The story follows Saffron Everleigh, a research assistant to Dr. Maxwell in University College London. One night she attends a dinner event where all the academics are gathered when suddenly one of the professor’s wives dropped to the floor. Saffron’s mentor is accused of the poisoning and she’s set on proving them wrong before he gets put in jail.

So the preface is pretty straightforward. The male lead was also introduced very early in the book. I was hoping that they’d develop a partners in crime kind of relationship more than a love interest but I’m not too bothered by it. I just feel like he could’ve been a lot more even with his reserved personality. They also don’t really have that much chemistry. But I would assume this will become a whole series and we’d see more of Saffron and Alexander later on.

Other than that, I honestly don’t really like how impulsive and kind of reckless the main character is. She’s very chaotic in contrast with the male lead. I was also hoping to see more involvement from her childhood best friend & flatmate Elizabeth. I feel like that would be more logical considering the amount of trust they obviously already have for each other, but that’s just my opinion.

Overall, this was a bit on the slow side with characters that I find rather dull. I know academicians are FAR from boring people, so I was hoping to read about a bunch of colourful characters. I feel like if we had solid core personalities of each academician, it would definitely add another star to my rating. With that said, I rate this 3/5 stars. It’s also worth noting the gorgeous cover design by Nicole Lecht. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was my most anticipated arc of the year but unfortunately I had to dnf it at 40% because I had several problems with it.

The mc was terrible. She’s the assistant to a botanist in the 1920s so gender plays a huge role here. However, the female empowerment and sorority was not executed well, at ALL. Saffron had HUGE pick me girl vibes and the author made all the other women in the book flat and superficial from moment 1 just to point out how smart and different this girl is. A few quotes from the book that I simply could not stand:

- “Animals and natives everywhere! Just waiting to creep up on you…” this is where I should’ve dnf’ed, at the start of Chapter 1. I took high offense as a Peruvian/latina because there was no need to ridicule natives & go with the archaic premise that they're "savages", which this book was persistent on portraying them as.
- The mc called older women “wilted flowers in silk and pearls”. WHAT. It’s 2022, what is happening. The author needs a heavy course on intersectional feminism.
- “She doubted Lady Agatha knew much about plant pathology.” The whole “I’m smarter than all the women here, boo hoo I should be smoking with the men” vibe was terrible. Her double standards were awful.

The love interest was extremely bland too, the couple had no chemistry and there was nothing particularly amazing about it. Also, the writing wasn’t gripping enough for a murder mystery and at times, it made no sense. E.g: The mc poisoned herself without any reasoning whatsoever. A mess.

I genuinely expected an hour-by-hour type of book like Knives Out's plot. Clue meets Great Gatsby. Getting to know all characters, being suspicious of everyone! I expected Stalking Jack the Ripper vibes, and was so disappointed. Being set in the 1920s had SO much potential with a female lead in science but with all those terrible takes on feminism and a horrible main character, I couldn’t push through.

London, 1923. research assistant Saffron Everleigh attends a dinner party for the University College of London. While she expects to engage in conversations she doesn’t expect Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin. Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect, having had an explosive argument with Dr. Henry a few days prior. As evidence mounts against Dr. Maxwell and the expedition's departure draws nearer, Saffron realizes if she wants her mentor's name cleared, she’ll have to do it herself. Joined by enigmatic Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons.

I very much enjoyed the character of Saffron. The chemistry between her and Ashton is a wonderful bonus in the book. I hope that we get additional Saffron Everleigh books in the future.

Thank you Netgalley, Kate Khavari and Crooked Lane Books for granting me this eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really wanted to love this book — just look at that gorgeous cover! — but sadly it just wasn't for me. One thing I did enjoy a lot about this book was the academia side of it, and this book is so unique — thank you Kate Khavari for writing something so fresh and new! This book will be enjoyed by so many others and will definitely be many people's new favourite, but the pacing and characterisation just didn't work for me.

As a scientist and an avid bibliophile, I very rarely get to indulge by live of both at the same time (there really is only so many resource guides and journal article one can read before going brain 🧠 dead). Thankfully, there have been authors recently that have carved out a niche that where they aren't afraid to delve into the world of science and in so doing they invite the reader to find the passion they have found by reading their stories where they weave fiction with fact, magic with science.
K. Khavari's story will not only try to blind you science, it will poison you with its potential.

A young botanist trying to prove herself and a broken man trying to find peace again, work together to try to prove a colleague's innocence after an apparent poisoning leaves a woman in a coma. In a time when the world is trying to piece itself back together, one woman must prove to the police, the university, to the man working by her side, and even to her best friend that she has not only the smarts BUT the know-how. She can find out not only which plant the poison is from, but also who is responsible. She just needs someone to believe in her

This story definitely had me from the beginning with its plucky female who is trying to pave her own path along side one her father walked. Their intimidating shoes to fill but she has always wanted to be like her father. The reader is able to get a sense of loss while at the same time a sense of pride and determination from Saffron as she goes about her life, interacting with others at the university being one of the few females in a male world.

The mystery and suspense is what drives this story. Don't be so easily distracted.
Though there is that hint of . . . dare I say 😏 romance in the air between Saffron and Alexander, I felt like it was more of a diversion than anything. Did it heighten the suspense of the reader by thinking something would develop between them before the end of the book? Yes. Anticipation?!? Yes. Frustration?!? Why, heck yeah! Think of this book as a historical fiction feminine scientist mystery (is that even a thing 😳 🤔 😄)

Now a few side notes. It was frustrated that I had to go like half the book without knowing WHEN the book was talking place. The descriptions were too general and ambiguous for me to narrow down a time-frame for most of the book. It wasn't until "the war" and "mustard gas" was mentioned that I was able to narrow it down to anywhere from early 1920's to late 1920's. I'm a person that creates a mindscape of the story as I read, almost like a movie I suppose. It was constantly changing as I couldn't place when. There are also a lot of descriptions of the plants but few of the people or environments. The author is going to assume you are able to fill in the blanks. Her focus is really on the mystery and the plants. I'm not saying it's a good or bad thing, just a statement. The mystery of this story will linger, not the people or how they were described to look. So if you are looking for a story that will linger, that has an ending that leaves you wondering . . .
You may want to try this one

** Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion **

I love a good cosy Mystery and this was exactly that. It was quite fast paced which I liked as some Cosy mysteries can be a bit slow. I loved the Historical aspects and the romance was just perfect background music .

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I enjoyed this book, the pace was decent, and things seemed to be wrapped up pretty neatly by the end. I also really like the twists and turns it took to get there. The only problem I had was with the characters, I had a hard time connecting to most of them.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this mystery set in England in a university setting in the 1920’s. I don’t want to spoil the story but there are many twists and turns and the murderer was a surprise to this reader!

It wasnt my cup of tea but I will admit, the writting was lovely. I think the plot was solid but it was missing something but i cant pin point it. Im sure readers will fall in love with, it is a good book. Just not my favorite.

This is a historical mystery book about a woman named Saffron who is a botanist. At a party, someone is poisoned and her professor is arrested however she doesn't believe her professor sis such a thing and sets out to prove his incidence. I believe this is to be the first in a series of mystery books with Saffron. I think Saffron is a really fun protagonist. She is smart and determined to succeed. She was the best thing about this book. The other characters had potential to be interesting but in this first book seemed rather dull so hopefully they are developed more in the later books. Overall a nice cozy mystery with a plucky heroine set in the twenties with a dash of romance.

I really liked parts of this book. I think Kate Khavari is a strong writer, but not everything was working for me. Saffron didn't ever feel like a person, and neither did Alexander. They were both there, but we never really got to know them. It felt a bit like Alexander's shell-shock and PTSD were shoehorned in there to give him a personality, same thing with Saffron's assault. I didn't really care for the way the harassment and assault was handled, it felt like lip-service and very surface level.

This book was beautifully crafted. I was immediately drawn to era and world building. I loved every small detail that reminded us of a different time and place. I found the premise of science and botany to be a clever stage for this attempted murder mystery. This is one of those stories you sit down to read and you think it’s been 10 minutes when in reality it’s 1 am and you’re the only one in the house still awake. It will suck you in air tight, and the writing flows so magnetically you will not put this down! I loved the characters. I found myself falling for Alexander, rooting for Saffron, and completely loathing Berking. Every time I thought I knew what was happing, or what would happen next I realized I was not even close.

Kate Khavari takes us back to 1920's London, where the scene of the crime takes place at a dinner party. Someone has been poisoned and another framed! Our heroine, Saffron must work alongside her steamy colleague Alexander, to help clear her mentor's name from the crime. Khavari does an amazing job devling into the world of botany and definitely did her research. She has mastered the art of description because there were times I could actually see the plants. While I loved the backdrop, I just could not connect with the characters and wished there was a little more zest within the story.

3.75✩ Kate Khavari opens the world of academia, more specifically botany during the 1920s in London. In A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons, we explore the fascinating, colourful and aromatic world of flowers, plants, infusions and poisons.

With an intrigue balancing the perfect amount of suspense, botany research and references, and romance, Khavari’s newest novel makes a great light read and cozy mystery. Her vivid descriptions, world-building and character developments are beautifully executed.

However, the story lost its pace in the middle of the book after having such a strong start. I also had a little difficulty navigating through the book’s cast. The majority of characters had very similar names, making it harder to distinguish one another and thus follow their roles and motivations.

Saffron Everleigh is an assistant to a botany professor at University College in London in the 1920s where women are just getting into the field and some men are pigs about it. After an incident of poisoning at a party celebrating the University’s upcoming Amazonian expedition, Saffron becomes a centerpiece of the investigation as her professor is the prime suspect. Some mystery, suspense and a little bit of romance ensues as the case unfolds and science is the key.

This novel was a great read and especially fun for a reader who loves science in general and especially biology and botany. The time period after World War I in the 1920s is a great setting for a mystery taking place in academia. A nice light romantic interest as well as some solid friendships make Saffron a protagonist that you can cheer along in every step of her sleuthing. Great novel, would recommend to just about anyone who likes a light read. 5 stars.

Review based on digital Advanced Reader’s Copy from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books.

I was excited to read a story about a woman in science, I love botany, and the 1920's is my favorite era to get lost in. The cover was beautiful, and I think that so many people will LOVE this book- it's fast paced and I appreciate that you're moved into the story quickly. I also appreciated that the characters were pretty straight forward and acted like people do- which isn't always the case in mysteries.

I just didn't fully connect with the characters thought, and found it a struggle to stay committed to finishing it.

Description (from cover): “Saffron Everleigh is in a race against time to free her wrongly accused professor before he goes behind bars forever. Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Anna Lee Huber, Kate Khavari’s debut historical mystery is a fast paced, fearless adventure.

London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh attends a dinner party for the University College of London. While she expects to engage in conversations about the university’s large expedition to the Amazon, she doesn’t expect Mrs. Henry, one of the professor’s wives to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect, having had an explosive argument with Dr. Henry a few days prior. As evidence mounts against Dr. Maxwell and the expedition’s departure draws nearer, Saffron realizes if she wants her mentor’s name cleared, she’ll have to do it herself.

Joined by enigmatic Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons. Will she be able to uncover the truth or will her investigation land her on the murderer’s list?”

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the Saffron Everleigh mystery series. Saffron is an assistant to a botany professor at London’s University College. She is smart and determined to make a name for herself academically. Although this is quite a hard feat for her as she is the first female assistant and is treated differently for being so. Her father was a well-known botany professor at the university and she is eager to make her own way in a world dominated by men. She is often looked over just because she is a woman. When the wife of a professor is poisoned at a party she attends, she knows that nothing is as it appears and she is determined to solve the case. Surrounded by men who think that they are better than her because she is just a woman, she is able to investigate on the sly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am glad that I was able to get my hands on an advanced reader’s copy as I am always on the hunt for a new historical mystery series to love. In this book, the author does a great job of showing the reader how women were treated professionally in the 1920’s. Even though women were starting to leave the home and create careers for themselves, not everyone was on board. That is a struggle that the reader sees Saffron having to deal with a lot in this book. She is smart, but she is a woman and that limits her chances to advance in a field presently dominated by men.

With the help of another research assistant, Alexander Ashton, she sets out to determine who wanted to murder Mrs. Henry and why. Was it her husband who was having an affair or was it one of the other professors in the department who had grudges against her husband? I thought that this was a brilliantly written debut novel in this new historical mystery series and I cannot wait to read more about Saffron’s adventures in the future. I couldn’t put this one down and am extremely excited about this series and will be watching for new books in the future.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
Author: Kate Khavari

Series: Saffron Everleigh Mystery #1

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publication Date: June 7, 2022

Pages: 304

Genre: Historical Mystery

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
I love a mystery/thriller, and being a woman working in science I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately it didn't quite live up; I'm not sure why but didn't feel drawn into the story. There were a lot of characters but I didn't feel that I particularly warmed to any of them, apart from her Saffron's flat mate who I loved!.

Such classic fun! This book is basically if you took Downton Abbey and smashed it with a murder mystery. And throw a little romance in there, too. I loved the development of the characters throughout the plot - the main character, Saffron (whose name is so creative and adorable), had plenty of personality throughout the entire book. It was really enjoyable to read her sassy one-liners and hear her talk passionately about her love of botany - in real life, we definitely would have been friends. She's got spunk and confidence and doesn't let people stand in the way of what she wants. The book talked about some heavier topics, such as war, PTSD, anxiety, and infidelity, but it did so in a way that made it seem more like a natural part of the lives of the characters, rather than descriptions written in a dictionary. The novel flowed very well, with only a few stagnant paces sprinkled in. I was nervous to read a historical fiction novel, just because I tend to find them boring, but this book has provided me with a new perspective. At first glance, a historical novel might feel boring, sure, but if you give it a chance, you'll find that, more often than not, the plot is simply slower and more thoughtful. This novel left more room for beautiful descriptions that give the reader an idea of the aesthetic of every scene, and the author took her time to make sure you know exactly what situation you are in while reading her book. Also, the bits of science knowledge, about poisons and botany and bacteria, were really well done - it felt like I was learning something while also going on an adventure. If I had one bit of criticism, it would be that the romance left something to be desired. For me, the slow burn is great, but only if there's a resolution to it at some point. I loved the relationship between the two romantic interests, with the sass and the flirting - all very good - but I wished there had been a slightly more heart-stopping romantic payoff. That being said, that's less of a criticism and more of a personal preference. This book was well written, fun, and exciting, and Khavari did an excellent job bringing this story to life!

Plucky: this is the word used by the publisher to describe our heroine, Saffron Everleigh in the novel A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari. Whenever I see the word “plucky”, I picture Shirley Temple or The Unsinkable Molly Brown: girls/women who acts in a way different from the girls/women of their time. They are sassy and brassy; they never give up, and are able to rally those around them to keep up the good fight. Nothing gets them down. I had so much trouble seeing Saffron this way, so I looked it up. In Gothic/Victorian literature, the Plucky Heroine—to paraphrase—is brave, outspoken, intelligent, curious, and independent. She uses courage, intuition, and intellect to solve problems (crime).*

Saffron is a plucky heroine. It is 1923, and Saffron is a research assistant for botanist Dr. Maxwell. She is the only female in the science department at the University College of London. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1870s that women were allowed to earn a degree at this institution of higher learning. Fifty years later, the imbedded misogyny is apparent as she goes about her day at work: she is not allowed to do what her male colleagues take for granted, and is inundated with their sexual harassment. The two male characters who treat her with respect are Dr. Maxwell and fellow researcher, the handsome Alexander Ashton. It is the latter who works with her to save Dr. Maxwell—playing the part of the damsel-in-distress—from prison.

This book was a fun and easy read. The pacing was swift, and the author put a modern twist to the historical fiction novel. Alexander Ashton, despite being a somewhat superior faculty member (and male), defers to her and acquiesces to her expertise in poisons. He doesn’t come in to save the day, or act paternalistic. He must have had a fantastic mother.

If you like your mysteries with a bit of peril and romance, this is the book for you.

*“Plucky Girls and Female Gentlemen: The Amateur Sleuth in Historical Mysteries” by Kelly Gardiner, Australiancrimefiction.com

I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.