A huge thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the digital ARC of 'A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons'.

I constantly have people sending me links for books they think will interest me, or feel would be something I would like to add to my library... or even tell my students about. This book was one of those.

As soon as I saw that this book involved botany, I knew it was something I wanted to read as soon as I possibly could. I enjoyed the world, and time I was brought too. Views of the time were well represented. Botany was one of those pursuits deemed appropriate for those of a higher social class.

My only personal frustration for this book (which is addressed in the Author's Notes) is that 'Solandra xolotum' is fictitious. Part of what made me want to read this book was to see what existing plants would be used, since there are over 100+ plants that are poisonous or fatal. I will admit though that it's creation was well done.

This is definitely something I would recommend to my colleagues for their 'to-read' lists, and for some of my older students that are fascinated with Historical Fiction.

A fairly straightforward Agatha Christie genre with red herrings aplenty, the clumsy amateur sleuths, a surprise ending, and top it all off, an insightful lesson of different plants. Summing up, a quick and enjoyable read. 3.5 for me.
An independent review thanks to NetGally / Crooked Lane Books

This was a cute, cozy, lightly romantic mystery. I enjoyed imagining the life that Saffron lived. It wasn't my favorite novel as at times it seemed repetitive and slightly confusing. Overall 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for obtaining a copy of this book for my review.

This story is set at a university.in London during the 1920s. Saffron Everleigh, is research botanist, who is working under Dr. Maxwell her mentor. Saffron goes to a university party where Dr. Henry’s wife. Is poisoned. Dr. Maxwell is accused of the crime.
Saffron believes his innocence and takes it upon herself to find the culprit, along with a good looking man Alexander Ashton.. She tries to find the culprit by searching greenhouses and gardens for poison plants. This sets herself up to becoming a victim herself being a female in a mans dept.

The story is interesting but gets stuck a bit in the middle and the botanist language for me is a guess. I don’t think the character, Alexander, is developed enough. For example, Dr. Max warns her about his temper. You get it’s because of the war but it’s not at the forefront of his persona.
I think if this is a series Saffron and Alex have plenty of room to grow!

Saffron Everleigh is a young woman assistant to a leading botanist professor in London who is accused of poisoning the wife of another professor at a party.

Saffron takes it upon herself to fight for the accused and to free his name with the help of another young professor. With it being the height of the 1920’s she suffers some poor behaviour asserted by other vile men within the institution that she works in.

A great detective story based around botany and the poisons lurking beneath.

If you like Deanna Raybourn or Sujata Massey you will really enjoy Kate Khavari's Saffron Everleigh adventure. In addition to having a great name, Saffron is an up and comer in the surprisingly dangerous world of Botany. When her mentor is framed for poisoning, she must use all of her wiles and her botanist knowledge to track down the killer before she becomes a victim. Like Perveen Mistry or Veronica Speedwell, Saffron is a woman unlike any others of her time. She is tough and wants to do things on her own. So if you enjoy reading about strong women solving mysteries, add Saffron to your shelf next to Perveen and Veronica.

TW: Sexual harassment

I picked up this book solely because of the title and yes, maybe the cover too. And it turned out to be a fun and interesting murder mystery novel. Found a tad bit difficult with all the botanical terms though.

I received my copy fro Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a historical mystery set in post-WWI England. Saffron Everleigh is a botanist who works at a university. After a party where a woman is poisoned, the professor she works under is accused of the crime. She must solve the mystery before he goes away for a murder he didn't commit.

I felt like this book couldn't make up its mind if it wanted to go the cozy route or not. There were elements that felt more like a cozy mystery and other things that made it feel grittier. I didn't love the characters or feel the chemistry between them. However, I did enjoy the setting of the book.

Ok, don't even know how to start to prase this book.
The story follows a scholar in a London university in the 1920s. Here Saffron struggles to earn her place in a feals dominated by men. Working against prejudice, rumor, and attempted murder. Because the last party made by the university ended up with poisoning, and Saffons only supporter is being blamed. This will lead Saffona and her new friend Alexander to pursue their own investigation. As they find new evidence they find themselves in multiple complicated scenarios.
The setting and the characters are unique and amazing. Saffron is a strong woman who is constantly proving her worth. her personality and background are marvelously written. Her life story shows how she came to be the charter we meet on the first page. And her narration makes you fall in love with her from the very beginning. On the other side, we get to meet Alexander. He is a little more distant than the other narrator but it works perfectly with his personality. He is the embodiment of a well-written character. His past is amazingly developed, including his participation in the war and what it caused to him. His reactions and mind are fulfilled to the limit and it definitely contributes to adding spice and thickening the story. The book simply attracts from the begging and it's impossible to put down. If you ask me, this book is definitely a must-read for 2022.

My favorite kind of novel. A murder mystery set in the 1920's England. Saffron Everleigh is a researcher of botany. She has a very hard time fitting in since she is one of the only female researchers in the University. Saffron attends a high society party which is expected of her and which she detests. You see Saffron comes from a high society family. Only Saffron wants no part of her grandparents class of people. Since her father has passed away both her mother and grandparents believe she should find a suitable husband settle down and forget about her so called job.
Well she attends this party and things start to go from bad to worse. Not only does she meet handsome Alexander Ashton who will be going on an expedition that Saffron would love to be on. A murder is attempted and there are a number of suspects. What should she do after both she and Alexander hear a very private conversation between the victim Mrs. Henry and a few guests of the party. Next thing you know Mrs. Henry is falling to the floor and ends up in a coma. Dr. Maxwell, Saffron's mentor who is not at the party is questioned and jailed for the crime. They think he has the poisonous plant that put Mrs. Henry in the coma. They also know that Dr. Maxwell and Dr Henry fought a few days prior because he was not allowed to go on the expedition. Did Dr. Maxwell commit this horrible crime. Saffron does not believe it and both she and the handsome Alexander Ashton must prove it, while keeping themselves alive.
I totally enjoyed this novel. I loved how Ms. Khavari developed the characters. Saffron was a sort of wall flower in a big garden of men. How she proved fearless and determined to clear Dr. Maxwell's name. She never stopped even though it could have cost her her live. The story moved along very quickly, the author did not dwell on one certain area of the story for to long. That is why I read it in one day.
I would recommend this to anyone as a quick read, and enjoyable read. I would hope Ms. Khavari would write more stories of Saffron and Alexander. There could be many many adventurers for both of them. There could also be more trouble for them also. Either way I would read that book in a heartbeat.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, Ms. Khavari for a delightful read.

London, botany, mystery, and romance. Oh, and historical fiction! This book had all of my favorite things wrapped into one and all under a beautiful cover. This book was very fun to read and it I was caught between not wanting it to be done and wanting to keep reading!

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been reading a number of books that have gorgeous covers, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons included.

I love how the design team created this beautiful image around something that is lethal.

Khavari’s historical fiction is a promising one. It has layers of possibilities that I hope she will flush out and dive deeper as she builds on Saffron Everleigh’s story. Give me a historical fiction book with a cast of feminist characters who fight against the male dominated agenda on practically everything.

Hopefully Khavari will bolster Everleigh’s character with more feminist values to have her stand out even more in the predominantly white male crowd of University.

Now, as for Everleigh’s love interest, Alexander Ashton, think actor Ben Barnes, he is definitely made from a different cloth when compared to his fellow researchers and collogues. I think we’re at the surface with his character in this book. That over the series (fingers crossed) we’ll see him shape into one of the rare male characters who continue to seek out, want, and value the opinion of Everleigh because of her knowledge and background.

One aspect of the novel to note is sexual harassment in academia. Kate Khavari touches on this in her novel and I have mixed feelings. Granted, there were no laws at this time to protect women in academia against male predators. However, I do feel that when writing about this topic, regardless of time period, it does need to be made clear that any type of sexual harassment is wrong. And I don’t think Khavari conveyed that message completely. From either point of view be it Everleigh or Ashton.

The message should clear. And my concern here is the lack of options for Everleigh. I understand the time period, though this is a work of fiction so I felt the author could have pushed back on societies view on women who are sexually assaulted: that no one (including law enforcement) will help you.

And as authors, writing a historical fiction gives you an opportunity. An opportunity to reshape these views to encompass a space for discussion on societal changes towards women. Even if it’s between the two main characters, it can start somewhere.

Not only does Khavari focus on women making their way into academia, but she also touches on PTSD. Where Ashton after serving in the military during WWI has found ways to cope with the trauma he experienced.

By including this layer into her novel, Khavari gave a new shape and complexity to Alexander’s character. It shows what war does to people psychologically and ways to manage and cope with what was seen and experienced. Fingers crossed we see more development and how Everleigh can be part of that healing process for Ashton.

As the series progresses I hope Khavari includes more women at the University that Everleigh can mentor and find kinship as well as a more diverse cast of characters.

If you love a good mystery, where the main character takes on the role of playing detective, a slow burn romance this book is one to consider.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
was a very fun read and I loved the academic background. I was not disappointed with the ending. The only problem I had was with the characters. I wasn’t really connecting with them. But this was a cozy little mystery and I would recommend it. I believe that this is the first in a series and I would read the second one.

Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh attends a dinner party at University College London. She expects the conversations will focus on the university's investigative expedition to the Amazon but she doesn’t expect Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives, to be poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Saffron’s mentor, Dr Maxwell, is the chief suspect. As evidence mounts against him and the expedition's departure draws nearer, she decides that if she wants her mentor's name cleared, she’ll have to do it herself.
Joined by fellow researcher Alexander Ashton, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons. Will she be able to uncover the truth in time?

***
I enjoyed this novel, which is set in 1923 London. It’s a cosy mystery at heart with an inquisitive heroine who simply will not give up trying to uncover the poisoner.

It was the botanical background that appealed to me initially (plus it has a fabulous cover) but soon I was keenly following the clues as the story progressed. Set against the aftermath of WWI and the effect it had on the English community, it was a good read and I look forward to a sequel.

Some of the language needs checking (I doubt the term “wheelhouse” was in use in 1923 in the context in which it was used in this novel!).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A fun and interesting murder mystery novel, I enjoyed the historical setting and the botanical aspect. However I found the story to get a bit redundant after a while - Saffron and Alexander sneak into somewhere they shouldn’t be and find a new clue but don’t know where it leads - became sort of repetitive and less interesting after a while.
I also found some character development left unexplored. There’s a point in the novel where Dr. Maxwell warns Saffron to stay away from Alexander which piqued my interest in his past. But nothing really came of that warning. We learn of Alexander’s past and his condition after the war but I thought there could have been more history to his character and why he could have been dangerous rather than the vague background we got.
Overall not a bad murder mystery, it was still an enjoyable and enticing read even if it slowed down in some parts. 3.5 stars for me!

A cute fun story with a strong and determined female lead and just a hint of romance. I enjoyed the story and found it very readable but also felt somewhat let down at the same time. Based on the title I expected it to be a little darker than it was so this is more an issue with me having false expectations then with the story itself. If you are looking for dark and sinister or twisted this is not it. This is a fun light hearted fluffy murder mystery.

If you are looking for something fun and light this is it.

Trigger warning for sexual harassment.

I received an arc but my opinions are my own.

Enjoyable story and mystery. Found it interesting but sometimes all the botany references were a little overwhelming. Nice setting and characters. Enjoyed the writing style.

Arc received from net galley

I was seduced by the cover, and I found the study of botany (particularly poisonous plants) in a historical academic setting was intriguing. I thought the book started out well, but found the middle pretty slow. I found myself skimming, because I found much of the dialogue clunky and the action repetitive, as Saffron kept making stupid decisions. The ending was not particularly surprising, and it was disappointing to see no explanation for why Harper/Blake and Berking didn't just leave after they got the money they were after. From the book - "If the goal was to run of with thousands of pounds, why wait for the expedition at all? Why didn't they take the donations and run? No one seemed to have an answer to her question." And there never was one, even though the entire ending of the book hinged on this. I see there is a second book planned, and the main characters have potential to make for an interesting series. I like the potential of strong female character and the struggles a female encounters in the world of academia and in science, particular in the time this series is set.

Wonderful book! As a lover of botany, I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I read the synopsis. I was thrilled to receive an advance copy! That’s the most excited I’ve ever been to receive an eARC and this novel did not disappoint. The writing style is excellent and pulled me in immediately and I love the character descriptions and development. My only “complaint” (if you can call it that) is that the primary plant that the book is centered upon does not appear — from my research — to be a real plant. So there was a bit of disappointment there, but I can also understand the desire to create a fictitious plant for the sake of the storyline. Definitely give this book a read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

'A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons' was an enticing take on the academic mystery, but perhaps a little too slowly-paced for readers who do not frequent the genre.

Saffron Everleigh is a resourceful, level-headed, overall likeable protagonist; a bright young woman in STEM in a time when it was even more dominates by men than it is now, and I absolutely found myself rooting for her from the first. Centred around botany and set in post WW2 London, this novel aptly captures both the fun of the era and the struggles of being a woman of science at the time.

That said, 'A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons' leans much harder into its mystery aspects than its academic ones. Twisty and charming, if a little predictable and slow to get moving, Khavari has crafted a solid mystery that will be fun for fans of the genre.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.