With Alexander off on the expedition to the Amazon, Saffron has spent her summer working at the university on a project with the annoyingly charming, Dr. Lee, a medical doctor, dealing with reports of poisonings across the city and in the neighboring countryside. Saffron can hardly believe it when Detective Inspector Green walks through her office door, requesting her assistance on an active murder investigation. Still coming off her high of solving the university related murder from the last book, she is sure she can get to the bottom of these new murders.

Bouquet of flowers, most of which are poisonous, were found at the crime scenes of three different murders. They seem unconnected otherwise. When her own knowledge of flowers falls short in coming up with answers, Saffron delves into the old Victorian practice of floriography, in which each flower holds a special meaning. Dr. Lee is eager to help despite Saffron's initial misgivings. The two of them go undercover, befriending the high society group of suspects, taking them into a dark jazz club and exclusive parties. Dr. Lee definitely seems to have the gift of fitting in and drawing people out, where as Saffron is more awkward at it. Perhaps it is the rules of society for women during that time period, or just her trying too hard to be accepted so she can get the answers she's seeking. This only makes her more relatable as a character for me.

Like in the first book, the reader gets a glimpse of how difficult it is for a woman in the world of male academia, especially one in Saffron's position. One of the reasons I especially liked this second book was the amount of growth Saffron does over the course of the book in finding her own voice and standing up for what she wants. Not only with her work, but in her love life too. There definitely was a darker overall plot line in this installment. I found the mystery fascinating, from the historical aspect as well as the complexity of the characters and their possible motives. ( )

An exciting follow-up to A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons. Saffron Everleigh has a new research assignment at the University College of London; partnered with an attractive young doctor, she is dispatched to find the botanical sources of accidental poisonings while trying to avoid the misogyny of the faculty common room. Dr. Lee is charming and attractive, but almost annoyingly so, and Saffron has unresolved issues with Alexander Ashton who is on an Amazonian expedition. Luckily, Scotland Yard seeks her expertise on a series of mysterious bouquets to distract her from her romantic troubles. Crossing between the halls of academia and the nightclubs of 1920s London, Saffron soon finds that there's a lot going on behind the scenes.

A solid historical mystery with a scientific bent! Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley. ( )

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!

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality is the Kate Khavari’s second book in the A Saffron Everleigh Mystery series. It came out on the 6th of June and is 336 pages long. Like other Crooked Lane books, Penguin Random House Publisher Services handles the distribution to retailers.

I’m not going to eat it—I’m not an idiot

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.

Inspector Green made a dismissive sound in his throat. “As much as I do not care for you coming uninvited to a crime scene, perhaps it is a good thing you did.”

Saffron looked at him through a haze of moisture that might have been tears.

He regarded her without reprehension, the slight softness in his eyes easing the harshness of his next words. “Perhaps it will remind you that this is not an adventure or scientific experiment.”

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! ( )

It was the cover of Kate Khavari's new book, A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality, that first caught my eye. Then I read the synopsis of the book - and I was hooked! This is the second book in the Saffron Everleigh series. I had not listened to the first book, but it was great as a stand alone as well.

1920's London, England. Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant at a London University. Her field? Poisonous plants. She is called on to the local constabulary when a number of deaths occur - and each of the victims have received a bouquet. In addition to her skill with plants, Saffron is well versed in the Victorian practice of floriography. But she won't be investigating on her own. Dr. Michael Lee will be on the case with her.

Could there be any better name than Saffron for a poison plant expert? She is a wonderful lead character, one you are firmly behind from the first chapter. She's intelligent, intuitive, determined, brave and more than a little impulsive. I also quite liked Saffron's flatmate Elizabeth - she's a great 'sidekick' supporting player. Dr. Lee provides a will they/ won't they romantic thread. Khavari has given this part of the book the right amount of attention as it never overpowers the murder mysteries.

I thought the poison plants and floriography was a fresh idea and perfect for the timeframe. Khavari has captured 1920 with the depictions of society, relationships, mores and my favourite - the verbal jousting.

And the mystery of whodunit? Not who you would have expected! The case was well written, with more than a few choices for the culprit.

I chose to listen to A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality. The narrator was Jodie Harris - a new to me reader. I really liked her voice and accent. Her voice is easy on the ears and the accent is perfect for my mental image of Saffron. She's easy to understand. The speed was just right. Harris easily captures the plot, the emotions, danger and more with her reading. She also provides believable male voices and different and recognizable voices for other female characters. An excellent performance. ( )

Oooh, sounds like there is going to be a third book based on that ending and I cannot wait! I love Saffron Everleigh, she doesn't take guff from anyone. I love how she stood her ground at the end of this book with both men with each one being for a completely different reason. Looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble she gets into next.

Jodie Harris did a great job narrating this novel and I hope that she will continue narrating the remainder of this series. ( )