The Botanist

 

By M.W. Craven

Review

A 2024 Top Rated Read

When pathologist Estelle Doyle's father is shot in the head and murdered, she finds herself the prime suspect. With firearms residue on her hands and one set of footprints in the snow leading into the house, she asks Detective Sergeant Washington Poe for help proving her innocence. However, even Poe has to admit the case against her is strong. 

Whilst assisting Estelle, Poe is also investigating a poisoner, aka the Botanist, who is mailing cryptic poems and pressed flowers to celebrities. Despite the intended victims taking extra precautions and upping their security, the Botanist always succeeds. Just how he does it is baffling. Can Poe solve both cases or has he finally met his match?

This fifth book in the Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw series, The Botanist, was another fantastic read. It was thrilling, fast-moving and totally unputdownable. I enjoyed it so much. I love how Poe and socially awkward analyst Tilly bounce off each other with, at times, hilarious results. The revelation of how the Botanist killed his victims was superb. I really don't know how the author thought it up but I'm sure glad he did! An amazing book and series.
                 

★★★★★

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Constable
• Publication Year: 2022
• Genre: Crime, Thriller
• Author: M.W. Craven

Synopsis

'I swear I'm one bad mood away from calling it black magic and going home . . .'

Detective Sergeant Washington Poe can count on one hand the number of friends he has. And he'd still have his thumb left. There's the insanely brilliant, guilelessly innocent civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw of course. He's known his beleaguered boss, Detective Inspector Stephanie Flynn for years as he has his nearest neighbour, full-time shepherd/part-time dog sitter, Victoria.

And then there's Estelle Doyle. It's true the caustic pathologist has never walked down the sunny side of the street but this time has she gone too far? Shot twice in the head, her father's murder appears to be an open and shut case. Estelle has firearms discharge residue on her hands, and, in a house surrounded by fresh snow, hers are the only footprints going in. Since her arrest she's only said three words: 'Tell Washington Poe.'

Meanwhile, a poisoner the press have dubbed the Botanist is sending high profile celebrities poems and pressed flowers. The killer seems to be able to walk through walls and, despite the advance notice he gives his victims, and regardless of the security measures the police take, he seems to be able to kill with impunity.

For a man who hates locked room mysteries, this is going to be the longest week of Washington Poe's life