This review is published in Goodreads May 12 and will be on B&N on the release date.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for giving me this ARC, and this does not influence my review. This novel was a fascinating fast-paced female STEM read blended with a historical mystery. I love how only 8 pages in we were introduced to Alexander;) but one downside was that all the characters’ introduction was too fast but slightly difficult to keep up with all the names in the beginning (although it gets easier throughout the book). The POV was 3rd person which I didn’t like, but it was plot-based and it worked out good (mostly Saffron’s POV). I LOVED the simmering, intoxicating slow-burn romance, and I hope there’s more books. There was hardly any spice, but the romance was well done, it was hilarious when Saffron’s best friend <spoiler> saw Saffron and Alexander in the apartment and said “I’m wrong to think that you’ve made up with your biologist and you were in here studying… biology?” Elizabeth didn’t try to hide her grin. </spoiler>

A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons is a book that will keep you turning the page!

I had a strong feeling I would like this book, and I was very much right. I love mysteries where I don’t see the end coming. It was a fun cozy thriller with a world I could easily get lost in.

This book is set in the 1920’s and features a very feisty and fiery main protagonist named Saffron Everleigh. I really came to enjoy her character. The romance is fun, it has some tension, humor, and a bit of angst.

The story moves really quickly and I never felt it dragged which is a huge plus for a mystery. It also felt light, yet it had depth.

I can’t wait to for the second book. I’ll for sure be reading it as soon as it comes out.

My on.y criticism would be I would like just a bit more botany and plant talk.

Overall, this book is a solid 4 stars maybe 4 1/2 stars. I highly recommend it.

3.5/5⭐️

First in a new historical mystery series set in 1923 London.

Saffron Everleigh is a new research assistant in the male-dominated botany department at University College. While attending a work party to celebrate an upcoming Amazonian research trip for some of her colleagues, the wife of a professor is poisoned. Her mentor and friend is accused and arrested. With the help of a fellow researcher, she must uncover the real culprit within her workplace amidst a myriad of motives.

While this was rather simplistic in the writing and plot, Saffron was engaging enough that I’d be willing to try the next one.

My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing the free early arc of A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Saffron Everleigh is a new research assistant at University College London where she is pursuing her interest in botany despite the prejudices of the men in her department. Her father was in the apartment before he lost his life during World War I. Some of the men feel that she's playing on her father's reputation for her place.

She is invited to attend a dinner party celebrating an upcoming expedition to the Amazon where she meets a new researcher in bacteria Alexander Ashton. In fact, they are talking when she overhears the wife of one of the prominent professors in the department making cryptic remarks. A few short minutes later, she and Ashton watch as the woman collapses to the floor after drinking some champagne.

Saffron's mentor Dr. Maxwell soon becomes a suspect both because of his knowledge of poisons and because he has argued with the prominent professor about the Amazon expedition.

Saffron is determined to save her professor's reputation and clear his name. Along with Alexander Ashton she does all sorts of things including searching a number of offices, experimenting on herself with poison, and crossing paths with a variety of villains on her quest to clear her mentor's name.

I enjoyed the setting of this story despite the role women were allowed to play at the time. Saffron is smart and determined and perhaps braver than good sense would demand. Alexander Ashton was also an interesting character who fought in WWI and came home with various war injuries including a new case of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I will look forward to reading more of Saffron Everleigh's adventures.

A shocking murder attempt, poisonous plants and a determine botanist. I really wanted to read this and was excited to receive an advanced copy. The cover is gorgeous and I love the title.

Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant at a university for Dr. Maxwell. At a party another professor's wife drops to the ground and ends up in the hospital, it turns out that she's been poisoned and Dr. Maxwell is the prime suspect. Dr. Maxwell is Saffron's mentor and she's determined to clear his name. Saffron teams up with Alexander, another researcher from the university. Time is running out and they must find the actual poisoner.

I found this to be very slow paced and was bored at times. I thought this was going to be more dramatic but it felt like the pacing was off. The ending had a lot of action but otherwise it felt kind of slow paced for a murder mystery novel. I think there was also supposed to be romance between Alexander and Saffron but I found it to be lukewarm at best. I liked the premise of the book and the academic setting but felt the execution wasn't the best. I wanted more drama and action, considering this is supposed to be about solving a crime. Overall, this just fell flat for me and I think it can be skipped as there are much better mysteries out there.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Botanist's Guides to Parties and Poisons is a fun historical mystery set in the 1920s in England.

Saffron Everleigh is fascinated by plants and plans to pursue a career as a scientist/professor. She is the assistant to Dr. Maxwell, helping him with his studies on chloroform, but also has applied to do her own research project in the coming year. Unfortunately, not every professor is as wonderful as Dr. Maxwell. The department head, Dr. Berking, sexually harasses her when she presents her project to him.

The book begins with a dinner party to celebrate the upcoming expedition to the Amazon. Saffron overhears some of the other guests talking about infidelities and conflicts, and by the end of the night, one of those guests has been poisoned. Dr. Maxwell is accused of the crime, and Saffron and her new friend, Alexander Ashton (also a member of the biology department) fight to clear his name.

This is an enjoyable story with just the right amount of romance and intrigue. Saffron is feisty and determined to clear her mentor's name, and is willing to go to great lengths to prove that, including sampling a poison herself!

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advance copy of a wonderful beginning of a series! I can't wait to read the next installment!

I was first drawn to this book by the gorgeous cover, closely followed by the title and intriguing description. Saffron Everleigh is the only woman in the Botany department at the University College of London in 1923, braving the censure of her family, harassment by some colleagues and disdain from others to follow in her father's footsteps. When the professor she is research assistant to is accused of attempted murder in the poisoning of a colleague's wife, Saffron is compelled to investigate to identify the real culprit. Along the way, she finds an ally in Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher and possible love interest. Written in the style of a classic historical mystery with a cast of characters & suspects worthy of an Agatha Christie novel, I devoured this book in about a day. I thought the plot was well-paced and the resolution of the mystery surprised without being unbelievable. Saffron is a smart and resourceful heroine who I hope to see again soon.

Set in 1923 London A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is absolutely brimming with hijinks, charm, wit and intrigue. All this from an author who clearly has researched botany which is a key part of the puzzle. As a Master Gardener I am smitten with plant talk and became immersed in the story immediately. Not only is the story itself enchanting but the characters are varied and fun, particularly Saffron Everleigh, a botanist and research assistant. She and fellow research assistant Alexander Ashton are up to their necks in investigative adventures after Mrs. Henry is poisoned at a party. Saffron's mentor is accused and Saffron refuses to believe he is guilty. Mayhem ensues.

Kate Khavari's writing is simply marvellous! Her historical details made me feel as though I was a fly on the wall, privy to secrets, mysteries and sizzle.

Historical Fiction and Mystery fans ought to prioritize this book which I easily read in one sitting. It is addictive and difficult to put down. Pure escapism.

My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful, wonderful book. I eagerly await the next in the series!

This was a great start to what I hope will be a long series starring Saffron Everleigh, an aspiring botanist, and Alexander Ashton, a biologist. The setting is University College of London in the 1920s. There’s an attempted murder plot along with dirty university politics and interesting characters. As Saffron indulges her curiosity and scientific skills to figure out the poison that was used and who might be guilty, she teams up with the sexy scholar, Alexander, to sneak around looking for clues. Once I started reading, I really got into the novel and stayed up late to finish it. Now I’m looking forward to a sequel.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

CW: sexual predation in the context of academia, though not unnecessarily explicit.

Kate Khavari's A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is the first volume in what I expect will be quite a successful cozy mystery series. It's 1923. Saffron Everleigh comes from money, but her grandparents have cut her off because she insists of following in her father's footsteps to—gasp!—become a botanist. Why would a young woman waste her time on plants when she could be flirting with eligible men, gossiping with other young women, and going shopping? Um, gee... keep her brain from rotting, not wind up married to a pretentious dolt who expects her to abandon all aspirations beyond keeping him happy, and getting to find out who says what behind whose back? Her choice seems pretty sensible to me.

The novel is set in London, primarily at University College, where Saffron is working as a research assistant for Dr. Maxwell and hoping to be admitted to graduate study. The Botany Department, housed within the Biology Department is run by a cadre of—you guessed it!—old white men. The chair is, not to put too fine a spin on it, a sexual predator. Saffron got away from him the first time he attempted sexual assault, but the version of the story he's spread is that she threw herself at him in a pathetic and desperate attempt to gain access to a scientific community that she has no right to be part of. Saffron is understandaly terrified of any future contact with him.

At a send-off party for an (all male) expedition to Brazil, Saffron meets Alexander Ashton, who has returned from WWI with a badly damaged arm and what we would call shell shock. He actually treats her with respect; they can actually talk about science; they have an embarrassing few minutes hiding from gossiping faculty wives, then rejoin the party just in time to see one of those wives drop dead from poisoning. And who winds up as the chief suspect? Dr. Maxwell, who unlike many of the guests, has absolutely no reason for wanting to harm the victim.

You can take it from there... a blossoming relationship with Ashton with intervals of misunderstanding, a determination to proved Dr. Maxwell's innocence, a discovery of financial shenanigans in the department, and a close call with death when she decides to try the poison purportedly used for the murder herself.

If you enjoy mysteries with a feisty woman ahead of her time and at least one man who has the good sense to recognize her brilliance, you'll enjoy A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons. As the book ends, Ashton is preparing to leave on the six-month expedition, where he'll be working on a research project Saffron has designed. Who knows what kind of trouble she'll be getting into before the see each other again?

I received a free electronic ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

I was so excited for this book, and it did NOT disappoint!! I absolutely loved the setting, it had me captivated from the beginning. It was an easy and engaging read, and I can't wait to read more from this author!

(I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)
Expected publication: June 7th 2022

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari is a historical fiction and mistery novel. It is set in London, 1923 and our protagonist, Saffron Everleigh, is a research assistant in the botany department in the University College of London. She attends a party, where one of the professors' wife is poisoned. The main suspect is Saffron's mentor and she is sure that he didn't have anything to do with it. Because of that, she works relentlessly as an amateur investigator trying to find out who could be responsible for the poisoning.

This was definitely an interesting read and I really wanted to know who comitted the crime and why. Nevertheless, the pacing of the novel was not as consistent as I would have liked. It took me a long time to finish this book and I'm not sure it was worth it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading it and I guess the ending was satisfying, but I wished I could have maybe connected more to the characters. There was also a romantic plotline and I feel like I could a loved it, like IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO GREAT. But it was just... fine.

Although, like I said, I did not feel an exceptional connection to the characters, I do think that they were well constructed and had interesting traits. I also really liked the commentary on how hard it was (and still is) for women to succeed in academia and how people usually question how she got there, as well as trying to get advantage of their position of power. I also liked that one of the haracters, Alexander, suffered some symthons of PTSD after the war. I think the protrayal was compelling and accurate.

One character I did absolutely love was Elizabeth: she was witty, caring, headstrong and an amazing best friend to the protagonist. I adored all the scenes with her and wished she had a more significant role.

If I'm not wrong, I think this is just the first book of a series and I can say that I am honestly excited to read more from the author. According to her, "Book Two is set to come out in Spring 2023".

Fantastisch! Diese Lektüre hat mir unglaublich viel Freude bereitet. Die Charaktere sind interessant aufbereitet und ich habe das Buch innerhalb weniger Tage verschlungen! Der Erzählstil, war sehr eindringlich und ich konnte mich gut mit den Charakteren identifizieren.

What a great read! Saffron was an interesting main character. I enjoyed the unusual background of botany. I look forward to many more in the series.

I will be unable to finish this.

I had requested so many books when I started my account. I didn’t think I would get approved for so many, and now several of my books are already archived, and I have too many to read.

This is not the fault of the author. I’m a student as well as a mom and business owner, so I’ve been slacking in the reading department.

Really enjoyed this book. There was a great mystery with lots of suspects, and terrific chemistry between the main characters. I especially liked the deep(ish) dive into botany in the 1920s and how Saffron uses her expertise to figure out just what plant was used as poison.

I hope there are more books to come with Saffron and Alexander.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

Do you have a fondness for lady scientists of the early 20th century who encounter mysteries? Then you'll want to read “A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons” by Kate Khavari. 🔎

Research assistant Saffron Everleigh wants to follow in her father's footsteps and teach botany at University College London, but a poisoning threatens to upset her plans. Besides the gorgeous cover, the exploration of the impacts of The Great War along with the academic setting made this book irresistible. And did I mention the characters are planning for a research trip to the Amazon? 🦜

Read-alike suggestions include other academic mysteries as well as gardening mysteries. Podcast episode will release June 16, 2022. 🎙

This is an excellent debut novel, introducing a fabulous strong female character who I found absolutely hilarious with her absolute refusal to behave like a lady in 1923 is supposed to.

This is a very fast paced, exciting novel. I enjoyed all of the characters and felt utterly immersed in the plot. It’s very well written, and I do hope that we have not heard the last from Saffron…

My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review

This book was brilliant - I absolutely cannot wait for book 2! Well written, evocative and very funny in places. I’m off to search for more work of the authors. Highly recommend.

The area of botany and poisonous plants was intriguing and what held my interest at the start. It has dark academia vibes which is captivating. Yet, I felt the plot moved a slow for me. Saffron, our main character was terrible and the rest were dull. I didn't care for the "native" remarks. As a Latina, it was offensive. I understand this is set in the 1920's etc but it is 2022, we should be moving forward.