A thrilling murder mystery set in the academic halls of University College London, post World War 2!

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A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons (Saffron Everleigh Mystery #1) by Kate Khavari         

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Saffron Everleigh is the daughter of a renowned botanist Thomas Everleigh who had been engaged in the enthralling  (to her) pursuit of the pigmentation of different kinds of tropical plants.. A research assistant in a male dominated landscape she’s no stranger to the sexual harassment, the discounting and bullying that pervades her chosen discipline.
When a professor’s wife is poisoned at a cocktail party and her kindly mentor is accused of attempted murder it’s Saffron who desires to prove the Doctor could not have been the instigator.
Her knowledge of plants and toxins prove invaluable. She is assisted by another department member, the very interesting Alexander Ashton. The interactions of the staff, the politics, the dismissal of Saffron as a serious scientist with a focused intelligent mind, her pursuit of the truth about the poisonings add tension that engage. A solid read, I’m looking forward to reading future works featuring Saffron!

A Crooked Lane ARC via NetGalley 

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