A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons

DNF because I couldn't get into the plot and had no connection to the characters. I was bored. There was no atmosphere or tension to pull you into the book or keep you turning the pages. There was a lot of potential but it lacked a dynamic range, everything played out as the same note. 

Not for me though I persevered it was a little too light and not to my taste.
Though the title intrigued me, I was disappointed with what lay inside.

A slightly slower read than other books I've read recently. Lots of conversations and not a lot of action for the mystery solving. Slow build but fine. Could clearly visualize the characters. Would like to compare to an Enola Holmes book.

A different take on the heavily saturated whodunnit market. The historical elements added to portraying how “unique” the main character was, due to her determination to research Botany rather than marry a man and just attend parties.

I enjoyed the relationship budding between Saffron and Alex, though after reading the entire thing and realising it had all happened in a matter of days, I was a little sceptical. 

3.5, cute book, drags in places. The characters are likeable. I'll listen to the next book.

I'll level with you. I'm not quite at the end of the book, but almost there. I'm absolutely loving the characters and the story. If you're a fan of Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell series, then this is a series that you might enjoy. Like Veronica, Saffron is an academic trying to make it in a man's world, in what was still a heavily patriarchal society. Unlike Veronica's chutzpah and brash eccentricity, Saffron is an altogether milder character filled with self-doubt and probably what we would today call imposter syndrome. Her ‘partner in crime', so to speak, is a young biologist trying to come to terms with his experiences in the Great War, and has a certain degree of shell shock. I can relate to Saffron in a way that I can't quite do with Veronica - I love the verve and humour of Raybourn's characters, but I can identify with Saffron's personality and doubts. Hers is a quiet bravery, and deep commitment to justice, even at her own expense.

So, that probably has you asking, “why aren't you giving it the full five stars?” And if I was judging on plot and characters alone, I most probably would. Also, the writing style and faithfulness to the period is wonderful. But the proofreading and editing leaves a lot to be desired - mostly the proofreading. I don't like it when I am reading a book on Kindle and having to report content errors the whole time, because it feels like I'm doing the job for free. There should have been someone in the road to publication who was paid to take care of these issues. So, that is what has made me leave a review before completing the book. I hope that book 3 is well under way, and that this well-intentioned critique will be noted and addressed so that the next installment will have all the polish it needs to be extraordinary.

ETA: finished the book, and I stand by my overall opinion. Great book; I'm downloading book 2 and know I'll be following this series avidly from now on. So, Ms Khavari, here's to many more.

I didn't like the pacing and didn't connect with the characters like I expected to. It was a fine historical mystery, but not a favorite of mine.

An entertaining and solidly plotted historical mystery. I would listen to another in the series.

A fun cozy mystery.
If you enjoy Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries I think you will enjoy this book.
Excited to read more of Saffron's adventures.

I loved the title of this book, the plot, the setting, and the characters (I totally judged this book by its cover). But while I did enjoy reading this novel, I felt it had a lot more potential and that it didn't quite live up to it. Some loose threads here and there and an overall sense of dissatisfaction. Perhaps as this book is meant to be the first in a series, it left us readers with some bits to speculate upon.

⭐⭐⭐ – The cover of this book is just beautiful!

I wanted to love this one more than I did. It wasn't a terrible book by any means. The writing was top-notch. I loved the time period, and the setting. Saffron was a strong female lead. I thought the subject of poisonous plants was fascinating. All good things! However, where this book fell short was the pacing. I found it to be very slow and draggy, especially through the middle section. I also wasn't a huge fan of the romance. It felt forced and clunky. All that said, I am onboard to give book two (if there is a second book) a try!

ARC Via NetGalley

A botanist's guide to parties and poisons introduces us to Saffron, a research assistant and up and coming botanist. While attending a party the hostess is passes out and is whisked off to hospital. Much to Saffrons dismay, her mentor is arrested for poisoning Mrs. Henry, the wife of the upcoming expedition leader, something Saffron refusing to believe. The police has one lead, a plant no one will go near that her mentor, Dr Maxwell, has in one of the University greenhouses, as the attempted murder weapon.
Saffron with the reluctant help of Alexander Ashton, set about finding out what really happened that night. Will she uncover the truth before the criminal sets sail away from punishment or will she find herself in mortal danger instead?

The title hooked me so hard with this one and I was so excited to start it. Firstly, it is very well written. It flowed, it didn't drop the pace and it not once lost my attention.
Saffron is one heck of a young lady. Following in her dead fathers footsteps and working at the university that he worked for, she has very large shoes to fill. Being a woman in that time too, shows the level of courage and perseverance she had to have to make it to where she was. I felt the character development was very well done and I loved watching her meet the challenges she faced and the relationship blossoming with Alexander.

I felt the rest of the characters could have done with some of the same level of expansion. We learned very little of Alexander and nothing of the other characters. I don't know if that was done on purpose or not but I felt it would have rounded the story out more having more details on the lesser characters.

I felt there were some loose threads in the story that needed to tightened and they were left kind of hanging. It doesn't take from the story at all though, it literally just would have strengthen it in my opinion. Building a well rounded character base, is one of my top 3 things for a 5 star book.

I loved the whodunnit element that ran through the whole book! It has me guessing the whole time.
The author really weaved a tale of early blooming love while never losing sight of the base storyline. It was cleverly executed with a delicate balance in the writing. The plant knowledge was fascinating and really added to the dynamics of the book.

If you love a good mystery with a twist of romance.... This is the book for you.

4.5 stars out of 5.

Thank you netgalley and Kate Khavari for this unforgettable read

I'm so happy I got the chance to read this book in advance, because now I have enough time to convince all of my bookish friends to pre-order it before it comes out.
If you're into historical fiction with a great mystery and a little bit of romance intertwined with it, this book is definitely for you.