This is a delightful historical mystery set in 1923 London at University College. Saffron Everleigh is an assistant in the botany department whose mentor Dr Maxwell comes under suspicion of murder after another professor’s wife is poisoned at a faculty party. With an expedition to Brazil looming, Saffron joins forces with handsome and aloof Alexander Ashton to clear Maxwell’s name in time.

I thought the mystery was fun and it definitely had the hallmarks of a cozy. The romance was a welcome touch and I would like to see this as a series. I’ve always enjoyed stories set in academia so this was in my wheelhouse. It’s a fast and fun read, and one I recommend to my historical fiction and mystery loving friends!

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lovely slow paced story about a botany student named Saffron. The story follows her as she finds herself involved in the mystery and defending her professor.
Overall I enjoyed the characters and the coziness of this story.
The romance was a nice element especially as a light summer read.
Thank you to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARCin exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this historical fiction. The story was a little slow but that’s not a bad thing. The characters are well rounded and developed.

This was an interesting start to a new historical cozy series, I enjoyed the historical setting very much. I also liked Saffron and Alexander and their chemistry/banter. The mystery was good and had several surprises along the way. All in all, a good read.

Welcome to the writing world, Kate Khavari with your debut novel, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons.

I was drawn to this book because of the gorgeous cover art and title. Anything botany related to poisons and plant toxicity is a major draw for me since my days in biochemistry, as well as my fieldwork with native plants and wildflowers.

First, as with many of the books I read for review I hardly ever read the synopsis. I was not expecting this to be a mystery of who a done it. I was expecting more plants. Soon into the book, someone is poisoned and Saffron Everleigh, a lone female research assistant in a botany department takes it upon herself to find out who and why. Along the way is a hint of romance. Seriously, what's not to love about the name Saffron?

This book is a mystery with a little plant poison toxicity woven into the story. While the plant in question the xolotl vine does not exist Kate shows readers what many scientists and researchers did in the early days - testing what they were researching themselves.

Well-written, Kate did not miss a beat with anything. Meaning some debut authors have problems with continuity. Kate nails it. This story really picks up with the ending chapters.

While set in the 1920s, it is hard to remember that people were connected to each other via landlines. I love how Kate shows this with Elizabeth's character calling the police station over and over and over. Meaning she had to be in one place over time to make all those calls. There are historical touches like this throughout the book.

The best part about the ending of this book is the possibility of a forthcoming book where Saffron takes her research skills with plant toxicity to more depth to solve more crimes. Hopefully, the romance with Alexander will grow. Plus, Saffron's dad's research has me intrigued.

If you love historical mysteries then give this debut novel a chance. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I think this is going to be a series and I sure hope so! Fans of Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby series, Andrea Penrose's "Wrexford & Sloane" and Abigail Wilson's books will find a similar feel here with Khavari's engrossing mix of British historical mystery, romance and colorful characters.

Saffron Eversleigh (her dad was a botanist, so we'll forgive her the soap opera name) works as an assistant in the botany department of a university post WW1. At a work party one night, one of the professor's wives is poisoned. Saffron's beloved boss and surrogate father is the main suspect, so she decides to investigate and clear his name. She's the only woman pushing at the glass ceiling in botanical science trying to be takien seriously. She lives with her friend Elizabeth supporting herself. She's a strong, smart feminist heroine.

Saffron befriends an ex-soldier turned biologist, Alexander Ashton, and he reluctantly begins to help her uncover the truth. Ashton is a swoony hero. He's damaged from the war but not broken. He's kind, alpha and gentlemanly. You want to see him get his HEA with Saffron.

Can they solve the crime and fall in love before Ashton has to leave for a six-month expedition? I couldn't put it down until I found out! My e-reader ran out of batteries at a critical point, and I almost cried.

I guess you could call this a cozy mystery. It's very g-rated, (lecherous department heads notwithstanding) Of course, I'm hoping the romance increases in the next book and that I won't have to wait long to read it! Ms. Khavari did a great job. My appetite is wetted for more Saffron Eversleigh mysteries!

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the ARC. It was a delight.

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is the first book in Kate Khavari's Saffron Everleigh Mystery series.. This is the first book I've read by this author. It is always exciting to start a new series. I've grown to love historical mysteries, so I was especially happy to check out this series.. This book started out slowly, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It turned out to be a fun and exciting story, and I'm looking forward to the next installment..

Saffron Everleigh, botany research assistant at the University College of London in 1923, is attending a dinner party to celebrate the University's upcoming large expedition to the Amazon. After being given champagne, Mrs. Henry, one of the professors' wives, drops to the floor, apparently poisoned by an unknown toxin. The party just got interesting! Saffron's professor, Dr. Maxwell, is the main suspect in the poisoning; unfortunately, a few days before the party he had a heated argument with Dr. Henry. After Dr. Maxwell is arrested, Saffron is determined to prove that he is not connected at all to this poisoning. With the help of Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, Saffron follows all the leads she finds, using her knowledge of botany. However, Saffron just may have put herself in the killer's sights!

Apparently Ms. Khavari did her research regarding botany, and she managed to make it interesting. Saffron was an interesting heroine. She was a woman working in a man's world (it was 1923, after all) as a research assistant. What she really wanted to do was prove her worth and be in charge of her own study. Her father had been a professor at the same University, before he was killed in The Great War; he was a big influence in her life. Saffron knew there was no way Dr. Maxwell would poison someone, and she was determined to clear his name. The inspector in charge of the investigation was not appreciative of Saffron trying to solve his case. She went above and beyond in trying to clear Maxwell, going so far as to poison herself to see how the suspected toxin worked, based on Maxwell's old notes! Alexander Ashton, a researcher at the hospital and a member of the upcoming expedition, was drawn into Saffron's investigation...and drawn to Saffron. He was a quiet, enigmatic man. Saffron charmed him and learned his secrets - he was gravely injured in the war and suffered from PTSD (referred to as shell-shocked at that time). He had improved, but still had occasional issues. He was concerned that Saffron would come to harm, and he was proven correct when he discovered she poisoned herself doing research on the case. He went from being a proper researcher to crawling on his hands and knees with Saffron in someone's guardian looking for a toxic plant! I loved the attraction between them and hope to see more when Alexander returns from the Amazon expedition. The mystery was a lot of fun once I got into it, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Supporting characters were all interesting; I especially liked Saffron's best friend and roommate Elizabeth. She was a hoot, threatening the police inspector to search for missing Saffron or she would show up at the police station in her nightgown. I'd like to see more of her in future stories. This is definitely a series I will follow!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Saffron is a wonderful heroine during a time when women weren't allowed in higher education and yet she found a way to pursue her passion of plants as a botanist. What she doesn't really expect at the university is to be witness to someone dying at a party given for her department before an important expedition. When her mentor is arrested for the murder, Saffron is determined to prove his innocence.

This is just an old-fashioned mystery that is a lot of fun. I'm hoping this is a series!

A book on plants and poison. What's there not to like?

This is the story of Saffron Everleigh as she tries her best to clear her mentor's name. He was accused of poisoning a woman who had gone on the same party that he, as well as Saffron had gone. Along the way, she garnered the help of Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher.

This mystery book is the first of its kind that I've read. After reading through other reviews, I finally pinpointed what it is: this book is a cozy mystery. There are red herrings, but the culprit was narrowed down rather quickly. It is not as suspenseful as others I've read, but it would do. It was interesting as Saffron gradually found out the answers. The romance between Alexander and Saffron continues along as the investigation does; the more time they spent together, the more obstacles they overcame together, the closer they got. But it does not overwhelm the story, and I think it was the right balance.

Both Saffron and Alexander's characters are likeable. It was interesting learning more about their stories and their past. We see here the discrimination Saffron faces as a lady researcher, and it takes a lot of determination and strength to get through all those obstacles. I feel for her, having to constantly avoid a rather perverted man who's also working at the same university. Despite all that, she is also a little too daring and overconfident, placing herself in foolish situations that, were it not for Alexander, could turn out worse than imagined. It took a while for Alexander's past to come to light, but the war did affect him a lot, and to have come so far while fighting his mental battles is a thing to admire.

As this is a cozy mystery, and the first that I've dived into, I find myself more inclined towards a more suspenseful plot. A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a little too simple for my taste, but I have no doubt that I'll seek out Saffron and her adventures again.

This review is written based on the ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.

I really liked this book and would love for this to be a series. It was a good mystery that kept me reading and wanting to pick this book up without being bloody or scary. The characters are great and even though I suspected who did it I wasn't expecting the ending.

Then, the author tied everything up nicely answering all the unanswered questions and giving some information on what might be happening next. If you are looking for a well written fun mystery this book is for you.

Being a woman with a science degree myself (I mention this often in my reviews of books that include geography as a component of the plot, since that was my field of study), I love books of the STEMinist persuasion, and this book is no exception. Part historical crime fiction and part closed loop mystery, this novel has a curious charm about it even as it reminds us of just how bad discrimination is academia was toward women in the 1920s (it’s still bad today, of course).

I’ve become a bit wary of novels taking place in the 1920s as of late, as they seem to be full of cliches and stereotypes of the decade without taking into account not everyone spoke the same, imbibed or partook of the same drinks or substances, or dressed the same. I was pleased Khvavari chose to forge a different path than a lot of authors and not indulge in the same tired cliches. It made for refreshing dialogue and thoughtful prose.

Seeing as the novel is set in 1923 London, there was no doubt Khavari was going to have characters in her novel that had either seen battle in WWI or had relatives that had been killed there. After all, between soldier deaths and civilian deaths, the UK and Northern Ireland lost nearly 1.4 million people in the war (this is, of course, nothing compared to the Russian losses or the untold number lost in the Armenian Genocide). Brothers, fathers, and sons were all lost. Estates, inheritances, and titles were all thrown into disarray. The 1920s were a time of upheaval all over the world. Khavari is sensitive to the topic without tiptoeing around it, respective without kowtowing. It was appreciated.

Lastly, I appreciated the great amount of attention paid to the importance of empirical research, even if it’s gained through less-than-ideal means. Science is nothing without methodology, people!

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for granting me early access to this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A cozy murder mystery with some dark undertones. Dealing with harassment and discrimination at work. The main characters are very likeable and it’s an easy quick read.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and entertaining book. I really enjoyed the mystery which is the heart of the story and loved seeing Saffron work through her list of suspects. I was really interested in the botany aspects that were peppered throughout the story.

🔹Read this if you’re looking for:
*a very brave and feisty heroine
*mystery! historical fiction! romance!
*cheating spouses and untrustworthy foes
*a light, cozy mystery with good banter

Set in 1923, Saffron Everleigh is attending a party for University College of London for the botany department where a woman is poisoned. Her mentor is the main suspect, and Saffron must prove he is innocent.

Saffron is a great main character. She has to deal with unfair and uncouth treatment from some men, but she is the first female research assistant at the University for good reason. She is smart, tenacious, and a brilliant botanist. These are all great skills that help her to solve this mystery with the help of another researcher Alexander Ashton. There is a romance between the two that develops as well.

I would say this mystery was well researched and had a cozy feel. The story took it's time developing characters, clues, and creating a sense of place and time with a slower pace. I really enjoyed reading the lengths Saffron would go to prove her mentor innocent. I found it to be a great summer read. I would recommend this book for those that want a great dastardly crime, a tenacious young sleuth, and a cozy feel to a mystery.

Thank you net galley for providing me with a free copy of A Botanist's Guide To Parties and Poisons in exchange for a honest review!



I'm gonna be honest it did take me a few chapters to get into this book but once I did I immediately became invested in the plot and the characters.


One of the things I mostly appreciate about this is that unlike a lot of mystery books that tell the reader through the whole book how smart the main character is,in this one our MC Saffron is shown to be extremely intelligent by working consistently, while also making some mistakes along.


Saffron and Alexander were actually an adorable couple and I loved reading about them. The background information about war trauma and the strong hinting of OCD that Alexander had were also beautifully written. Overall the characters had a lot of chemistry and I found myself often grinning at their witting dialogue.


My only issues with this was the pacing which felt a bit too rushed. I feel like a but more room for us to get a better introduction to the characters would be way better and so would a bit more complexity to the person/people responsible for the poisoning.

I really dislike the title of this book, but I really like the name of the protagonist - Saffron Everleigh. Clever, as both her father and herself are botanists, although Dad died a few years ago during World War I. Saffron is a research assistant at a London university in 1923, experiencing the problems of women in science during that time. When her long-time mentor is accused of poisoning a colleague's wife, Saffron turns her investigative skills to solving the mystery. She takes often silly chances, and enlists the help of a possible suitor, before solving the mystery. I enjoyed the scientific aspects of the story, but Saffron's amateur sleuthing did get a bit tiresome. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Books for providing an ARC.

This was absolutely a cover/title grab when I first requested it on NetGalley oh so many months ago. I love a good cover ... and a good poison. Parties? I'm more the wallflower type after the planning of the party is all said and done. Heck, I'm not even really the wallflower type. I'm more the "just let me know how it went after the fact" type ... but I still had high hopes for the book. I was most definitely not disappointed.

All of the basics, of course, are covered in the description. What it fails to mention is how enthralling Saffron is. The girl definitely has chutzpah -- much to the delight of some and the dismay of many. No one expects her to be as, well, "balls to the wall" as she is. Even her flatmate, Elizabeth, whom has known her pretty much forever is taken aback by the lengths Saff is willing to go to in order to solve the mystery at hand when the police seem determined to believe that it's as clear cut as the poisonous plant they believe was used by her mentor to do the dastardly deed. She even goes so far as to poison herself with the same plant! Minor minor spoiler ... but it's just too cool not to mention and what happens is something you'll want to read for yourself ... and then thank me for later.

Review with teaser posted at https://wellreadpiratequeen.blogspot.com/2022/06/a-botanists-guide-to-parties-and.html

"Dr. Henry glared at Blake and snatched the champagne glass from her hand. “I can pour my wife’s drink well enough, Blake.” He sloshed a dollop of liquid into her glass, refilling what he had just caused to splash out. He smiled obnoxiously at Mrs. Henry as she accepted the glass from him and took a drink.
With a cold smile to her husband, she said, “Thank you, darling.”
Then Mrs. Henry crumpled to the floor and lay quite still."

Saffron Everleigh is Dr Maxwell’s research assistant in London’s University College biology department, the only woman employed there and thus the subject of whispers. Science was making great strides in the post-war world, but 1923 was maybe not the best time to be a young woman trying to build a career in a heretofore male field. It helps that her father was a renowned biologist, but she must face serial sexism and some truly odious individuals in her quest to advance her studies and career. She finds herself facing a very different challenge, though.

"…when I taught fifth grade American history, the story of how America developed felt like a story instead of a bunch of names and dates in a book. Writing about the ‘20’s feels the same- so many things were happening as a result of World War One that influenced everyday life. Technology and science were exploding with new discoveries, women were finding their new place in the world, millions were adjusting to horrible new realities of destroyed countries, bodies, and minds, and politics were ever-changing and charged with fear and hope. It’s a fascinating time to write about." - from The Book Delight interview

When we meet Saffron, she is enduring a department party at the grand home of a major donor, and meeting-cute the studly, witty, but mysterious Alexander Ashton, who will become her partner in this. Are those sparks igniting between the two of them or maybe just some spores floating in the air? Ashton is a biologist AND a microbiologist, a weird coincidence, as Khavali’s husband just happens to be a biologist AND a microbiologist too.

At the party we are introduced via observations and overheard conversations to a series of characters and potential conflicts. We are let on, for many, to just what we should think of them.

"Harry Snyder, Dr. Henry’s assistant, was seated on her other side. With small brown eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses, and thin lips that emphasized his large, impeccable teeth, he looked rather like a rodent. His demeanor, skittish and reticent, matched his mousy appearance."

Probably not setting Snyder up for a heroic role. The excitement of the party turns out to be the sudden collapse, noted in the introductory quote at the top, of Mrs Henry, wife to Lawrence Henry, the man slated to lead an upcoming expedition to the Amazon. Was it an allergic reaction? Young George Bailey might have a good idea just what caused Mrs Henry’s sudden shift from the vertical.

Saffron becomes concerned that the doltish police are settling on her boss as a possible suspect, deciding that since the authorities can be relied on to get everything wrong, it is up to her to find out what really happened at the party. Thankfully, she has considerable knowledge of things biological so the game is afoot, focusing on a particularly poisonous (and fictional) South American plant that her boss had discovered decades ago.

Everleigh keeps pushing to learn more, gaining help from Ashton in her pursuit. There seems to be a connection between the two, but the sexual tension between them seems to blossom, then wilt, blossom then wilt. We are kept in the dark, and thus guessing, about his role in all this. A prospect or a suspect? Is he a reliable partner, or is he using his appeal like that of a carnivorous cobra plant, not as transparent as he appears? This romantic element crops up from time to time in fawning descriptions of the guy.

The tale is of the cozy mystery sort, not much blood and violence on screen, although there is some very definite peril. The investigation is done by rank amateurs. Usually, there is someone with police expertise to advise, but not so much here. The fun feature of this particular book and, I expect, the planned series, is the introduction of botany as the root of all Saffron’s investigations. The possibilities are vast. We are led to suspect first this one and then that one, while maintaining a short list of likely subjects.

Khavari has some fun with names, (I love this stuff) seeding her cast with a veritable garden of botanical references, some obvious, like Saffron, Inspector Green, and Doctor Aster. Alexander Ashton must certainly reference the tree. I am sure there are more. She also has some fun of a different sort with other character names. Does Doctor Berking’s character reflect the etymology of his name? How about Eris Ermine, a femme fatale sort?

She also brings into the tale a consideration much in the world of this era. The long-lasting, personal impact on those involved in the front lines of World War I.

"Much has been written about soldiers experiencing shell-shock, so I wanted to explore a lesser known avenue of symptoms and recovery. Alexander’s recovery from the Great War is complex and isn’t straightforward—few cases are—nor it is over. I will just say that many hours of research and consideration went into developing his symptoms and coping strategies…" - from The Book Delight interview

Saffron has to deal with MeToo miseries from the more aggressive, and personal and institutional chauvinism all around, even among some thought more advanced. The toxic nature of academia politics is noted. No antidote is prescribed.

This book is hardly a yuck-fest, but there is still considerable humor and the occasional LOL.

Khavari, who grew up in Wichita, Kansas, keeps her characters on the move, and thus holds our interest. Saffron is a decent sort, working hard in multiple ways to produce good results. She is mostly honest, although suffering a bit from a moral disorder that afflicts so many investigators, a willingness to engage in criminal behavior on the grounds of the-ends-justify-the-means.

Ultimately, though, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons (which was called Saffron Everleigh and the Lightning Vine earlier in its life. I have no inside intel on why this title was not used, but suspect it was a bit too close for comfort to the Harry Potter book titles format.) is a delightful sapling in the The Saffron Everleigh Mysteries series. Who knows? Maybe you will learn a few tricks for preparing that special drink for that special someone. The second volume, A Botanists’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality is expected to sprout in June 2023. It is something to look forward to. Once you begin spending time with Saffron Everleigh, you will not want to leave.

"Her eyes fell on the name of a plant from south-central Mexico, brought back decades ago by Dr. Maxwell. The vine was a sickly yellow color and zigzagged around trees as it grew, clinging tightly to its host. Maxwell had named it the xolotl vine, after the Aztec god of death and lightning, since the growth pattern resembled a fork of lightning and the toxin in its leaves struck as quickly. Saffron had the feeling that Maxwell enjoyed the notorious reputation of his plant, occasionally still telling secondhand stories of people dropping to the ground immediately upon consumption."

Review posted – June 10, 2022

Publication date – June 7, 2022

I received an ARE of A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons from Crooked Lane Books in return for a fair review, and the secret to my special tea. Thanks, folks. and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.

In 1923 Saffron Everleigh, the only female scientist in the Department of Botany at University College London is attending a party to celebrate the University’s upcoming expedition to the Amazon. The woman who collapsed during a toast to the success of the expedition, is the wife of Dr Lawrence Henry, Head of Biology and leader of the expedition.

Saffron’s supervisor, Prof Maxwell was observed having a bitter argument with Prof Henry a few days before the party and quickly becomes the police’s main suspect, especially when they learn that he has a very poisonous plant Solandra xolotum (known as the xolotl for short) that he brought back from an expedition to Mexico.

Saffron is devastated as Prof Maxwell has always been a kind mentor to her, recognising and encouraging her talent. As the only female scientist in the Biology department, it has not been easy for her to forge her career in such a male dominated department. She has already had one close encounter with the lecherous Prof Henry, a well known philanderer and, after a narrow escape from his unwanted attentions, now avoids being alone with him.

Positive that Prof Maxwell would not have had any reason to poison Mrs Henry, Saffron sets out to prove his innocence. Joined by Alexander Ashton, a charming and handsome research fellow, they work together to try to find out who really poisoned Mrs Henry and why.

Encased in a gorgeous cover, this is a fun and engaging historical mystery sprinkled with a little romance, although I was disappointed there weren't more parties and poisons. I enjoyed Saffron and Alexander’s witty conversations as they tackle the mystery and their attraction to each other grows. Saffron is a woman ahead of her time for the 1920s; smart and determined, wanting a career before a husband, although a little naïve and unsophisticated from her sheltered upbringing. She’s not afraid to take risks but prone to jumping in feet first without thinking through the consequences. Fortunately, she has her more worldly friend Elizabeth, assistant to a lord and writer of rather salacious poetry who provides Saffron with good advice. The descriptions of the old University buildings, cluttered offices and humid, steamy glasshouses filled with unusual plants and the excitement about the upcoming expedition all work together to provide the perfect atmospheric backdrop for the mystery.

I wanted to read this book because the premise sounds so interesting. I'm myself a cozy mystery fan and writer, I never read other historical series other than Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, it is also based on the twenties, Wich it was another thing that drawn me to this novel.

Khavari heroine is witty and smart. Though the reading (maybe because of the historical on it) it was a bit slow paced.

It took me more than I thought to finished but it is not going to be the last tittle I read from the author.

I'm sorry it took me a while to give you the feedback but definitely for fans of the cozy and the historical. (I believe that fans from miss Fisher would be pleased to grab this book. I've never read the Maisie Dobbs series but I think it is in the same page too)
Thanks netgalley for the copy and Crooked lane books for the opportunity to review this title.