The Botanist's Assistant by Peggy Townsend

 The Botanist's Assistant

Book Summary

A murder in the science lab shatters a woman’s quiet and ordered life when she decides she must solve the crime herself in this entertaining and uplifting mystery.

Plenty of people consider Margaret Finch odd. Six-feet-tall and big-boned, she lives alone in a small cabin in the woods, drives a 20-year-old truck, and schedules her life so precisely you can tell the time and day of the week by the chore she is doing and what she is wearing. But the same attributes that cause her to be labeled eccentric—an obsessive attention to detail and the ability to organize almost anything—make her invaluable in her job as Research Assistant II to a talented and charismatic botanist.

It's those very same qualities, however, that also turn Margaret into a target after a surprising death shakes the small university where she works. Even as authorities claim the death appears to be from natural causes, Margaret fears it might be something more: a murder born of jealousy and dark secrets. With the aid of a newly hired and enigmatic night custodian, Margaret finds herself thrust into the role of detective, forcing her to consider that she may not be able to find the killer before the killer finds her.

About the Author

Peggy Townsend is an award-winning journalist who has panhandled with street kids, taken to the skies with pararescuers, and once chased an escaped murderer through a graveyard at midnight. Her first mystery, "See Her Run," was listed as one of "13 Thrillers to Keep You Up at Night" by Kirkus Reviews. Her second book "The Thin Edge," arrived May 14, 2019 and was called "an outstanding" novel by The Associated Press. She has rafted rivers, come face-to-face with grizzly bears in Alaska and has twice lived in a van for seven weeks — which makes her seem more adventurous than she actually is. She divides her time between the Central California coast and the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Book Summary

The Botanist’s Assistant by Peggy Townsend is a unique cozy mystery.  Margaret is a quirky and awkward main character (this trope seems to be the trend lately). She has several issues and is set in her way (timed morning routine and she does not like to be even a minute off schedule, five floral blouses so she has one for each day of work, same meals for lunch and breakfast).  Her attention to detail, though, is what makes her a great amateur sleuth.  When Margaret’s boss is found dead, most people believe he died of natural causes since he had heart issues.  Margaret is convinced he was murdered and sets out to catch the culprit when she cannot convince the campus police that it was murder.  The whodunit can easily be solved before the reveal if you pay close attention to the details. There is a detailed reveal.  I found poison plant facts fascinating, but the slow pace and dry storytelling less engaging. The story had an upbeat ending.  The Botanist’s Assistant did not tickle my fancy!

The Botanist’s Assistant is available from Amazon*.  While >The Botanist’s Assistant was not my cup of tea, I suggest you download a sample to judge it for yourself.  The beauty of books is that there is something for everyone.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Wednesday, November 19 with At Midnight Comes the Cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming.  It is the tenth book in A Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries.  Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  My front yard is decorated and I have all the ingredients for our dinner.  Now, I just need to get our Christmas tree up and decorated (I am behind).  I hope that you have a beautiful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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