I really enjoyed the first book, but A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality took the podium.

Botanist Saffron Everleigh is back and this time, DI Green comes to her for her expertise in the field. This time, a number of women were murdered and all have something in common: they all received a bouquet of deadly flowers. Each one is different and in the Victorian "language of flowers" they all seem to accuse the victims of something. Can Saffron get to the murderer before they make any more victims?

Saffron is a great character, and she grew quite a bit from her previous adventure. In a world that doesn't want women to succeed, she becomes aware of her own power, her intelligence and her strength. Listening to her standing up for herself, her beliefs and wants was very satisfying.

A new character makes an appearance, Saffrons' co-worker Dr Michael Lee, a charming, flirting medical researcher. Together, they dive into the world of the rich and powerful, and all its dark secrets. I really liked Lee, probably a bit more than Ashton, who is an expedition. Lee has a way with people but he has a good heart. He doesn't interfere with Saffron's choices and decisions, merely giving his opinion, and most of the times, letting her take the lead.

However, this time Saffron refuses to be cuddled by the men in her life, driven by her need to be part of something bigger than herself and to bring justice to the victims.

The mystery is really good, with a lot of red herrings about the identity of the killer. Even if my suspicions were confirmed, I couldn't stop reading, especially when the action is unleashed. A very satisfying resolution, and a great opening for the next instalment.

I'm looking forward to Saffron's next adventure.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari is the second book in a series. This book takes place just a few months after Alexander left to go on his expedention to the Amazon. Saffron is paired with Dr. Lee when she is approached by Inspector Green to help with a murder investigation. Saffron and Lee gets into the inner circle of one of the victims friends to try to find the killer. Soon there are a few others murders all left a bouquet of flowers and a velvet black ribbon. Saffron must find out the significant meaning behind the flowers given to the victims. This book had so many twists and turns and I didn't guess who the killer was until the end. Saffron also has a new love interst, which is Dr. Lee. She is torn between both Lee and Alexander and has to decide which one is right for her. The ending left in a cliff hanger that now you will have to wait to see how everything works out between Saffron, Alexander, and Lee. Very good book and a must read for anyone who likes historical fiction and mysteries.

Now that Saffron has had a taste of police investigations and the immediate difference they can make, she is eager to step in and of course go beyond what is asked of her to help when Detective Inspector Green asks for her assistance. Now she's in the midst of murder investigations as well as a research study with Dr. Michael Lee who knows just how to push her buttons and she's not sure how to feel about that when Alexander left for his expedition without clarifying anything. And when he comes back, we have a muddled triangle of Dr. Michael Lee who gives her the freedom to rush in without thinking things through, Alexander who restricts her in the name of keeping her safe, and Saffron who is discovering an entirely new world and trying to decided what she wants her place to be in this world.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Book Lanes for the reading opportunity.
This was my first introduction to the Saffron Everleigh mysteries and I want to go back to read the first one and of course, looking forward to the next installment!
When we meet Saffron, she is a botanical researcher at the University College in London where she is working side by side with Dr. Michael Lee in a phytotoxicology study. The pair travel to Hampshire to visit a sick child and determine if he has been poisoned by a local plant. After finding the poisonous plant and the child being rushed off to get medical aid, Saffron was recruited by Inspector Green to help the police department with a case. There had been a series of murders where black-ribbon bouquets had been received by victims who had been murdered.
Saffron uses her expertise in floriography, which is a secret Victorian language of flowers, and determines that each flower in the bouquets has a specific meaning to the receiver. Saffron and Dr. Lee put themselves in the thick of the investigation and in danger.
This book had a little bit of everything and it was a fun read as well!

Saffron Everleigh, botanist, aspiring detective, is spunky. She has the air of many women in spaces that are traditionally male dominated, in the best way. She’s sarcastic and intelligent and stubborn. And she wants adventure. So when a request for help from the local police department pulls her away from her study on poisons with the attractive Dr. Lee, she juggles both. Following the clues on a case with mysterious bouquets of poisonous but beautiful plants Leads her deep into historical London‘s night scene. Into twisty intrigue, secret affairs and many, many parties.

Once again, the writing was fantastic. I really enjoy the detailed way the author sets the atmosphere, especially for the glamorous 1920s club scene. (I did have a huge issue with the formatting, but I think that’s because it is an ARC and I hope it won’t be there in the final version) I also really like the characters, especially the new male lead. I was surprised by that because I usually dislike love interests that are introduced later on in series. I actually like Lee better than Ashton now :) In the first book, my biggest criticism was that there was no representation for minorities whatsoever. That did change, while no lgbt character appeared in the main cast, there were many side characters, especially during the parties, that were queer. I really appreciated that. The language used there wasn’t negative, but it was a bit strange. Im sure it’s historically accurate but it did rub me the wrong way a few times.
The mystery was exquisite. The bouquets were such an interesting subject and the twists were well-done and well placed. I did wonder why Saffron only really looked into one victim and then solved the other two murders „backwards“, because the choice of which victim seemed somewhat random to me. I didn’t mind much while reading though.

Overall, a fun mystery that kept me turning the pages and wondering what would happen next.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for allowing me to review this book

Little cozy plus some botany and murder. What more is there in a fun read.

Loved the way the author ages her characters, like his mustache was several decades old fashion.

Great easy read. Find the read mystery here, I trust you will love them all.

What a lovely and delightful story! Saffron Everleigh is back, ready to take on the world. She and her partner Lee have been working together collecting information on poisonous plants and their effects on people. However, inspector Green comes to her with a request for help. Women are dying after being given bouquets of flowers. It is up to her and Lee to try and find the connections. Full of surprises, you won’t want to miss this adventure! The narrator was great and the story was very well done!

Plot: 4/5
Despite being such a character reader I really love how plot focused Khavari’s books are. It’s very classic cozy mystery. Our MC does have some flaws but nothing particularly major. The story isn’t about her self improvement, it’s very focused on the action and the story.
The mystery was really well crafted and the twists were unexpected but still believable.

Characters: 4/5
Saffron is a very consistent character which makes her the perfect star for a mystery. She’s driven and clever.
Lee is such a fun character addition! I loved how he liked to rile Saffron up and seeing his perspective of her and the events added a lot to the story.
Alexander Aston is wonderful as ever. He showed back up at such a perfect (terrible) time. He changed quite a bit with his expedition which added a lot of depth to his character.
As much as I adore Lee, Alexander all the way in this love triangle!

Writing: 4/5
Khavari has fantastic voice in her words and her writing is extremely engaging. She crafts the era really well, there’s clearly a lot of research going on behind the scenes.

Overall: 4/5

This was a great sequel and a really great book overall, it didn’t hit five stars for me but I highly recommend it for mystery readers!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality in return for an honest review. First of all I did NOT realize that this was a series so I had to get the first book to play a little catch up. However, this could just about be a stand alone. Being a strong woman in the 1920's Saffron has her work cut out for her and she is willing to be head strong and put in the work to show that she is totally capable of doing what a man can do. As a Botanist, she is approached by detectives to help them track down a killer using her knowledge of flowers, their meaning and their abilities to kill people.

There is a light love story/triangle that develops through the series, but that is most certainly not the main point to the books. The mystery is solved or wrapped up and the relationship between Saffron and Dr. Lee continues to change. The narrator in this books keeps the listener engaged and ready to pick up and listen to more. I will most certainly be finding the next book in this series.

Saffron Everleigh and her colleague Dr. Michael Lee are studying toxic plants for their research at the University. As Saffron grows her name in the botany field, she is solicited by Detective Inspector Green — the latest murders in town are linked by poisonous bouquets and he needs her expertise. This leads Saffron, Lee and her roommate, Elizabeth into a world of 1920s London jazz clubs and questionable society as they trail the clues to find out who is behind the murders.

This was a good second novel in the series. Saffron’s character is finding herself and adapting well to a male dominated field and world. I enjoyed seeing her stepping out as an independent woman who isn’t afraid to try something out of her comfort zone. The mystery is engaging with some unique circumstances. The light romance is fun. Some slow spots but overall a great novel. The narrator captures the voice of Saffron quite well for an engaging audiobook as well. 4 stars.

Review based on a Advanced Audiobook provided by Dreamscapes Media and NetGalley. Thank you!

This is an exciting follow-up to A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons. Although Saffron is still studying at University College London, her latest investigation requires her to venture more into the 1920s social scene. It was fun to see her at a jazz club or a wild party. It was also a nice juxtaposition to the outmoded practice of sending messages via flowers.

We also got to see more of Elizabeth, who I love. I think she told off three different men this time around. I’m hoping we’ll get to see one of her poet meetings or maybe a reading in a future book.

This book introduces a love-triangle of a sort. I say of a sort because I honestly don’t think it will last. Saffron’s feelings for Alexander are much stronger than her friendship with Dr. Lee. Alexander just needs to come to terms with the fact that Saffron is a grown woman who can make her own decisions. Meanwhile, Lee and Elizabeth have much more chemistry together. I’m hoping they figure this out sooner rather than later.

The audiobook is narrated by Jodie Harris. Her performance felt very immersive, and I loved the different voices she used for the characters.

Content warning: murder, people being drugged, people being poisoned, kidnapping

Picking up after the events of A BOTANIST'S GUIDE TO PARTIES AND POISONS, readers find Saffron Everleigh sharing an office (reluctantly) with Dr. Lee as they work on documenting cases of people being poisoned. But because it's Saffron, but after Detective Inspector Green comes to her asking for her assistance in identifying the flowers in the bouquets that have been delivered to women who end up murdered, Saffron is pulled back into trying to track a killer (with Dr. Lee's help) before the killer finds her.

I found A BOTANIST'S GUIDE TO FLOWERS AND FATALITY a satisfying sequel with plenty of thrills to keep readers interested. The plot twists were good, I thought the overall mystery that was solved was interesting, and I loved the dynamic between Saffron and Dr. Lee. And just as things are getting complicated between Saffron and Dr. Lee, a familiar face from book one shows up again to make matters all the more complicated (and all the more enjoyable for readers).

While plot points are mostly resolved by the end, Khavari does leave readers on a bit of a cliff waiting to find out what happens next. So I'll be over here anxiously waiting for the next book in this series.

Jodie Harris does a good job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review.

Strong second offering—I’ll definitely be coming back for more!

It’s hard that so much rides on a second book in a series, but fantastic when it works. I can’t say much without giving spoilers, but this flowers and fatality story is everything we need it to be: familiar world, Twisted circumstances, outcomes very unsure, and endings—well let’s just say we have much to look forward to. Also, my only complaint from last time—that the word felt more Victorian than post WWI (‘aI my due to the botany subject to be sure—meaning the author must keep showing the new word outside of the botany setting), this has been addressed with fun step ups into a world that is looking more and more like the roaring 20s. The heroine is also not going to sit around like a damsel in distress, nope, she’s always galavanting off to trouble and murder and mayhem. Can’t say more without giving spoilers away, but this is one happy reader. Narration was fantastic, too.

Thank you @netgalley for sending me an ARC of A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality in exchange for an honest review!
I loved this book! I already enjoyed book 1, but this one is a lot more exciting in my opinion! Saffron is also more sure of herself and doesn't tolerate abuse or sexist remarks from anyone. She's grown into a strong woman who deson't need anyone's protection and who won't let anyone tell her who to be or what to do. I'm proud of how she's grown!
Michael Lee is an amazing character. He's sweet, caring and a bit mischevoius. All he does in the investigation he does for Saffron. He loves her and wants her to pursue her interests, and while he wants to keep her safe, he doesn't stop her actions. He, instead, tags along and helps her every time.
The same cannot be said for Alexander Ashton. I understand he's worried about losing Saffron, but he was way too controlling. Threatning to tell her mentor about her involvment in solving murders was wayy out of hand. She wants to help and save people, she's a capable young woman who can take care of herself.
Lee slays at every turn, he's amazing. Even the way he advises Alexander to let her investigate and stop trying to control her, shows he knows Saffron way better than Alexander.
But I have to admit, they are so funny when they work together. We get few scenes between them, but Alexander and Lee are a great pair qhe it comes to solving murders.
The plot twist was pretty good! I was expecting it to be the person in question, but not really the reasons that they had!
Elizabeth beat some sense into Alexander which was the best thing she could've done. Lee saved Saffron's life and Alexander was still being an asshole.
The ending frustatred me a bit. Obviously a government needs to know about poisons when it comes to war. Even if they don't use it to attack they'll have to know about them in case someone uses them against the country. It's naïve of Saffron to hope that there shouldn't be more development of weapons, especially considering this happens so closely after WW1. I want her to end up with Lee, even though I know it's not very likely, but I hope they reconcile in Paris, since I also see no future for her with Alexander, considering how he doesn't respect her helping the police.
This book was quite interesting and the epilogue left me very hyped for the next one!

TW:death, murder, poisons, drug use, violence, sexism.

Many thank to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audio book in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Jodie Harris who does a fantastic job! I highly recommend the audio version as its very entertaining!

Saffron Everleigh is a sleuthing botanist in 1920s London. She works with 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. Additionally, she has ongoing research with Dr Michael Lee, who assists her with her investigations.

I found Saffron's expertise in floriography, the art of sending encoded messages through the selection and placement of the flowers themselves, fascinating. It was a different type of investigation and one that works for the plot. Also, the author does a great job of immersing the reader into the 1920s London society as Saffron works on her investigation.

Highly recommend for historical fiction/mystery readers!

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series!
I received an ARC of "A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons" last year and enjoyed it, and I enjoyed this second installment even more! I would classify this as a Cozy Historical Mystery, and loved to see Saffron, Eliza, and eventually Alexander back. This time DI Green seeks out Saffron's botanical expertise on murders that are committed through floral bouquets with hidden meaning and deadly ingredients.
The introduction of Dr. Michael Lee, Saffron's research partner turned crime solving sleuth added to Saffron's personal storyline - with Alexander away, Lee swoops in as an insufferable flirt, giving us a love triangle. I'm looking forward to seeing if this will be explored further in Book 3. The epilogue gave us a hint at would be happening and it has me impatient for the next.
I thought the narrator did a fantastic job, and the storyline was perfect for audio. I only wish there would've been a male narrator for some of the dialogue and the different POV's.

3.8
I did not have a chance to hear the first book. However surprisingly I quite enjoyed this. The narrator did a really good job and it made me really enjoy this story. I highly recommend checking this book out.

I definitely liked this book better than the first. It kept me guessing until the end. However, I feel like the explanation for Amelia’s actions was rushed. So much so that I thought I accidentally skipped a chapter. I’m looking forward to book three and hoping there is a satisfying ending for Saffron and Alex or Lee.

This being the second book in the Saffron Everleigh Mystery series I was excited to find myself back in the roaring twenties and following Saffron, our headstrong but frighteningly intelligent botanist as she stirred up trouble at her college and, as she has a habit of doing, getting herself involved in crime investigations. Iappreciated the plot of this book, the mystery was intriguing and I was invested in our cast of odd but rich side characters who introduce Saffron to the world of nightlife and drugs. However, I was pretty let down with the romance plot that kind of hijacked the story about half way through…

Never did I ever peg Saffron Everleigh as someone too not only get involved in a love triangle, but as someone to handle it horribly.

I can’t say I’ve ever read a series where our first book introduces us to the likable and kind love interest, only to ship him off to another country for the next novel and have our protagonist falling for the flirty and, honestly pretty bland, SECOND love interest? I think if a love triangle was something that Khavari wanted to pursue with this series, then Lee should have been introduced, even if briefly, in the first novel. Since I spent an entire novel with Alex it’s hard to warm up to anyone else without feeling like he was being betrayed by not only me but Saffron.

I really tried to focus on the other aspects of the plot, which I enjoyed immensely, but man… I really just wanted my sweet Alex Ashton back; unfortunately when he did return he felt clunky and out of character for me. I’m sure he was written to make Lee seem more appealing since, well, he couldn’t do that on his own.

Just to focus on the audio aspect of this book - fantastic! I really love this narrator and I absolutely breezed through this entire audiobook!

All this to say, the book itself was interesting, I still love the world of Saffron and after the epilogue promising me more Alex Ashton in the future I will be hanging on for the next of this series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio arc of this novel!

Saffron Everleigh, an ambitious young woman in a male-dominated field, is working with a colleague, researching reports of poisonings in the area. When the Detective Inspector with whom she worked on a previous case, asks for her help deciphering unusual clues in a current case, Saffron jumps at the chance to help.

This is the second book in a series I started earlier this year. It’s highly unusual for me to read two books from the same series in such close succession, but when I was given the opportunity to review the audiobook for NetGalley, I could not pass up the chance. The narration was very good, giving distinct voices to the various types of characters – the academics, the posh set, and the working class of London.

After the first book of the series, I was a fan of Saffron and her friend Elizabeth, and this book reinforced that opinion. Both women are determined to succeed in spite of the obstacles in their way, and I have to admire their resolve. I missed a couple of the major characters from the first book, and didn’t care much for some of the new ones introduced here, but I hope a few of them will remain part of the series.

It was fascinating to learn about the Victorian practice of floriography – essentially the language of flowers – where every flower carries its own meaning or symbolism, often down to the variety and color of the flower in question. It’s safe to say that everyone today knows that red roses symbolize love, but how many know that rosemary stands for remembrance, or that orange lilies can represent hatred and geraniums mean folly?

There were multiple murders in this story, but very few suspects. Most of the book focuses on figuring out what, if anything, the victims have in common so that a culprit can be identified. My mental list kept changing as more clues and connections were discovered, but I had the wrong person at the top of my list when the confrontation scene occurred.

The implications in the last few pages of the book make me more eager to read the next book in the series than I was before those pages. It will be interesting to see how things work out for Saffron and the rest.