The Botanist: a gripping new thriller from The Sunday Times bestselling author

The Botanist is a crime novel by M.W. Craven, winner of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2023. It is a dark and entertaining novel with characters you'll be behind every step of the way. It is a fast-paced crime novel with as many twists and turns as a country lane.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

The Botanist, written by M.W. Craven, has been awarded the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2023. The novel is described as mesmerizing, macabre, and murderously funny, showcasing Craven's sinister best. Readers have expressed their love for the series, with Chris Whitaker calling it the most joyously exciting novel he has read in years. The sense of fun and adventure combined with a remarkable lightness of touch over nightmarish subject matter makes for a captivating read. Chris Brookmyre describes the novel as black magic, while Detective Sergeant Washington Poe, known for his intelligence and guilelessness, faces challenges in his personal and professional life. He has a small circle of friends, including civilian analyst Tilly Bradshaw, his boss Detective Inspector Stephanie Flynn, and his neighbor Victoria, who is a shepherd and dog sitter.

Enter Estelle Doyle, a caustic pathologist who has never walked down the sunny side of the street. However, when her father is murdered, Estelle becomes the prime suspect. She has firearms discharge residue on her hands, and her footprints are the only ones found in the snow-covered house. Despite her arrest, Estelle only says three words: "Tell Washington Poe."

Meanwhile, a poisoner known as the Botanist is sending high-profile celebrities poems and pressed flowers. The killer seems to have supernatural abilities, able to walk through walls and kill with impunity. Despite the advance notice he gives his victims and the security measures taken by the police, the Botanist continues to evade capture.

For a man who hates locked room mysteries, this case presents a unique and challenging puzzle. Washington Poe must navigate through a web of lies, deceit, and danger to uncover the truth behind the murders and bring the Botanist to justice. The novel is filled with suspense, surprises, and unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged until the very end.

The Botanist is a testament to M.W. Craven's talent as a writer and his ability to create compelling characters and intricate plots. It is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and anyone who enjoys a thrilling and suspenseful adventure.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 125 x 197 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349135557