I was very excited for this novel as it had a badass heroine, plants, and poisons. What could go wrong? The muddle apparently. There was an attempt at a love V (triangle 🙄) and it was so silly and poorly done. (Similar to book 3 of Kerri Maniscalco's Stalking Jack the Ripper series.) The plot/mystery itself flat lined for so long that I just skimmed through to climax just to find out if I was right about the outcome. (I was 50% right.) There was a small twist and that was nice. I did like how it ended for Everly. Alexander however, it left open for a third book/spin off that I'm not sure I'm interested in. We will see.

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons may not have been my favourite book, but I was expecting more from A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality.

A slightly above-average start to a series can be misleading because it makes you think that the series can only get better. Sometimes that’s true and things only get better (for example, the Plated Prisoner series), and sometimes you’re left at the end of the second book trying to figure out where everything went wrong.

While I was hoping we would get more character development to help the new relationship between Alexander and Saffron feel more grounded, I was not expecting Saffron to have the memory of a goldfish and the fixation a crow has for shiny things. Alexander has barely left the country and is spending all his time collecting specimens and completing research for Saffron. He's also writing her letters, despite the limited mail service, sending pictures, and writing unnecessary postscript. Meanwhile, Saffron walks around thinking they never put any labels on their relationship, so farewell kisses and forlorn looks in dark gardens could mean anything. I'm not saying Saffron wasn’t technically free to explore a flirtation with someone else; I’m just not going to bend over backwards to pretend I believe the lies she’s telling herself. I might be less critical if her supposed new love interest was even a little appealing. Shallow and self-serving, Lee went out of his way to annoy and pester Saffron - who, it has to be said, was incredibly condescending and patronising right back and so probably deserved some of this treatment. But then, something happens ‘as a lark’ - and suddenly Lee has decided he’s interested in Saffron. Which is convenient since, apparently, the only thing you have to do to get Saffron interested in you is to pay a little attention to her. And, I guess, not leave the country.

Most of the interesting dialogue took place in the characters’ heads and was never spoken aloud. Because of this, there didn't appear to be any character growth. Who needs strong interpersonal or romantic relationships?! It’s the 1920s! The only time Lee showed any personality beyond ‘snobbish flirt looking for a good time’ was in his POV moments; he never lets the mask fall or reveals any truth through words or actions. Lee very clearly puts himself first and only spares a second thought for Saffron when he’s got some free time. But then we get a glimpse inside his head and... well, okay, it’s not much better. He’s still incredibly judgmental and dismissive. Saffron is the queen of thinking the important stuff and saying either nothing or the most useless alternative, only to be dethroned when Alexander returns as he only ever says the worst possible thing in the absolute worst way while thinking the sweet, heartbreaking things that Saffron is too superficial to be able to read from his actions.

I was disappointed that an outside character purposely included to make Lee look like a good person was given such a limited and self-serving role. Romesh knows what it is to be discounted, overlooked, and discriminated against in his chosen field of work, yet he’s awfully quick to believe hurtful gossip about Saffron and pile on. But don’t worry, Lee was nice to him a few times while they were studying together, so at least Lee is a good person. Romesh honestly shows up for a few pages, but it really stuck out to me that Khavari chose to include a person of colour, and instead of making him an empathetic and understanding voice of reason in his one interaction with Lee, she made him part of the system that so devalued and belittled him.

I also don’t understand how someone so surrounded by gossip at all times, and so sensitive to it, could spend months with someone - hours and hours together every single day at work and travelling and in the library and doing fieldwork and writing reports and sharing an office - and not give them a heads up about their recent history and the treatment they tend to receive from their colleagues. It would’ve been so easy. ‘Hey, I’m Saffron. I'm new to this office, but I'm so excited we'll be working together on this interesting assignment. I was a research assistant for my close friend and mentor, but he was wrongly involved in a murder mystery, which I got way too involved in. I don’t want to get into it because it was pretty traumatic, but all's well that ends well! Oh, and I’m a woman, so it’s been a bit of an uphill battle getting a basic level of respect from the men at the university, so I’d appreciate your support. Just so you know, my boyfriend-not-boyfriend is away on a work trip, but he’ll be back soon, so let’s keep this professional.’ Saffron so often lets others define her and then gets angry when she doesn’t like the story they tell about her. If you want to write a fiercely independent and intelligent female character in history, it would be nice to commit.

I could probably write more about so many things that rubbed me the wrong way, ignored exposition from the first book, or weren’t explained properly, but I’d never get to bed, and no one would ever read it all.

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality is the second mystery by Kate Khavari featuring botanist research assistant Saffron Everleigh. Released 6th June 2023 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in second quarter 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats; super useful for checking things easily in the text.

This book (and series) incorporates so many favorite cozy tropes: intelligent female protagonist, an academic setting, with all the jealousy and subterfuge that entails, historical setting (1920s London), some danger and intrigue and "fair play" well constructed mystery plot.

Saffron Everleigh is a botanist and research assistant, with all the misogyny and difficulty that entails at the time at a large research university. Honestly, it's *still* not a walk in the park for female academics in the sciences. She's a legacy in academia, her late father was also an academic.

It's a character driven mystery, and the author is quite talented at descriptive prose without descending into overwrought passages or overly contrived dialogue. The author does nod to period formality without decreasing readability at all.

The mystery and resolution are self contained in this book, so it works well enough as a standalone. There are references to the first book, so readers who choose to read them out of order should expect some spoilers.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours 19 minutes and is expertly read by Jodie Harris. She has a well modulated classically trained voice and does a great job with a number of disparate regional accents, and a range of character ages of both sexes and various socioeconomic strata.

Four stars for both print and audio versions. It would make a nice short binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I didn't read the first book but I love a woman in history making her own way (and having a love triangle of her own making! *gasp*). The mystery was interesting and not as predictable as I thought! I'm going to track down the first book!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Unfortunately, I just wasn't able to get into the writing. When I had requested it, I hadn't known it was book #2, so perhaps I would've been more engaged had I already read book #1.

When 1920s London women start receiving poisonous bouquets, it’s up to Saffron to figure it out and show her male counterparts how it’s done. The second in a series, this book will keep you up late waiting for the next chapter.

It's been several months since Alexander Ashton left on the Amazon expedition, and Saffron Everleigh looks forward to his letters, and tracks the group's progress on a map.

She hasn't been sitting around pining or bored, though. Saffron is one of two on a research study, her first, to determine and document poisonous plants and their effects. Saffron is paired with Dr. Michael Lee from the nearby hospital.

She is frustrated with him as he's messed up her office with all his papers, and he flirts with her shamelessly and constantly. Interestingly, he fully respects her, unlike the rest of the biology department, which, not being party to the details of the criminal behaviour Saffron unearthed in book one, continue to sneer at her and assume she only kept her position because she has something on the dean.

Saffron and Lee' poison research becomes particularly important when wealthy women in town are found dead, with beautiful bouquets found with them. Inspector Green asks for Saffron's help as he has no leads, and no ins with the wealthy crowd.

Saffron immediately begins researching the meaning of the flowers using the Victorian system of floriography (a.k.a "the language of flowers", or coded meanings of each type of bloom) and informs the Inspector that the sender seemed to be pointing to particular failings in each dead woman.

Saffron and Lee also begin going to Jazz clubs as a way to insert themselves into the lives of the dead women's friends, leading to revelations about the pervasiveness of drug use, thwarted hopes and jealousy.

I was a little surprised when I started this to find a new possible love interest, but I enjoyed Saffron's and Lee's sparring and working together. I also liked how we see the professional repercussions of Saffron's actions in book one, and though there is continued resistance from her colleagues, Saffron is still in London at the university, doing what she loves, rather than back home as her family demands.

As a bit of an aside, Elizabeth is wonderful, and I love Saffron and her relationship.

Saffron's use of floriography immediately reminded me of Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes' mother's sly use of the Victorian code. It proves vital to Saffron ability to decrypt the murderer's bouquets, as well as leading her to the identity of the killer. Which was a bit of a surprise.

What was also a surprise, and a good one, was even though Ashton returned partway through this book, there was no prolonged, annoying love triangle (thank goodness!) In fact, Saffron makes an interesting choice, and I am anxious for the next book, particularly with that surprise ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

The second book in the Saffron Everleigh series does not disappoint. This time the botanist turned sleuth is helping the police figure out who's killing people with bouquets of flowers. Since Alexander is still on his research trip through South America, her new office partner Dr Lee has to help Saffron with the investigation. The two make a marvellous team and there is more than just the regular/scientific chemistry between the two.

- Good storyline
- didn’t see ending coming; came out of nowhere- not enough clues in the storyline-only two vague clues mentioned
- sets up next book in series
-slow burn read until end; picks up fast
-some descriptions not clear; felt I missed half the story
-enjoyed learning facts about different flowers, how they can be used, and their symbols
-Audiobook ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- loved the narrator's voice and all the different character voices used!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really like Saffron as a character. Shes smart and funny, almost gives me like Hermoine vibes. I felt the mystery was better in this one than the first, a better plot to say the least. I am a Biology major and have taken lots of plant classes (my fav being one about how plants can help/harm people) and I recently learned in New Orleans how in the early 1900's people would send specific flowers to send messages, it made me happy to see all of these references and information being used in this book.

I was happy to catch up with Saffron and travel back in time. This is the second book in this series and starts just after the first, this means it's better read them in series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Dnf, I couldn't get into this in a similar way as the first book.

Thank you nwtgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review

A Botantist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatalities is Kate Khavari’s second in the Saffron Everleigh series. This is truly a series in that book two picks up right away without a reintroduction of the characters and setting. As little background information is provided, you need to read book one (A Botantist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons) first.

Set in London in the 1920s, Saffron Everleigh is an independent woman, following in her father’s footsteps to study science. After her adventures in book 1, the police ask Saffron to identify flowers that were gifted to two women just before each of them was murdered. Saffron can’t stop at just identifying the flowers, and along with her colleague, Dr. Lee sets off to learn what happened to the young women.

The book tells of Saffron’s and Dr. Lee’s escapades, attending high society parties. I didn’t have the mystery solved early on as there were a lot of potential suspects

If you’re a fan of classic mysteries and historic London, then you should pick up this series. I appreciate that the main character is a woman with a male sidekick, flipping the traditional detective-assistant roles around a bit. I was sometimes frustrated that Saffron repeatedly put herself in situations that could comprise her reputation, but I get that it was necessary for the plot.

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series (although the first is good too)! This book didn’t have to build up the characters and background information, so it didn’t take as long to get into the mystery.

As the story progresses and you learn more about the characters, you’ll think you’ve figured out the culprit. Maybe you’re a better sleuth than me, but I’ll stick to reading about crimes rather than solving them, as I didn’t pick the right suspect.

I switched back and forth between the digital version and the audiobook. Jodie Harris did a wonderful job narrating.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced digital copy.

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality, the second book in the Saffron Everleigh Mystery, is as brilliant as the 1st book. To be honest, it was even better.

1920s London isn’t the ideal place for a brilliant woman with lofty ambitions. But research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to beat the odds in a male-dominated field at the University College of London. Saffron embarks on her first research study alongside the insufferably charming Dr. Michael Lee, traveling the countryside with him in response to reports of poisonings. But when Detective Inspector Green is given a case with a set of unusual clues, he asks for Saffron’s assistance.

The victims, all women, received bouquets filled with poisonous flowers. Digging deeper, Saffron discovers that the bouquets may be more than just unpleasant flowers— there may be a hidden message within them, revealed through the use of the old Victorian practice of floriography. A dire message, indeed, as each woman who received the flowers has turned up dead.

Alongside Dr. Lee and her best friend, Elizabeth, Saffron trails a group of suspects through a dark jazz club, a lavish country estate, and a glittering theatre, delving deeper into a part of society she thought she’d left behind forever.

Will Saffron be able to catch the killer before they send their next bouquet, or will she find herself with fatal flowers of her own in Kate Khavari’s second intoxicating installment.

It's never easy to be a woman in a man's world and I absolutely love how independent, brave, smart and charming Saffron is. All the mystery and murder somewhat reminded me of Agatha Christie's novels. I was able to join the dots and successfully guessed whodunit. But the revelation was so much better I had guessed. I can't wait for the next book!

So if you like mystery novels set in 1920s, with strong minded female characters, then this is a must read for you.

Thank you Kate Khavari, the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

The second installment in Kate Khavari’s Saffron Everleigh Mystery series, set in 1920’s London, features the old Victorian practice of Floriography. Khavari provides adequate backstory without spoiling the plot if readers decide to read the first installment, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons.

In this novel Khavari explores family expectations and the struggle of women in a male-dominated field. Saffron’s research career choice has created a “gulf of separation” within her family, connecting readers across generations to social and emotional truths of personal choices then and now. The tension in the professional and personal relationship between Saffron and her colleague, Dr. Michael Lee, is interspersed with infuriating dialogue, endearing body language, humorous situations, and life-saving discoveries! Khavari’s characters are skillfully revealed through conflicts between several detectives and their attempts to solve the mystery involving three murders. She layers the murderous plot with exquisite descriptions of flowers and possible meanings while immersing readers in the eye-opening world of The Blue Room jazz club. The underworld of cocaine and its use in the past is brought to light as Saffron dons the beguiling disguise as Sally Eversby.

Kate Khavari delivers “killer bouquets” filled with flowers of friendship, abandonment, and pain, arranged in a potent, perfumed mystery: A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the chance to read and review A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari!

I'm not going to lie; I dislike the name Saffron, but I love the book. Saffron was an incredibly realistic character, one that a lot of us will be able to relate to.

For instance, at one point, I felt that Saffron's attitude towards Amelia was a bit judgmental; yet, as the book went on, I realized that the author did this deliberately to show Saffron as a human being, warts and all. Even though we can see that Saffron herself is doing something amazing and hard and is absolutely a feminist, there is definitely some internalized misogyny at play, something we're all guilty of. And we also see Saffron not respond well to her colleagues horrible treatment of her. I like this because this, once again, makes her a more interesting character, and one that we see ourselves in.

In general, I liked the way Kate Khavari handled all her characters. This might be a bit spoiler-y, but I don't hate Alexander for how he acted –he is a product of his time and can only rise above so much. We also saw things coming from a mile away with Lee and Saffron, and that’s a ship that I love. And while I wholeheartedly ship them, I do have to say that I preferred the ending.

I just want to be clear that even though the book is part of a series, it works well on its own and can be treated like a standalone, although I am tempted to pick up the first book because of this.

I don’t have any criticism for the author. The book ranges between 4-5 stars, but that entirely based on personal preference and less to do with the quality of it.

Tldr: will be picking up the next one!

This was a great follow up to the first book. These books are a lot of fun and great cozy mysteries. I could have done without a love triangle but I'm excited for the next book.

I absolutely love this series. I was never a mystery reader but there is something about these books that definitely makes me a believer. Saffron has to be at this point one of my favorite characters of all time. I think that her character has a great development arc. Her aptitude for getting herself into the most precarious of situations is a real talent for sure. All of the supporting characters are well written and add so much to the story. Lee was a real treat and I feel like him and Saffron compliment each other really well. I was excited to see Ashton make his way back into the story as well. I cannot wait to see where the next book goes!!

This is book 2 in the Saffron Everleigh mystery series (set in the 1920's) and it picks up where the first book left off. Ashton, her friend and potential beau is on an expedition in the Amazon. Saffron has been partnered in a research project with Dr Michael Lee to look into poisonings and the effects of these.
Once again Saffron is feeling the loneliness and dealing with a lot of misogynists in having a role and the London University which is not quite ready to see women as equals. She is thrilled however, when Inspector Green of the police, seeks her assistance with two murders in which a deadly bouquet of flowers was found to have been delivered. Saffron at once has her interest piqued and sets off to investigate the deaths in her own way. Roping in Lee to assist with infiltrating a social circle, Saffron quickly finds herself in a world of decadence and drug use.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this digital ARC.

A classic gothic style murder-mystery that Agatha Christie would be proud of.
There are secrets, rich people's behind the curtain lives. Mystery, intrigue, WHO-dun-it and of course poison.
This is book 2 in Saffron Everleigh's mystery series. And this time around Saffron, along with her firends, might just have to go back to where she started.
A fabulous series with a fantastic female lead with just enough mystery and intrigue to make us readers forget we don't know about the character's whole life, but rather we know just enough to see Saffron cannot do it alone. and everyone has secrets.
Plus, there's the fact we are accustomed to flowers for happier occasions than a murder/crime scene.
I wish this author would have gone even darker with this tale.