A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery: A Saffron Everleigh Mystery

Saffron Everleigh Mystery #5

by Kate Khavari

Brilliant botanist Saffron Everleigh has set sail on her first research expedition, but it's disrupted by accusations of murder when one of her fellow scientists is murdered in this daring fifth installment.

Saffron Everleigh is newly engaged and full of optimism as she sets off on the adventure of a lifetime for any a research expedition. She sails to newly formed Turkey, with her fiancé, Alexander Ashton, and a bevy of fellow researchers under the watchful and reformed eye of Dr. Henry. With only two other women on board, Saffron soon finds she is right back in the same infuriatingly misogynistic environment that marked the earliest days of her career. Only this time, Saffron is determined to show everyone, including Alexander, that she can handle the trials of an expedition.

And trials she has in spades. Before the expedition team has even arrived, Saffron has managed to find an enemy in historian Joseph Clark, who frequently torments the assistant that Saffron has taken under her wing, Martin Neill. But when Martin unexpectedly dies, Saffron is targeted as the main suspect.

Falling ruins, venomous snakes, and mysteriously blocked passages are the least of Saffron’s worries. With unexpected help from a familiar face, Alexander and Saffron have to work fast to prove not only that Saffron is innocent, but that they both have nothing to do with a larger conspiracy at play among the expedition crew.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Adventure, Mystery Thriller

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did Kate Khavari pack so much into these pages? Every time a new book in the Saffron Everleigh series comes out, I claim it's my favorite and I've decided that's just the way it's going to be. Every book builds upon an already great story and becomes a favorite. While you don't have to have read the previous book to get into this story, the events of this book are all the more enjoyable if you know how far Saffron has come.

Saffron finally gets to go on a field expedition! Of course, the sexist garbage she's figured out how to navigate at the University is a stumbling block at the Turkish dig site, though she has allies with her. Saffron helps another researcher who is being picked on and winds up being a suspect when he's murdered. Saffron and Alexander are facing separation and take a drastic, but not unexpected, move to ensure they can communicate while Saffron is detailed by the authorities.

There are some fascinating secondary characters in this one, some we've met before and one who is a despicable villain. Just when you think Saffron has seen it all from close-minded colleagues, a new bully comes along!

The pace is fast and there are huge developments in the overarching relationship subplot. We also get a peek at what is to come - a return to Saffron's family and maybe a visit to Alexander's seem to be in the future.

[Cate Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who love Saffron, this was an excellent addition to the series. Saffron is dealing with terrible gossip and a false accusation of murder.

I was disappointed in the choice of victim, but I had grand hopes for the character and knew one of the main villains early on. The backstory/why was well thought out and the pacing was enjoyable, it never felt too slow.

A huge thank you to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley. I’m excited to see what Saffron does next!

[Deb Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #5 in the series about botanist Saffron Everleigh journeys to Turkey and once again, Saffron is in the middle of a murder mystery she has to help solve. Saffron is now engaged to Alexander Ashton and pushes to join him on the research expedition to study any plants they may find. If you have read the previous books in the series, you know Saffron will not sit idly by and will not allow the men on the expedition to dismiss her. Unfortunately, this time atrocious rumors have started about her fidelity to Alexander and then she is accused of murdering an assistant. This is where the story takes off and Alexander and Saffron have to use all of their wiles and contacts to help solve the mystery and find a way to save Saffron. The truth comes out about some characters that will change your opinion of them by the end of the story.
I love how Saffron has grown as a character, but has stayed true to who she is - a brilliant and plucky woman who wants more for her career. Setting this story in the newly formed country of Turkey added to the story because the people, food, and language barrier were a new experience for her. The nefarious characters in this story were fun to read because they were written to be awful and I cheered when they got what they deserved.
I would recommend this book to fans of the series as well as fans of a historical mystery. 4.5 stars.
#ABotanistsGuidetoTraditionandTreachery #NetGalley
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Anulekha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first stumbled upon this series around 5 years ago when the first book came out. It was a thriller/mystery story where a woman in STEM (one of my favourite tropes) solves a crime using her expertise in poison. The story happens around WWI, so you can imagine the kind of attention a woman in science gets. Navigating all that, she does her thing—being reckless and bold—and solves the mystery.

This sequel takes place a few years later. She is now an employee of the university, much to the chagrin of several colleagues, and goes on an expedition to Turkey with her now fiancé and a team of scientists to unravel an archaeological site discovered there. Though she faces a lot of whiplashing for being female, she marches on with her work.. When one of her colleagues meets an unexpected end, she becomes the prime suspect.

The book was a little stretched out in the first half—I felt it wasn't going anywhere. Things only started to spice up after about 40% of it was over. The book could have done with far fewer pages. There were also a few grammatical errors, though they can be overlooked. Plus, it was easy to guess the culprit (though their reasons, not so much).

Suffice it to say, the protagonist is still her reckless self, but circumstances didn't let her do as much as she could have. Still, I really liked this book because it showed the way her fiancé—her partner in crime from previous books—solves the mystery in a polar opposite manner.

3.5 stars – A slow start, but worth it for series fans.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth Saffron Everleigh historical mystery sees Saffron on her first scientific expedition. She is traveling to the newly formed Turkey to explore Smyrna. Her fiancé Alexander Ashton is along on the expedition which is led by Dr. Henry. Unfortunately, Dr. Joseph Clark is also along on the expedition and is the one Saffron is supposed to work with most closely.

Clark has taken an inexplicable dislike to Saffron and is playing dangerous pranks on her including a venomous snake, locking her in an underground room, dosing her with sleeping powders, and toppling a loose stone on her. Dr. Henry and even Alexander are inclined to see these things as pranks often done to those new on expeditions though Alexander believes Clark is going much too far.

Saffron is determined to take care of herself despite these "pranks" and doesn't want to look weak by depending on her fiancé who has assigned her a "helper" named Martin Neill who is a young biologist. When Neill takes ill and dies, Saffron becomes an immediate suspect in his death because of rumors Clark has started about their supposed relationship.

Arrested by the Turkish police, Saffron needs to depend on Alexander and a mysterious character from earlier in the series to unravel what is happening and to clear her name. Saffron soon finds herself in the middle of antiquities smuggling and old secrets.

This was another engaging historical mystery about an interesting main character trying to make a place for herself in a man's world.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saffron Everleigh is on her way to Turkey for her first ever research expedition with the university. This is also her first big trip away with her fiancé, Alexander Ashton, who is managing the team. Ever coping with a male dominated world, Saffron is on the receiving end of some extreme hazing by disgruntled team members. So much so that it culminates with her being framed and arrested for a poisoning. That, along with artifacts being stolen from the dig site, makes for some serious tension in the camp and a lot of speculation as to what is going on. This is definitely not the expedition Saffron and Alexander were anticipating—it’s not every day your fiancé gets jailed on murder charges. What will they do to make it to the other side?

This is the fifth novel of the series and another great story taking us into 1920s academia, Turkish history, chivalry and prejudices. Botany is again an underlying thread in the plot, but the mystery and how Saffron fits into a male dominated field are the forefront of the story. Saffron is really just a great character with a well written supporting cast of characters. Reading about her curiosity, her adventures, mishaps and successes is very enjoyable. Plus the scientist and gardener in me loves all the extra that makes this series unique. Truly a good book and series. 4 stars.

This is an honest review based on a digital Advanced Readers Copy provided by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I really enjoyed this book, especially the non-England setting as this book finds Saffron finally getting to go on an expedition to Turkey along with her fiancé Alexander. Unfortunately, one of the other members of the expedition, Clark, decides to torment Saffron including attempting to drug her once in Turkey. Determined not to let Clark get to her, Saffron decides not to say anything to Alexander. Additionally, artifacts from the dig go missing putting the whole expedition in jeopardy. Saffron finds herself the leading suspect when of the assistants, Neill is murdered by poison. Not only known as an expert as poison, but Clark had spread rumors that Neill and Saffron were having an affair and made sure that the police heard. Under house arrest, Saffron must rely on Alexander to investigate while she puts together the pieces to find out who the real killer is and saves herself.

I enjoyed the mystery of this one even more than previous titles and I especially loved the descriptions of both the dig site and Turkey in general. Alexander and Saffron continue to have a strong, supportive relationship. The book ends with an unexpected development that I'm eager to see how it impacts Saffron and Alexander in the next book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saffron Everleigh and her fiancee Alexander Ashton are in Turkey for an research expedition. This is Saffron's first expedition and being the only woman from the university and she is constantly being harrassed by the men on the team. Alexander knows that the men are just playing harmless pranks on her until Saffron tells him everything that is going on with her and Clark. When one of the members of their team ends up dying the police only have one suspect and that is Saffron Everleigh, since she knows all about deadly flowers. With Saffron under arrest Alexander must find out who is behind the killing and who is stealing some of the valued items before Saffron is tried and sentenced to death. With the help of Nick Hale, Alexander knows that they will prove both the murderer and the thief. A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery is the fifth book in the series which I have loved since the first book A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons where we meet Saffron and Alexander solve their first crime together. However, I did miss Elizabeth Hale and Lee in this book maybe in the next one. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for letting me read an advance copy of this novel.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining entry in the Saffron Everleigh series. This almost reads like it could be a series finale, although I doubt it will be.

Saffron is on an expedition in Turkey with the man she loves. She has a chance to use and improve on her scientific knowledge. She is visiting a new culture and tasting new foods. Unfortunately, one man on the expedition has it out for Saffron. He manages to slip her a sedative, lock her in a small room, and start rumors about her relationship with another man on the expedition, among other tricks. Saffron has a pretty hard time of things in this book, eventually being charged with murder.

I don’t know much about Turkey in 1924, but the book seems to have been well researched. The plot takes some unlikely turns, but nothing too outlandish for belief. Both Saffron and Alexander behave foolishly, and the narrative could have been tightened up a bit. Still, at least the time frame (1924) and setting (Turkey) are less common ones in historical fiction, and I will read a book six if one comes along.

I read an advance reader copy of A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery from Netgalley.

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good addition to the series. Saffron’s first field work does not go as planned, with harassment by a fellow researcher/academic (Clark). Then there is the death by poisoning of a college student assisting in the field (Martin) who had spent a lot of time with Saffron. Their time together, which had been arranged by Ashton, one of the expedition leaders (and Saffron’s fiancé), provided plenty of fodder for improper rumors. And the rumors combined with her knowledge of poison made her the prime suspect. Throw in some theft of antiquities to make things more complicated.

The story has plenty of twists. Clark is an obvious villain, although the extent of his motives is not entirely clear until late in the story. I figured out Martin’s killer well before the characters in the book, but the motive came as a surprise. I enjoyed getting to revisit Saffron and Ashton and other familiar characters.

[Maria Beltrami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I haven’t read the other books featuring Saffron Everleigh, Victorian botanist and expert in poisons; consequently, despite the author’s commendable efforts to make the novel read more or less as a stand-alone, some of this young woman’s character traits elude me. At times she displays a sharpness and a willpower well above average; at others, a naivety and a readiness to get herself into situations she knows full well are anything from awkward to dangerous. Her antagonist is a tad caricatured in his efforts to get rid of her, but so are some of the other characters, notably the inspector who accuses her of murder. Turning to the archaeological aspect, I find the descriptions a bit slapdash, although I must say that working methods in the field were still rather crude at the time. Despite these flaws, the novel is well written and therefore quite enjoyable to read.

[Emily Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Emoji-Vibes: 🥾🐍🌿🍵🧪

Playlist
🎶 Francesca - Hozier
🎶 Ramblings of a Lunatic - Bears in Trees
🎶 The Seed - AURORA

It’s always a little hard to write a spoiler-free review when the book is far into a series, but I have to say: I really liked this „A Botanist’s Guide“ installment. I did miss some characters that played a big role in previous books, but I’m sure we‘ll see them again in the next. I loved the mystery in this one and I also loved the topics the background of a research trip to Turkey made possible to discuss: misogyny in science, white supremacy and theft in archeology, hazing of young researchers, and corruption in police and politics. I thought they were criticised in a clever and fitting way, very directly without feeling disingenuous.
I also loved how the main relationship developed here - it was so 🥹🥹😍

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and publisher for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy historical mysteries with a unique twist, A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery by Kate Khavari is a great pick.

Kate Khavari does a wonderful job bringing her protagonist to life, and the botanical elements add an extra layer of interest that sets this series apart from typical mysteries. The pacing is steady, and the plot keeps you guessing without feeling complicated.

If you’ve enjoyed this book, the whole series is worth reading. Each installment builds nicely on the last, making it easy to stay invested in the characters and their journey.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend both this book and the series—it’s an enjoyable, well-written set of mysteries that’s easy to get hooked on.

[Jessika Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will there come a time I won't look forward to the next Saffron Everleigh shenanigans? Not likely. This latest installment to the poison's expert and her "oops, I stumbled into another dark plot" was everything I could have wanted. Khavari traded the rain soaked streets of London and the foggy, gothic manor of the last Saffron book, for the dazzling, sun drenched ancient ruins of Post-Ottoman Turkey. The twists and tumbles of Saffron and Alexander's story in this book had me constantly reaching for my kindle to see what extravagant mess would happen next. This might be my favorite one yet. Side note: Could we get more Banks?

[Kelly Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading A Botanist's Guide to Tradition and Treachery, a Saffron Everleigh Mystery by Kate Khavari, as I enjoyed the previous books in the series, but from the start this one failed to interest me.
I found a number of the characters to be cliche and deeply unlikeable, and that affected my entire enjoyment of the book. I found the book lagged in many parts, causing me to skip ahead repeatedly. It was, for me, a chore to read.
I do appreciate receiving the ARC of #ABotanistsGuidetoTraditionandTreachery through #NetGalley, but don't believe I will continue with this series.

[Lana | Libraryofabibliotaph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Saffron Everleigh mystery! It took me a while to get into the story, but once halfway through and one free Sunday morning later I flew through the second half. If you liked the previous books, you’ll like this one as well. It has the same mystery combined with unexpected twists. You get to see more of Saffron and Alexander in a completely different environment, an archeological site in Turkey. Even though the story focuses less on botanical stuff and it takes a while for the murder to take place, I still enjoyed reading it, especially once the murder happened and all kinds of different intrigues start to unravel. Seeing Saffron navigate through male centered interactions yet holding her ground, fighting prejudices and standing up for others when they are being ridiculed, is also very typical for her and makes for interesting reading material. Hopefully the next book will give us some more interaction and dialogue between Saffron and Alexander, because once again this story shows what a wonderful duo they can be.

3,75/5 ⭐

Thank you Crooked Lane Books for the eARC.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so many feelings while reading this book. The strongest was pure anger directed toward one character that nearly caused me to abandon the book because I couldn’t fathom someone being that truly nasty to Saffron (not a spoiler). But once I moved past that, I was sucked into the twists and turns of the mystery, often at the edge of my seat. I ended up loving this book, as I love this series, and cannot wait for more! Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the arc.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every entry in this series has captured me from the first page and this entry is no exception. Saffron Everleigh is a delightful protagonist and I love how she always finds herself in the thick of things and works her way through it. Ahead of her time and a quick witted sleuth, you’ll be adding Kate Khavari to your must read author list too.

[Susan Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Biologist Saffron heads to Turkey for her first dig. Unfortunately a fellow scientist is intent on making her life miserable and she is arrested for murder.