Detective Sergeant Washington Poe has his work cut out for him. His friend and colleague Estelle Doyle is accused of murdering her father and Poe is determined to prove her innocence. At the same time, almost 300 miles away, someone is using rare poisons to murder people and the powers that be need Poe to solve the case.
The Botanist has to be the best book in the Washington Poe series. Featuring a series of "locked room" scenarios that are intricately researched and plotted it is impossible for the reader to guess exactly what is happening, even though relatively early on we learn who is responsible.
It is frightening to learn that the poisons used in this book are somewhat easy to obtain or produce and that tiny amounts have such lethal consequences. The choice of victims does raise a wry smile, however; classed as morally bankrupt we might feel that The Botanist is providing a service.
As usual Poe is assisted by the brilliant but socially awkward Tilly Bradshaw. The interactions between Poe and Tilly are classics and it feels that Tilly has grown so much that she might even be winding Poe up deliberately at times.
The pace is frantic, particularly as Poe is torn between Newcastle and London, in his quest to solve the case and also prove Estelle Doyle innocent. The conclusion almost had me jumping out of my seat cheering but even then M. W. Craven still has a little something up his sleeve to round off this superb thriller.
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