Saffron is the only woman in the botany department in post WWI. While working as an assistant to Dr. Maxwell, he is accused of poisoning another professors wife. While it takes awhile for this book to take off, I did enjoy the characters and the plot.

"A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons" (A Saffron Everleigh Mystery) was an engaging surprise. I expected the book to be much more serious, based totally on the title and book cover. Instead, I was enchanted by Kate Khavari's book, which combined romance, poison, mystery, and a bit of danger into a fun book to read. "A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons" reminded me of "The Thin Man" and the adventures in crime of Nick and Nora Charles. Although the danger that Alexander and Saffron face seems real, not for a moment did I actually take this danger very seriously. The only thing lacking for this crime-solving duo was their very own Asta. I loved the mystery and the efforts that our two heroes undertook to solve the crime. This Kate Khavari' novel was delightful.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early review copy of this book!

This book was a really great whodunit for fans of movies like Knives Out or books like Nancy Drew.

CW: (implied / threat of) sexual assault

Saffron Everleigh is a botanist following in the footsteps of her father, one of the best botanists the university she is studying at had ever had before he was taken too soon during the war. While attending a party, one of the guests suddenly drops, a victim of a mysterious poison no one can identify. The suspects are numerous and the motives are unclear, all Saffron knows is if she doesn’t work together with fellow botanist Alexander, her mentor and best friend Dr Maxwell will be framed for the act.

~*~

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and a quick read and the characters were fun. The unsung hero of this story is Saffron’s roomie Elizabeth, and I’d love a whole book about her. I want to be her best friend too!

I don’t know if I would call this a thriller because it wasn’t really very twisty, but it did have me guessing right up to the end who the poisoner was and I think the reveal was done really well. It didn’t feel like anyones motives were unbelievable and there weren’t too many moments where something seemed way too coincidental which is a criticism I have of a lot of whodunit types of books. The romance in this one is minor, I wish there had been a bit more chemistry between the characters but they really read more as best friends to me. Overall though it was a fun light read and I think people will really enjoy it! And that cover?! 😍 stunning

I must start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. A fun historical mystery set in 1920’s London. In a time when women were not a part of academic society we have Saffron Everleigh working within the university wher her late father was a noted professional. Now she takes her inquisitive nature to the task of having her boss proven innocent of poisoning, working to find the real culprit. Though the middle slows the ending brings this novel to a unexpected pleasing conclusion.

The blurb that hooked me was ¨for fans of Deanna Raybourn¨. This book was much up that alley: plucky young scientist who dares to be a woman, stumbles across a murder with a romantic angle This was good. Quick read. I liked that it had itś own thing rather than stealing Sherlock tropes. Recommended. I will definately read the next one.

What a fun and engaging story that never takes itself too seriously. Lots of interesting facts about poisons and a woman's struggle in the 1920's to be taken as seriously as men in the academic world, as well as just a clever mystery with a touch of romance. Will definitely read any further books by this author.

Excellent story! Totally engrossing!. Looking forward to reading more by this author! Could not put this down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an E-ARC of Kate Khavari’s A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons.

This novel was a fast-paced mystery with a hint of romance, and I LOVED every second of it. I felt that I was right beside Saffron as she embarked on her investigative adventure. I found myself not being able to put down the novel, because I was worried about what decisions Saffron was going to make next. She would make terrible decisions, that always worked out. I did find that I yearned to know more about Alexander, even as the novel ended. Though farfetched, I enjoyed the mystery and academia behind the novel.

A well deserved 4.5 stars, I will round up for those platforms that do not allow halves.

Excellent, well-written book about poisons and the people who love them (and sometimes use them). Saffron Everleigh is an assistant to a botany professor in 1920s London. Saffron has to work doubly hard as a woman in a man’s field. At a party with her mentor, Dr. Maxwell, a woman drops to the ground, a victim of apparently poisoned champagne. To her horror, Dr. Maxwell is arrested and taken to jail. Everyone at the party is suspect now. Saffron, as a daughter of a former professor, is harassed, mocked, made fun of, with attempts to assault her even, all because she is female. Still she pushes on, determined to clear her mentor’s name and find out who the actual poisoner is. Saffron also made a new friend at the party, Alexander Ashton, who has a few secrets of his own. Can they solve the mystery together? Or, will the poisoner try to take them out first? This was a hard to put down mystery, blending botany and science. Characters were teased out nicely, and the writing was clear and concise. Saffron is a trailblazer for women, proving herself in a (then) man’s world. She is dedicated and passionate about plants, and does her best to figure out which poison was used, and how much it would take to kill someone. I read this quickly; it was hard to put down, and I was sad when it was done. This is a great read, and if you like stories about smart, strong, brave females who aren’t afraid of showing feelings, and the many twists and turns of an adventure-filled mystery, you will enjoy this highly entertaining book., 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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

Saffron Everleigh is an assistant to a professor of botany, following in her father's footsteps. it's a tough life for a young woman in the 1920s and her progress is impeded by the norms of the time...meaning men. While at a party with her mentor, Dr. Maxwell, a woman is poisoned, casting everyone there into doubt, and Dr. Maxwell is arrested. Can Saffron and her new friend Alexander Ashton find the real culprit? What happens if they do?

I really enjoyed this book. I liked Saffron as a character, and how she was a budding feminist in a time when feminism was dangerous. Also, I love that one of the other main characters had PTSD even though that wasn't known in the '20s. It made for an interesting read that I quite enjoyed. The plot was well-timed and put together, and flowed well. It does seem as though the end was setting up a potential sequel, which I would love to read.

I love books that have fictional characters who are investigating mysteries, while being wrapped in history. This book has it all. I had never really realized how tied in Botany was to Science. Kate Khavari has given us all the feels in this book. You won't regret reading it!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this copy. This review is my own personal opinion.

I fell in love with this book the second I saw its cover. It's absolutely amazing! As it turned out inside it is as much lovely. As the title promises we've got parties, poisons and one very smart and dedicated botanist. Saffron Everleigh truly is one of my favorite characters in recent books and I'd love to read about more of her adventures.

What I liked the most about this book is how dedicated Saffron is to everything she does. She's the first woman on university, worse even - daughter of former professor. That means Saffron needs to work twice as hard as others and is constantly scrutinized and mocked, even harassed. All that of course doesn't help when she's trying to uncover who and why poisoned dr Henry's wife. Luckily, she's got to know a withdrawn but handsome Alexander Ashton, who's having quite complicated history himself. But even having an ally on her side in this whole messed up situation, Saffron depends on herself and herself only. She doesn't wait for men in her life to take any action and help her. She's just throwing herself into action without looking back at anybody. I really appreciate that, as I very much like strong and independent female characters that can take care of themselves but don't deny their feelings (if there are any) towards anybody they fancy. I really hope this won't be only one book with Saffron. She's such a great character that I'd love to read more stories involving her. Plus I dying to see more of her fiend, Elizabeth. She's so funny and bright that it's really a shame that we didn't get more than just mere glimpse at her in the book. I loved her from the first scene she's in.

What we got in this book is not only a feminist story about first woman being admitted to university. It's funny and highly entertaining story about Saffron's struggles to get her professor released from prison and whatever evil scheme behind this all uncovered. Even though her methods are not very orthodox and she almost gets herself in trouble for making police work more complicated, she manages to help a bit at the very least. If it wasn't for her stubbornness and botanical knowledge about hybrid plants the real poisoners might have been never found out. I really liked that she wasn't afraid to use her being a woman to her advantage. It shows very good that this situation - being only woman on the university - has two sides (just like very much everything in life). On daily basis she's just another hardworking person involved in one or other scientific project. But when she needs it, she can be very charming and manipulative. Good for her that she's aware of herself and can use it to her advantage.

This book gives everything it promises in the description and so much more. As I said at the beginning, I fell in love with it and think it will stay this way a long time. Now, the only thing I can do is to wait and hope for second (and maybe more) book with Saffron's adventures.

This ended up being a middling book for me. I enjoyed the protagonists and the botany angle of the investigation. However, my interest was never fully captured by the mystery. That being said, I think the author has a lot of potential, and I look forward to trying another book by her in the future.

I liked the story's setting - 1920's London, where the main character, research assistant Saffron Everleigh, attends a dinner party for the University College of London. A professor's wife collapses during the party, poisoned by an unknown toxin. Saffron's mentor is the main suspect and she must work through the details to clear his name and find the true culprit. Some of the scenes were a bit slow and I felt they could have been abbreviated or removed to keep things moving along. The writing is easy to follow along and comprehend, and there is a lot of action throughout the story. Despite Saffron often being ridiculed by her colleagues, she never falters and did her best as her passion towards botany went up and beyond. I would enjoy reading a sequel to this novel.

Based on the description I was expecting a much darker, steamier and complex mystery.

The good stuff:
* Liked the premise
* The exploration of women in science during the 1920s was interesting.
* The mystery is solvable by the reader, but not overtly obvious.
* Some of the characters were interesting.
* Well-written, while the plot and characters need work, the writing itself is solid and paints very good imagery and sense of scene.

The less good stuff:
* Slow! So slow, so much doesn't happen, then so much does!
* Romance was meh, none of the characters felt developed so any secondary romance was lackluster.
* Protagonist is presented as intelligent and competent, yet consistently makes bad decisions and fails to draw obvious conclusions.

All together I really liked the idea of this book, but it didn't translate to the page-turner I was expecting.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

In her debut novel - Kate Khavari paints a picture of London 1923.

Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant to professor Dr. Maxwell at the University College of London. She has fought hard to obtain this position because it is highly unusual for a woman to hold such a position. At a faculty dinner party, one of the professor's wives is poisoned and Dr. Maxwell is being held/charged for the crime. Saffron has to figure out who is framing her boss and try to get the police to listen to her.

Luckily, she has another researcher who is taking her seriously and assisting her with trying to prove who the poisoner is. But, will they run out of time.......

There were a few parts that seemed to drag and naming 2 main characters with similar last names had me confused a few times. However, thoroughly enjoyable read.

Five stars! I love a good who done it with a bit of light romance thrown in. A great mystery with a rich cast of characters.

The book opens in 1920's London at an academic, high society party. The author introduces us to a cast of characters that are each believable and yet each have their own flaws as well. The party was a perfect way to start introducing the cast and within pages, the scene was set! The game was a foot so to speak

Saffron Everleigh is the only woman in the biology department of the University College of London. Although she is fighting against the boys club and societal expectations for a woman of her time, she is determined to follow in her fathers footsteps and she has the support of her mentor, Dr, Maxwell. During the party, a fellow scientists wife, Mrs. Henry, is poisoned and falls into a coma. Dr. Maxwell is the prime suspect as he is not only well versed in poisonous plants, he has had an argument with Dr. Henry her husband. Now Saffron is in a race against time to prove her mentor innocent. With the help of the alluring Alexander Aston, Saffron not only sets out to clear the name of her mentor but she also finds love as well.

I found the character of Saffron to be likeable. She's independent, strong, smart and hardworking. Although she does get herself into some pretty precarious situations, I felt like she was a believable character. I really liked the little bit of romance that was thrown in between her and Alexander and found myself rooting for them to be together. If this is to be a series, I am excited to see what else she gets herself into and how she progresses at the University in her career, plus of course what happens between her and Mr. Ashton.

The last 3-4 chapters were more action packed than I anticipated and I found myself reading feverishly to find out what was going to happen next. Would she and Mr. Aston be able to solve the mystery of who poisoned Mrs. Henry, or would they become victims themselves? I definitely give this book five stars, not only for the story, but also for the writing and the beautiful cover.

Cozy mystery meets historical thriller with romantic vibes and a stunning artsy cover is a dreamy package for my suspense cravings!

Events take place in 1920’s London. Our heroine Saffron is aspiring, fiery, vivid scientist who knows lots about usage of poisons which helps her assist the investigation of suspicious murder attempt!

Her relatable, smart mind and genuine, straightforward, natural traits help to get into the story quickly. Her determination and resilience are feeding her up to fight against condescending, sexist, unfair traits of her colleagues. The author successfully portrayed tough, but also a little impulsive heroine who sometimes acts faster before thinking through which serves a complex trait against her observant traits as a true scientist.

The story opens with a party scene with the attendance of academicians and high society which purposed for presentation of expedition but the night ends with attempted poisoning of one of the members!
Saffron’s teacher Professor Maxwell is accused for the poisoning attempt which pushes Saffron to find out the true perpetrator, teaming up with charming veteran Alexander Ashton. ( when you see the word: charming, you’re already warned that a delicious romance between two characters is about to come out! )

The story started strong but in the middle of the book, the pacing got a little slower and the identity of perpetrator was a little far fetched but it was still enjoyable, interesting, riveting cozy murder mystery. The scientist, quirky heroine development and romance parts are well executed.

It was fun to time travel and read an intriguing suspense story from early 20th century of London which earned four poisoned, smart, tempting, moving stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

3.5 stars. This is a fast, fun, light-hearted mystery read that has you wondering who was behind the poisoning, was the person poisoned the intended target, and why was it done.

The book starts with the opening scene describing all the characters at the party and the event of the poisoning, and from there is a bit of a Clue/Sherlock Holmes mystery with the main characters Saffron Everleigh and Alexander Ashton (both scientists) trying to solve it. Somewhere in the middle, it turns to a slow burner, then BANG- the last bit of the book I could not put it down, as Saffron and Alexander had gotten themselves “in a pickle”.

As mentioned, this is a fun book with well-developed characters. The time frame of the book is just after WWI and there is an underlying current of “romance” between Saffron and Alexander. I’m not sure if the author intends, but I could see these two as recurring characters in a series, solving more mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A cozy post world war mystery! Saffron (name aside) is a lovely protagonist even if some of the character building was a bit choppy; that she wasn't demure and actually was super flirty with Alexander was refreshing; this actually reminded me of the Miss Fisher series.