WOMS: Saffron Everleigh Mysteries

I have discovered a new, delightful heroine, and it’s time I introduced her: everyone, meet Saffron Everleigh!

She’s a spunky, witty botanist working as a research assistant at the University College in London in the 1920s where she suddenly finds herself mixed up in a murder scheme when the wife of a professor drops dead at a dinner party. Though at first she might seem like the awkward, bookish type, she quickly finds her footing in the throes of the chase as she first tries to acquit her mentor of the pressing charges against him and then in the second book, unravel nefarious Victorian-coded messages sent through poisonous flowers and how they relate to their victims.

Of course, she’s not without help. First there’s the strong and silent biologist, Alexander Ashton, with whom she becomes dangerously entangled, but in book two when he’s shipped off on a research expedition in the Amazonian, she’s reluctantly paired up with careless flirt, playboy, and doctor Michael Lee, who secretly harbours a golden heart.

Unlike some other heroines I’ve read lately, Saffron has that devil-may-care attitude of throwing herself first into danger. However, she usually uses her meticulous brains to assess all the possible outcomes before plunging into the deep end like when she poisons herself to test the affects of a certain plant. Though, her logic and reason seem to wither when faced with navigating the politics of an illustrious crowd of rich assailants who might be the key to unlocking the mystery behind those notorious bouquets dead women continue to receive hours before their untimely demise.

I did fear with the second book, as Mr. Ashton departed and Mr. Lee was introduced, Saffron would be forced into a rather annoying love triangle better suited to adolescence. Thankfully, the plots are not romance heavy. I wouldn’t even consider the romance to be a subplot. More of a romantic interlude. That said, my apprehensions were mostly dispelled since they’re all variously mature adults, but not without some frustration at the characters’ lack of sharing their true feelings to one another. Miscommunication is so irritating when all you want is the main character and the love interest you ship them with to kiss! I mean they did it before. Why can’t they get along now?

Overall, I love Saffron Everleigh. She’s an adorable heroine, much like a young Veronica Speedwell. I appreciate, too, her skills as a botanist. Poison can be such an overused trope in murder mysteries, but it’s such a classic. Adding a botanist in the fray is an excellent way to explore the methods and means of poisoning we sometimes take for granted. It’s a clever utilization of an age-old weapon, and I am here for it. Not to mention, it’s a great representation of women in STEM, especially in an era when those discriminatory constructs were changing.

I will add I love seeing, reading, this new trend of 1920s mysteries as that is the setting for my own I’m currently writing. It greatly assists me with getting in the ontological perspective of those who would have lived through the Great War. (Though admittedly, I also hope it lasts long enough I can capitalize on its popularity once my own is finished, G-d willing an agent picks it up.)

If you’re wanting to read a thrilling mystery series with a plucky heroine overcoming social norms and coming into her own with a dash of romance, then you won’t go wrong with Saffron Everleigh. Check out A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons and A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality today!