Available Formats
A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets
By (Author) Kate Khavari
3
Crooked Lane Books
Crooked Lane Books
20th May 2025
22nd April 2025
United States
General
Fiction
813.6
Paperback
320
Width 139mm, Height 209mm
369g
Brilliant botanist Saffron Everleigh is ready for her next thrilling adventure in the newest installment of Kate Khavari's mesmerizing historical mystery series. "A cleverly plotted puzzle" (Ashley Weaver) in the vein of Opium and Absinthe, this is perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Sujata Massey. Brilliant botanist Saffron Everleigh is ready for her next thrilling adventure in the newest installment of Kate Khavari's mesmerizing historical mystery series. "A cleverly plotted puzzle" (Ashley Weaver) in the vein of Opium and Absinthe, this is perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Sujata Massey. London, 1923. Returning from Paris, botanical researcher Saffron Everleigh finds that her former love interest Alexander Ashton's brother, Adrian, is being investigated for murder. A Russian scientist working for the English government has been poisoned, and expired in Adrian's train compartment. Alexander asks Saffron to put in a good word for Adrian with Inspector Green. Despite her unresolved feelings for Alexander, Saffron begins to unravel mysteries surrounding the dead scientist. As if a murder case weren't enough, her best friend Elizabeth's war-hero brother, Nick, arrives in town and takes an immediate interest in Saffron. Saffron learns Alexander has been keeping secrets from her, including a connection to Nick, who Saffron and Elizabeth begin to suspect is more than he seems. When another scientist is found dead, Saffron agrees to go undercover at the government laboratory. Risking her career and her safety, she learns there are many more interested parties and dangerous secrets to uncover than she'd realized. But some secrets, Saffron will find, are better left undiscovered.
Praise for A Botanists Guide to Society and Secrets:
A thorny mystery and budding romance combine with a fascinating look at the many uses of plants.
Kirkus Reviews
Rewarding . . . A solid entry in a dependable series.
Publishers Weekly
An entertaining and fun read from first page to last.
Midwest Book Review
[A] clever British mystery.
Historical Novels Review
Praise for the Saffron Everleigh Mystery series:
Kate Khavari creates the winning combination of an intriguing mystery and a resourceful and engaging heroine.
Frances Brody, author of the Kate Shackleton mysteries
Kate Khavari has created a charming mystery, full of twists that are as intriguing and deadly as the plants her characters love. Saffron Everleigh is clever and determined, the sort of sleuth that readers will be eager to make space for on their bookshelves. I'm already looking forward to her next adventure!
Katharine Schellman, author of the Lily Adler Mysteries
A Botanists Guide to Parties and Poisons combines all the things I love most in a mystery: a smart and charming heroine, a cleverly-plotted puzzle, and a hint of romance. Well researched and brimming with the dangers of scientific intrigue, its sure to keep readers turning pages. I hope to see a lot more of Saffron Everleigh!
Ashley Weaver, author of the Amory Ames mysteries
Delightful and twisty, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons will immerse you in 1920s academic London and have you turning pages to the end. Saffron Everleigh is a plucky heroine that readers will want to join for the next adventure. An engaging read!
Lydia Kang, author of Opium and Absinthe
An exciting debut with a determined protagonist whose future is sure to contain romance and mystery.
Kirkus
Khavari is off to a promising start.
Publishers Weekly
Intelligent, witty, and brave . . . Khavari has created a fast-paced, interesting mystery.
Bookpage
"[A] delightful new novel . . . Perfect for fans of Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries."
CrimeReads
Many captivating twists . . . Readers get a tantalizing glimpse of Jazz Age London.
Historical Novel Society, on A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatalities
Kate Khavari is the author of fiction ranging from historical mysteries to high fantasy epics. She has her parents to thank for her fascination for historical mysteries, as she spent the majority of her childhood memorizing Sherlock Holmes's and Poirot's greatest quips. She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas with her husband and children and a lovely garden that contains absolutely no poisonous plants.