A Botanist's Guide To Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari

Liz

May 3

20th book of 2022

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?

Published date: 07th June 2022

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books to send me a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

CW: Sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, mental illness, infidelity, sexual harassment, war, death of a parent, alcoholism

Rating

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Review

I had a great time reading this book, and it was shorter than I imagined. However, it was precisely the kind of cosy mystery I wanted.

The way the characters are presented at the beginning of the book is a clever idea. However, it took me half of the book to understand who's who. The names are so similar, and as they are all doctors, you always have the Dr before the name, which doesn't help at all.

Also, I liked the main characters, and I like how they complete each other in this investigation. The fact that it's a double pov book was a surprise at the beginning. Still, as you discover Saffron and Alexander, you understand them a lot more than without this dual pov. I don't know how I feel about the romance see I liked it, but at the same time, it feels like it robs the show of the mystery at some moment. For once, I would have wanted to have a slow burn.

I didn't really feel in the 1920s for most of the story. I don't know why but it feels more modern than this era. The only reminders I had were the talks about the aftermath of WWI, the garment and the fact that she is the only girl in the uni. However, I was so into the mystery that I realised that only at the end.

The only two elements that really bothered me were the pace that changed a lot. First, you start with a pretty medium pace, then the pace slows a lot in the middle to finally pick an action-packed pace toward the end. All those changes are quite overwhelming. Also, I would have loved to have some botanical drawings at the end.

This book feels like the first book of a series. Not because you have a cliffhanger at the end, as the mystery finds closure in this book; but because it feels like the beginning of a long story for Saffron and Alexander as much alone as together.

Liz.

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