Classically British historical mystery
4
A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets Book Cover A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets
Saffron Everleigh Mysteries Book 3
Kate Khavari
Young Adult, Historical Mystery
Crooked Lane Books
June 4, 2024
Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook
336

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.

Saffron Everleigh has More Mysteries to Solve

Saffron Everleigh is back in Kate Khavari’s A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets, book 3 of A Saffron Everleigh Mysteries series. As a female in 1920s England, academia in the realm of physical sciences is not the most welcoming place. Even with a pedigree of privilege and connection Saffron must continually prove that she is worthy of the positions and research she has. But her intelligence has not gone unnoticed by the people with unconventional and sometimes nefarious goals as she is drawn into solving a number of murders with suspicious ties to the British government and international groups. But challenges and struggles are hard to overcome individually which leads Saffron to rely on her roommate, Elizabeth, as well as reconnecting with her former romantic interest, Alexander Ashton, to tackle her most dangerous mystery yet.

Part of an Ongoing Series

Khavari’s continuing story of Saffron as she encounters new mysteries to solve in A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets is a wonderful immersion in the classical British murder mystery style. Everything from the historical 1920s English backdrop to the mannerisms and language of the time makes for a very engaging environment for the unfolding mystery. Saffron’s mental prowess helps her to discover and unravel the clues needed to solve the murder of two scientists involved in projects that could have devastating impacts to society at large in the hands of the wrong people. But identifying those “wrong” people becomes just as much of a challenge as Saffron quickly learns. Even though I have not read the first two books in the series, I was still able to follow along and enjoy this book. However, I’m confident that it would have been an even more engaging experience if I knew the details of many of the events and relationships that this book was built upon.

Romance Evolves

A Botanists Guide to Society and Secrets was enjoyable not only because of the main storyline of a traditionally British mystery but because of the ongoing romantic tension between Saffron and Alexander. They have a history that occurred in the previous stories but is alluded to and taken to a new level in this book. Their intellectual sparring and undercurrent attraction made every scene with them delightful. I’m probably most motivated to read the first two books just to get a complete picture of their relationship and how it developed. I was also thoroughly entertained by the secondary interactions between Saffron and her best friend, Elizabeth. While significantly different in personality their loyalty and friendship was memorable. I like that Khavari seemed to be developing Elizabeth into more of a leading character, which may lead to more of her own storylines.

Series Finale

A Saffron Everleigh Mystery series ending fourth book, A Botanist’s Guide to Rituals and Revenge, is scheduled to release June 10, 2025. This gives you plenty of time to join me and start from the beginning and read this as well as books 1 and 2 in preparation. I’m confident you won’t be disappointed in Khavari’s writing style or storytelling!