book delivers a twisty, entertaining mystery that takes readers behind the manicured lawns and fancy facades of a luxury retirement community Ocean's Edge where secrets are as common as morning coffee and the cat Mr. Anderson seems to see and know everything that is going on. I especially enjoyed the chapters from Mr. Anderson's prospective.
I loved how the story balanced humor, suspense, and just the right amount of drama. It’s a reminder that life and danger doesn’t slow down with age.
This was a quick, easy and fun read. I'm really hoping there's a second book to continue this story
Thank you Leah Orr for this book.
“Retirement has never felt so deadly…” 👀
This book delivers a twisty, entertaining mystery that takes readers behind the manicured lawns and fancy facades of a luxury retirement community Ocean's Edge where secrets are as common as morning coffee and the cat Mr. Anderson seems to see and know everything that is going on. I especially enjoyed the chapters from Mr. Anderson's prospective.
I loved how the story balanced humor, suspense, and just the right amount of drama. It’s a reminder that life and danger doesn’t slow down with age.
This was a quick, easy and fun read. I'm really hoping there's a second book to continue this story
Thank you Leah Orr for this book.
October 24, 2025
No surprise here, Leah wrote another “can’t put it down book”!! As a retiree, this story provided me with the inspiration of knowing that retirement doesn’t have to be boring. Great cast of characters who drew you into their quirky worlds. Many twists and turns throughout that kept you guessing who the real culprit was!! Thanks for another great read Leah!!
December 21, 2025
What a fun, cozy mystery! I was so excited to read an ARC of this one, and it did not disappoint. I loved the Florida retirement-community cast of characters and the unique viewpoint from the cat. Hearing from a serial killer along the way was fascinating—dark at moments, yet oddly compelling, and you could even find yourself empathizing with their vigilante-style justice.
This story has a bit of everything: humor, some very cheeky characters, and even a little love story mixed in to boot. It was an easy, fast read—I flew through it in just a couple of sittings because I always wanted to know what would happen next. A very entertaining read with a satisfying ending!
This story has a bit of everything: humor, some very cheeky characters, and even a little love story mixed in to boot. It was an easy, fast read—I flew through it in just a couple of sittings because I always wanted to know what would happen next. A very entertaining read with a satisfying ending!
January 8, 2026
This cozy murder mystery is packed with quirky, lovable characters, and I especially adored Mr. Anderson the cat. Watching a group of retirees band together to solve cold cases was such a fun premise, especially when a murder hits a little too close to home. The story is fast paced and made for a quick, easy read that would be perfect on a plane or by the pool. While the mystery itself was predictable, I genuinely enjoyed spending time with the characters, their banter, and the puns throughout. Getting Mr. Anderson’s POV was a delight, and I loved that Diana got her HEA.
December 5, 2025
First and foremost Thank you Leah for the ARC read….
What a treat this cozy mystery was! The community was a hoot, with its disco parties and boozy coffee gatherings - the perfect place to retire, if you ask me. The characters were a lovable bunch, with their spirited personalities and quirky traits. And let's not forget the resident talking cat, psychic sisters what's not to love? The story was full of heart, humor, and unexpected twists, making it a quick and entertaining read.
What a treat this cozy mystery was! The community was a hoot, with its disco parties and boozy coffee gatherings - the perfect place to retire, if you ask me. The characters were a lovable bunch, with their spirited personalities and quirky traits. And let's not forget the resident talking cat, psychic sisters what's not to love? The story was full of heart, humor, and unexpected twists, making it a quick and entertaining read.
October 26, 2025
I really wanted to like this book, but it really fell flat for me. I am a big fan of Agatha Christie novels, so I have high expectations for any mystery book. I'm baffled by all the rave reviews of this book. The characters are not developed other than the main character, Diane. This takes place in a fancy retirement home. I found the other characters were very stereotypical, twins who wear matching track suits, the dirty old man, the retired detective. The story is told from three perspectives, Diane's, Mr. Anderson (a cat), and Theo (a murderer). The retirees spend their spare time solving cold cases, that the police can't seem to solve, and they are able to solve with just a visit to the crime scene and a few phone calls. The main murders seem like an afterthought, and we wouldn't even know about them if not for the confessions of the murderer and the cat, who seemed to be the most intelligent character. I had this one figured out long before the end.
If you want to read a good mystery with older characters, read "The Thursday Murder Club".
These opinions are my own, and I thank the author for the ARC.
If you want to read a good mystery with older characters, read "The Thursday Murder Club".
These opinions are my own, and I thank the author for the ARC.
October 20, 2025
The Retirees: Retirement Has Never Felt So Deadly by Leah Orr
Published by Orrplace Preee – thank you to the author for my gifted book.
Imagine The Golden Girls started solving cold cases, added a conspiracy theorist with a tech obsession, two tarot-reading twins, and a cat with the all-seeing gaze of a jaded bartender—and you’re still not quite prepared for The Retirees. Leah Orr has written a cozy mystery that’s sharply funny, sneakily heartfelt, and just unhinged enough to be deeply satisfying. Think Florida sunshine, boozy coffee, bodies piling up behind the shuffleboard court, and absolutely no one remembering what day it is. Perfection.
Our fearless, gloriously snarky protagonist Diana, fresh off being booted from her family’s sugar empire, lands in the pastel-walled paradise of The Ocean’s Edge—an upscale 55+ community that hides more secrets than your aunt’s casserole recipe. Diana arrives looking for peace and maybe a hot pool boy named Chad, but instead finds a ragtag group of retirees with an oddly efficient cold case club, an eye for murder, and the world’s most sarcastic community cat, Mr. Anderson, who frankly deserves his own spin-off.
What follows is a delicious mix of small-town vibes, eccentric characters, cold cases gone warm, and one very active serial killer who is 100% hiding in plain sight. Diana’s new neighbors? Each one a little strange and completely lovable. There’s Carol, the nurse who may or may not speak fluent ferret. The tarot twins, Filomena and Estelle, who see things the rest of us miss (except lottery numbers, which is unfortunate). Dennis, the conspiracy theorist with a laptop full of encrypted files and a fridge full of expired Hot Pockets. And Bill, the former detective who treats solving crimes like it’s fantasy football season.
Despite their quirks, these retirees are scarily good at what they do. They meet regularly for coffee cocktails (yes, recipes are included and yes, I want them all), solve cold cases between pool aerobics and HOA violations, and uncover more than just who stole the shuffleboard chalk. Oh, and the HOA fines residents for public swearing, which leads to the invention of entire lexicons of G-rated insults. There are more inventive curse words in this book than a season of The Good Place—and I say that as high praise.
The story structure is deceptively clever. We shift between Diana’s wry point of view, the eerily calm voice of an anonymous killer, and yes—chapters from the cat’s perspective. Mr. Anderson isn’t just there for comic relief. He sees everything, judges everyone, and somehow manages to make feline passive aggression a plot device. He’s not magical, but he’s definitely supernatural-adjacent.
As the body count in paradise rises, what starts as a fun distraction quickly becomes an urgent investigation. What’s genius here is how Orr balances the humor and the stakes. These retirees aren’t caricatures—they’re flawed, funny, lonely, fierce. There’s real trauma beneath the jokes, real secrets behind the smiles, and a tension that builds so quietly you don’t realize you’re on edge until it’s too late to stop reading.
There’s also a lovely throughline of reinvention. These characters have all lost something: power, spouses, careers, health, identity. But instead of withering away quietly with a book of crossword puzzles, they rise. They adapt. They hunt murderers with charm and vigor and homemade Irish cream. As Diana puts it, “It turns out there’s life after forced retirement. And occasionally, death.”
The writing is fast, witty, and emotionally grounded. It doesn’t linger—it struts. Dialogue sparkles, the pacing never drags, and the banter alone is worth the price of admission. Every character gets a moment to shine, even if that moment involves chasing someone with a golf cart.
Here’s the quote I’ll be quoting until the end of time:
“There’s plenty of drama with this group to keep me entertained without any commercial interruptions.”
Same, Diana. Same.
The ending hit me with a twist I absolutely did not see coming. Not just a whodunit reveal, but a genuinely emotional punch wrapped in sarcasm and cinnamon schnapps. And just when you think it’s over, you get bonus content: the boozy coffee recipes and a short horror story to go with your final chapter nightcap. Leah Orr knows how to treat her readers.
In short? This book is a cozy mystery that plays dirty—in the best way. It’s smart without trying too hard, funny without feeling forced, and unexpectedly poignant in the quiet moments between jokes. I tore through it in a single sitting and immediately wanted more. If there isn’t a sequel already in the works, I’m personally going to stage a very polite protest. Possibly involving glitter and a very upset HOA.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – For fans of Only Murders in the Building, The Thursday Murder Club, sarcastic cats, and revenge plots served warm with whipped cream and a dash of rum.
#TheRetirees #LeahOrr #CozyMystery #SeniorSleuths #RetirementCommunityCrime #MrAndersonSeesAll #BookReview #FloridaFiction #AmateurDetectives #MurderAmongPalmTrees #GoldenGirlsGoDark #BoozyCoffeeAndColdCases #NetGalleyARC #January2026Reads
Published by Orrplace Preee – thank you to the author for my gifted book.
Imagine The Golden Girls started solving cold cases, added a conspiracy theorist with a tech obsession, two tarot-reading twins, and a cat with the all-seeing gaze of a jaded bartender—and you’re still not quite prepared for The Retirees. Leah Orr has written a cozy mystery that’s sharply funny, sneakily heartfelt, and just unhinged enough to be deeply satisfying. Think Florida sunshine, boozy coffee, bodies piling up behind the shuffleboard court, and absolutely no one remembering what day it is. Perfection.
Our fearless, gloriously snarky protagonist Diana, fresh off being booted from her family’s sugar empire, lands in the pastel-walled paradise of The Ocean’s Edge—an upscale 55+ community that hides more secrets than your aunt’s casserole recipe. Diana arrives looking for peace and maybe a hot pool boy named Chad, but instead finds a ragtag group of retirees with an oddly efficient cold case club, an eye for murder, and the world’s most sarcastic community cat, Mr. Anderson, who frankly deserves his own spin-off.
What follows is a delicious mix of small-town vibes, eccentric characters, cold cases gone warm, and one very active serial killer who is 100% hiding in plain sight. Diana’s new neighbors? Each one a little strange and completely lovable. There’s Carol, the nurse who may or may not speak fluent ferret. The tarot twins, Filomena and Estelle, who see things the rest of us miss (except lottery numbers, which is unfortunate). Dennis, the conspiracy theorist with a laptop full of encrypted files and a fridge full of expired Hot Pockets. And Bill, the former detective who treats solving crimes like it’s fantasy football season.
Despite their quirks, these retirees are scarily good at what they do. They meet regularly for coffee cocktails (yes, recipes are included and yes, I want them all), solve cold cases between pool aerobics and HOA violations, and uncover more than just who stole the shuffleboard chalk. Oh, and the HOA fines residents for public swearing, which leads to the invention of entire lexicons of G-rated insults. There are more inventive curse words in this book than a season of The Good Place—and I say that as high praise.
The story structure is deceptively clever. We shift between Diana’s wry point of view, the eerily calm voice of an anonymous killer, and yes—chapters from the cat’s perspective. Mr. Anderson isn’t just there for comic relief. He sees everything, judges everyone, and somehow manages to make feline passive aggression a plot device. He’s not magical, but he’s definitely supernatural-adjacent.
As the body count in paradise rises, what starts as a fun distraction quickly becomes an urgent investigation. What’s genius here is how Orr balances the humor and the stakes. These retirees aren’t caricatures—they’re flawed, funny, lonely, fierce. There’s real trauma beneath the jokes, real secrets behind the smiles, and a tension that builds so quietly you don’t realize you’re on edge until it’s too late to stop reading.
There’s also a lovely throughline of reinvention. These characters have all lost something: power, spouses, careers, health, identity. But instead of withering away quietly with a book of crossword puzzles, they rise. They adapt. They hunt murderers with charm and vigor and homemade Irish cream. As Diana puts it, “It turns out there’s life after forced retirement. And occasionally, death.”
The writing is fast, witty, and emotionally grounded. It doesn’t linger—it struts. Dialogue sparkles, the pacing never drags, and the banter alone is worth the price of admission. Every character gets a moment to shine, even if that moment involves chasing someone with a golf cart.
Here’s the quote I’ll be quoting until the end of time:
“There’s plenty of drama with this group to keep me entertained without any commercial interruptions.”
Same, Diana. Same.
The ending hit me with a twist I absolutely did not see coming. Not just a whodunit reveal, but a genuinely emotional punch wrapped in sarcasm and cinnamon schnapps. And just when you think it’s over, you get bonus content: the boozy coffee recipes and a short horror story to go with your final chapter nightcap. Leah Orr knows how to treat her readers.
In short? This book is a cozy mystery that plays dirty—in the best way. It’s smart without trying too hard, funny without feeling forced, and unexpectedly poignant in the quiet moments between jokes. I tore through it in a single sitting and immediately wanted more. If there isn’t a sequel already in the works, I’m personally going to stage a very polite protest. Possibly involving glitter and a very upset HOA.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – For fans of Only Murders in the Building, The Thursday Murder Club, sarcastic cats, and revenge plots served warm with whipped cream and a dash of rum.
#TheRetirees #LeahOrr #CozyMystery #SeniorSleuths #RetirementCommunityCrime #MrAndersonSeesAll #BookReview #FloridaFiction #AmateurDetectives #MurderAmongPalmTrees #GoldenGirlsGoDark #BoozyCoffeeAndColdCases #NetGalleyARC #January2026Reads
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