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.

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a well written and engaging historical cozy mystery by Kate Khavari and a series starter for amateur sleuth Saffron Everleigh. Due out 7th June 2022 from Crooked Lane, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This book (and hopefully series) incorporates so many of my favorite cozy tropes: intelligent female protagonist, an academic setting, with all the jealousy and subterfuge that entails, historical setting (1920s London), some danger and intrigue and "fair play" well constructed mystery plot.

Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant botanist, with all the misogyny and difficulty that goes along with it at the time at a large research university. She's a legacy in academia, her late father was also an academic. A poisoning death at a celebratory dinner puts her father's friend and her mentor in the frame for the crime and if he's to be spared, she has to find out whodunnit herself.

The pacing, plotting, and characterizations are very well done and Ms. Khavari is adept at her craft. There is additionally a hint of romance (possibly foreshadowing), but it's not a main focus and I enjoyed being able to concentrate on the story without the distraction of romantic entanglements and/or drama. The main characters here are academics, and there are a number of academic in-jokes and humorous bits of dialogue which will either require readers to skim over or look up themselves. For readers who aren't bio-nerds, it could be a little tiresome, personally I found it enhanced the read.

Four stars. Delightfully engaging. I look forward to the next installment.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Not for me.

I had several issues with this book. First of, according to the blurb it takes place in 1923. However, I saw next to no proof of that in the book. If it weren't for a few scattered refences to "the war" this could have taken place at any time during the last century. As a historian, who was looking forward to a roaring twenties read, that disappointed me. Secondly, the characters were flat, lifeless and boring. I couldn't discern them from one another. Thirdly, it progressed to slowly with nothing much happening in the first 3rd.

I’ve seen this book all over bookstagram! Isn’t the cover so eye-catching and gorgeous? A Botanists Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari is a fun read that combines my favorite genres: mystery/suspense with historical fiction. The author creates a terrific story that pulls the reader into a world so different than right now and I welcomed that!

Synopsis:

Saffron Everleigh is in a race against time to free her wrongly accused professor before he goes behind bars forever. Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Anna Lee Huber, Kate Khavari’s debut historical mystery is a fast-paced, fearless adventure.

London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh attends a dinner party for the University College of London. While she expects to engage in conversations about the university’s large expedition to the Amazon, she doesn’t expect Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect, having had an explosive argument with Dr. Henry a few days prior. As evidence mounts against Dr. Maxwell and the expedition’s departure draws nearer, Saffron realizes if she wants her mentor’s name cleared, she’ll have to do it herself.

Joined by enigmatic Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons. Will she be able to uncover the truth or will her investigation land her on the murderer’s list?

This book is coming out in June.

Saffron Everleigh is a young lady working diligently towards her career as a rising botanist while conducting studies as a research assistant at the University College in London in the 1920s. When the professor Saffron works with is accused of poisoning the wife of a colleague at a dinner party, Saffron takes it upon herself to uncover the truth. She teams up with Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, to solve the case, taking them both on a journey through greenhouses and gardens in the dark of night. Saffron finds that she will stop at nothing to find the true killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger. This book combines a historical fiction setting, murder mystery, and female protagonist finding herself in a predominantly male part of society. There is a smattering of romance as Saffron and Alexander grow close while solving the mystery, but I didn't find it too overbearing. Saffron is a likeable character and I would be interested to see her grow in future installments.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

I'm in trouble because here comes another series I am already hooked on - but I'm the absolute worst when it comes to waiting for the next book in a series to be published. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy this offbeat historical mystery with an unlikely sleuth as a main protagonist but I already wish this was a TV show (will keep my fingers crossed for that one).

1920s, post WW1 London. The world of academia in the Department of Biology at a London University. Saffron Everleigh works as an assistant to Professor Maxwell and is a botanist in her own right. A dinner party hosted by Dr. Henry who is in charge of an upcoming expedition to Brazil, brings an unexpected level of excitement and mystery as it seems a poisonous attempt was made on the life of one of the guests. When Saffron's mentor becomes the main suspect, her determination and curious mind lead her on an unexpected sleuthing adventure. And the fact that a tall, dark and handsome colleague in the department, Alexander Ashton somehow keeps finding himself playing Watson to her Sherlock adds all sorts of spicy elements to the story.

I have to admit the first thing that drew me to this book was the combination of its gorgeous cover and intriguing tittle, and I love that my reading experience ended up fully matching the expectations created by the first two elements. I really enjoyed the combination of different genres, the chemistry between Saffron and Alexander and overall the cozy mystery vibes reminiscent of Agatha Christie works. After reading A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons, I can't wait for Saffron's new adventure.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my Advanced Reader Copy! Crooked Lane Books, I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for your other publications after this read.

This is a historical fiction with a dash of thriller in it. Set in 1920's, Saffron Everleigh attends a party organized by the botany department at the university. While attending the party, one of the attendees, Mrs. Henry, who is the wife of a professor Dr. Henry, collapses on the floor. It was soon found out that Mrs. Henry was poisoned and that the main suspect was Dr. Maxwell who few days before the dinner party had an argument with Dr. Henry and the plant was used to poison Mrs. Henry was found in Dr. Maxwell's department. Saffron is determined to prove that her mentor was innocent and she along with Alexander must find who the real person was before it was too late.

I think as a debut, this was good. The unique thing about the book was it was set in 1923 There were some parts which was boring but then I do like how Saffron and Alexander worked together to solve the mystery. I also like how Saffron had to struggle with being in the male dominated world which was realistic as this book was set in that era. It was not fast paced nor it had twists and turns but then it was actually enjoyable to read.

Overall, if you like a historical fiction with a thriller blend in it, then this book will be one for you. Honestly if this was a series, I cannot wait what Saffron Everleigh has in store! Worth 4 stars

Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

The action takes place in London in the 1920s. Saffron, our heroine, is a feisty, vibrant scientist who is well-versed in the use of poisons, which aids her in the investigation of a suspected murder attempt! Her relatable, intelligent intellect and real, simple, natural characteristics aid in rapidly immersing herself in the plot. Her resolve and fortitude are fueling her struggle against her coworkers’ arrogant, sexist, and discriminatory attitudes. The author skillfully depicted a tough, but also a bit impetuous heroine who acts quicker than she thinks, which serves as a complicated feature in contrast to her perceptive traits as a genuine scientist. The novel commences with a party scene with professors and high society in attendance, which is intended for the presentation of the trip, but the night ends with one of the participants being poisoned! Professor Maxwell, Saffron’s teacher, is suspected of the poisoning attempt, prompting Saffron to partner up with attractive veteran Alexander Ashton to identify the genuine perpetrator.

This book is a short read (I began and finished it in one day), and it’s also rather fast-paced, which is ideal for a mystery. There were no dull moments, and I was never bored! Naturally, my favorites were Saffron Everleigh and Alexander Ashton. Their chemistry was hilarious, and I couldn’t stop laughing. As the romance progressed, everything about them seemed very natural and true to character, which was a great plus for me! In a word, the major characters are outstanding. For me, the biggest selling factor was the growth of Saffron and Alexander, as well as their connection. They get along swimmingly and have some pretty fascinating and entertaining conversations. They also have a historical tie that binds them together and helps to enhance their bond.

I felt the narrative had just the right mix of mystery, suspense, and romance to hold my attention throughout. The finale was fantastic, and I wasn’t expecting it! The writing was excellent, and I like the descriptions of the university, greenhouses, and the folks themselves. I felt like I could truly imagine each scenario, which I enjoy doing. To summarise, the first book in the series, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons, offers a promising start. It’s a solid historical cozy mystery that keeps you engaged for the most part. It’s a little formulaic, but that’s good. I’m excited about the next installment.

Based in the 1920s in London, research assistant Saffron is thrust into the middle of a poisoning investigation and she must help clear the name of her professor.

I absolutely loved this read. The characters were amazing espically Saffron. And the description of the world was captivating!
I cant wait for book two!!