Member Reviews
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for this audio ARC.
I love Jodie Harris. Her narration style is top tier!
I enjoyed Flowers and Fatality much more than Parties and Poisons. Saffron’s character growth was something to behold. She was, to my ears, more charming and confident in this story.
And that ending??? What is going to happen? What’s next? I NEED TO KNOW ASAP.
A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari is a lovely historical mystery that any fan of Sherlock Holmes or Enola Holmes would enjoy! Saffron is such a great character. I love her whit and curiosity and her extensive knowledge of plants and detective work is impressive. She also seems like a sweetheart who really wants to help people. I adored the 1920s aesthetics in this book and was shocked by the laissez faire attitudes some of the upper class had about drug use and violence. It was very telling and added a nice authenticity to the story. The use of floriography in the bouquets was brilliant and actually made me check out a book from the library on the topic. It's such a cool idea that somebody could send a message with flowers. I really liked the romance between Dr. Lee and he seems like a really cute character that I hope she ends up with. This was such a fun read and I really enjoyed it. The narrator was excellent and I thought she did a great job with the accents and pronunciation of the different botanicals and 1920s slang.
When Joey Evans, a young farmers boy is found passed out, fitting and grimacing in a Hampshire field, Botanist Saffron and Dr Michael Lee are called in to try and help the boy and find out what the cause could be. As a researcher in botanical poisoning and a medical practitioner they often find themselves in circumstances like these, trying to get to solve a botanical puzzle and save a life.
A botanists Guide to Flowers and Fatality is a cosy period murder mystery, this is definitely the type of book you want to curl up with on a rainy day or relax with in the evening. It is the second in the book series, but they refer back to the first and explain some of the backstory where relevant so you can follow the plot perfectly well if reading it as a stand alone. It was a little slow moving for my taste, but entertaining nonetheless.
I really enjoy this type of easy going murder mystery and I learnt a lot of fascinating botanical facts as a bonus! I will be looking out for more in the series and probably go back and read the first book.
The narrator is great, clear eloquent reading and well suited for the characters.
3.75 rounded up.
I listened to this audiobook without realizing at first that it is the second in a series. Even so, I never felt lost or like I was missing information. The author did an excellent job of making this a stand alone book. I adore the main character Saffron Everleigh, who is a brilliant botanist that manages to handle her own in a male-dominated scientific field in the 1920's. She assists a doctor(the male lead Dr Lee) in identifying the poisonous plants that are making his patients ill.
The police also ask for her expert assistance in solving a case where the killer sends the victims strange bouquets. This leads her and Dr Lee to launch their own quirky investigation into the murders. I enjoyed following them on their adventure and look forward to the next installment in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
An enjoyable read with lots of interesting characters and plot twists. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
The narration was very clear and easy to follow
Thank to netgalley for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
I really enjoyed this audio book. Botanist and police adviser Saffron Everly is a fantastic protagonist she is smart fiery and determined and perfectly balanced with the cool, calm and collected Dr Lee.
I did not realise this was the second book in a series but there was enough backstory that was sesinct and to the point in this one that it did not matter that I had not read the first book.
If you are a fan of Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries then I think you'll enjoy this series too. I will certainly be going back to read the first book in the series.
After reading the first book, I was pleasantly surprised with the improvement in this instalment and how both Saffron and the author grew in their second moment. "Flowers and Fatality" built on "Parties and Poison" bringing what the first book didn't have: murder and pronouns, but not a lot of the latter. Saffron's name was still mentioned too often, as was Lee's, but overall it was less distracting this time.
"Flowers and Fatality" starts in a different plot, different context, but it all made sense for the new mystery taking place and the police asking for Saffron's involvement. It was well constructed and even though I didn't think there was a strong plot twist, the story developed in a way that you came to conclusions together with the characters. Since my memory is not great, it took me a bit to understand that Lee was not Alexander and that we were facing a new couple. I do believe that this triangle has potential, and I'm invested in the romance, as well as the developing central plot.
The audiobook was a great experience. Jodie Harris was great in changing voices and differentiating the characters, as well as making the impressions of sighs, coughs, and other quirks mentioned when the characters were conversing with one another. It did improve my experience.
It's not a 5 stars because it can still get a bit more editing to make the story more fluid and the mystery is very low stakes, so I was more involved in Saffron's romance than the actual murders, but I did have a great time.
First, I’d like to thank @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for my audio ARC. I really enjoyed my ARC for the first of Saffron’s mysteries, so I was excited to see the audio for book two was available for requests. I got lucky; my request was approved on release day! Saffron is still the sassy, smart, and determined protagonist we met in book one; however, Saffron undeniably shows more confidence in the sequel. I enjoyed Lee’s character as well, as he challenged Saffron in a way that Alexander didn’t. Let me say though, his smug attitude did get on my nerves periodically just as it was likely intended to. The audio narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. I found this murder mystery was not just a copy of the first book, so I’m thankful that Khavari was able to maintain some relationship between the books while also making the sequel original. It was dark, engaging, and led to me developing a variety of questions regarding poisons during that point in history. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for the inevitable book 3
Saffron is a kickass hero - even if she doesn't beat anyone up! She is dedicated to her work and to justice.
A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality was not exactly what I was expecting. I loved the first one but this one felt different. The pacing was slower, the story more complicated, and a new love interest was thrown in the mix. But the mystery kept me intrigued. Every twist and turn had me wanting to know more. 3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
A great follow up to book 1! Saffron's character came alive in book 2, just as much as book 1. I loved rooting for her to take her place in a society that didn't accept women in a professional role. The mystery of the story was solid, and the love triangle made things a little more interesting!
I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this audio ARC. This is my honest review.
I enjoyed the second book in the Saffron Everleigh series, but I think that it was not a seamless transition from the first book. We get a different Saffron in this series, and I am unconvinced by the romantic storyline. I hope the next story in the series will clean up some of the inconsistencies, but I do overall enjoy this series and will definitely be reading the next one.
The narrator did a great job working with the text! I enjoyed her performance and hope to see her narration in the future.
I was so excited that I got this book to review and it did NOT disappoint! I got drawn into the story immediately and couldn't put it down! I absolutely adore Saffron and that she kicks ass and takes no guff for doing so at a time when that was absolutely not accepted! I can't wait to see where the story goes between her and her two potential beaus! Maybe she will just tell them both off and live happily ever after with her roomie!
#ABotanistsGuidetoFlowersandFatality
#NetGalley
6.5/10
Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant who shares an office with the handsome Dr. Lee. He is annoying and responsible for the book's low rating, although it has a better plot and mystery than the first book.
Whatever, Inspector Green has asked Saffron to examine bouquets of flowers sent to two murdered women from high society. Despite her dislike for her grandmother's high society parties, Saffron is determined to find any clues and has found herself peeking around for suspects.
A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatalityis the second book in the Saffron Everleigh Mystery series, better in many ways and I imagine like many mystery series it could be read as a stand-alone.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media via NetGalley for giving me a chance to listen to A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatalityis (Book 2 in the Saffron Everleigh Mystery series) by Kate Khavari and narrated by Jodie Harris. I have given my honest review.
It's 1923 and Botanist Saffron Everleigh is drawn once again into solving murders - this one involving highly poisonous floral arrangements delivered to victims shortly before their gruesome murders. While Saffron goes undercover to discover more about the world the victims inhabit, she finds herself among wealthy cocaine users, and not everyone is who they claim to be.
The second installment of the Saffron Everleigh Mysteries is a delight, and I'm excited to see where Saffron's adventures take her next.
"She wasn't going to shrink when she'd only just begun to feel like she'd might be blooming."
In Book 2 of the Saffron Everleigh Mystery Series, A Botanist's Guide To Flowers And Fatality by historical fiction whodunit author Kate Khavari, botanist and amateur sleuth Saffron is bucking the 1920 academic patriarchy at work and exploring her awakening sexuality.
Once again, narrator Jodie Harris helps endear Saffron to listeners. The police ask Saffron for help when three women are strangled after receiving various floral bouquets and she takes it as an invite to be part of the investigation.
With her love interest Alexander away, she ensnares cheeky Dr. Michael Lee to go undercover as a fake couple in a jazz club where the spoiled, rich, cocaine using, one of them is a murderer elite hang out. But as the fake starts to be real and Alexander comes home early the murders take second place to the enticing love triangle. There's flowers, fatality and fun in this one.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Firstly, if you have an option? Get the audiobook because the narrator knocked it out of the park.
This is a stronger novel than the first in the series - the characters felt more fleshed out and the plot was gripping. I was, however, a little bored with all of the red herrings.
I want to start off I received a complimentary audiobook. In return for my honest thoughts and my review. I also want to apologize for my my review being posted late. Regardless I still wanted to post my review.
I couldn’t wait to get back into the world of Saffron Everleigh. Trying to figure out another murder mystery. I love her character. Anyone trying to prove herself it’s Saffron. I enjoyed book one. Just like this book one this one didn’t disappoint me. I did love listening to audiobook. I have read the first book. The narrator does amazing job. Yes this audiobook did take me a little longer. But I love taking my time. I feel more closer to story and characters. I almost feel like I am there. Trying to help Saffron figure out a murder. In a men’s world.
Saffron making sure her and Dr. Lee didn’t ruin their family names. But wanted to figure out who was killing these women .
I highly recommend this book and book one.
Thank you to author and Netgalley for allowing me to listen to amazing book. Love being in the world of Saffron.
This book was the second installment of the Saffron Everleigh mysteries by Kate Khavari, I have not read the first book but I will remedy that as soon as I can, I enjoyed this one so much.
This historical mystery set in academia was a great distraction and a fantastic listen I felt transported to the London of the Roaring 20’s jazz clubs with a zest for life after WWI but still very few women in the workforce restricted to just a couple of acceptable jobs. Saffron Everleigh the main character and sleuth does not want to play by these rules - she has pursued her degree and holds a researcher position with the university’s botany department but she needs to keep her head down and work twice as hard as everybody else. At least she has a research partner who genuinely admired her tenacity and knowledge. When poisonous flower bouquets are left at the scenes of a string of murders the police asks them to consult - added to the botanical and medical knowledge her Saffron and her research partner share a decided advantage to the police simply as a birthright - access to the upper classes and their parties or gatherings.
Cozy and glamorous, academic and thrilling, this was a fun book !
The audio was so well done and added to the atmosphere!
A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality is the second entry in Kate Khavari’s delightful cozy mystery series featuring Saffron Everleigh.
In 1920s London, Saffron has now secured a fellowship position in botanical science at University College of London. After helping police solve the murder of a colleague’s wife, Saffron has earned the grudging respect of the police and her peers in the botany department.
After a series of society women are found dead, shortly after receiving a carefully crafted bouquet of flowers, the police request Saffron’s help to decode the message of the flowers and identify the killer.
The story is rich with fascinating information about plants, flowers, their meanings and sometimes deadly effects. Saffron is a plucky heroine, easy to like as she uses her education and intellect, all the while pushing back against the patriarchal society in which she lives. On a lighter note, it is fun to see her treading carefully between two men, Dr. Lee and Alexander Ashton, who seek her romantic favors. The reveal of the killer is somewhat surprising but logical, and the book ends in a large hint of the next installment to come.
The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Jodie Harris, who imbues Saffron with wit, humor, and intelligence.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio ARC. This is my honest review.