I listened to the audiobook for the first book in this series, which I loved. Reading this one, I could still hear the narrator’s voices in my head. I would recommend
this series to patrons. It’s a nice change of pace from other mysteries that I’ve read. I also LOVE the cover art. Thank you for this advance copy!

Saffron Everleigh returns in the second novel in the series by Kate Khavari as the sleuthing botanist in 1920s London. She is encouraged by Detective Inspector Green to help investigate murders of prominent local socialites who have been left bouquets tied with a black ribbon since her current work focuses on toxins and poisons from plant sources. She works on the research project alongside Dr. Michael Lee, and he assists her with the investigation. Saffron digs into the Victorian art of floriography, or the practice of sending messages encoded by the flowers themselves, to discover who the killer is. As she does this, readers accompany her and Dr. Lee through 1920s London, a city and society entranced by the Jazz Age and all its trappings. Saffron's foray into detective work is fun, but fraught as she simultaneously tries to figure out her feelings of attraction and aggravation for Dr. Lee and pines for her beau Alexander Edwards who is away on an expedition in South America.

The glimpses into 1920s London were what I appreciated most in A Botanist's Guide to flowers and Fatality, along with the burgeoning science of the era. The jazz clubs, the liberated and liberating behavior of the previously stilted women, the use of intoxicants (alcohol and chemical) reveal a compelling picture of a society in the midst of tremendous growing pains in terms of its mores and values.

I must confess that the mid section of the book dragged a bit for me with Lee's refusal to help Saffron at one point and the numerous dead ends that halted forward progress into the investigation and the advancement of the plot. However, overall, the book is fun and informative, both things I admire in this type of story.

I have recommended this book to my students, who I think will enjoy learning about 1920s London and floriography.

"A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality" is the second book in the Saffron Everleigh mysteries, When I requested this book, I did not realize this. I have not read the first novel in the series and although I enjoyed the book, I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the first book in the series before diving into this title.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality" was a rather good discovery! I hadn't read the first book in the series, "A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poison", (which I regret and will soon remedy!) but the second book could be read on its own too.

I enjoyed the setting of the book, in 1923 London, between the University College, jazz clubs, theatres, and typical Londoners' flats. Saffron Everleigh is a young women with ties to nobility who chose a different path for herself. Not only is she a botanist/researcher at UCL, she is also a consultant for the police on a murder case. With the newly arrived Dr. Lee, her co-researcher on a study about toxic plants, both will dive into London's jazz clubs to befriend the suspects—and therefore a murderer...

I found the mystery intriguing. I loved the bouquets of flowers and their significations, and found that to be an original element in a mystery story. Saffron wasn't always the best detective, she was naïve and sometimes made gross mistakes in front of the suspects (but often got away with it.) What I regretted was that I guessed several elements of the mystery before they were revealed. I much prefer went all the pieces of the puzzle click into place only when the hero/heroine finds out themselves. Also, some suspects just faded in the background and we never heard about them again as the real suspect was slowing revealing themselves.

I wasn't fond of the love triangle and would have wanted to see more of Alexander Ashton. He seems like such an interesting character that I regret not knowing more about him (by reading the first book) or by having his POV all along the story (not necessarily through all his explorations in the jungle, but at least of him receiving Saffron's letter). That is—I only wish for that IF the romance is going to be more developed in the next instalments.

Despite some minor faults, I found his cosy mystery enjoyable and I am looking forward to the third book in this series!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

This book was just as amazing as the first. Saffron is working on a new study with a goofy doctor who drives her crazy. But Inspector Green needs her help identifying some flowers sent murdered women who don't appear to be related. Saffron accepts, of course, and ends up dragging the doctor along. They infiltrate a small group of friends, all of which have secrets to keep. Danger, drama and a little scandal ensue and Saffron has to decide if her reputation, and possibly life, are worth finding the killer.

Saffron is an absolutely amazing and intelligent woman. 1920s London is still pretty hard on working women and Saffron has to fight for everything a man would just be given. Without spoiling anything, Saffron has to decide if a relationship is more important than her independence. I love her character for this. She doesn't need a man to save her and she definitely won't let one tell her what to do.

This book is the perfect amount of mystery and suspense for someone who isn't big on mysteries. The only thing I wish is that there was a little more botaniy and some queer rep. I know the 1920s wasn't easy for queer people but Elizabeth's ties with the poetry group was a perfect opening.

The second novel in Kate Khavari’s Saffron Everleigh Mystery series, where Saffron Everleigh slowly steps into a more independent role while defining herself in a predominantly white male space of academia. A mystery that will have readers racing across historical London, second guessing who it could possibly be as Everleigh and her new research partner dance from one glittering party to the next to figure out who is killing prominent women.

As I mentioned in my review of the first book, my hope for this series was to see Everleigh and her love interest from the first novel, Alexander Ashton, relationship grows as an equal partnership with a bit more steamy romance scenes. I was slightly disappointed in this one when it came to the romance. The POV is from Saffron’s perspective and her new research partner, Doctor Michael Lee. Both start to fall for each other and then enter Alexander Ashton back from his own research project and bit scruffy and wild around the edges. What was so confusing was Khavari drops Lee’s POV and switches to Ashton’s when he gets back. This could’ve been an easy fix by allowing for all three POV’s throughout the entire novel.

But by the end of the book Saffron takes another path all together, which was another unexpected twist to the story, but leaves us with a possibility of a third book that will feature Ashton and his family. My fingers are tightly crossed this time that we’ll explore his character and see him become more of a feminist character embracing Everleigh’s independence, allowing her, her own autonomy while loving her wealth of knowledge and unique charm.

My continued hope is that as the series progresses Khavari includes a few 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 cozy mystery, where the main character takes on the role of playing detective, and a love triangle romance, wondering which guy Saffron will choose, then A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality is one to add to your TBR.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

5 stars

A great read. I've read book one and I think a person will benefit from reading it and as it's also a good read so why wouldn't you? Saffron is again involved in helping to solve a murder. The victims received bouquets of poisonous and caustic flowers. As Alexander Ashton is off finding specimens in the rain forests of south america, Saffron has got a helpmate in Dr Michael Lee. . In the beginnging she's not that keen on him but he's a blond charmer and she warms to him. Towards the end of the book Alexander retruns and is jealous of Lee. Even though Alex assumed Saffron knew he was interested in her, he thought the physical presence of all the specimens he found would explain his affection rather than writing about his feelings explicitly. Lots of lovely descriptions of the roaring 20s. I got the baddy right and there's the start of the next book in the epilogue. Will Saffron stay loyal to Alex, despite his PSTD problems or build a different like with Lee.

I will eargerly look our for the next episode . I thoroughly recommend this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The second book in the Saffron Everleigh mysteries, A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatalities was an excellent follow up to its predecessor. I have to admit I did not think the first book was amazing but I did enjoy the allure of mystery and all the different poisons. However, this sequel was far better than the first book while still keeping within the scope of the narrative. This was another great mystery and I love the creativity of the book titles in this series.

I really enjoyed getting to meet Saffron In A Botanists Guide to Parties and Poison and I was very excited to receive a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review. We find Saffron recovering from her own poisoning and assisting Dr. Michael as he travels around helping people who suspect they have been poisoned. When a serial killer who sends bouquets of flowers enters the picture, DI Green calls on Saffron and her knowledge of Botany to help catch the killer. Leading her back into the world of Jazz clubs and high society, Saffron and Dr. Lee trail the killer.

Botanist here is Saffron Eveleigh who finally got her research and her research partner is non other than irritating and charming Dr.Lee. In a fashion typical to her, she finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery that takes from labs, libraries to clubs and parties.

I don’t usually give 5 stars. This one is for me. There were men, more realistic (not that i don’t enjoy unrealistic) than a romcom. There is a heroine (yes! Heroine!!) who is compelled to fight injustice and is a botanist and makes difficult decisions for right reasons. She keeps falling for smart men (what’s a girl to do!!). There is murder mystery! The culprit almost hidden in plain sight.

The only thing that I disliked about this book is that it had to end at some point. Seriously, what a great read! And how soon can we expect the next in the series??? Since I've read the first book in this series, I've been on the look out for the next book. When I found out that it was released, I was pretty hesitant to request, for fear of being rejected. I mean, my review score isn't all that astounding, to begin with. Luckily, the publisher hadn't declined my request and for that I am truly, truly, thankful!

The book cover, the title and the time period are so perfect. I've never known much about the flapper era before I've read this. And who doesn't like flowers? Floriography, the language of flowers will be always a subject that fascinates me a lot. The story and the characters, too, they're marvelous. They each aren't your stereotyped main and supporting characters. I love that their is romance but it isn't sappy. Most of all, the conflict and resolution between the lead characters. I just, there's enough drama and anger, and a whole lot of learning. The mystery is good enough to keep you interested and guessing, as is the thrill..

No dragging parts with this one!

Saffron Everleigh is at it again. While embarking on her first research study with the charming Dr. Michael Lee, Saffron finds herself working with Inspector Green to help solve possibly connected homicides in the area. All of the victims were women who received bouquets just before their deaths, and that is where Saffron’s botany expertise comes in. Each bouquet is distinct, and the language of flowers might hold clues to figuring out the murderer’s identity.

Like before, Saffron doesn’t know when to quit and finds herself revisiting the affluent society she happily left behind. Befriending the victims’ friends, Saffron, along with partner Lee begins to question who to trust. They work to piece together a timeline with clues from conversations as they traipse along with high society from the theatre to jazz clubs on the fringe of proper. Saffron and Lee find drug use has gone rampant and everyone has secrets.

A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality is full of twists and turns and is overall a light-hearted read despite the content. It reminds me of Enola Holmes, with a clever and witty heroine hell bent on making her way in world not ready for that level of female independence. The whole love triangle between Saffron, Lee, and Alexander (from the previous book) is a little annoying and not necessary to the story, but didn’t detract me from finishing it. I wish Elizabeth, Saffron’s flatmate, had a greater role—perhaps in the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and of course Kate Khavari for the advanced copy of the audiobook. A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality comes out this summer on June 6th and would be a great addition to your beach bag! All opinions are my own.

Saffron Everleigh is back with a new mystery to solve!

Uncovering the truth behind a poisoning within the faculty of University College did not earn Saffron any new friends in her department, but it did earn her the respect of local police inspector, Detective Green.

While Alexander Ashton is off in the Amazon, Saffron is conducting research with a new colleague from the medical department, Dr. Michael Lee. Soon Saffron and Lee are not just doing their research side by side, by attending jazz clubs and befriending society's elites to try to find clues as to who could be sending deadly bouquets & murdering women.

In this second book, Saffron must juggle participating in the investigation, protecting her damaged reputation, and her confusing feelings about Alexander and Lee -- no big deal.

I love Saffron as a leading lady and this book was no different. Her strength, determination, and smarts make this book another winner. Fans of Veronica Speedwell and Lady Darby will enjoy this Victorian-era mystery series.

WOW! Okay. Wow. If you loved Khavari's "Botanists Guide to Parties and Potions," this one is even better! I love this series and can't wait to read the next.

This book picks up a few months after the first. I thought my heart would break when Saffron and Alex Ashton parted ways in book one. He went off to the Amazon on an expedition for six months! Sigh. However, Saffron has been assigned a new project and partner, one rakishly awesome Dr. Michael Lee. The plot thickens...

While Saffron and Lee are working on a study about poisonous plants and documenting strange poisoning cases, her old policeman pal, Inspector Green asks her to consult on a murder case. Two murdered women have received strange poisonous bouquets tied with the same black ribbon shortly before their deaths. Saffron soon finds herself going undercover to investigate the friends of one of the victims and taking Dr. Lee with her.

Oh boy! Khavari has dished up a JUICY love triangle and a fun mystery. I am usually solidly one team or the other when it comes to love triangles, but I waffled quite a bit right along with Saffron on the Alex vs. Lee dilemma. I have never been so torn nor so desperate for a third book!

Read this ASAP and the first book as well. Khavari is a master of the murder-romance genre, serving up satisfying plots, characters and dialogue on every compulsively turned page.

This book was pretty good, although I gotta say I enjoyed the first one more. The story follows Saffron and some new murders she is intent on helping to solve, while also putting herself in danger. I did find her colleague Lee very endearing and Alexander was very annoying, although I loved him in the first book!

This is the second installment to 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. I felt very immersed. I like seeing Saffron immerse herself in the case with the go ahead from cops. The mystery is interesting but I feel like things started to get overshadowed by the . . . entanglement. The premise of this story was there, but the execution fell flat for me.

This is charming mystery/romance, starring Miss Saffron Everleigh, a botanist in London in the 1920s. Saffron is a series of contradictions wrapped up into a clever, stubborn woman. She was raised in wealth but chose her academic pursuits instead, and now lives a modest lifestyle. As a female scientist, she is not just in the minority but a total rarity. And, in a time when women were expected to be mild-mannered, she is headstrong and confident.

Saffron has been invited to assist the police in a series of mysterious murders. All of the victims are female, and received unusual floral bouquets immediately preceding their deaths. Saffron's officemate, Dr. Michael Lee, is sometimes helpful and sometimes a distraction as she uses science, art, her wealthy roots and her inquisitive nature to solve the puzzle.

I hadn't read the first iteration of the Everleigh mysteries and I was able to grasp enough of what already happened to not feel left in the dust. The lingering tension between Saffron and her would-be lover Ashton; the professional and criminal mess left by Saffron's last run-in with some on-campus wrongdoers; and the simmering tension between Saffron and her family were all drawn with enough broad strokes that I understood.

This story was enjoyable for several reasons. Saffron is a heroine to root for, and her relationship with her roommate Elizabeth shows a sweeter side to her. Dr. Michael Lee is the hot but annoying coworker that Saffron has to figure out how to deal with. The criminals that they end up investigating are an interesting group of folks.

The things that bothered me are perhaps setups for the next book in the series so I'm not going to list them here. I suppose overall I would have liked to see Saffron work more on her own, rather than in tandem with Dr. Lee, since she's smart and competent enough on her own. His role was distracting to both her and the reader.

A love triangle? In 2023? I think not.

I picked up this book because I really enjoyed the first one. And while this maintained a lot of the aspects I enjoyed about the first, it also included a love triangle which was frankly unbearable. If the love triangle wasn't there this book would've gotten 4 stars but 25% of the book was her debating between two mediocre men.

Aside from my annoyance about the love triangle, this book was good. The actual mystery was quite fun and the 1920s drug scene was interesting. If you can tolerate the love triangle, give it a chance.

I genuinely love the Everleigh books so much! I find it super refreshing to have a female protagonist in a 1920s murder mystery - add academia in rainy England into the mix and I'm sold.
I did like Alexander in the first book more than Lee in the second, but the flower language murders evened that out again. So creative and very niche - love it and I'll definitely purchase it for myself once it's published!

Ahhhhh I absolutely loved this one! I had been waiting on this one for what seems like forever and it was so worth it!