Saffron is a scientist in 1920's London, a time when there aren't many women scientists. She studies botany and knows all about deadly poisons. When a someone dies at a party she is attending, she helps figure out who did it to clear the main suspect's name.

I really enjoyed this book and hope Saffron has more adventures in the future.

Fans of CJ Archer and Laurie King will enjoy this book!

I am thankful for the electronic copy of the book that I received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I purchased the audible version on my own.

A different type of mystery, set in a university in 1920’s England, the story was rich with characters. Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant in the botany department, when her mentor, Dr. Maxwell, is accused of poisoning another professor’s wife. Saffron enlists the help of Alexander Ashton, a professor getting ready to go on an Amazon tour with other staff members. The pair begins to uncover the true plan behind the poisoning. Unique in its subject matter, I recommend to mystery readers. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5/5 stars, this had some super interesting concepts

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I have to admit, that I first requested this book just because of the pretty cover, but once I read the synopsis I knew I was in for one wild ride of a story. While it was in fact, a wild ride, overall there were still a few things that were just not perfect for me. There were definitely moments where I laughed a bit and loved how the mystery unfolded though.

This is an extremely cheesy and over the top mystery, but that's part of what made this story all the more fun to read at times. There were moments where I felt it was too much, but also other times it made me smile. My favorite part about this was seeing the characters interact and share clues, theories, and thoughts. It was exactly how I pictured two scientists trying to solve a mystery would go, which was all the more part of the fun.

I think combining the historical aspects and the academia aspects also gave this story a certain charm, as well added on to the mystery. I absolutely adore books that involve or are about academia, so that really made some parts of this fun for me. My only complaint is that sometimes there were concepts that were presented to the reader without explanation, when it should have been explained, as it was a scientific or botanical concept not many people know of. That made it a bit confusing sometimes, and took me out of the story, but I still enjoyed learning about some of the science.

Unfortunately, probably the biggest complaint I have is the pacing. It felt very slow, and considering it was a murder mystery I did expect more action besides the characters just talking through their theories. The ending did pick up a little bit, however it felt just strange when the rest of the story was not the same as the ending. I think if there had been a bit more action it would have elevated the story a bit more then just at the end.

[TW: sexism, poisoning, throwing up, self experimentation, sexual assault, attempted rape, manipulation, physical violence, death of a parent]

1923 and it is not an easy era for women who want something more from their life - not only marriage and children but a career of some kind. Saffron has fought her peers and colleagues for a spot on the research team and she is well suited for the job but fighting prejudices and sneers from her colleagues is getting too much to bear. When her boss who has always been supportive of her is accused of murder, by using his
botanical knowledge to kill off a fellow researcher, Saffron knows she has to use her analytical skills as best as she could to get him free.

The botanical theme throughout the book, the characters not just the main one all added interest and substance to the story. The touch of romance was judiciously right not overpoweringly so and the book provided to be a good read, on a subject which for many may be boring.

Going with a 3.5 for this one.
This is one of the first books I’m reading following a slump. I don’t normally read historical fiction, but this one caught my attention. The story takes place in London in the 20’s. Saffron, the FMC, did get on my nerves a bit, but I think that was due to the era the story is based in. Mostly, I enjoyed her character though. She is the only female on staff at the university, so of course she deals with a lot of shit from the men in the varying departments. The professor she works under is super supportive, which was great to see. I did like the relationship building between Saffron and Alexander. The only downside, was I guessed the would-be-murders prior to the reveal. The reveal was also a little intense and I thought maybe a bit farfetched, but it played out well.

Take one aspiring female botanist to a party in London. Have the wife of a prominent professor be poisoned right in front of her. Then have her mentor blamed for the poisoning. There you have the motivation for Saffron to try and clear her mentor's name and figure out who the original target was and why! Kate Khavari provides plenty of red herrings, side jaunts, and character development for both Saffron Everleigh and Alexander Ashton, a biology professor and survivor of the trenches of the Great War. She also manages to invoke the vibe of the 1920's university setting when men were having to accept that women would be advancing in the sciences. A nice semi-cozy, semi-thriller mystery!

I really appreciated the obvious historical research the author did before writing this novel. It felt authentic. The author did a really great job of providing plenty of botany information without being overwhelming and making things hard to understand or difficult to remember later on. I thought Saffron was charming and really enjoyed her curiosity, drive, caring and intelligence. Would definitely read another book by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is a historical mystery. I found the story really hard to get into I found the storyline really slow and it really impacted my enjoyment of the book. It wasn’t a bad story it just wasn’t my type of story. Someone else may really enjoy this it just wasn’t for me.

I unfortunately DNF this one, it was not the right kind of book for me. It felt too much like an Agatha Christie mystery and I don't enjoy those type of story unfortunately. The cover is beautiful though.

2.5 stars. Set at the University College of London in 1923, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons introduces readers to Saffron Everleigh, a research assistant in the botany department. When a woman is poisoned at a party on the eve of an Amazon expedition and her mentor is arrested for attempted murder, Saffron sets out to prove his innocence, assisted by a handsome fellow researcher named Alexander Ashton.

A Botanist's Guide is an interesting, if not very exciting, mystery. Setting her novel in post-WWI London gives Kate Khavari the opportunity to explore topics like shell shock and PTSD and, through Saffron, to paint a picture of what life was like for a woman in a male-dominated field during that time. There is obviously a lot relating to the field of botany; Khavari clearly did her research, and I was fascinated by the poisonous plants that feature in the plot.

Unfortunately, I found the mystery itself, and the characters, to be rather dull. Saffron isn't given much of a personality outside of the fact that she makes rash decisions. The novel is set entirely on and around the university campus, and so the book lacks atmosphere -- I would much rather have read a novel set during the Amazon expedition itself (perhaps that will be the focus of the second novel in the series?). Khavari's writing is excellent, but there were some issues with pacing and overall I just wasn't hooked on the story that she told.

A gorgeous cover, but an underwhelming read.

I would describe A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons as a historical mystery with romantic vibes. I found this to be pretty slow paced, which is the reason for my 3 star review. I would have given it 4 stars if it was faster paced and kept my attention better. I really liked that this is set in 1920s London despite the fact that I normally don't love historical novels. I thought the atmosphere was very mysterious and read like a British scandal. I found the characters to be pretty interesting but would have loved a bit more backstory on them to give them more dimension. Overall, I wasn't shocked by the ending and found it to be a tad predictable. I did enjoy this for the most part but wouldn't say it was groundbreaking in any way. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kate Khavari for an advanced copy. I quite enjoyed the book, it was a fun crime fiction, a little different from what I usually read but I enjoyed nonetheless. I liked the complexity of the characters, especially our main, Saffron. The writing style suited the atmosphere of the novel, and I really like Khavari's descriptions. The plot fell a little short - I found my attention wandering at times, but it was still enjoyable enough to finished. And a side note, beautiful cover! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

This book was enjoyable enough but not anything outstanding, I feel because it's the first book and was a lot of introductions; I say that as I assume this is going to be a continuing series.

I felt it was quite confusing at the start and towards the end as there was rather a lot of characters and not really easy to remember who was who or how they were connected.

I did like the character of Saffron and also Alexander, even though at times he was a bit of a stuffed shirt but felt that Saffron brought him out of that. Also, I would like to see more from Saffron's friend as I don't feel we saw enough from her.

Worth a read and intrigued to read more.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Kate Khavari for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*

Honestly, I mostly requested this one because of the cover. It was like 80% cover, and 20% title. I haven't read anything by Kate Khavari but the synopsis sounded right up my alley.

I liked this book. I read it a few weeks ago and am just now writing a review. I have notes but the book wasn't super memorable. Definitely an enjoyable regency-inspired mystery / romance but nothing that really stood out. I would read more about these characters but I could also see myself being fine to leave this world and these characters alone if there were no more books.

I guess what I'm saying is this was good but not compelling in a way other mystery / romance books I've read were.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to #NetGalley for the e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari is a historical thriller with a cozy mystery feel. It is set in the roaring 1920s in London. This book is a combination of character driven as well as plot driven. The characters are well developed and relatable. There is a bit of a romantic vibe throughout the novel. I loved the blending of the botany and crime. I learned a bit along the way. I highly recommend this book. I can't wait for the second installment.

I feel in love with "A Botanists Guide to Parties and Poisons" cover before I even read the blurb.
Kate Khavari takes us to post war 1923 London City university life, of professors and their supporting staff. Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant following in her fathers footsteps, studying botany. Her father sadly died in the war but his legacy surrounds Saff, as she tries to fit in with the elite academics. She even has to borrow a suitable dress to wear to a party.....that becomes the setting of a poisoning.
Saffron is young and inquisitive and sets herself on the road to solving this case....putting herself at certain risk of harm.
This is the first in a series of Saffron Everleigh Mysteries. I enjoyed the thought provoking twists and turns, with hint of a burgening romance.
And look forward to the next instalment. It will be hard to match up to the quality of "A Botanists Guide to Parties and Poisons" inventive use of toxic plants in a combination of cozy mysteries and historical fiction.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley and Kate Khavari for my copy of murder mystery.

I think I hoped for more based on the title. This book is a cute little mystery set in the 1920s, where a young woman, aspiring botanist, finds herself needing to solve whether her mentor poisoned someone. Along the way she flirts and seeks help from a dashing biologist dealing with shell shock. The characters were cute, with lots of potential. The book hit all the necessary points to progress. It was easy to read, I just wanted a little more depth.

Kate Khavari introduces Saffron Everleigh, research assistant in 1923 University College, who gets involved in defending her professor after he is arrested for poisoning Professor Henry's wife at a faculty party in A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons. Saffron works with researcher Alexander Ashton to find out who did the poisoning and who was embezzling funds from a research expedition to the Amazon. Unusual for Saffron to land a research position. Interesting intrigue. Lots of suspects. Have fun with this historical whodunit.

Who poisoned Mrs. Henry?
Mrs. Henry collapsed after taking a swallow from her drink and from the beginning the novel I was hooked, plus it was a short novel, which is nice after a much longer book.
The novel opens up at the University of London where Saffron was an assistant , which in itself was an uncommon occurrence for a female. During the dinner party, Mrs. Henry collapsed after taking a swallow from her drink. Dr. Maxwell,, who was Saffron's mentor, was considered the main suspect in the murder of Mrs. Henry. Thus Saffron was driven to prove her mentor innocent.
I am a word nerd, and I enjoyed the Latin words sprinkled throughout the novel. The word lookup feature with my Kindle was a useful tool in researching the vocabulary. Along with the fabulous vocabulary, the novel was character driven, which was another feature of the book that I enjoyed, I found was able to visualize the characters, which made them seem real.
. It took all my willpower not to jump to the last chapter, this was an edge to your seat novel. I plan on adding more of Kate Khavan's other novels to my library and I would recommend reading this novel with the Kindle app, i implemented the word lookup throughout the book.
Thank you Kate Khavan, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane publishing for the privilege of reading this novel and I wrote an honest review.

This mystery series debut is a lot of fun. Research assistant Saffron Everleigh dons her sleuthing cap when one of the University College of London’s professor’s wives is poisoned at a party and Saffron’s mentor Professor Maxwell becomes the prime suspect. With the help of fellow researcher Alexander Ashton, the pair sets out to find the real killer and clear Maxwell’s name.

I really enjoyed my time with Saffron and Alexander. They make a good pair; he balances her sometimes impulsive behavior. The author handles some weighty subjects, such as workplace sexual harassment and PTSD, with a deft hand. The 1920’s London setting is a wonderful escape, and I felt an authentic sense of time and place while immersed in the tale. The backdrop of academia allows for quirky and interesting characters. The story is told from alternating perspectives (Saffron and Alexander), and this helped keep the story moving along though the pace does drag a bit at times.

A BOTANIST’S GUIDE TO PARTIES AND POISONS combines historical fiction, mystery, and romance with great success making for a fantastic read. I look forward to more adventures featuring Saffron and Alexander. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this title from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.