Book Review: A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons (arc)

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons (2022) by Kate Khavari

Fiction | Historical Fiction | Mystery | Romance

Disclaimer: In every review that I complete, I try my best to avoid spoilers of any kind and include spoiler warnings when necessary.

About the book (from Goodreads)

Saffron Everleigh is in a race against time to free her wrongly accused professor before he goes behind bars forever. Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Anna Lee Huber, Kate Khavari’s debut historical mystery is a fast-paced, fearless adventure.

London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh attends a dinner party for the University College of London. While she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large expedition to the Amazon, she doesn’t expect Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin.

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?

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Note: Thank you to Netgalley & the publishers for allowing me access to this arc!

My Review

I absolutely LOVED this book! If you adore a mystery with a slow-burn romance between an intelligent botanist and a sexy biologist, you're in the right place. By the end of it, I was impressed by Saffron's intelligent investigative skills and found myself wishing for a second book! Could this be one in a series rather than a standalone? If so, I'm here for it.

The Good Things

1. The cover and title are fitting and appealing to the eye. I wouldn't mind owning a physical copy to show off on my bookshelf.

2. The book is well-researched. The time frame and university studies seem accurate and fitting o the genres advertised. I didn't come across anything that was visibly far-fetched.

3. Saffron and Elizabeth's (her roommate) relationship is wonderful and sisterly. I need an Elizabeth in my life (apologies to my younger sisters for this comment - love you).

4. Alexander is an enigma and a mystery, and I want to know more.

5. The end of Chapter 13. LOVE. I highlighted seven sentences alone just in that chapter that I adored.

The Bad Things

1. I have a hard time finding anything bad to say about this book other than that there were minor parts that were predictable. That being said, for those of us who love mystery stories, predictable -to a certain extent- isn't always a bad thing!

My Final Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆ (Goodreads)

☆☆☆☆☆ (Blog)

☆☆☆☆☆ (Amazon - will be posted once the book is released)

This book will be released on June 7, 2022. Pre-order this from Amazon by clicking here!

If you have access to this ARC, please feel free to leave comments concerning how you liked -or didn't like, no judgment here- it! If you don't have access, let me know if this is on your tbr! I would love to hear your thoughts!