WWW RI Women’s Book Club: A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons

Our September Women’s Wilderness Weekend of RI Women’s Book Club will discuss A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari.

The Lost Apothecary meets Dead Dead Girls in this fast-paced, STEMinist adventure.

[CREDIT: Goodreads.com] September’s WWW of RI Women’s Book Club will discuss “A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons” by Kate Khavari.

Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to blaze a new trail at the University College London, but with her colleagues’ beliefs about women’s academic inabilities and not-so-subtle hints that her deceased father’s reputation paved her way into the botany department, she feels stymied at every turn.

When she attends a dinner party for the school, she expects to engage in conversations about the university’s large expedition to the Amazon. What she doesn’t expect is for Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives, to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect and evidence quickly mounts. Joined by fellow researcher–and potential romantic interest–Alexander Ashton, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons to clear Maxwell’s name.

Will she be able to uncover the truth, or will her investigation land her on the murderer’s list, in this entertaining examination of society’s expectations? – From Goodreads.com

The purpose of our WWW of RI Book Club is to reconnect with ourselves, other women, and nature. The focus of our book selections centers on Women authors writing about women’s stories, connections, history, nature, and overcoming adversity.

Anyone in the WWW of RI community is welcome to participate regardless of your attendance at our weekend events.

WWW of RI Book Club Participation Guidelines:

• • Please obtain a copy of the book, either by borrowing from the library, borrowing from someone you know, or purchasing. Read the book on your own, prior to our discussion date. Audio books are good too.
  • We will meet in person to discuss the book.
  • Please read the book, or at least attempt to read it so you can contribute to the discussion.
  • Everyone reads at their own pace, and that is fine. If you finish the book in two days or only get half way through, anyone with interest in the book club can be included.
  • Any and all conversation is welcome at the book discussions but please be courteous and kind. You can disagree with someone, but always do so respectfully.
  • You do not need to participate every month to be part of the book club. Read what interests you and attend when you can.
  • Book suggestions are highly welcome. Please let us know what you are interested in.

Book Club Discussion for A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 3pm.

[CREDIT: Pixabay]

The following books are the next books for our book club:

September 20, 2026 – A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari

November 1, 2026 – The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers

Please reach out to Jessy at jessyjakul@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.