The Botanist

Washington Poe, Book 5

By: M. W. Craven

Narrated by: John Banks

Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

This is going to be the longest week of Washington Poe's life...

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 guilelessly innocent civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw of course. Insanely brilliant, she's a bit of a social hand grenade. 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. Dark and dangerous and sexy as hell. It's true the caustic pathologist has never walked down the sunny side of the street, but has she gone too far this time? 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. Since her arrest she's only said three words: 'Tell Washington Poe.'

Meanwhile, a poisoner called the Botanist is sending the nation's most reviled people poems and pressed flowers. Twisted and ingenious, he seems to be able to walk through walls and, despite the advance notice given to his victims, and regardless of the security measures taken, he is able to kill with impunity.

Poe hates locked room mysteries and now he has two to solve. To unravel them he's going to have to draw on every resource he has: Tilly Bradshaw, an organised crime boss, even an alcoholic ex-journalist. Because if he doesn't, the bodies are going to keep piling up . . .

©2022 M. W. Craven (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"Mesmerising, macabre and murderously funny. The Botanist is M.W. Craven at his sinister best. I couldn't love this series more." (Chris Whitaker)

"Another classy thriller from the king of Cumbrian crime." (Paul Finch)

"Unputdownable, gripping, clever and with a rich seam of trademark Craven humour running through it." (Imran Mahmood)

Smart and Twisty!

Another great Poe and Bradshaw mystery! It was very suspenseful and interesting with a satisfying ending! There is a lot of character growth for Poe in this one as well.

Amazing Twisted Storylines

I stumbled across these books for the Author with the same initials as you prompt in the 2023 Popsugar challenge and so glad I did! Great characters that keep you entertained and involved. The storylines always keep you guessing. As a High School forensics teacher I find myself talking about these books in class. Real true crime with proper science. I just love them. Even got my husband hooked on them. Can’t wait for the new Washington Poe book in June!

Another winner!

I have decided that I seriously like this author.

Seriously.

The combination of the two main characters - Tilly and Poe - are one of the best working partner combinations around anywhere. They feed off of each other so well and they have such diametrically polar opposite personalities that it just.....works.

This is the latest book in the series. I think if I remember correctly, I flew through the first three books in this series, then I couldn't find the next ones on Audible and for whatever reason, I forgot about it. Then, the other day, I was awarded an ARC for his latest new series (which is FANTASTIC BTW) and it reminded me that I still had books to find. Luckily, all of the rest of the series is out on audio ...so here we are.

This book has Poe and Tilly working to find a serial killer who is not only extremely intelligent, but one who is warning both the victim and the public BEFORE they are killed. He is picking people who are truly the dregs of society - well, narcissistic and awful - so he is actually coming out okay with the public. Somehow, even with the advanced notice and police protection, he is still somehow getting the job done.

We also get a little bit more of Poe's private life with a certain doctor colleague who is also in a bit of trouble herself. These two have kind of danced around each other in the past and it is honestly cute how awkward Poe is when it comes to knowing what to do.

The narration of John Banks was good. I did enjoy it but I felt like he sometimes hit a couple of the older character inflections a little hard - almost to the point of caricature. But for the most part - he did a great job.

As usual, this was a very fast paced book that had a couple of twists and turns - and one that came out of left field for me - which is always a great thing in my book. I enjoyed it immensely and absolutely LOVED Tilly's character development. She is a complete delight with her innocent brilliance. The case was interesting and I'm glad we got a little bit of Flynn back.

So, now I'm going to be excitedly waiting for either the next book in this series, or book 2 in his newer Ben Koenig series.

Absolutely exceptional

These Tilly and Poe books with their engaging characters and intricate plot lines have made me less interested in simpler mysteries. The narrator is excellent. He can distinguish between make and female voices without using stereotypical overdramatizations. New favourite series. Used up four credits because I wanted to continue with the characters.