The Botanist by M. W. Craven

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.

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I have to admit that, since reading The Puppet Show almost a year ago, I’ve had to resist the urge to binge-read the entire series.  It’s been tough though.  These books are so readable, and with the next instalment coming out in August, I’ve admitted defeat – I want to be ready to enjoy The Final Vow when it’s published.  While this has become a favourite series, I have to admit that I didn’t enjoy the fourth book, Dead Ground, quite as much.  I’m struggling to put my finger on exactly why that is, but whatever the reason, The Botanist was absolutely brilliant and a return to form. 

As with the other novels, it begins with an explosive scene as rampant misogynist Kane Hunt becomes extremely ill during a live talk show, eventually succumbing to what is later identified to be an extremely potent poison.  How this poison got into his system is a mystery, the only clue a poem and a pressed flower that he’d received in the post.  Hunt is quickly followed by a second victim, this time a high-profile politician, again struck down by a deadly poison.  And the death count looks set to rise… One element that I found extremely interesting is that the victims are all entirely unpleasant individuals.  That’s not to say that they deserve it, of course – no one does – but it’s definitely harder to mourn their passing, something that the person behind these attacks seems to be playing on as the general public look on somewhat gleefully.

Enter the absolutely brilliant team of Washington Poe and Matilda “Tilly” Bradshaw, and the very welcome return of Poe’s boss, DI Stephanie Flynn.  While the whole series has been highly original, I think that The Botanist stands out for the complexities in the case.  Poe and team are aware of the victims in advance and yet are seemingly powerless to do anything to prevent their demise, even as every effort is made to isolate the individuals who are at risk, controlling their food, medicine, and environments to no avail.  How the person responsible is managing to poison his victims becomes a real headscratcher, and I did wonder at times if Poe and Tilly had met their match in this instance. 

To make things worse, Estelle Doyle, Poe’s preferred pathologist, has been arrested for the murder of her father, the evidence against her incredibly damning.  Poe immediately calls BS on it, but then has to prove her innocence at a time when he really can’t afford to be distracted.  I’m a huge fan of Doyle, and I’ve always enjoyed the slightly charged interactions between her and Poe.  While the circumstances aren’t ideal, I liked getting to know more about her in this novel as Craven takes the opportunity to flesh out her character and I really enjoyed seeing this aspect of the novel play out.  I don’t want to say anything that would spoil it for other readers, but the outcome is excellent. 

The Botanist is another brilliant instalment in what has quickly become a favourite series of mine.  As ever, Craven keeps the pace high throughout, and I particularly enjoyed the puzzle presented here in how the titular Botanist achieved their goals – it seems impossible, and yet… Absolutely wonderful and, as ever, highly recommended.  Now to book six!

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The Washington Poe series:

1. The Puppet Show
2. Black Summer
3. The Curator
4. Dead Ground
5. The Botanist
6. The Mercy Chair