A murder mystery set in 1920s London academia. Mysterious poisons and clandestine party rendezvous. On paper, extremely my shit.

Because the topic was so up my alley, I think it helped me push through this. Because this book is paced pretty slowly!! The solution to the mystery also wasn’t that surprising; I had guessed part of it early on. It also switches POVs inconsistently.

But I liked the main character Saffron - her quick thinking and ability to stand up for herself as the only woman in the botany department. The romance was sweet, and the end leaves room for more adventures, which I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to reading. Just some tightening of the narrative and these stories of poisonous plants have a lot of potential.

Saffron was fabulous

A Botanist Guide to Parties and Poisons was a fascinating book, it was a wonderful novel that kept me hooked throughout.

This is one I would without a doubt recommend to lovers of historical fiction.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this gifted e-copy.

This was a absolutely wonderful historical mystery, with a fantastic main character in Saffron! Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons. It was a quick read that kept me interested throughout the story. I did think there would be more parties and poisons, but it was still a fun story. I liked the main character and supporting characters.
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I received a digital arc via Netgalley though all thoughts are my own.

Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant who has always wanted to be able to advance further into her career though she knows she is against quite the obstacles with being a male-dominated University and having to deal with Dr. Berking who is a head of his own department, also an advisor to many including Saffron, that thinks he's a smooth one for the Ladies but is really just a jerk and should not be in the position he's in.

When Saffron's mentor Dr. Maxwell is accused of poisoning a colleague's wife while at a party that was supposed to be celebrating the send off party for a group of people to head of to the Amazon to do some studies, she knows that it can't be true.

Finding herself partnering up with the engaging Alexander who is one of the people meant to go on the trip, she will soon discover that her hunch about Dr. Maxwell being innocent will lead her down quite the winding path and that not all is as it seems.

This story was full of mystery, plenty of botanist lingo, a budding romance, a heavy dose of danger, a dash of poison and plenty of surprises.

This was such a fascinating book and I loved Saffron, Elizabeth (Saffron's best friend), Alexander and the rather grumpy but also sweet old caretaker who has a soft spot for Saffron.

I'm so excited to see what next is in store for Saffron and that ending was so sweet! I highly recommend checking out this book!

This book came to me at the wrong time. I’d just read the newest Deanna Raybourn and Jenny Elder Moke’s Rise of the Snake Goddess - both of which feature a character from a similar background or in a similar situation to Saffron in Khavari’s debut effort. Unfortunately, that made Saffron fall flat for me.

I think there’s great potential in this series but everything seemed so much like others in this genre. This is one I will pick up again once it’s published and give it another try.

Saffron and Alexander look into the poisoning of Mrs. Henry to prove Maxwell is innocent. Sneaking into offices and gardens looking for answers. Taking poison willingly to prove it isn’t the poison used. These and more are ways she drags Alexander with her on her investigation.
Goodreads

This is a delightful historical mystery set in 1923 London at University College. Saffron Everleigh is an assistant in the botany department whose mentor Dr Maxwell comes under suspicion of murder after another professor’s wife is poisoned at a faculty party. With an expedition to Brazil looming, Saffron joins forces with handsome and aloof Alexander Ashton to clear Maxwell’s name in time.

I thought the mystery was fun and it definitely had the hallmarks of a cozy. The romance was a welcome touch and I would like to see this as a series. I’ve always enjoyed stories set in academia so this was in my wheelhouse. It’s a fast and fun read, and one I recommend to my historical fiction and mystery loving friends!

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lovely slow paced story about a botany student named Saffron. The story follows her as she finds herself involved in the mystery and defending her professor.
Overall I enjoyed the characters and the coziness of this story.
The romance was a nice element especially as a light summer read.
Thank you to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARCin exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this historical fiction. The story was a little slow but that’s not a bad thing. The characters are well rounded and developed.

This was an interesting start to a new historical cozy series, I enjoyed the historical setting very much. I also liked Saffron and Alexander and their chemistry/banter. The mystery was good and had several surprises along the way. All in all, a good read.

Welcome to the writing world, Kate Khavari with your debut novel, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons.

I was drawn to this book because of the gorgeous cover art and title. Anything botany related to poisons and plant toxicity is a major draw for me since my days in biochemistry, as well as my fieldwork with native plants and wildflowers.

First, as with many of the books I read for review I hardly ever read the synopsis. I was not expecting this to be a mystery of who a done it. I was expecting more plants. Soon into the book, someone is poisoned and Saffron Everleigh, a lone female research assistant in a botany department takes it upon herself to find out who and why. Along the way is a hint of romance. Seriously, what's not to love about the name Saffron?

This book is a mystery with a little plant poison toxicity woven into the story. While the plant in question the xolotl vine does not exist Kate shows readers what many scientists and researchers did in the early days - testing what they were researching themselves.

Well-written, Kate did not miss a beat with anything. Meaning some debut authors have problems with continuity. Kate nails it. This story really picks up with the ending chapters.

While set in the 1920s, it is hard to remember that people were connected to each other via landlines. I love how Kate shows this with Elizabeth's character calling the police station over and over and over. Meaning she had to be in one place over time to make all those calls. There are historical touches like this throughout the book.

The best part about the ending of this book is the possibility of a forthcoming book where Saffron takes her research skills with plant toxicity to more depth to solve more crimes. Hopefully, the romance with Alexander will grow. Plus, Saffron's dad's research has me intrigued.

If you love historical mysteries then give this debut novel a chance. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I think this is going to be a series and I sure hope so! Fans of Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby series, Andrea Penrose's "Wrexford & Sloane" and Abigail Wilson's books will find a similar feel here with Khavari's engrossing mix of British historical mystery, romance and colorful characters.

Saffron Eversleigh (her dad was a botanist, so we'll forgive her the soap opera name) works as an assistant in the botany department of a university post WW1. At a work party one night, one of the professor's wives is poisoned. Saffron's beloved boss and surrogate father is the main suspect, so she decides to investigate and clear his name. She's the only woman pushing at the glass ceiling in botanical science trying to be takien seriously. She lives with her friend Elizabeth supporting herself. She's a strong, smart feminist heroine.

Saffron befriends an ex-soldier turned biologist, Alexander Ashton, and he reluctantly begins to help her uncover the truth. Ashton is a swoony hero. He's damaged from the war but not broken. He's kind, alpha and gentlemanly. You want to see him get his HEA with Saffron.

Can they solve the crime and fall in love before Ashton has to leave for a six-month expedition? I couldn't put it down until I found out! My e-reader ran out of batteries at a critical point, and I almost cried.

I guess you could call this a cozy mystery. It's very g-rated, (lecherous department heads notwithstanding) Of course, I'm hoping the romance increases in the next book and that I won't have to wait long to read it! Ms. Khavari did a great job. My appetite is wetted for more Saffron Eversleigh mysteries!

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the ARC. It was a delight.

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is the first book in Kate Khavari's Saffron Everleigh Mystery series.. This is the first book I've read by this author. It is always exciting to start a new series. I've grown to love historical mysteries, so I was especially happy to check out this series.. This book started out slowly, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It turned out to be a fun and exciting story, and I'm looking forward to the next installment..

Saffron Everleigh, botany research assistant at the University College of London in 1923, is attending a dinner party to celebrate the University's upcoming large expedition to the Amazon. After being given champagne, Mrs. Henry, one of the professors' wives, drops to the floor, apparently poisoned by an unknown toxin. The party just got interesting! Saffron's professor, Dr. Maxwell, is the main suspect in the poisoning; unfortunately, a few days before the party he had a heated argument with Dr. Henry. After Dr. Maxwell is arrested, Saffron is determined to prove that he is not connected at all to this poisoning. With the help of Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, Saffron follows all the leads she finds, using her knowledge of botany. However, Saffron just may have put herself in the killer's sights!

Apparently Ms. Khavari did her research regarding botany, and she managed to make it interesting. Saffron was an interesting heroine. She was a woman working in a man's world (it was 1923, after all) as a research assistant. What she really wanted to do was prove her worth and be in charge of her own study. Her father had been a professor at the same University, before he was killed in The Great War; he was a big influence in her life. Saffron knew there was no way Dr. Maxwell would poison someone, and she was determined to clear his name. The inspector in charge of the investigation was not appreciative of Saffron trying to solve his case. She went above and beyond in trying to clear Maxwell, going so far as to poison herself to see how the suspected toxin worked, based on Maxwell's old notes! Alexander Ashton, a researcher at the hospital and a member of the upcoming expedition, was drawn into Saffron's investigation...and drawn to Saffron. He was a quiet, enigmatic man. Saffron charmed him and learned his secrets - he was gravely injured in the war and suffered from PTSD (referred to as shell-shocked at that time). He had improved, but still had occasional issues. He was concerned that Saffron would come to harm, and he was proven correct when he discovered she poisoned herself doing research on the case. He went from being a proper researcher to crawling on his hands and knees with Saffron in someone's guardian looking for a toxic plant! I loved the attraction between them and hope to see more when Alexander returns from the Amazon expedition. The mystery was a lot of fun once I got into it, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Supporting characters were all interesting; I especially liked Saffron's best friend and roommate Elizabeth. She was a hoot, threatening the police inspector to search for missing Saffron or she would show up at the police station in her nightgown. I'd like to see more of her in future stories. This is definitely a series I will follow!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Saffron is a wonderful heroine during a time when women weren't allowed in higher education and yet she found a way to pursue her passion of plants as a botanist. What she doesn't really expect at the university is to be witness to someone dying at a party given for her department before an important expedition. When her mentor is arrested for the murder, Saffron is determined to prove his innocence.

This is just an old-fashioned mystery that is a lot of fun. I'm hoping this is a series!

A book on plants and poison. What's there not to like?

This is the story of Saffron Everleigh as she tries her best to clear her mentor's name. He was accused of poisoning a woman who had gone on the same party that he, as well as Saffron had gone. Along the way, she garnered the help of Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher.

This mystery book is the first of its kind that I've read. After reading through other reviews, I finally pinpointed what it is: this book is a cozy mystery. There are red herrings, but the culprit was narrowed down rather quickly. It is not as suspenseful as others I've read, but it would do. It was interesting as Saffron gradually found out the answers. The romance between Alexander and Saffron continues along as the investigation does; the more time they spent together, the more obstacles they overcame together, the closer they got. But it does not overwhelm the story, and I think it was the right balance.

Both Saffron and Alexander's characters are likeable. It was interesting learning more about their stories and their past. We see here the discrimination Saffron faces as a lady researcher, and it takes a lot of determination and strength to get through all those obstacles. I feel for her, having to constantly avoid a rather perverted man who's also working at the same university. Despite all that, she is also a little too daring and overconfident, placing herself in foolish situations that, were it not for Alexander, could turn out worse than imagined. It took a while for Alexander's past to come to light, but the war did affect him a lot, and to have come so far while fighting his mental battles is a thing to admire.

As this is a cozy mystery, and the first that I've dived into, I find myself more inclined towards a more suspenseful plot. A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a little too simple for my taste, but I have no doubt that I'll seek out Saffron and her adventures again.

This review is written based on the ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.

I really liked this book and would love for this to be a series. It was a good mystery that kept me reading and wanting to pick this book up without being bloody or scary. The characters are great and even though I suspected who did it I wasn't expecting the ending.

Then, the author tied everything up nicely answering all the unanswered questions and giving some information on what might be happening next. If you are looking for a well written fun mystery this book is for you.

Being a woman with a science degree myself (I mention this often in my reviews of books that include geography as a component of the plot, since that was my field of study), I love books of the STEMinist persuasion, and this book is no exception. Part historical crime fiction and part closed loop mystery, this novel has a curious charm about it even as it reminds us of just how bad discrimination is academia was toward women in the 1920s (it’s still bad today, of course).

I’ve become a bit wary of novels taking place in the 1920s as of late, as they seem to be full of cliches and stereotypes of the decade without taking into account not everyone spoke the same, imbibed or partook of the same drinks or substances, or dressed the same. I was pleased Khvavari chose to forge a different path than a lot of authors and not indulge in the same tired cliches. It made for refreshing dialogue and thoughtful prose.

Seeing as the novel is set in 1923 London, there was no doubt Khavari was going to have characters in her novel that had either seen battle in WWI or had relatives that had been killed there. After all, between soldier deaths and civilian deaths, the UK and Northern Ireland lost nearly 1.4 million people in the war (this is, of course, nothing compared to the Russian losses or the untold number lost in the Armenian Genocide). Brothers, fathers, and sons were all lost. Estates, inheritances, and titles were all thrown into disarray. The 1920s were a time of upheaval all over the world. Khavari is sensitive to the topic without tiptoeing around it, respective without kowtowing. It was appreciated.

Lastly, I appreciated the great amount of attention paid to the importance of empirical research, even if it’s gained through less-than-ideal means. Science is nothing without methodology, people!

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for granting me early access to this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A cozy murder mystery with some dark undertones. Dealing with harassment and discrimination at work. The main characters are very likeable and it’s an easy quick read.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and entertaining book. I really enjoyed the mystery which is the heart of the story and loved seeing Saffron work through her list of suspects. I was really interested in the botany aspects that were peppered throughout the story.

🔹Read this if you’re looking for:
*a very brave and feisty heroine
*mystery! historical fiction! romance!
*cheating spouses and untrustworthy foes
*a light, cozy mystery with good banter