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Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery #2
Hell's Bells
Eustacia Rose's life is beginning to return to normal: she is back teaching at UCL and her relationship with Matilde is blossoming. But when a man is found dead with a needle in his neck, that fragile peace begins to crumble. Eustacia finds a painting of herself with a syringe next to her neck and discovers that there are other people who seem to know more about the killing than they are letting on.
The threat around Eustacia only increases as a PhD student begins to stalk and harass her to gain access to her poisonous plant collection. After Eustacia continually refuses, he contacts a lab that is illegally selling synthetic plant toxins but turns up dead shortly after. As the body count rises, Eustacia has no choice but to investigate the deaths in earnest.
But murders aren't the only thing on her mind as interactions with a new detective cause tensions with Matilde that Eustacia has no idea how to resolve. What's more, run-ins with a mysterious white-haired women are making her recall long-buried memories. Eustacia must solve the mysteries of her past and this case if she wants to escape from this toxic situation unscathed.
The threat around Eustacia only increases as a PhD student begins to stalk and harass her to gain access to her poisonous plant collection. After Eustacia continually refuses, he contacts a lab that is illegally selling synthetic plant toxins but turns up dead shortly after. As the body count rises, Eustacia has no choice but to investigate the deaths in earnest.
But murders aren't the only thing on her mind as interactions with a new detective cause tensions with Matilde that Eustacia has no idea how to resolve. What's more, run-ins with a mysterious white-haired women are making her recall long-buried memories. Eustacia must solve the mysteries of her past and this case if she wants to escape from this toxic situation unscathed.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2024
54 people are currently reading
6294 people want to read
About the author
Jill Johnson
4 books120 followersJill is a Māori writer based in the UK, having lived in south-east Asia, Europe and New Zealand. She moved to London when she was 18 and the following year opened Gosh! Comics. Alongside this, she and her partner launched a graphic novel publishing company and an editorial cartoon gallery. While running her businesses and raising her three children, Jill obtained a BA Hons degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Design. In 2013, she submitted her writing to Faber and Faber, and was accepted into the Faber Academy. Her first novel The Time Before the Time to Come was published by OWN IT! in 2018. She now lives in Brighton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This is the second book in the Professor Eustacia Rose series, and the toxicology professor again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation with deadly toxins being the weapon of choice.
This is an interesting murder mystery, with a quirky and autistic main protagonist who finds interaction with others difficult, she generally likes to be left alone and has a strong affinity with plants. She also has a compulsion to solve the murders that she finds herself tangled up in, and along with DCI Roberts sets about unravelling the mystery.
This isn’t an action packed thriller by any means, it’s definitely quite slow, but the subject matter of poisonous plants gives it a different edge. There’s some humour with Eustacia’s many quirks, and the story doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a quick read and enjoyable enough.
This is the second book in the Professor Eustacia Rose series, and the toxicology professor again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation with deadly toxins being the weapon of choice.
This is an interesting murder mystery, with a quirky and autistic main protagonist who finds interaction with others difficult, she generally likes to be left alone and has a strong affinity with plants. She also has a compulsion to solve the murders that she finds herself tangled up in, and along with DCI Roberts sets about unravelling the mystery.
This isn’t an action packed thriller by any means, it’s definitely quite slow, but the subject matter of poisonous plants gives it a different edge. There’s some humour with Eustacia’s many quirks, and the story doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a quick read and enjoyable enough.
June 1, 2025
The Poison Grove (also titled Hell’s Bells) is the second book in the Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery series by British author, Jill Johnson. Nine months back in her position as Professor of Botanical Toxicology at UCL, Eustacia Rose is happy in her relationship with her colleague, Mathilde Acosta. Her only distraction, until she gets a call from DCI Richard Roberts, is the PhD student who is stalking her. Aaron Bennett, whom she dubs Giant Hogweed, is demanding cuttings from the collection of poisonous plants she no longer has, for his thesis research.
Roberts wants her input on a likely poisoning: a man found outside a SoHo bookshop with a syringe protruding from his jugular vein. From the signs he exhibits, she’s fairly certain he’s been injected with a hallucinogen, and suggests to the paramedic a drug that may save him. While the victim lies unconscious in intensive care, Roberts and Eustacia trawl through CCTV footage to discover from where he came, and who might have attacked him. The highly unusual syringe points them to a well-known American artist recently moved to London.
Another distraction is the DS who has replaced Roberts’s right-hand man. DS Helen Chambers seems to know a lot of detail of Eustacia’s life, acting forward and pushy for social interaction, to Mathilde’s dismay. Eustacia’s fixation with this puzzling case leads to neglect of her special person. As well, an older white-haired woman is mystifyingly triggering childhood memories. Meanwhile, Bennett continues to harass Eustacia, threatening to source synthetic toxins from the dark web if she won’t cooperate.
When Bennett is found dead in his home with a syringe in his arm, the police declare it an accidental overdose, and close the case. But his parents are extremely dissatisfied: they blame Eustacia for his death, and she feels obliged to investigate.
Once again, Johnson gives the reader a quirky protagonist who has a little trouble reading social cues but acts purely out of good intentions. There’s still a liberal inclusion throughout of botanical names, if less eye-glazing than the first book, although she does provide a handy glossary of plants at the end. This is an enjoyable cosy mystery with a few twists to keep the reader guessing before the reveal. There is a further instalment due, Bella Donna, but for this reader, two doses of Eustacia Rose are sufficient.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
Roberts wants her input on a likely poisoning: a man found outside a SoHo bookshop with a syringe protruding from his jugular vein. From the signs he exhibits, she’s fairly certain he’s been injected with a hallucinogen, and suggests to the paramedic a drug that may save him. While the victim lies unconscious in intensive care, Roberts and Eustacia trawl through CCTV footage to discover from where he came, and who might have attacked him. The highly unusual syringe points them to a well-known American artist recently moved to London.
Another distraction is the DS who has replaced Roberts’s right-hand man. DS Helen Chambers seems to know a lot of detail of Eustacia’s life, acting forward and pushy for social interaction, to Mathilde’s dismay. Eustacia’s fixation with this puzzling case leads to neglect of her special person. As well, an older white-haired woman is mystifyingly triggering childhood memories. Meanwhile, Bennett continues to harass Eustacia, threatening to source synthetic toxins from the dark web if she won’t cooperate.
When Bennett is found dead in his home with a syringe in his arm, the police declare it an accidental overdose, and close the case. But his parents are extremely dissatisfied: they blame Eustacia for his death, and she feels obliged to investigate.
Once again, Johnson gives the reader a quirky protagonist who has a little trouble reading social cues but acts purely out of good intentions. There’s still a liberal inclusion throughout of botanical names, if less eye-glazing than the first book, although she does provide a handy glossary of plants at the end. This is an enjoyable cosy mystery with a few twists to keep the reader guessing before the reveal. There is a further instalment due, Bella Donna, but for this reader, two doses of Eustacia Rose are sufficient.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
July 3, 2025
thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
oh this book was so much fun.
it was so incredibly bingeable that i drank it up in massive gulps - i could've read it in one sitting under different circumstances. you're telling me, it's a dark academia detective with a lesbian autistic protagonist? sold. (okay, canonically she isn't explicitly called autistic but if you read this book and didn't immediately know she was autistic i don't know what to tell you. come on now.)
i am going to be entirely honest, i haven't read the first book but it didn't necessarily interrupt my reading flow. everything i needed to know was told me outright, and usually i wince at that, but when it comes to connected standalones it's easily forgivable. but i am considering reading the first book because this? i like this very much.
sure, there are some factors, such as sometimes the book felt a bit slow at times and i can't say the twists weren't a little bit predictable. but it's still fun, it has that campy undertone of a good murder mystery but not to the point where it's annoying or breaks immersion. and it was still deeply enjoyable and cathartic to watch it all come together.
all in all, it's a delightful discovery of a book, and i am very glad i read it!
oh this book was so much fun.
it was so incredibly bingeable that i drank it up in massive gulps - i could've read it in one sitting under different circumstances. you're telling me, it's a dark academia detective with a lesbian autistic protagonist? sold. (okay, canonically she isn't explicitly called autistic but if you read this book and didn't immediately know she was autistic i don't know what to tell you. come on now.)
i am going to be entirely honest, i haven't read the first book but it didn't necessarily interrupt my reading flow. everything i needed to know was told me outright, and usually i wince at that, but when it comes to connected standalones it's easily forgivable. but i am considering reading the first book because this? i like this very much.
sure, there are some factors, such as sometimes the book felt a bit slow at times and i can't say the twists weren't a little bit predictable. but it's still fun, it has that campy undertone of a good murder mystery but not to the point where it's annoying or breaks immersion. and it was still deeply enjoyable and cathartic to watch it all come together.
all in all, it's a delightful discovery of a book, and i am very glad i read it!
August 13, 2025
A toxicology professor has returned to the classroom after the previous year of investigations surrounding her toxic plant collection has ended. A man is found dead with a needle in his neck, and a painting of Eustacia connects her to the incident. Not only is she gathering information about the murder, a PhD student is very insistent on being granted access to the professor’s toxic plant collection. A botanical murder mystery!
The main character, Eustacia, is very autistic coded. I’m autistic myself and this was refreshing, but also frustrating, to read. Some autistic traits were spot on and others I felt were slightly exaggerated. Eustacia being a toxicologist was really interesting to me as someone who loves botany and forensic science. I understand that the audience for this book isn’t plant obsessed botanists, but I would have loved it if the plants and science were talked about more. Nearly all of the plants mentioned in the book are plants that a beginning gardener/botanist would know. That’s not a bad thing, however it makes it hard to sell to me that the professor is a middle aged toxicologist that maintains a rare plant collection.
I was expecting a little bit more romance between the professor and her partner. The relationship with Chambers would have been nice to see develop into a friendship or something similar. It felt out of character for Chambers to just dip after Eustacia rejected her since she seemed invested in overhauling her section of the police department.
The murder mystery kept me wondering and engaged in the story. JIll Johnson did a great job of making all characters seem like they could have been the murderer. Overall, I had a great reading experience and would recommend this to someone that likes murder mysteries and botany.
Thank you to Jill Johnson and Poisoned Pen Press for providing the ARC ebook copy through NetGalley for this review.
The main character, Eustacia, is very autistic coded. I’m autistic myself and this was refreshing, but also frustrating, to read. Some autistic traits were spot on and others I felt were slightly exaggerated. Eustacia being a toxicologist was really interesting to me as someone who loves botany and forensic science. I understand that the audience for this book isn’t plant obsessed botanists, but I would have loved it if the plants and science were talked about more. Nearly all of the plants mentioned in the book are plants that a beginning gardener/botanist would know. That’s not a bad thing, however it makes it hard to sell to me that the professor is a middle aged toxicologist that maintains a rare plant collection.
I was expecting a little bit more romance between the professor and her partner. The relationship with Chambers would have been nice to see develop into a friendship or something similar. It felt out of character for Chambers to just dip after Eustacia rejected her since she seemed invested in overhauling her section of the police department.
The murder mystery kept me wondering and engaged in the story. JIll Johnson did a great job of making all characters seem like they could have been the murderer. Overall, I had a great reading experience and would recommend this to someone that likes murder mysteries and botany.
Thank you to Jill Johnson and Poisoned Pen Press for providing the ARC ebook copy through NetGalley for this review.
October 16, 2025
When I first read the debut in the Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery series, I found Eustacia a bit annoying—but this time around, I understand her so much better, and she’s really started to grow on me. She’s still a maverick, as her “colleague” DCI Roberts (affectionately called Dickie) puts it, but she’s definitely evolved in this second book.
As a professor of botanical toxicology, Eustacia’s knowledge of plants is unmatched, and I find her habit of naming people after plants oddly endearing. Her neurodivergence, face blindness, and social awkwardness make her a standout character in the mystery genre—and honestly, I find myself relating to her social struggles in a hilarious way.
The plot in this installment is clever, compelling, and filled with fascinating botanical details. It’s fun watching Eustacia piece together clues and make connections, and while the story has serious moments, it also hides a few laughs in how she perceives the world. There’s also a big personal revelation for Eustacia in this book that I really appreciated—it deepens her character and makes her even more interesting.
All in all, this was a great read. Quirky, clever, and cozy in its own way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend the series!
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press & Jill Johnson for this arc!
As a professor of botanical toxicology, Eustacia’s knowledge of plants is unmatched, and I find her habit of naming people after plants oddly endearing. Her neurodivergence, face blindness, and social awkwardness make her a standout character in the mystery genre—and honestly, I find myself relating to her social struggles in a hilarious way.
The plot in this installment is clever, compelling, and filled with fascinating botanical details. It’s fun watching Eustacia piece together clues and make connections, and while the story has serious moments, it also hides a few laughs in how she perceives the world. There’s also a big personal revelation for Eustacia in this book that I really appreciated—it deepens her character and makes her even more interesting.
All in all, this was a great read. Quirky, clever, and cozy in its own way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend the series!
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press & Jill Johnson for this arc!
Read
July 8, 2025This book is just not my jam, unfortunately. I wanted to like it but I found the main character to be unlikable when she was clearly meant to just be quirky, and when I'm meant to like the MC and don't I just can't get into it. I can see this being someone else's cup of tea, but personally I found it fell a bit flat.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
August 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC!
The vibes and concept of this book are immaculate, a botany professor expert in poisonous plants aiding detectives to solve a murder surrounding a poisoning. Cozy, slow, mysterious, with an entire cast of characters. However, the execution and character development fell flat for me. I prefer a show me don’t tell me narrative and this book was all telling. About 30% of fluff narration and dialogue could have been cut without any of the story being lost. The main character is a 45 year old professor at an elite academic institution but doesn’t know how to turn on a computer? I understand she is neurospicy but we aren’t computer illiterate. The romance did not hit either, because there wasn’t any. Matilde was a hopelessly neglected barely mentioned character and somehow they’re in an active relationship? No.
Susan’s character was randomly plopped in and I didn’t really need the interactions.
I loved learning about poisonous plants but sometimes felt like overkill, however I did appreciate the reality of neurospicy hyperfixation and wanting to share everything you know about your topic with someone but as a reader it wasn’t endearing me to the character but creating distance. I also want to say that I did not read the first installment but I feel like (maybe except some context regarding her strange relationship with her father and wearing his suit everyday) I didn’t miss anything and everything that was important to know was explained in the first couple chapters.
If you love a cozy, low stakes mystery, quirky protagonist, with minimal romance themes, want to learn about poisonous plants I think you’ll enjoy this!
The vibes and concept of this book are immaculate, a botany professor expert in poisonous plants aiding detectives to solve a murder surrounding a poisoning. Cozy, slow, mysterious, with an entire cast of characters. However, the execution and character development fell flat for me. I prefer a show me don’t tell me narrative and this book was all telling. About 30% of fluff narration and dialogue could have been cut without any of the story being lost. The main character is a 45 year old professor at an elite academic institution but doesn’t know how to turn on a computer? I understand she is neurospicy but we aren’t computer illiterate. The romance did not hit either, because there wasn’t any. Matilde was a hopelessly neglected barely mentioned character and somehow they’re in an active relationship? No.
Susan’s character was randomly plopped in and I didn’t really need the interactions.
I loved learning about poisonous plants but sometimes felt like overkill, however I did appreciate the reality of neurospicy hyperfixation and wanting to share everything you know about your topic with someone but as a reader it wasn’t endearing me to the character but creating distance. I also want to say that I did not read the first installment but I feel like (maybe except some context regarding her strange relationship with her father and wearing his suit everyday) I didn’t miss anything and everything that was important to know was explained in the first couple chapters.
If you love a cozy, low stakes mystery, quirky protagonist, with minimal romance themes, want to learn about poisonous plants I think you’ll enjoy this!
Read
May 26, 2025Always wanted to know what a professor of botanical toxicology gets up to in their spare time? No it isn’t dealing with exotic plants, not in the literal sense at least, for the most part.
This is book two in a series, I haven’t read the first book. I do suspect it would have been beneficial to make a bit more sense of some parts of the storyline. I was fine without it though. You can catch on rather quickly because the writing is pretty good and easy flowing.
I would describe this book and its story as a cosy mystery with a main character who is definitely an acquired taste. At first I found her to be endearing enough, but the whole shtick became a bit too much for me and got on my nerves. I believe this character is to show neurodiversity, which I’m all for (how can you not be?) but she just isn’t for me.
The story itself, the mystery, I unraveled it pretty quickly and there were no surprises for me. The botanical aspects in this book are pretty nice, I did look up some of these plants just to have an idea about them in my mind.
Like I wrote, mostly a cosy mystery. Not sure if I’ll be reading more instalments as professor Rose gets on my nerves.
*received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This is book two in a series, I haven’t read the first book. I do suspect it would have been beneficial to make a bit more sense of some parts of the storyline. I was fine without it though. You can catch on rather quickly because the writing is pretty good and easy flowing.
I would describe this book and its story as a cosy mystery with a main character who is definitely an acquired taste. At first I found her to be endearing enough, but the whole shtick became a bit too much for me and got on my nerves. I believe this character is to show neurodiversity, which I’m all for (how can you not be?) but she just isn’t for me.
The story itself, the mystery, I unraveled it pretty quickly and there were no surprises for me. The botanical aspects in this book are pretty nice, I did look up some of these plants just to have an idea about them in my mind.
Like I wrote, mostly a cosy mystery. Not sure if I’ll be reading more instalments as professor Rose gets on my nerves.
*received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
September 4, 2025
4 stelle e mezza
Confesso di aver comprato questo libro perché era in offerta e mi serviva per un paio di challenge problematiche, anche se è il secondo della serie.
Mi ci è voluto mezzo libro per iniziare a entrare in sintonia con la protagonista. Per essere una professoressa universitaria ha seri problemi a rapportarsi con le persone e non sa neanche accendere un computer! Direi che ha la sindrome di Asperger. Una volta appurato ciò, ho iniziato a capire il suo modo di agire, che inizialmente mi aveva spiazzato. E ho iniziato ad apprezzare la storia.
Confesso di aver comprato questo libro perché era in offerta e mi serviva per un paio di challenge problematiche, anche se è il secondo della serie.
Mi ci è voluto mezzo libro per iniziare a entrare in sintonia con la protagonista. Per essere una professoressa universitaria ha seri problemi a rapportarsi con le persone e non sa neanche accendere un computer! Direi che ha la sindrome di Asperger. Una volta appurato ciò, ho iniziato a capire il suo modo di agire, che inizialmente mi aveva spiazzato. E ho iniziato ad apprezzare la storia.
November 20, 2025
lol didn’t realize this was the second book in the series until now.
2.5! Maybe I would’ve given it more if I read the first one haha
didn’t love it didn’t hate it.
I like a slow burn mystery but I just never fell in love with the characters. I understand professor eustacia is quirky and that plays into her role / passion for plants.
But idk I couldn’t get behind her. She bothered me.
But I liked the idea of the mystery.
I thought how it tied together was weird with Serena but oh well
2.5! Maybe I would’ve given it more if I read the first one haha
didn’t love it didn’t hate it.
I like a slow burn mystery but I just never fell in love with the characters. I understand professor eustacia is quirky and that plays into her role / passion for plants.
But idk I couldn’t get behind her. She bothered me.
But I liked the idea of the mystery.
I thought how it tied together was weird with Serena but oh well
June 15, 2025
great main character, I love how Eustachia thinks and processes information and how she is so awkward with people and relationships. if you like the Rosie Project by Graeme simsion, then you may also like this. this put a smile on my face.
December 3, 2025
-Audiobook
This series is quite enjoyable, though the twists and outcomes never seem to surprise me.
The character development and exploration of Professor Eustacia is actually my favorite part of this book, the mystery solving is just an added bonus.
This series is quite enjoyable, though the twists and outcomes never seem to surprise me.
The character development and exploration of Professor Eustacia is actually my favorite part of this book, the mystery solving is just an added bonus.
March 7, 2025
It's an easy read, it's somewhere cosy and I love the botanical part of the story!
Can't wait for the next part!
Can't wait for the next part!
November 27, 2025
I am loving this series.
July 5, 2024
Thankyou to @bwpublishing for my review copy.
Another amazing ride with Eustacia Rose, professor of botanical toxicology. After the events of the first book, Eustacia is easing back into her life, teaching at UCL.
When a body is found dead with a needle in it's neck; a possible poisoning, Eustacia is called on again for her help.
A student at work is also threatening to disturb her newfound rhythm, and ignoring him is becoming more difficult as time goes on.
I can not get enough of Eustacia's no-nonsense attitude, bluntness, and eccentricity. She was hilarious at times without meaning to be.
"𝓝𝓸, 𝓷𝓸, 𝓷𝓸," 𝓘 𝓼𝓪𝓲𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓪𝓼 𝓘 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓭 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓮𝓻. "𝓘𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪 𝓵𝓪𝓫 𝓬𝓸𝓪𝓽, 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝔀𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓲𝓽 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓵𝔂. 𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓿𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮𝓽𝔂; 𝓲𝓽'𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓪 𝓯𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓶."
She hyper fixates on things and refuses to bend to the whims of others, and her meticulous way of figuring things out is so interesting to read. She's an amazing main character and one you kept help fall in love with.
I enjoyed the plant nicknames she gives people upon first meeting them. They're very true to the mark and also hilarious.
I loved that we see Eustacia build more relationships in this book, especially to see this continue with DCI Roberts. The twists and turns kept me guessing once again, and the writing was so engaging that I couldn't put it down.
Another amazing ride with Eustacia Rose, professor of botanical toxicology. After the events of the first book, Eustacia is easing back into her life, teaching at UCL.
When a body is found dead with a needle in it's neck; a possible poisoning, Eustacia is called on again for her help.
A student at work is also threatening to disturb her newfound rhythm, and ignoring him is becoming more difficult as time goes on.
I can not get enough of Eustacia's no-nonsense attitude, bluntness, and eccentricity. She was hilarious at times without meaning to be.
"𝓝𝓸, 𝓷𝓸, 𝓷𝓸," 𝓘 𝓼𝓪𝓲𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓪𝓼 𝓘 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓭 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓮𝓻. "𝓘𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪 𝓵𝓪𝓫 𝓬𝓸𝓪𝓽, 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝔀𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓲𝓽 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓵𝔂. 𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓿𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓪𝓯𝓮𝓽𝔂; 𝓲𝓽'𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓪 𝓯𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓶."
She hyper fixates on things and refuses to bend to the whims of others, and her meticulous way of figuring things out is so interesting to read. She's an amazing main character and one you kept help fall in love with.
I enjoyed the plant nicknames she gives people upon first meeting them. They're very true to the mark and also hilarious.
I loved that we see Eustacia build more relationships in this book, especially to see this continue with DCI Roberts. The twists and turns kept me guessing once again, and the writing was so engaging that I couldn't put it down.
August 26, 2025
Murder? Messy. Academia? Pettier than a burnt crème brûlée. Eustacia Rose is back and she’s naming names, harvesting herbs, and solving murders with the emotional warmth of a frostbitten cactus.
You know you’re in for a good time when your main character is a middle-aged toxicology professor who names people after poisonous plants and would rather talk about lethal alkaloids than make eye contact. Welcome to The Poison Grove, where murder is messy, academia is petty, and nobody is safe from Eustacia Rose’s withering glare or her encyclopedic knowledge of plant-based murder.
Eustacia, bless her very literal heart, is back teaching after a murder-adjacent sabbatical (you know, normal academic burnout things), just trying to live her best hermit life with her poison garden and reluctant girlfriend, Mathilde. But peace? Ha. Peace left the building when a man shows up dead with a needle in his neck and a painting of Eustacia nearby like some sort of CSI: Goth Botanist edition. Oh, and there’s a PhD student, dubbed Giant Hogweed, obviously, who’s harassing her for access to banned toxins like it’s a Black Friday sale at the Poison Depot. Naturally, he ends up dead too, because of course he does. These plants have range.
This is the second book in the Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery series, and look, I absolutely should’ve read The Woman in the Garden first, but did I? No. Did that stop me from following the murdery breadcrumbs while cackling like a gremlin in a greenhouse? Also no. Jill Johnson does an impressive job making this story stand on its own, even if I could feel there were inside jokes I wasn’t cool enough to fully appreciate yet. Guess who’s grabbing book one now like an obsessed grad student on the edge? Hi, it’s me.
Let’s talk about Eustacia. She’s autistic-coded, emotionally blunt, allergic to small talk, and so laser-focused that I felt personally called out. She’s also hilarious, not in a stand-up way, but in that hyper-literal, painfully specific, “you cannot possibly be serious right now but you are” kind of way. Her narration is both wildly endearing and frustrating as hell, like watching someone try to solve a jigsaw puzzle without realizing the box lid has a picture. I adored her. I also wanted to shake her like a snow globe.
The murder mystery itself? Juicy. Not twisty in the “whiplash every five pages” way, but more like a slow, creeping vine of dread. It’s got that cozy-yet-unnerving thing down to a science. Every character feels like a suspect, every interaction is tinged with tension, and even the red herrings feel suspiciously well-watered. It’s a little Clue, a little “Miss Marple with a PhD and zero chill,” and a lot of neurodivergent excellence.
Now, I’ll be real, the romance is very much in the “please do not disturb the plants” zone. Mathilde exists mostly to remind us Eustacia is technically in a relationship, but if you came here looking for pining and passion, you’re gonna be thirstier than a withered fern in summer. Still, there’s something weirdly sweet about the way Eustacia tries (and mostly fails) to prioritize emotional connection. She’s learning, slowly, and I love a non-linear arc where growth looks like “didn’t yell at someone this time.”
Also? The nicknaming system deserves its own award. “Giant Hogweed” for the obnoxious PhD student is iconic, and I now live in fear that Eustacia would take one look at me and label me something like “Floppy-Eared Fungi” or “Overeager Foxglove.”
It’s not a perfect book, the pacing drags in spots and some twists feel like they wandered in from another story, but it’s such a vibe. Think dark academia meets cozy whodunit with just enough weird to make it unforgettable. If you want a murder mystery that’s equal parts deadly and delightfully awkward, this one’s worth digging into. Giving this a strong 4 stars and awarding it the....
Whodunity Award: For Turning Plant-Based Into a Threat, Not a Diet
Huge thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I was absolutely not prepared to develop this many opinions about plant-based murder, but here we are. You fed my dark academia obsession and now I need to lie down in a Victorian greenhouse and overthink everything.
You know you’re in for a good time when your main character is a middle-aged toxicology professor who names people after poisonous plants and would rather talk about lethal alkaloids than make eye contact. Welcome to The Poison Grove, where murder is messy, academia is petty, and nobody is safe from Eustacia Rose’s withering glare or her encyclopedic knowledge of plant-based murder.
Eustacia, bless her very literal heart, is back teaching after a murder-adjacent sabbatical (you know, normal academic burnout things), just trying to live her best hermit life with her poison garden and reluctant girlfriend, Mathilde. But peace? Ha. Peace left the building when a man shows up dead with a needle in his neck and a painting of Eustacia nearby like some sort of CSI: Goth Botanist edition. Oh, and there’s a PhD student, dubbed Giant Hogweed, obviously, who’s harassing her for access to banned toxins like it’s a Black Friday sale at the Poison Depot. Naturally, he ends up dead too, because of course he does. These plants have range.
This is the second book in the Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery series, and look, I absolutely should’ve read The Woman in the Garden first, but did I? No. Did that stop me from following the murdery breadcrumbs while cackling like a gremlin in a greenhouse? Also no. Jill Johnson does an impressive job making this story stand on its own, even if I could feel there were inside jokes I wasn’t cool enough to fully appreciate yet. Guess who’s grabbing book one now like an obsessed grad student on the edge? Hi, it’s me.
Let’s talk about Eustacia. She’s autistic-coded, emotionally blunt, allergic to small talk, and so laser-focused that I felt personally called out. She’s also hilarious, not in a stand-up way, but in that hyper-literal, painfully specific, “you cannot possibly be serious right now but you are” kind of way. Her narration is both wildly endearing and frustrating as hell, like watching someone try to solve a jigsaw puzzle without realizing the box lid has a picture. I adored her. I also wanted to shake her like a snow globe.
The murder mystery itself? Juicy. Not twisty in the “whiplash every five pages” way, but more like a slow, creeping vine of dread. It’s got that cozy-yet-unnerving thing down to a science. Every character feels like a suspect, every interaction is tinged with tension, and even the red herrings feel suspiciously well-watered. It’s a little Clue, a little “Miss Marple with a PhD and zero chill,” and a lot of neurodivergent excellence.
Now, I’ll be real, the romance is very much in the “please do not disturb the plants” zone. Mathilde exists mostly to remind us Eustacia is technically in a relationship, but if you came here looking for pining and passion, you’re gonna be thirstier than a withered fern in summer. Still, there’s something weirdly sweet about the way Eustacia tries (and mostly fails) to prioritize emotional connection. She’s learning, slowly, and I love a non-linear arc where growth looks like “didn’t yell at someone this time.”
Also? The nicknaming system deserves its own award. “Giant Hogweed” for the obnoxious PhD student is iconic, and I now live in fear that Eustacia would take one look at me and label me something like “Floppy-Eared Fungi” or “Overeager Foxglove.”
It’s not a perfect book, the pacing drags in spots and some twists feel like they wandered in from another story, but it’s such a vibe. Think dark academia meets cozy whodunit with just enough weird to make it unforgettable. If you want a murder mystery that’s equal parts deadly and delightfully awkward, this one’s worth digging into. Giving this a strong 4 stars and awarding it the....
Whodunity Award: For Turning Plant-Based Into a Threat, Not a Diet
Huge thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I was absolutely not prepared to develop this many opinions about plant-based murder, but here we are. You fed my dark academia obsession and now I need to lie down in a Victorian greenhouse and overthink everything.
August 26, 2025
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Poison Grove, Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery #2 by Jill Johnson from Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press in order to read and give an honest review.
… Atmospheric and filled with thrills, humor, romance and an intriguing plot. I cannot wait to read more about Eustacia’s adventures! I highly recommend it.. …
Having a love of botany, academia and having enjoyed Jill Johnson’s first Professor Estacia Rose book “A Woman in the Garden aka Hell’s Bells” I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read and review The Poison Grove.
In Jill Johnson’s second installment of the series, we’re reunited with Eustacia Rose, a professor of botanical toxicology, a toxicologist with the social skills of a Venus flytrap is back, and she’s ready to solve some murders. Eustacia is an incredibly intelligent woman, who names people after poisonous plants and would rather discuss lethal alkaloids than engage in small talk. The previous year’s investigation into her toxic plant collection is over, but peace is elusive for our protagonist.
Her quiet academic life with her partner, Mathilde Acosta, is interrupted when a man is found dead with a syringe protruding from his jugular, a crime scene that points directly to Eustacia. At the same time, she’s being harassed by a PhD student she dubs “Giant Hogweed,” who is dead-set on gaining access to her plant collection. When he’s later found dead, the police dismiss it as an overdose, but Eustacia feels compelled to investigate, convinced the two deaths are connected.
Although The Poison Grove is a stand-alone read but to be honestly, I think the two compliment each other. The mystery is engaging and a slow burn, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The pacing however does lag in a few spots, but the murder mystery itself is enough to keep you invested. Every character seems like a potential suspect, which is a testament to Johnson’s ability to craft a compelling whodunit.
Eustacia herself is the book’s heart and soul. She’s unapologetically herself, quirky and her blunt, hyper-literal perspective provides a refreshing and often humorous narrative. While some of her traits may feel a little exaggerated, her character is genuinely endearing. She is a fascinating blend of brilliant toxicologist and socially awkward recluse. Her preoccupation with the case leads her to neglect her relationship with Mathilde, and while the romance is minimal, the dynamic between them is sweet and feels very real.
I would highly recommend the book to anyone who loves botany, forensics, and a quirky authentic feeling protagonist. It’s a fantastic blend of dark academia, murder mystery, and as an ally I love the LGBT representation and if you are a fan of mysteries, botany, and authentic protagonists you will love this one. Atmospheric and filled with thrills, humor, romance and an intriguing plot. I cannot wait to read more about Eustacia’s adventures! I highly recommend it.
… Atmospheric and filled with thrills, humor, romance and an intriguing plot. I cannot wait to read more about Eustacia’s adventures! I highly recommend it.. …
Having a love of botany, academia and having enjoyed Jill Johnson’s first Professor Estacia Rose book “A Woman in the Garden aka Hell’s Bells” I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read and review The Poison Grove.
In Jill Johnson’s second installment of the series, we’re reunited with Eustacia Rose, a professor of botanical toxicology, a toxicologist with the social skills of a Venus flytrap is back, and she’s ready to solve some murders. Eustacia is an incredibly intelligent woman, who names people after poisonous plants and would rather discuss lethal alkaloids than engage in small talk. The previous year’s investigation into her toxic plant collection is over, but peace is elusive for our protagonist.
Her quiet academic life with her partner, Mathilde Acosta, is interrupted when a man is found dead with a syringe protruding from his jugular, a crime scene that points directly to Eustacia. At the same time, she’s being harassed by a PhD student she dubs “Giant Hogweed,” who is dead-set on gaining access to her plant collection. When he’s later found dead, the police dismiss it as an overdose, but Eustacia feels compelled to investigate, convinced the two deaths are connected.
Although The Poison Grove is a stand-alone read but to be honestly, I think the two compliment each other. The mystery is engaging and a slow burn, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The pacing however does lag in a few spots, but the murder mystery itself is enough to keep you invested. Every character seems like a potential suspect, which is a testament to Johnson’s ability to craft a compelling whodunit.
Eustacia herself is the book’s heart and soul. She’s unapologetically herself, quirky and her blunt, hyper-literal perspective provides a refreshing and often humorous narrative. While some of her traits may feel a little exaggerated, her character is genuinely endearing. She is a fascinating blend of brilliant toxicologist and socially awkward recluse. Her preoccupation with the case leads her to neglect her relationship with Mathilde, and while the romance is minimal, the dynamic between them is sweet and feels very real.
I would highly recommend the book to anyone who loves botany, forensics, and a quirky authentic feeling protagonist. It’s a fantastic blend of dark academia, murder mystery, and as an ally I love the LGBT representation and if you are a fan of mysteries, botany, and authentic protagonists you will love this one. Atmospheric and filled with thrills, humor, romance and an intriguing plot. I cannot wait to read more about Eustacia’s adventures! I highly recommend it.
August 22, 2025
This is the second installment in the American versions of the Professor Eustacia Rose mysteries. The first book, “The Woman in the Garden” established Eustacia when she was caught in a toxicological murder, all the more to make her and her obsessions with poison plants suspect. But Professor Rose prevailed and her relationship with Portuguese colleague Matilde (lovingly nicknamed Sweet Alyssum) survived, too. There are three books already in the British series, named “Devil’s Breath,” “Hell’s Bells” (this one), and “Bella Donna” (published this spring in the UK and presumably coming soon to the US with a new title).
I love botanical mysteries — The Botanist’s Guide/Saffron Everleigh series by Kate Khavari drew me to this set (although Khavari has some fictional nasty plants). Johnson has a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, so she knows there are enough unfriendly flowers and vile vines in true life. The artwork on the covers of both series are equally amazing, and again we get a plant glossary (a DIY guide to cultivating your own wicked garden).
In “The Poison Grove,” Eustacia is trying to settle back into academic life at the University College of London, but she is increasingly being bothered by a pesky student. You know he’s bad when he gets the nickname of “Giant Hogsweed.” Please note that enough backstory is explained so this can be a standalone. Of course, a murder occurs and Eustacia again finds herself in the middle. Johnson keeps the twists coming and resolution isn’t obvious and the plot is entertaining. Looking forward to the third book (with another fabulous cover and glossary). 4 stars.
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES! In fact, there are many intense and disturbing green eyes (it’s a plot point).
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO I trust that any book with a plant glossary of toxic things has done its research well.
Thank you to the appropriately named publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
I love botanical mysteries — The Botanist’s Guide/Saffron Everleigh series by Kate Khavari drew me to this set (although Khavari has some fictional nasty plants). Johnson has a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, so she knows there are enough unfriendly flowers and vile vines in true life. The artwork on the covers of both series are equally amazing, and again we get a plant glossary (a DIY guide to cultivating your own wicked garden).
In “The Poison Grove,” Eustacia is trying to settle back into academic life at the University College of London, but she is increasingly being bothered by a pesky student. You know he’s bad when he gets the nickname of “Giant Hogsweed.” Please note that enough backstory is explained so this can be a standalone. Of course, a murder occurs and Eustacia again finds herself in the middle. Johnson keeps the twists coming and resolution isn’t obvious and the plot is entertaining. Looking forward to the third book (with another fabulous cover and glossary). 4 stars.
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES! In fact, there are many intense and disturbing green eyes (it’s a plot point).
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO I trust that any book with a plant glossary of toxic things has done its research well.
Thank you to the appropriately named publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
August 24, 2025
A fun and cozy murder mystery with a bit of a dark academia setting, set largely in a London university. The horticulture details will hook you, but what makes this shine is our eccentric main character, Professor Eustacia Rose.
This installment picks up after the first book. Rose, formerly disgraced, has returned to her teaching position in Botanical Toxicology. She’s also become a trusted expert for the local detectives, so when a new poisoned corpse is discovered, she’s asked to lend her expertise. At the same time, she finds herself repeatedly cornered by a PhD student who’s a little too interested in gaining access to dangerous plant toxins.
Eustacia is an absolute gem of a character! She’s perfectly quirky, socially awkward, and deeply passionate about her plants. I loved the neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ rep that we get through her, and the way Jill Johnson makes her both endearingly simple and quietly complex. At the heart of it, she just wants to spend time with her toxic plants and nurture her new relationship (which I would have loved to see explored more deeply).
The mystery itself was classic. There were enough misdirections to keep me guessing until the end, and it genuinely felt like anyone could be guilty. The pacing was sharp, making this a fast, engaging read, and Johnson’s playfulness kept me smiling. As someone who has worked in academia, the petty rivalries and egos were chef’s kiss accurate and added another layer of entertainment.
While this is technically a sequel, Johnson provides enough context to jump right in without feeling lost. That said, I immediately went to pick up the first book when I realized there was one, and I highly recommend starting there if you can because both are so much fun.
Jill Johnson has quickly become an author I’ll be keeping my eye on. I had such a good time with this installment and I’m already looking forward to the third.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
This installment picks up after the first book. Rose, formerly disgraced, has returned to her teaching position in Botanical Toxicology. She’s also become a trusted expert for the local detectives, so when a new poisoned corpse is discovered, she’s asked to lend her expertise. At the same time, she finds herself repeatedly cornered by a PhD student who’s a little too interested in gaining access to dangerous plant toxins.
Eustacia is an absolute gem of a character! She’s perfectly quirky, socially awkward, and deeply passionate about her plants. I loved the neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ rep that we get through her, and the way Jill Johnson makes her both endearingly simple and quietly complex. At the heart of it, she just wants to spend time with her toxic plants and nurture her new relationship (which I would have loved to see explored more deeply).
The mystery itself was classic. There were enough misdirections to keep me guessing until the end, and it genuinely felt like anyone could be guilty. The pacing was sharp, making this a fast, engaging read, and Johnson’s playfulness kept me smiling. As someone who has worked in academia, the petty rivalries and egos were chef’s kiss accurate and added another layer of entertainment.
While this is technically a sequel, Johnson provides enough context to jump right in without feeling lost. That said, I immediately went to pick up the first book when I realized there was one, and I highly recommend starting there if you can because both are so much fun.
Jill Johnson has quickly become an author I’ll be keeping my eye on. I had such a good time with this installment and I’m already looking forward to the third.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
July 13, 2025
*Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC*
When I realized this was the second book in a series, I put it down for a bit to read the first book and loved it! I was a bit worried that I might not enjoy this installment as much as the first, but I liked The Poison Grove even more than the first book.
Eustacia is a complexly written character that you have to accept for who she is. She is very heavily autism coded and some behaviors she exhibits are more accurate than others. She is sometimes frustrating to read but that gives her a human quality that lacks in a cookie cutter perfect detective. There were multiple moments where I wanted to shake the professor because something was right in front of her eyes and she just was not seeing it. Her growth as a character is non-linear but she learns more about herself, her friends, her relationship, and society at large. Where she feels almost creepy in the first book, she acknowledges and learns from her actions.
She is called to help when a man is found with a syringe full of poison in his neck. From that moment on the mystery absolutely takes off. The twists and turns in this book were well developed and I wasn't able to put it all together until near the end. A highlight of this story for me was the misunderstood clues. A handful of evidence is given impertinence because it is thought to be superfluous, but the professor assesses and reassess information in a way that keeps everything fresh. A lot of characters take on a "I need to save my own skin" attitude that also lent a human quality to the story, nobody openly admits to any wrong doings. I thoroughly enjoy that Johnson does not give us a Clue-style "this is what really happened" and instead leaves some loose ends up to reader interpretation.
In three words: botanical, layered, and enriching. I highly recommend The Poison Grove to cozy mystery readers who want to step outside of the box. I impatiently await the next book.
When I realized this was the second book in a series, I put it down for a bit to read the first book and loved it! I was a bit worried that I might not enjoy this installment as much as the first, but I liked The Poison Grove even more than the first book.
Eustacia is a complexly written character that you have to accept for who she is. She is very heavily autism coded and some behaviors she exhibits are more accurate than others. She is sometimes frustrating to read but that gives her a human quality that lacks in a cookie cutter perfect detective. There were multiple moments where I wanted to shake the professor because something was right in front of her eyes and she just was not seeing it. Her growth as a character is non-linear but she learns more about herself, her friends, her relationship, and society at large. Where she feels almost creepy in the first book, she acknowledges and learns from her actions.
She is called to help when a man is found with a syringe full of poison in his neck. From that moment on the mystery absolutely takes off. The twists and turns in this book were well developed and I wasn't able to put it all together until near the end. A highlight of this story for me was the misunderstood clues. A handful of evidence is given impertinence because it is thought to be superfluous, but the professor assesses and reassess information in a way that keeps everything fresh. A lot of characters take on a "I need to save my own skin" attitude that also lent a human quality to the story, nobody openly admits to any wrong doings. I thoroughly enjoy that Johnson does not give us a Clue-style "this is what really happened" and instead leaves some loose ends up to reader interpretation.
In three words: botanical, layered, and enriching. I highly recommend The Poison Grove to cozy mystery readers who want to step outside of the box. I impatiently await the next book.
January 26, 2025
Eustacia Rose is not your typical amateur sleuth. When we first met her in Devil’s Breath (published as The Woman in the Garden in the United States), she’s prickly, awkward, a disgraced professor of botanical toxicology hiding away from the world while tending a rooftop garden full of poisonous plants and regularly spying on the comings and goings of her attractive neighbour. A gloriously eccentric loner who’s as much a mystery herself as the crimes she gets caught up in. While her captivating first outing was a BBC Between the Covers pick and dual Ngaio Marsh Awards finalist, it did feel like Eustacia Rose’s story deserved to bloom for more than one season.
So it’s great to see her back in Hell’s Bells, the second mystery from Brighton UK-based Māori storyteller Jill Johnson. This time Professor Rose has returned to teaching at University College London, only for a sudden death that looks like a possible poisoning and a stalker-ish PhD student with eyes on Eustacia’s poisonous plant collection to upturn the life she tries to keep well in order.
When the student also turns up dead, Eustacia feels compelled to investigate.
Johnson, who used to run a leading UK comics store (and later studied for a degree in horticulture), has crafted a wonderfully unusual heroine. Blunt yet unintentionally hilarious at times, fearful yet brave, Eustacia and her relationships with others, often botanically categorised, deliver a fresh feel to the intriguing mystery storylines. A very good read that cements Eustacia Rose as one of the more interesting series characters to appear on the crime and thriller scene in recent times.
This is a growing series (a third, Belladonna, will be published in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand later in 2025) that will delight classic mystery fans, and those who love quirky, eccentric detectives.
So it’s great to see her back in Hell’s Bells, the second mystery from Brighton UK-based Māori storyteller Jill Johnson. This time Professor Rose has returned to teaching at University College London, only for a sudden death that looks like a possible poisoning and a stalker-ish PhD student with eyes on Eustacia’s poisonous plant collection to upturn the life she tries to keep well in order.
When the student also turns up dead, Eustacia feels compelled to investigate.
Johnson, who used to run a leading UK comics store (and later studied for a degree in horticulture), has crafted a wonderfully unusual heroine. Blunt yet unintentionally hilarious at times, fearful yet brave, Eustacia and her relationships with others, often botanically categorised, deliver a fresh feel to the intriguing mystery storylines. A very good read that cements Eustacia Rose as one of the more interesting series characters to appear on the crime and thriller scene in recent times.
This is a growing series (a third, Belladonna, will be published in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand later in 2025) that will delight classic mystery fans, and those who love quirky, eccentric detectives.
June 19, 2025
Poison Grove by Jill Johnson is the second in a series following Eustacia Rose, a botany professor and consultant to local police about plant toxins. In this adventure, Prof. Rose is helping to solve a murder by a syringe full of poison, avoiding a pushy and violent student, trying to enjoy her relationship with her Portuguese colleague, and dealing with a new assistant to her friend, DCI Roberts.
Eustacia is a very quirky character. Social interactions can exhaust her, and she doesn’t read social cues well. She is very direct and often doesn’t understand why others are reacting the way that they do. Still, her heart is in the right place, she is working on different coping mechanisms, and I found her to be charming. I enjoyed the relationship between her and DCI Roberts, mostly on the same page but a little off-kilter. Less successful was the relationship with her girlfriend, Mathilde, whom we don’t know much about. To be fair, their journey may have been chronicled in the first book.
Most puzzling, though, was the introduction of DS Helen Chambers to work with DCI Roberts. I have no idea why her storyline was included, unless it was to cause awkward situations for everyone.
The mystery itself was fine, with some obvious red herrings, and the plot progressed quickly. I was engaged in the scientific/academic setting and enjoyed learning about the various toxic plants.
Poison Grove is a fun, cozy mystery. I’ll likely look for the next in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC.
Eustacia is a very quirky character. Social interactions can exhaust her, and she doesn’t read social cues well. She is very direct and often doesn’t understand why others are reacting the way that they do. Still, her heart is in the right place, she is working on different coping mechanisms, and I found her to be charming. I enjoyed the relationship between her and DCI Roberts, mostly on the same page but a little off-kilter. Less successful was the relationship with her girlfriend, Mathilde, whom we don’t know much about. To be fair, their journey may have been chronicled in the first book.
Most puzzling, though, was the introduction of DS Helen Chambers to work with DCI Roberts. I have no idea why her storyline was included, unless it was to cause awkward situations for everyone.
The mystery itself was fine, with some obvious red herrings, and the plot progressed quickly. I was engaged in the scientific/academic setting and enjoyed learning about the various toxic plants.
Poison Grove is a fun, cozy mystery. I’ll likely look for the next in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC.
August 18, 2025
This book completely surprised me in the best way!
A lesbian autistic botanist solving crimes in a dark academia setting in the UK? That’s basically my dream book, and Jill Johnson delivered it beautifully.
Eustacia is easily my favorite main character I’ve met all year. Her honesty, social awkwardness, and difficulty navigating relationships was so endearing and relatable. She brought humor, depth, and a whole range of emotions to this story in a way I’ve never experience before. I found myself fearing for her, laughing with her and even learning a few life lessons through her.
At first I wasn’t sure where her relationship arc was heading, but by the end it landed beautifully and gave the story extra impact. The side characters were all so well thought out with distinct personalities and I felt they all had beautiful roles weaved into the story. I loved figuring out each characters relationship with Eustacia and who fit where into her life and work rolls.
The beginning felt a little slow but once it picked up around the halfway mark, I couldn’t put it down. The plant terminology sprinkled throughout was such a fun touch for a plant nerd like myself. I especially enjoyed her plant inspired nicknaming system that just made me cackle because truth be told I much prefer reading about a man named Giant Hogweed over a boring name like Aaron (no offense to any Aaron’s)
Overall, this turned into such a fun and cozy mystery! It was captivating without being too heavy. I’d happily recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery fiction with a unique neurospicy queer character in a dark academia setting.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publishers for proving me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
A lesbian autistic botanist solving crimes in a dark academia setting in the UK? That’s basically my dream book, and Jill Johnson delivered it beautifully.
Eustacia is easily my favorite main character I’ve met all year. Her honesty, social awkwardness, and difficulty navigating relationships was so endearing and relatable. She brought humor, depth, and a whole range of emotions to this story in a way I’ve never experience before. I found myself fearing for her, laughing with her and even learning a few life lessons through her.
At first I wasn’t sure where her relationship arc was heading, but by the end it landed beautifully and gave the story extra impact. The side characters were all so well thought out with distinct personalities and I felt they all had beautiful roles weaved into the story. I loved figuring out each characters relationship with Eustacia and who fit where into her life and work rolls.
The beginning felt a little slow but once it picked up around the halfway mark, I couldn’t put it down. The plant terminology sprinkled throughout was such a fun touch for a plant nerd like myself. I especially enjoyed her plant inspired nicknaming system that just made me cackle because truth be told I much prefer reading about a man named Giant Hogweed over a boring name like Aaron (no offense to any Aaron’s)
Overall, this turned into such a fun and cozy mystery! It was captivating without being too heavy. I’d happily recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery fiction with a unique neurospicy queer character in a dark academia setting.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publishers for proving me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
September 2, 2025
This book was renamed to The Poison Grove from Hell’s Bells when released last month in the US, but I’m not sure why. The original title is really a better fit.
It helps to have read book 1 in the series first but isn’t absolutely necessary. It does have spoilers for book 1. This follows Professor Eustacia Rose, a botanical toxicologist (one who studies plant poisons). She is still getting accustomed to being back in the academic setting, and one particular student is hounding her for access to her (no longer accessible) poison garden for his graduate thesis.
Professor Rose is neurodivergent and socially awkward, a very Eleanor Oliphant type character, but more likable and more curious about others.
I love the poisonous plant facts. My mom had a collection of books on poisons she would refer to when drafting manuscripts (and a tiny poison garden), and the facts in this series line up with what I remember from that & what I know from working in healthcare.
*That said, a friendly PSA: don’t use herbal remedies (including from this series) without consulting a verifiable expert in medicine or science. Many things are helpful in moderation for the right conditions & toxic in abundance. TikTok “remedies” hurt people.*
CW: addiction, parental abandonment, loss of a parent (past tense), loss of an adult child
It helps to have read book 1 in the series first but isn’t absolutely necessary. It does have spoilers for book 1. This follows Professor Eustacia Rose, a botanical toxicologist (one who studies plant poisons). She is still getting accustomed to being back in the academic setting, and one particular student is hounding her for access to her (no longer accessible) poison garden for his graduate thesis.
Professor Rose is neurodivergent and socially awkward, a very Eleanor Oliphant type character, but more likable and more curious about others.
I love the poisonous plant facts. My mom had a collection of books on poisons she would refer to when drafting manuscripts (and a tiny poison garden), and the facts in this series line up with what I remember from that & what I know from working in healthcare.
*That said, a friendly PSA: don’t use herbal remedies (including from this series) without consulting a verifiable expert in medicine or science. Many things are helpful in moderation for the right conditions & toxic in abundance. TikTok “remedies” hurt people.*
CW: addiction, parental abandonment, loss of a parent (past tense), loss of an adult child
August 6, 2025
⭐ 4/5 ⭐
I picked this book up before a Pride march, ended up reading it in A&E and only half way through, realised it was the second in a series.
Eustacia Rose is a professor of botanical toxicology at UCL. She becomes involved in an assault investigation where synthetic plant toxins are used and starts to unravel the events surrounding the attack.
- Despite being the second in a series, the book is very self contained. There are some references to the first book but they do not affect the understand or enjoyment of this one.
- The mystery was a good balance of clues and reasonably working out whodunnit. I figured out an antagonist about 50% in but there were other bits that I didn't guess.
- I enjoyed the integrated neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ representation. The queer rep is in situ, not the main focus and treated as whole-heartedly normal. The main character is quite obviously neurodivergent, probably autistic, and as the story is told from her POV it is very obvious. Some of this I enjoyed and empathised with but sometimes it did feel a little overdone and unrealistic.
An enjoyable light mystery with good representation. I'm now going to read the first one and patiently await the third book's release.
I picked this book up before a Pride march, ended up reading it in A&E and only half way through, realised it was the second in a series.
Eustacia Rose is a professor of botanical toxicology at UCL. She becomes involved in an assault investigation where synthetic plant toxins are used and starts to unravel the events surrounding the attack.
- Despite being the second in a series, the book is very self contained. There are some references to the first book but they do not affect the understand or enjoyment of this one.
- The mystery was a good balance of clues and reasonably working out whodunnit. I figured out an antagonist about 50% in but there were other bits that I didn't guess.
- I enjoyed the integrated neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ representation. The queer rep is in situ, not the main focus and treated as whole-heartedly normal. The main character is quite obviously neurodivergent, probably autistic, and as the story is told from her POV it is very obvious. Some of this I enjoyed and empathised with but sometimes it did feel a little overdone and unrealistic.
An enjoyable light mystery with good representation. I'm now going to read the first one and patiently await the third book's release.
May 17, 2025
This is an easy-to-read amateur detective story with academic cred.
The quirky Professor Eustacia Rose is dragged yet again into a mystery involving her beloved poisonous plants and a too-aggressive student.
This is another installment in a series (2nd). But don't worry if this is your first, you'll quickly get up to speed with the eccentric professor of botanical toxicology with daddy issues. Though it's obvious that there's a history to be explored earlier in the series.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery and wasn't too bothered by the contrived way she was thrust into the story. Her old-world, slightly bungling character is the star of the show, and she obviously has history with the London police. Though sometimes I did want to shake our naive hero into the 21st century and her ongoing relationship with the dangerous student does strain credibility. In no academic world would this situation be allowed.
To enjoy, you will have to suspend reality, accept the character's flaws, and focus on the unfolding story. Readers with an interest in plants will relate to the botanical references. Readers who love an old-world gentle mystery will probably like the book.
The quirky Professor Eustacia Rose is dragged yet again into a mystery involving her beloved poisonous plants and a too-aggressive student.
This is another installment in a series (2nd). But don't worry if this is your first, you'll quickly get up to speed with the eccentric professor of botanical toxicology with daddy issues. Though it's obvious that there's a history to be explored earlier in the series.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery and wasn't too bothered by the contrived way she was thrust into the story. Her old-world, slightly bungling character is the star of the show, and she obviously has history with the London police. Though sometimes I did want to shake our naive hero into the 21st century and her ongoing relationship with the dangerous student does strain credibility. In no academic world would this situation be allowed.
To enjoy, you will have to suspend reality, accept the character's flaws, and focus on the unfolding story. Readers with an interest in plants will relate to the botanical references. Readers who love an old-world gentle mystery will probably like the book.
June 24, 2025
I loved the first book in this series by Jill Johnson so when I saw on her Instagram signed copies were available online at Goldsboro books I snapped one up. “Hell’s Bells” (released under the title “Poison Grove” in the United States) is another great addition to the adventures of botany professor Eustacia Rose. I liked the storyline and I felt we saw more of Eustacia’s quirky mess come out in this one, especially in her dealings with new characters like DCI Roberts’s new asssistant. I loved her representation as a neuro-divergent and LGTBQ+ individual and warmed to her even more in this book as she has such a muddle understanding social cues and relationships. The only issues I had were that I think we needed a few more scenes and interactions between her and her partner, Matilde as I felt like I didn’t know enough about her to become invested in their relationship. I also wasn’t sure how I felt about the introduction of the new DS Chambers. I also noticed a couple typos so for that as well I’ve only done 4 stars this time. The mystery element is good, some twists that I didn’t see and I like the academic and botanical elements. I will definitely still read more of this series
August 24, 2025
i genuinely adore this book. i couldn’t stop reading, so i didn’t, and finished it in less than a day (and i’m a very slow reader).
first off, i love the autism representation. our main character is autistic, and it truly adds so much to the story. this book would’ve felt completely different with another protagonist. honestly, one of the things that makes this book so amazing is her inner monologues and the way she interacts with people.
i was also impressed with the side characters and how three-dimensional they feel. that said, they aren’t the main focus, and you can definitely feel that as you go. the spotlight stays on our main character, which i thought really worked for this story.
the mystery was suspenseful without being too over-the-top. i really wanted to know what was going on, but i was also so into the moment-to-moment story that i never felt the urge to skip ahead (which i totally do sometimes with mysteries). i loved the plot twists and trying to guess what was happening.
thank you so much to Jill Johnson, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
first off, i love the autism representation. our main character is autistic, and it truly adds so much to the story. this book would’ve felt completely different with another protagonist. honestly, one of the things that makes this book so amazing is her inner monologues and the way she interacts with people.
i was also impressed with the side characters and how three-dimensional they feel. that said, they aren’t the main focus, and you can definitely feel that as you go. the spotlight stays on our main character, which i thought really worked for this story.
the mystery was suspenseful without being too over-the-top. i really wanted to know what was going on, but i was also so into the moment-to-moment story that i never felt the urge to skip ahead (which i totally do sometimes with mysteries). i loved the plot twists and trying to guess what was happening.
thank you so much to Jill Johnson, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 27, 2025
Seven days. That's the time it took me to get through this book. It was on my mind everyday. The writing, the characters, the story. I think the connection was there because of Professor Rose's quiet and adventurous self. She reminded me a bit of myself with how passionate she can be about a specific matter. The sublteness of her character was refreshing, to say the least. And that is apart from the rest of the characters.
Not only did I feel an inclination towards the prose but also the fact that it was told from Professor Rose's perspective added a distinct layer to the understanding of what was happening during the whole story. If I'm being honest I was a bit more intrigued about how she navigated her personal life and the investigation –her methods– than the reasons behind the crime itself. But i must admit that once the dots were connected it felt rewarding. As if i was there and had had an important role in it. Overall I enjoyed the characters and the way there was a code to understanding how the protagonist felt about them.
This is an enjoyable book that I totally recommend reading. In fact I'm looking forward to reading the previous two books of this series.
Last but not least, thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Not only did I feel an inclination towards the prose but also the fact that it was told from Professor Rose's perspective added a distinct layer to the understanding of what was happening during the whole story. If I'm being honest I was a bit more intrigued about how she navigated her personal life and the investigation –her methods– than the reasons behind the crime itself. But i must admit that once the dots were connected it felt rewarding. As if i was there and had had an important role in it. Overall I enjoyed the characters and the way there was a code to understanding how the protagonist felt about them.
This is an enjoyable book that I totally recommend reading. In fact I'm looking forward to reading the previous two books of this series.
Last but not least, thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free ARC in exchange of an honest review.
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