A cozy, intriguing and fun mystery!

Setting it in the 1920s made the story different and fun for me! It definitely added to the pressure Saffron, our main character, has to deal with as a woman working in a male dominated field. Her struggle was easily relatable and I was cheering for her the whole time.

Once or twice I was a bit thrown off as to whose point of view we were reading from. But I caught up very quickly!

Reads very much like a Nancy Drew mystery or a Tommy and Tuppence adventure.

I can't wait for more Saffron mysteries in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Interesting. Exciting. Captivating.

This book exceeded any expectations I had for it right from the second chapter. The historical mystery and romance coming together to create this exciting investigation had me staying up late to find out what happened.

The main character was awesome, and the best friend was such a great addition to the story! The characters were all consistent, with depth, making the reader love or hate characters as they go.

The mystery was a great storyline and I was guessing who had done it throughout the entire book! I didn't find the end shocking, but perfectly in pace with the story. I wish there was a sequel because I want to keep experiencing this works the author created!

A huge THANK YOU to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this story in advance of it publishing! This is definitely one I will be recommending to others!

If you like:

- Historical mystery
- Historical romance
- Historical fiction
- Great characters
- Captivating storylines you want to figure out
- Academic setting

Then do not waste time getting your hands on a copy of this book!

Thank you Crooked Lane Books, Ms. Khavari and Netgalley for the free ARC copy,

It was an okay book. I loved how the heroine is a strong and scientific woman. I like how it focuses on her struggle to fit in in a male dominated academic world. However, it was predictable and not that exciting for a mystery novel. I would love to see plant illustrations or a glossary at the end also.

4.5/5! Working for a college, coupled with remembering how my undergraduate university faculty strutted around with noses held high, this book held my interest until the very end. The last few pages were a bit abrupt - I believe the ending could’ve been tied up a *bit* better, but overall this was a really enjoyable read with a good plot, a good mystery, and the beginnings of a good love story. Really recommend!!!

Saffron is the only woman in the Botany department, trying to live up to her academic father's legacy there. After a dinner party where a woman in poisoned, Saffron's mentor is arrested and she is determined to prove his innocence, facing down sexism and danger on the way.

The book didn't quite live up to the promised charm, it dealt well with themes of post-WW1 shell-shock, the struggle for women's equality and the difficulties of academia, but it didn't quite seem to know if it was being a lighthearted romp through those issues, or a serious crime novel. The villains were a little bit too villainous, the plot a little too slow, some characters were underused (Elizabeth in particular). The concept was great, but it didn't quite make it for me. That said, I'd probably pick up the sequel and hope that the likely series takes off properly in book two.

Do you like mysteries? Do you enjoy historical fiction? A love of science? This book is for you! Overall, I really enjoyed reading this novel, and it was refreshing reading a mystery that isn't set in current times. The book features a strong female character who is an inspiring scientist, who channels her inner Nancy Drew to solve a dinner party murder. The twists and turns kept me guessing to the very end. I highly recommend reading it. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TW: sexual assault, murder
Saffron Everleigh is much like any grad student: trying to find her place in the competitive world of research and make her way for herself. But she already has it harder than most: 1920s academia is not exactly welcoming to women, the department head has already sexually assaulted her and now her mentor, the only man who seems to think she belongs there, is accused of murder. At a dinner party where she and the entire department were in attendance no less! The murder weapon being an unknown poison and an overheard argument with the victims husband makes her botanist mentor seem even more suspicious, but Saffron isn't convinced. With the help of (distractingly attractive) microbiologist Alexander Ashton, she sets out to prove his innocence. With a net of affairs, poisonous and exotic plants, and an expedition to Brazil that will whisk half the suspects away looming on the horizon, the young botanist will try anything to prove the innocence of the man who believes in her.
Against the backdrop of 1920s London, Saffron's world of intrigue and firece academic competition seems all the more exciting. The pacing is amazing, new information coming to light at every turn, never a boring moment. The plot didn't feel rushed either, though I do hope additional books shine some light on more of Ashton's backstory. The descriptions swept me off my feet, transporting me right into the dark academia world it takes place in. Lined with plant jokes and wip-smart banter, the storytelling and dialogue is natural and fun. The love interest is a dream, an absolute sweetheart with a mysterious past. The romance in no way takes over the plot, it is entwined in a truly enjoyable way. It isn't a mystery in which the perpetrator is unguessable, but the investigation is logical and coherent. The fact that everything falls into place and seems obvious after the murderer is known, is the mark of a well-written mystery with good foreshadowing to me. I do wish there was more diversity in the story, not everyone was white and straight in 1920s London, either. That is however, my only critique, and therefore I hope the author takes the suggestion to heart and improves tat aspect in the next novel, which I would definitely be interested in reading.
In conclusion, I recommend this mystery to anyone who loves well-written historical fiction, conclusive mysteries and dark academia.

I enjoyed this sprightly, fun historical mystery and would gladly read another installment. Saffron Everleigh is an ambitious young botanist at University College in London in the 1920’s. Professor Maxwell, Saffron’s boss and mentor, is arrested for poisoning the wife of the Botany Department chair. Saffron is determined to clear his name. She joins forces with Alexander Ashton, an attractive biologist, to investigate the poisoning, uncovering the culprits and a variety of wrongdoing at the university.

There’s a good balance of adventure, intrigue and flirtatious banter. Botany and the love of plants is threaded through the plot and the author makes it interesting and crucial to the story. In addition, Saffron and Alexander have a cute romantic relationship that’s fun to watch develop as they sneak around investigating. The university setting provides lots of opportunity for academic conniving and power games.

There are more serious themes that provide depth to the novel. As a female academic and scientist, Saffron endures sexual harassment and the routine dismissal of her work. She struggles to be taken seriously as a woman in a man’s world. She and her flatmate, Elizabeth, illustrate the challenges of living as independent women in the 1920’s when women were expected to marry and have a family.

The author capably brings to life the post-World War 1 era, reminding us that the war was a unifying, common experience for British adults in the 1920’s. Saffron still grieves her botanist professor father who was killed in the war, whose legacy she hopes to fulfill. In addition, Alexander is a veteran whose struggles with PTSD are moving.

My one complaint about the book is that the villains are too evil and too violent. It wasn’t credible. But that’s a minor point. Overall, I recommend this book as an enjoyable read for lovers of historical mysteries and female detectives.

The story definitely takes you down the path of mysteries of old. I was stumped as to who the killer was right up until the reveal. She Power pushed the envelope of societal norm for the book's setting period, giving the Saffron a Nancy Drew quality. A great read for the winter months.

I enjoyed this one at the start, but then it just went off the boil for me.

I appreciated Saffron's determination to clear her professor (the father figure in her life. There was also an interesting dynamic developing with Alexander Ashton, yet some of the choices made along the way just didn't resonate for me. Perhaps just a little too far fetched for me!

The author did a great job of building tension and emotion around some currently topical issues (chauvinism, sexual assault . shell shock etc), enough to draw attention to them and perhaps help some understand them a little better!

With thanks to #Netgalley, Crooked Lane Publishers and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Saffron is the only woman in the botany department in post WWI. While working as an assistant to Dr. Maxwell, he is accused of poisoning another professors wife. While it takes awhile for this book to take off, I did enjoy the characters and the plot.

"A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons" (A Saffron Everleigh Mystery) was an engaging surprise. I expected the book to be much more serious, based totally on the title and book cover. Instead, I was enchanted by Kate Khavari's book, which combined romance, poison, mystery, and a bit of danger into a fun book to read. "A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons" reminded me of "The Thin Man" and the adventures in crime of Nick and Nora Charles. Although the danger that Alexander and Saffron face seems real, not for a moment did I actually take this danger very seriously. The only thing lacking for this crime-solving duo was their very own Asta. I loved the mystery and the efforts that our two heroes undertook to solve the crime. This Kate Khavari' novel was delightful.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early review copy of this book!

This book was a really great whodunit for fans of movies like Knives Out or books like Nancy Drew.

CW: (implied / threat of) sexual assault

Saffron Everleigh is a botanist following in the footsteps of her father, one of the best botanists the university she is studying at had ever had before he was taken too soon during the war. While attending a party, one of the guests suddenly drops, a victim of a mysterious poison no one can identify. The suspects are numerous and the motives are unclear, all Saffron knows is if she doesn’t work together with fellow botanist Alexander, her mentor and best friend Dr Maxwell will be framed for the act.

~*~

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and a quick read and the characters were fun. The unsung hero of this story is Saffron’s roomie Elizabeth, and I’d love a whole book about her. I want to be her best friend too!

I don’t know if I would call this a thriller because it wasn’t really very twisty, but it did have me guessing right up to the end who the poisoner was and I think the reveal was done really well. It didn’t feel like anyones motives were unbelievable and there weren’t too many moments where something seemed way too coincidental which is a criticism I have of a lot of whodunit types of books. The romance in this one is minor, I wish there had been a bit more chemistry between the characters but they really read more as best friends to me. Overall though it was a fun light read and I think people will really enjoy it! And that cover?! 😍 stunning

I must start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. A fun historical mystery set in 1920’s London. In a time when women were not a part of academic society we have Saffron Everleigh working within the university wher her late father was a noted professional. Now she takes her inquisitive nature to the task of having her boss proven innocent of poisoning, working to find the real culprit. Though the middle slows the ending brings this novel to a unexpected pleasing conclusion.

The blurb that hooked me was ¨for fans of Deanna Raybourn¨. This book was much up that alley: plucky young scientist who dares to be a woman, stumbles across a murder with a romantic angle This was good. Quick read. I liked that it had itś own thing rather than stealing Sherlock tropes. Recommended. I will definately read the next one.

What a fun and engaging story that never takes itself too seriously. Lots of interesting facts about poisons and a woman's struggle in the 1920's to be taken as seriously as men in the academic world, as well as just a clever mystery with a touch of romance. Will definitely read any further books by this author.

Excellent story! Totally engrossing!. Looking forward to reading more by this author! Could not put this down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an E-ARC of Kate Khavari’s A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons.

This novel was a fast-paced mystery with a hint of romance, and I LOVED every second of it. I felt that I was right beside Saffron as she embarked on her investigative adventure. I found myself not being able to put down the novel, because I was worried about what decisions Saffron was going to make next. She would make terrible decisions, that always worked out. I did find that I yearned to know more about Alexander, even as the novel ended. Though farfetched, I enjoyed the mystery and academia behind the novel.

A well deserved 4.5 stars, I will round up for those platforms that do not allow halves.

Excellent, well-written book about poisons and the people who love them (and sometimes use them). Saffron Everleigh is an assistant to a botany professor in 1920s London. Saffron has to work doubly hard as a woman in a man’s field. At a party with her mentor, Dr. Maxwell, a woman drops to the ground, a victim of apparently poisoned champagne. To her horror, Dr. Maxwell is arrested and taken to jail. Everyone at the party is suspect now. Saffron, as a daughter of a former professor, is harassed, mocked, made fun of, with attempts to assault her even, all because she is female. Still she pushes on, determined to clear her mentor’s name and find out who the actual poisoner is. Saffron also made a new friend at the party, Alexander Ashton, who has a few secrets of his own. Can they solve the mystery together? Or, will the poisoner try to take them out first? This was a hard to put down mystery, blending botany and science. Characters were teased out nicely, and the writing was clear and concise. Saffron is a trailblazer for women, proving herself in a (then) man’s world. She is dedicated and passionate about plants, and does her best to figure out which poison was used, and how much it would take to kill someone. I read this quickly; it was hard to put down, and I was sad when it was done. This is a great read, and if you like stories about smart, strong, brave females who aren’t afraid of showing feelings, and the many twists and turns of an adventure-filled mystery, you will enjoy this highly entertaining book., 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book!

Saffron Everleigh is an assistant to a professor of botany, following in her father's footsteps. it's a tough life for a young woman in the 1920s and her progress is impeded by the norms of the time...meaning men. While at a party with her mentor, Dr. Maxwell, a woman is poisoned, casting everyone there into doubt, and Dr. Maxwell is arrested. Can Saffron and her new friend Alexander Ashton find the real culprit? What happens if they do?

I really enjoyed this book. I liked Saffron as a character, and how she was a budding feminist in a time when feminism was dangerous. Also, I love that one of the other main characters had PTSD even though that wasn't known in the '20s. It made for an interesting read that I quite enjoyed. The plot was well-timed and put together, and flowed well. It does seem as though the end was setting up a potential sequel, which I would love to read.