A Botanist’s Guide to Rituals and Revenge: A Saffron Everleigh Mystery
In 1924 it’s still hard for a woman to carve a career in the sciences, and for Saffron Everleigh, in her third appearance of this British series, her late father’s prominence as a botanist has not brought her respect. Now, however, she’s on familiar terrain: her grandfather Lord Easting’s manor, where she hopes to mend bridges with both of her grandparents—a challenge especially with her grandmother, where conversations incur both harsh words and pleading. Her goal of introducing her boyfriend Alexander Ashton to her family, in place of the arranged marriage that caused her to run from home, is quickly sidetracked when she finds her dangerous enemy Dr. Bill Wyatt tending her critically ill grandfather. Wyatt is on site to dig into the discoveries of Saffron’s father. The quid pro quo is simple: Saffron must assist in that search, or see the internationally menacing villain cause grave harm to her relatives. Add in a manipulative medium and a slew of interpersonal conflict, as well as Wyatt’s routines of “stealing secrets, facilitating treason, killing people,” and it’s a wonder that Alexander isn’t racing away from Saffron’s childhood home.
Khavari crafts quick and potent plot twists with plenty of room for Saffron to dip into both her botanical expertise and personal courage, for an enjoyable period thriller. Readers new to the series may chafe at the lack of measured introduction to the characters, and absence of physical descriptions for them, and the limits on Saffron’s agency compared to the men around her are also frustrating. But with the extra fascination of dipping into psychic tricks, this “botanist’s guide” is rich with historical intrigue and a rewarding finale.
