Saffron is a research assistant in the botany department in a university in London, just after the Great War. She is reluctantly networking with colleagues at a party when a women is poisoned there. When her mentor is accused of the crime Alexander, who also works at the university, helps her delve into who is responsible for the poisoning. I never really connected with the characters, and found the plot slow moving. Despite my interest in both botany and historical fiction, I was very disappointed. I received an advance copy from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this delightful debut, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons introduces us to Saffron Everleigh, the only female working in the University College London Biology Department. She is the assistant to Professor Maxwell, a botanist. He is an old family friend, who assigns Saffron substantive work and mentors her, an unusual experience for many assistants and exceptional for a woman in this position. Five years ago, Saffron's father, also a botanist, died in WWI. The novel opens in the roaring Twenties. The University has recently secured funding for an interdisciplinary South American expedition. While Professor Maxwell was not included on the team, Saffron is assisting him in preparing the documentation necessary for a research project to be conducted on his behalf. The book opens with a party to celebrate the upcoming six-month expedition. Dr. Henry, a history professor who will lead the expedition and well-known philanderer is there with his long-suffering wife. Saffron chats up various people, with mixed success. She decides to take her leave, feeling rather invisible as the only female scientist at the party and serving on the lowest rung of professional staff. She happens upon Mr. Ashton, a young biologist as she is heading down a hallway to make her farewells. As they chat, the two inadvertently overhear Mrs. Henry having a highly personal conversation with their hostess. When she makes her way to the room where the party has gathered, Saffron finds celebratory speeches underway. She approaches her hosts to thank them just when another round of champagne is being poured. Very near Saffron, Mrs. Henry takes one sip of champagne and collapses, to be carried away by ambulance in grave condition. Khavari does a lovely job establishing Saffron as a curious and competent investigator, working to point out poison related information to the police investigating Mrs. Henry's apparent poisoning; checking out a decent array of suspects; pulling in others to help with her dangerous enquiries; giving us a nice feel for several years post-war London life and academia; throwing in a possible romance; and keeping it light enough to be a cozy and accurate enough to be a pleasing historical fiction piece. The clues are there, not too clear cut, the red herrings are decent and the setting is well wrought. This one is a win for me! I will definitely look for the next Sapphron Everleigh installment, with pleasure.

Murder mystery set in London in the 1930s. Strong female heroine and sidekick/love interest. Villainous villains. Dumb detectives. Interesting botanical information. And a plot with not too obvious twists.

I hope this will have a sequel.

First of all kudos for a gorgeous cover!
Set in London's 1920's, this is an intriguing, well written, but slow moving story.
An exotic expedition is being prepared for the university's botanical department until an unexpected event threatens to delay the journey. What follows is non-exciting who-dunnit.
The subject of poisonous plants is interesting, but the characters are rather dull academics who need some dusting off. At least our main girl has some spirit. This book took a lot of patience for me to finish.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

~Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review!~

5⭐𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

•I love plants and poisons and the blurb of this book immediately intrigued me and the story met all of my expectations and more.

𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭
•As a mystery I expected a lot of suspense and twists and I was not disappointed. The plot had numerous directions and twists that led to a surprising but logical climax and a satisfying ending. It had enough suspense to keep my interest but not too much where I felt the characters were not getting anywhere.

•There was a romance subplot that I also enjoyed as it was not overpowering but gave an extra layer to the story and breathed life into the characters. It also made the story seem more realistic than just a mystery with no other motives or layers.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
•I had no vices with the characters and I felt their personalities were well thought out and motives for solving the mystery made sense and seemed real instead of a character just being tossed into it. The side characters were also special and were fleshed out and really, the characters were decent and well-written.

𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
•Mystery is a new genre to me but A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons was a perfect introduction to it and I heavily recommend it for anyone, not just mystery lovers.

This is a fun historical caper centred around Saffron Everleigh, a botanist assistant at a university in London in the 1920s. She has followed in her father's footsteps, who was quite famous in his day in the same field however she struggles to find her own way, especially as woman are rarely the scientists at this time.

She attends a high profile dinner party along with a lot of the professors from the University and their partners, and during the evening one of the wives collapses. It is determined quite quickly that she's been poisoned and the Professor that Saffron works for is arrested as he is known to have knowledge of and interest in poisonous plants.

What follows is quite a caper, with Saffron enlisting the help of a mysterious and handsome colleague called Andrew Ashton as they investigate what has happened to prove the innocence of Saffron's boss.

There are a plot twists and some dead ends and red herrings to keep things interesting - when the reveal came I didnt see it coming at all. This book is well written and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction - I have rated as 3 stars because I did struggle to get into the story initially and at times found it hard to stay engaged with the story. I did finish reading and am glad I did so, it just was not really my kindof thing.. I think there are a lot of people who would thoroughly enjoy this book.

Thanks to netgalley for this ARC. I was intrigued by the title and the book cover is amazing. I gave this 3.5 - 4 stars. If you like historical fiction, cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, and the world of academia, this book might be for you. The setting is London College right after WWI, Saffron is a research assistant in the botany department. The only female struggling to get her ideas taken seriously by the lecherous head of the department.
A group of scientists is planning an expedition to the Amazon when the wife of one of the professors is poisoned. The lead suspect is Saffron's mentor and the Professor she assists. Unable to believe his involvement in the poisoning, Saffron begins her own investigation with the help of Alexander, a Biology professor who is also set to go on the expedition. It was a fun read!

This is a fun historical mystery featuring Saffron Everleigh. Saffron has followed in her father's footsteps to become a botanist. She struggles to find her place at London University as one of the very few females employed in the biology department. While attending a dinner party the wife of one of the university professors collapses. It is found that she has been poisoned and Saffron's mentor is quickly arrested due to his interest in a particular poisonous plant. Saffron and her new colleague, Alexander, set out to clear his name and discover the truth,
This book follows the classic devices of the English historical mystery, There are plot twists and red herrings, but very little gore or technical detail. The overarching theme of botany provides a unique backdrop for the action. Overall this book is well written and sure to be enjoyed by historical mystery readers,
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This story follows Saffron Everleigh, a botanist assistant as she tries to uncover the truth and clear her boss’s name. The University is planning a popular expedition to the Amazon in the pursuit of science. Everyone wants to be on this expedition and get their names in the records books for something. Her boss, Dr. Maxwell was one of those individuals who wanted desperately to relive his youth and be part of this amazing expedition. Dr. Henry had other plans and quickly shut down Dr. Maxwell’s dreams. This caused both to be involved in an explosive confrontation. No harm no foul right? Well you would think so but when Mrs. Henry collapses from an apparent poisoning at a faculty party, all eyes turn to Dr. Maxwell. Saffron Everleigh knows her boss better than anyone, or so she thinks. She has made it her mission to prove that Dr. Maxwell is nothing but a harmless educated old man who would not hurt a fly. But she can do this in time to save him? Can the mysterious Alexander Ashton be of any help? Will her private investigation put her next in line on the murderer’s hit list?

If you are a science nerd and love mysteries set in a somewhat Victorian era to this is the book for you. I learned so much about the study of botany and how effective the scientific method and be in any situation just by reading this novel. Khavari does an amazing job leading the reader along this journey with Ms. Everleigh. With every twist and turn, throughout the story, you become more and more invested in this race to prove that Dr. Maxwell is innocent. This book flows nicely from chapter to chapter which makes this an easy read. But when one door opens, another is bound to close. Khavari’s use of descriptive alliteration throughout this novel allows the reader to be transported this time.

The rating that I would give this book would be a 2.5 out of 5 stars and the reason why is because his book simply wasn’t for me. I found it hard to keep engaged throughout the story. There were some parts of the story that I had to push though so that I could finish the book. Would I recommend this book to anyone? Yes. While this book was not my cup of tea, it was well written and Khavari took the time to make sure that the reader understood what she was talking about when they dived into the botanist subject matter. Mystery wise, I think that was a great story and it kept you guessing right up to the end of the book. While I had some ideas while I was reading it, it completely surprised me at the end.

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?

Liked the main character Saffron is a female scientist, who goes on the case of finding out who killed her mentor. A quick pace book. Look forward to the second one.

X is for xolotl. Despite the title, there are not a lot of parties in this book, there are however plenty of botanists and poisons. The book does start with a fashionable party, where a group of academics and others have met for a fundraiser to support an expedition to the Amazon. At the party one of the guests, Mrs Henry, wife of the expedition leader is poisoned. A room full of botanists would have several experts knowledgeable about poisons. The initial suspicions fall on Dr Maxwell, who has cultivated a toxic xolotl plant from Latin America in the university greenhouses. His assistant, the botanically named, Saffron Everleigh is determined to prove his innocence and starts her own sleuthing with the assistance of the charming Alexander Ashton, a bacteria specialist, who has some residue PTSD from the Great War. The setting is at the University of London in the early 1920s, an era when Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers were also focused on mystery writing and well versed in poisons, setting a high standard for subsequent authors. This cozy mystery doesn't have the intricate twists of a Christie novel. After the excitement of the party, the pacing of the novel slows, only to pick up in a slightly far fetched ending. There is romantic chemistry between our two amateur sleuths "Surely it was the heat from the sun coming through the window that made Saffron feel so warm." I am no botanist, so terms like "foliaceous stipules" mean nothing to me but the book does have a gorgeous cover. The historic setting was well done, it felt like academia of the 1920s, with dusty cluttered offices and the library described as "soaring stacks standing sentinel over the students." Saffron as the only female research assistant in the botany department often feels as though she is "hung under a magnifying glass" like a specimen. I would have liked for the mystery to continue to the Amazon, but maybe that is for future books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review which I submit voluntarily.

This is a cute little detective story that takes place in a London University circa 1920, and I like the premise and the characters,. I especially enjoyed reading about the exploits of daring girl grad student/amateur sleuth detective Saffron Eveleigh and her dashing beau/ fellow researcher Alexander as they try to solve the mystery of who poisoned Ms Henry, while flirting with one another.m. Seems that academics is rife with dastardly fellows, trying to claw their way to the top. I rated 3 stars because I felt that the story was overly long and I had a hard time keeping some of the professors straight.

An intriguing mystery, interesting characters, and a satisfying ending. What more can a mystery lover ask for? I enjoyed Khavari's writing and I look forward to a potential sequel.

This one feels a bit like a cozy mystery full of poisons set in academia. Saffron is a thoughtful academic, unfortunately limited by being a woman but that also allows her some other opportunities. What happens when there is a poisoning? What can Saffron uncover? If you like cozy mysteries, poison, some light romance and academia, this one is for you. It moves a little slowly, but that just offers more time to hang out in the cozy, poison and plant-filled world of the novel.

I really enjoyed this book. I think people who enjoy books like the lost apothecary will enjoy this book. I rate it a four out of five stars.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

Set in London, 1923, Saffron Everleigh is a botanist and the only female assistant working with Professor Dr. Maxwell on the campus. The same Dr. who got arrested for murder of Cynthia Henry, the wife of Dr. Henry. The same two Dr. who were seen having a conflict a few days prior about a Brazilian expedition. Our protagonist, Saffron is convinced he is innocent and will try to prove his innocence with her own investigation.

As she uncovers several truths, Dr. Alexander Ashton will help her, not really of his own will and has his own fights. They’ll use their knowledge in botany to identify the poison and the murderer at trhe same time.

I like that this is the beginning of a series yet the case is solved, I was scared to be left on a big cliff-hanger and hang there but no and yet there’s enough questions left for a sequel. The characters are interesting and Alexander I would love to know more about him. Saffron can be quite frustrating as she’s more of a “act first, think later”. She’s great to follow and doesn’t suffer from the fact saying she’s an expert in her field but her action also follows it. It showed how much research there is for the book, it was really nice to read even knowing nothing about botany.

There was this casual attitude of all men condescending toward Saffron as she’s a woman and showing they don't all respect her work and the usual assumptions for women able to have a decent career. It was disheartening to see but still present to this day at some levels and was important to show I think.

First off, I just want to say: This has to be one of my most favourite covers – it’s absolutely gorgeous!

I’ve been following Kate Khavari and her novel on Instagram for a while and instantly fell in love with Saffron Everleigh’s story. So, you can imagine that I was incredibly excited when I was given the chance to read an ARC. It did not disappoint!

The story takes place mostly over a little more than week in 1923, starting with a party and a poisoning. Saffron is the sole female in the botany department at University College, treated unfairly by most, save her mentor, Dr Maxwell, and the awkwardly charming Alexander Ashton. When Maxwell is accused of attempted murder, she takes it upon herself (and a reluctant Alexander) to clear his name and find out the truth.

Saffron is a very entertaining main character. She’s determined and feisty, but not without her faults (like *occasionally* jumping to conclusions). Also, sometimes her judgement just isn’t where it should be. Although she’s faced with misogyny, rumours and unwelcomed male attention, she never doubts her abilities as a botanist.

I adore Alexander’s character and can’t wait to get more of him in the second novel. I hope we can dive deeper into the effects the war had on him and find out more of his background (but also, we only know as much as Saffron does about him and they hadn’t been acquainted for very long).

The pacing, I found, was very good. Yes, for those who read a lot of mysteries, they might think it dragged, but as an avid reader and writer of historical fiction, I think it worked (it does well to remember that Agatha Christie was writing of the time period she was living in, so she didn’t have to spend time setting up the historical aspects of her plots). The world of London in the 1920s had to be set and the author made me feel as though I was there alongside the characters. And the descriptions! I could vividly picture every scene, room and plant.

The only thing I know about plants is how to efficiently kill them, but I feel a bit smarter regarding botany after finishing this novel. It was very well researched and the author definitely knows her stuff.

It’s been a while since a book has left me feeling so excited and wanting for more. Whenever I wasn’t reading, I constantly just wanted to go back to it to see what would happen next, but at the same, I never wanted it to end. You can see the amount of love and time that went into writing this novel.

I did find the last chapter a bit rushed and would have liked to see more interaction between Saffron and Alexander.

I really can’t wait for Book Two to see what Saffron and Alexander get up to next (and to see where their relationship goes!).

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked this book. More importantly, I loved the characters. circa 1920's heroine and hero, set in academia in London.

I love how the author was authentic in how women were viewed in treated when pursuing higher learning or working in colleges. I felt the way the heroine was treated to be authentic for the time period. Saffron, our heroine is from society and her family has turned their back on her as she follows in her father's footprints to pursue a career in botany. She is intelligent and determined. The story opens with a high society dinner to kick off an expedition. The wife of the professor leading the expedition is poisoned and Saffron's mentor is accused of the crime. The police focus only on her professor until Saffron and Alexander (our leading man) set out to prove that her mentor could not have been the one to poison the victim. From there the story just gets better and better, with different leads and culprits. It really had me guessing to the end.

I loved the beginning of what I'm hoping is a long series. This author is right up my alley and I'm so happy I got a chance to read this novel. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked lane.