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  • A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons

  • By: Kate Khavari
  • Narrated by: Jodie Harris
  • Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (40 ratings)

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A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons

By: Kate Khavari
Narrated by: Jodie Harris
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Publisher's Summary

London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh is the first woman to hold the position at University College of London. 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 flirtatious fellow researcher 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 examination of society’s expectations, debut author Kate Khavari deftly sheds a light on the struggles of women in a male-dominated field, wrapped in mystery and murder.

©2022 Kate Khavari (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC

What listeners say about A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A solid frist in a series

A cozy mystery set in 1920 England. I found this a good read (or listen in this case); engaging, not so fanciful as to be unbelievable and with a main character I could get behind. Not the coziest of the genre that I've read and a bit stilted at times with threads just stopping, only to be tied off later IF you happened to see the connection. As the first book in a series it shows promise and was enjoyable enough that I'll happily read the next

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fun Filler

Story started well, got lost a bit in the middle, came back and ended predictably. But overall, the research was excellent in the theme of the story and the characters ok. Though I did get lost with so many Professors/Drs.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Kt
  • 14-12-2022

A fine historical whodunnit

I enjoyed both the narration and the story itself, although I felt the culmination of the the final plot and the way the murderers were finally exposed was a little rushed and not entirely satisfying.
The interaction between the two main characters was developed slowly but steadily and I particularly liked the fact that there was a slow burn romance which was left partially unresolved by the end of the book.
Given the time frames from when the characters met having them reach an understanding rather than having them plunge into a full-blown relationship and exchange promises was quite okay by me.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • flj
  • 02-12-2022

The era and setting was great

I liked where this book took us but whether it was the narration or the mask of real suspense I found it just a bit lacking.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • E.
  • 26-02-2023

Only ok 3.5 stars

It was ok, the FMC just felt young and naive.
The story was good but not riveting, the writing and narrating were fine and set the tone of the world being established.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable

Our lead lady is good at her job - with is a thing I always enjoy.
She a little wacko and doesn’t very dangerous things while still feeling like a little office mouse. The love interest respects her and her best friend care and supports her. Wonderful and would listen again

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Academic cosy mystery

Great concept, good narration, decent story. The story is a mystery set in the botany department of an early 20th C University with a romance going on in the background. I was a biologist, and love whodunnits but this didn't quite float my boat. Glad I tried it as the Audible free "Editor's Choice", as it's different from my usual. Target demographic is probably young women from teens, into early 20s.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • SF
  • 28-04-2023

Not the most exciting read :(

Interesting concept but didn’t quite hit the mark or live up to the previous reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A lovely surprise

I really enjoyed this first instalment from this new author. Lovely characters and an interesting mystery with some tense parts along the way.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Truly enjoyable

I was not sure if this book was something I would read, I am pleasantly surprised to find I truly enjoyed it. I found it interesting enough to preorder the next book. Entertaining to the end.

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  • dubois940
  • 21-08-2022

Clean cozy mystery

I loved this book! Very well written & keeps you wanting to hear more!
It’s clean without sex, vulgarity or the use of God’s name in vain.
For those searching for a clean compelling mystery to solve, look no further!

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66 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 23-08-2022

Old-fashioned writing. Shallow plot.

Situated in 1920s, it is written with a similar style. Women are treated at a surface level. There is no investigation of what Saffron would have really thought as a women in a university, and potentially suppresses due to the expectations of women of the times, rather a man’s expectation is impressed on a woman’s character. The plot is sort of Agatha Christie-ish. The characters are pretty one dimensional, despite the author’s claim at the end of in-depth research on ptsd. The narrator’s voice for the male characters could take a little improvement, as despite being involved in the storyline, the voice kept reminding me that it was a woman reading. All in all, an ok listen, but not worth my monthly $14.

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37 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Julie Linker
  • 06-08-2022

Deadly Delightful!

Brilliant narration & a clever plot, combined with the always fascinating topic of poisonous plants & their human-assisted evolution & modification make A Botanist’s Guide an interesting, diverting read (or listen, rather :) ) if you enjoy this type history and/or historical mysteries.
As is common in this type story structure, the characters are more general sketches, rather than fully-fleshed out individuals & at times, Saffron, the main character, walks a dangerously fine line between plucky, likable heroine & “please, gimme a break” too-good-to-be-true-Disney princess bursting with wide-eyed innocence. If she had started singing to wildlife or performed a choreographed musical number, I wouldn’t have been surprised.
At the same time, though, she is confusingly presented as a sexual assault survivor with PTSD, despite…not? having been assaulted and also a girl who unhesitatingly employs feminine wiles to navigate the men around her.
Obviously, a person can have many seemingly conflicting characteristics, but for this type of plot-driven mystery story where extensive character development isn’t possible, it’s a little confusing. Perhaps it’s intended to be so, if this is a series (I haven’t checked) in order to keep readers coming back for more answers. I’m not sure.
These are minor things and overall it’s very well done in all aspects. I enjoyed it.

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29 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Lauren A.
  • 17-08-2022

Whimsical and engaging

While this isn’t an “edge of your seat” mystery, Saffron Everly is a lovable character and executed wonderfully by the narrator. The 1920s setting is chock full of charm, sexism (realism) and old world nuances that place you within the story. The mystery itself, while not super intricate, pulls you jn simply because the narrator is easy to fall in cadence with; not sure I would have felt the same reading this book.
I’m looking forward to more from the Saffron Everly series and feel this books is very much a lead up to more enticing and puzzling mysteries. Would love more literary background on characters and depth on places and things. I love being able visualize and get lost in the story. Def worth a binge listen.

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24 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Danielle
  • 18-09-2022

Simple, Classic Mystery

This is a wonderful, classic mystery. Reminds me a lot of some film noir of trlhe golden age of Hollywood. it is classic, simple, interesting and a good plot. This was a great introduction into Saffron Everleigh and I can't wait to see where the author goes with this characters.

The performance was also wonderful and Jodie Harris did a great job of bringing the characters to life.

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16 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • SuziQ
  • 03-08-2022

Not as much botany

I thought this was a different type of book , more into botany than it was. Even so, I enjoyed the mystery and am looking forward to book 2.

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15 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • forensic doc
  • 26-07-2022

poisoned drinks or not

struggled to start but after a few chapters was enthralled with the topic and historical setting. liked focus on academia and opportunities for women.
very good on ptsd coping strategies .
Good reminder if deadly poisons around, not justhousehold chemicals but plants and other everything items.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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  • armyminusr
  • 07-10-2022

As interesting watching plants grow

Allow me to shine some light on this book; It was so dry, it needed watered. It is as boring as watching poison plants grow. Don’t read this book, burry it in the dirt.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 08-08-2023

I forced myself to finish this book

I initially started reading this book and just could not get into it but I realized I had finished half the book already, so I knew the homestretch was near. I decided to buy the audiobook to help me finish it and my God it’s still just boring. The narrator using her male voices was nothing short of laughable as every single male character sounds like he’s dying in bed from a severe sinus infection. If this book was a tv lifetime movie, I would have Wikipedia’d the ending rather than reading it to completion.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Shannon pullen
  • 18-10-2023

fun time period piece. victorian academia mystery

characters may not be the deepest but such a good emmersive mystery! so good!

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  • CarolK
  • 16-05-2023

Brilliant start to a series

I was intrigued by the premise of this story, Saffron is a research assistant working in the field of Botany. A guest is poisoned at a party she attends and is left in a come, thus begins the mystery. I look forward to the next instalment of Saffrons' adventures. Good narration, although the narrators diction was a little overdone in my opinion. However it will not prevent me from buying the next in this series.

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  • Tracy Murphy
  • 29-12-2022

Excellent audiobook

A great read. Perfect for a long drive or walk. The narration was very enjoyable and in the end impossible to stop playing.

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  • Roobarb
  • 01-11-2023

Sucks you in & keeps you on tenterhooks to the end

A great book, deliciously fun, beautifully set almost 100 years ago. A proper romp, investigating the accidental murder of a woman linked to the University. I really enjoyed the excellent reading by Jodie Harris. Off to find book two.

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