ARC Review: A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality
Author: Kate Khavari
Series: A Saffron Everleigh Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (June 6, 2023)

Description: 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.

My Thoughts: The second Saffron Everleigh historical mystery was an engaging look at the 1920s. Saffron faces prejudice as she tries to make a place for herself as a botanist at University College in London where the old boys' network isn't eager to let her in. 

She and Dr. Michael Lee are engaged in a study of poisonous plants in England. They are often sent into the countryside when accidental poisonings occur where they combine their knowledge of medicine and botany. 

When Chief Inspector Green calls in Saffron to take a look at bouquets left at the scenes of murders of upper-class women, Saffron is drawn into her second police investigation. The first one (A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poison) almost killed her but her curiosity has been aroused and so has her desire to help. Saffron realizes that the flowers are conveying messages in the old Victorian floriography language, and the messages are chilling.

Saffron and Lee soon find themselves visiting the jazz clubs the victims frequented. The clubs are filled with upper class people or those who are hangers-on who are drinking and taking drugs and generally trying to have a good time. They find a range of suspects as they try to unravel the clues to who wanted each victim dead.

Saffron is also dealing with man troubles. She has started to like Lee despite his messy habits and bonhomie. But she is also still corresponding with Alexander Ashton who was her partner in her first investigation and who is currently on an expedition to the Amazon. When Alexander returns, her man troubles escalate but both men are there at the story's climactic moments. 

I enjoyed this mystery. I thought the setting was well-developed. I liked Saffron's determination to solve the mystery and build her own career. I also liked the preview to Saffron's next case provided by the ending of the story when Alexander's brother comes to him with a problem. I really want to know what happens next. 

Favorite Quote:

"If you encourage pretty girls to eat poisonous berries, there won't be any pretty girls left."

Saffron burst out laughing. "And what did he have to say to that?"

Lee shrugged, looking pleased. "He said I made a very good point, thanks for the advice."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.