I wouldn't say that I disliked this book but it left me dissatisfied by the end. The pace was very slow up until about 80% into the book. The concept was very interesting but the execution felt off to me. The characters and environment were brought to life very well and the scenes were set up wonderfully but the story itself seemed confusing and not brought togther in a way that felt resolved to me.

It weirdly transitions from a dual POV to a three person POV that snuck up on me and had me rereading sections.

I wish I liked it more but it ended up being a book I could have gone without reading at all.

This is the second in a series but could easily be read as a standalone. Relavant information from the previous book was explained well enough that the first book was not necessary to understand the backstory.

I was so happy to see this series return! I’m sorry to say I didn’t like this one as much as the first, but it was still a solid sophomore novel. Saffron was as delightful as before. I liked Lee, and I’m glad Saffron got paired with someone who respects her for her project. There was one element I didn’t care for, though: I really didn't like the love triangle. It was disappointing because I really like this series and it’s bringing in a trope that I generally don’t enjoy. It looks like that won’t be an issue in future books, though, which I’m glad of. I still really liked it, and I’m looking forward to the next.

Representation: POC character

Saffron is back to her usual ways in this sequel and I loved it! Her charming, no-nonsense approach to crime-solving makes her one of my favorite victorian-era sleuths. She's managed to get herself tangled in a love triangle this time around, presumably to add some spice but I'm not convinced she needs either of these men.

I liked this more than I did book one, and I had no argument this time as to the appropriateness of the title - there were lots of flowers and a surfeit of fatalities.

The botanist in the title is Saffron Eversleigh, a woman in a man's world as a research assistant at the University College of London in the 1920's. Her love interest from the first book, Alexander Ashton, is absent for most of the time overseas, and he is replaced by Dr Michael Lee, a man with a penchant for teasing Saffron in order to enjoy her reactions. She of course thinks she does not like him when it is obvious to everyone else that she does.

There are lots of murders, many red herrings and a surprise murderer. Ashton returns and we imagine a love triangle, but Saffron is a woman with a mind of her own. I am looking forward to what happens next.

I really like this series. Book two was just as fun as book one.
I'm just not so sure what I thought about the love triangle. I hope that is resolved quickly in book three.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Publication: June 6, 2023

I personally haven't tried a historical mystery so I was intrigued to try this book out. It was part of a series but I didn't feel too lost with not reading the first book. This is also my first book by Khavari and I have to say I loved all the historical pieces within the story but struggled to get into the mystery aspect. I ended up giving up around 30% when I realized that this book and I were not going to get along.

Khavari has once again written a beautiful mystery that involves a cast of intriguing characters.

Saffron Everleigh is a female botanist who desperately seeks to carve out her place in academia and in the field of botany. She and Dr. Lee are in the midst of a study of patients who have been poisoned by plants when Inspector Green asks for Everleigh to consult on a series of recent murders, all with floral bouquets left at the scene. Convinced there's more to the story that the police won't be able to access, Saffron can't help but get more deeply involved.

I loved getting to know Saffron more deeply -- and enjoyed the reappearance of beloved characters like Eliza and Alexander. I daresay, this sequel is even better than A Botanist's Guide to Parties & Poisons!

This is the second book in the Saffron Everleigh Mystery series. I really love the way that the 1920s setting is so much more apparent in this novel than the first. The love triangle in this book was unbearable, way too much time was spent on her debating between two mediocre men. The mystery was intriguing but overall I enjoyed the first book more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!

I somehow missed that this was a second book in a series, but it was easy enough to catch up and learn where it was picking up after the first and embed myself in the unfolding narrative.

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality is the second outing of Saffron Everleigh, botanist cum detective. The premise of the mystery is fascinating, bouquets using the Victorian art of communicating with flowers are found with murder victims. Saffron is called in to interpret and works her way into the investigation. This novel suffers with some of the issues with pacing that plagued the first book in the series. Some sections, especially conversations between characters, drag on, while the denouement crackled with energy. The mystery was clever, and the romantic triangle adds spice. A solid if somewhat uninspiring sophomore effort.

A Botanist's guide is really unique an interesting, a new twist to the typical murder mystery with a strong female lead. However I felt this leaned very heavily on the romance and I expected more of the mystery when I went into this book. Originally I did not realise this was the second in the series, although I do believe this can be read as a stand-alone with some slight confusion of the characters history, I do think to fully enjoy this you need a deeper connection to the characters I think you would get by reading the first book so you can truly enjoy the love triangle. Because of this I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would, it was very well written and the mystery was incredibly unique but I could not get into the romance part so I was left slightly bored in parts of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!

Saffron Everleigh is back in this second novel by Kate Khavari. A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality follows Saffron on a new case with a set of unusual clues. Women turn into victims as they receive a bouquet with poisonous flowers. As always, the case is deeper than it looks, and Saffron digs deeper as she follows a group of suspects throughout 1920s London.

I really enjoyed this one. Saffron is fun to follow and I love all of the descriptions of 1920s London. Very much looking forward to the next one in the series!

Once again, Kate Khavari has delivered a turn-of-the-century romp that is full of mystery, suspense, murder, and just the right amount of romance.

We are once again charmed by the bluntness and directness of Saffron Everleigh, a Botanist, a very clever woman in a man's field of work. Following on from the first book, she is asked to consult on a case by the police and ends up right in the middle of things, but then we would expect no less. There are flowers, fights, and fatalities, all in a day of work for Saffron Everleigh though.

I do enjoy these books, even though they are out of my usual comfort zone. The historical details and accurate, and the adventure is always fun. I can not wait for the third installment.

Such nice notes of historical accuracy laid alongside a science based mystery romance. Rey much enjoyed the smart women and botanical intrigue of this book!

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

Though not as strong as the first in the series, I still found this an intriguing and fun read. Saffron is such a fun character, especially for the time period she's in. In this book, Saffron has her own office and is part of the staff at the college. She also has a new colleague, Dr. Michael Lee. They're teamed up together to investigate cases of poisonings in the area due to plants to document the results and treatments. When Inspector Green comes back on the scene to ask Saffron's opinion on mysterious bouquets of flowers found at two crime scenes, she's lured back into the sordid world of murder. Will she discover who the killer is before it's too late?

Once again, I loved the mystery in the book. Saffron is nothing if not industrious, curious, and precocious. She's intelligent and stubborn, as well. I loved seeing more about plants and flowers and the history of their meanings because all of that was interesting. What felt out of step for me was the romance angle with Saffron, Lee, and Alex. For her to be in a love triangle of sorts was out of character to me. Still, I loved that it added something new to the story, and I'm committed now. I want to see if there's more to come, and what adventures Saffron will conquer next!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

This book isn't my normal trope or style of read, but I am glad I gave it a shot. While there were a few moments this book seemed to ... drag a little, I'm glad I stuck with it overall.
The author did an AMAZING job with world-building, specifically with the 1920s in London timeline. Saffron was an amazing main character. Very likeable. Quite a few of the side characters were just as enjoyable as well. Saffron and Eliza's friendship was also a great addition to this book.
While I am entirely ignorant to the world of flowers and the like, the author did a great job at educating the readers and keeping us informed on everything. The concept of the flowers being poisoned was an unique concept, and I really did enjoy that.

Great read!

Kate Khavari's second book in the Saffron Everleigh mystery series is both fascinating and intriguing, with plenty of suspense to keep you turning the pages.
The concept of murder victims receiving a toxic bouquet of unusual flowers is as original as it is educational, as Saffron discovers the hidden meaning to each flower in the mysterious deliveries. The number of suspects in the murder mystery are many and varied.
Throughout the book it is gratifying to see Saffron become stronger with the help of her wonderful room mate Eliza, who defends her friend and urges her to stand up for herself.
I did find the book to drag in spots, but overall enjoyed this well-written book.
I am grateful for the ARC of #ABotanistsGuidetoFlowersandFatality provided through #NetGalley.

First of all, I want to say that I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did.
This is the second book in the Everleigh saga, A Botanist's guide....
In general, I loved the story, I loved the protagonist, I loved how the author describes the 20s and how she manages to create a whole livable atmosphere of this time.
Saffron is really a strong and easy to love protagonist, I also liked Eliza and their friendship. On the other hand, I still haven't decided whether I prefer Lee or Alexander...... I had a lot of doubts about their attitudes.
Anyway..
It's really amazing how Khavari developed the whole discovery of the assassins, from unraveling the mystery around flowers, around botanical language. For me, who have no knowledge of this, it was really fantastic and I ended up being intrigued by this new world!
btw the cover design *muah, chef's kiss*
I look forward to read more of Everleigh's adventures.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the Arc of this book ❤️

After months of waiting I was totally worth it. I clumsy wait to read more about Saffron and Alexander! And it was incredible. Months after the events of A Botanists Guide to Poisons and Parties. Saffron is working with doctor Lee to see the effects of poisons and their remedies. Alexander is at the expedition in Brazil. Saffron once again sees herself investigating a murder with bouquets as clues.
The story was again was incredible well written. The characterization was incredible. The social clases were incredible well showed. Once again the London after the war showed itself as an important peace. The effects on everyone were life changing. As dead filled the continent now party tries to make them forget. The relationships between the characters once again where on point. Helped to move the plot and were once again super fun to read. The situations Saffron got into where once again super fun to read. The mystery led her out of her comfort zone and into a world she had gotten herself out from. The plot was filled with unexpected twists and reveals. And after that ending I want even more of mysteries and the 1920s in London.

1920s London isn’t the ideal place for a brilliant woman with lofty ambitions. But research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to beat the odds in a male-dominated field at the University College of London. Saffron embarks on her first research study alongside the insufferably charming Dr. Michael Lee, traveling the countryside with him in response to reports of poisonings. But when Detective Inspector Green is given a case with a set of unusual clues, he asks for Saffron’s assistance.

The victims, all women, received bouquets filled with poisonous flowers. Digging deeper, Saffron discovers that the bouquets may be more than just unpleasant flowers— there may be a hidden message within them, revealed through the use of the old Victorian practice of floriography. A dire message, indeed, as each woman who received the flowers has turned up dead.

Alongside Dr. Lee and her best friend, Elizabeth, Saffron trails a group of suspects through a dark jazz club, a lavish country estate, and a glittering theatre, delving deeper into a part of society she thought she’d left behind forever.