A murder, a laboratory full of secrets, and a brilliant botanist who refuses to stay in her lane—this historical mystery hooked me from the very start. Set in 1920s London, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons blends science, danger, and slow-burn chemistry into a delightfully clever whodunit. Once Saffron Everleigh steps onto the page, it’s impossible not to follow her into trouble.
A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari
Series: Saffron Everleigh Mysteries #1
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery

London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to blaze a new trail at the University College London, but with her colleagues’ beliefs about women’s academic inabilities and not so subtle hints that her deceased father’s reputation paved her way into the botany department, she feels stymied at every turn.

When she attends a dinner party for the school, she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large expedition to the Amazon. What she doesn’t expect is for 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 and evidence quickly mounts. Joined by fellow researcher—and potential romantic interest—Alexander Ashton, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons to clear Maxwell's name.

Will she be able to uncover the truth—or will her investigation land her on the murderer’s list?—in this entertaining historical mystery about the struggles of one unforgettable woman in a male-dominated field.

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Review

Set in 1923, A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons introduces us to Saffron Everleigh, the first woman to hold a research assistant position at University College London—a role she’s fought hard to earn. Passionate about botany and determined to prove herself in a male-dominated academic world, Saffron is no stranger to being underestimated. Still, nothing prepares her for becoming an eyewitness to murder.

When the wife of a colleague collapses and dies from apparent poisoning—and Saffron’s beloved mentor, Dr. Maxwell, becomes the prime suspect—Saffron refuses to sit quietly on the sidelines. Convinced that something isn’t right, she takes matters into her own hands, determined to uncover the truth and clear his name.

Enter Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher and the perfect partner in amateur sleuthing. Their banter, teasing, and easy flirtation were some of my favorite moments in the book. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching them navigate danger, investigation, and their growing attraction added an extra layer of enjoyment to the story.

This is a cozy historical mystery with a scientific twist, and the botany elements are woven in thoughtfully and creatively—especially since plants themselves may hold the key to the crime. Saffron is refreshingly bold, willing to bend rules, trespass where necessary, and follow her instincts, while the official investigator seems oddly content to let her do so.

The mystery is engaging, the pacing brisk, and the 1920s setting richly drawn. I especially appreciated how the story highlights the challenges women faced in academia without letting that theme overpower the fun and intrigue of the plot.

With its smart heroine, compelling mystery, and delightful partnership at its core, this book is a fantastic series starter. I would happily follow Saffron and Alexander into many more investigations—preferably with fewer parties and more science.

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