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  • The Botanist

  • Washington Poe, Book 5
  • By: M. W. Craven
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (575 ratings)
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The Botanist cover art

The Botanist

By: M. W. Craven
Narrated by: John Banks
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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)

What listeners say about The Botanist

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another really good one

I am really enjoying these Washington Poe and Tilly novels, it's fun to see how the characters have grown! An excellent story, read in just a day!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Welcome return to top

After struggling somewhat with the previous Poe and Tilly book, I started this book wondering the same! WOW! From page 1 I was hooked and it wasn't letting go until the final word! This is a return if not (In my opinion) the best in the Poe and Tilly series. Loved loved loved it. And what a fantastic narrator John Banks is! Really brought this book to life! can't wait for the next installment.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very Clever. But with Wrinkles

Did enjoy this book. In fact had it a while. The characters are mostly likeable and it is very well narrated (if the female characters sometimes sound like nine year old children!) But I will let him off that. A very clever story with lots of science. Of which I have no idea if true or false. But it all worked for me. Like other reviews I've read, the end is odd and a bit rushed with little explanation. Overall though good book. I have looked for other stories with the same characters. However can only find a short two hour story with appalling reviews so don't expect a series. There is not one. Not on Audible at least...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stiff Little Fingers

Hits you like the guitar riff and pounding drums after the pause on Alternative Ulster live on Hanx.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great listen but stop introducing the main characters please.

Another great addition to the series and I can’t wait for the next book. However, I’d just say that we don’t need the same introduction for the main characters every novel - if your readers inexplicably start a detective series at the 5th or so novel, that’s on them! Every book has had the same spiel about Tilly and the rest of the gang, with highlights of her achievements, and it’s just a bit tedious to hear again.

But otherwise, another excellently written novel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great PO thriller

Love all of these books, especially the whitty humour given to the characters which seems to build and never die as the books go on. This story was great how it combined two plots into one and has a few twists at the end. If you like Washington PO don’t hesitate to give this a listen.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Irritating featues spoil a promising plot

The story had promise, but the Tilly character was completely OTT, and her trademark of referring in conversation to all police officers by their rank and full name wasted several minutes, as did the needless repetition of numbers - even the page references of Poe's appearances in the journalist's book. The dialogue was wooden and unconvincing. A cross between Mills and Boon and Enid Blyton.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So glad I discovered this writer

Plot excellent, strong female characters, funny and accurate medical research. Great narration. Am going to start from book 1 now. In a similar vein to Mick Herron and Robert Galbraith, possibly even better.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent detective tale

Poe's antagonists are always madly evil but Poe finds a way through. The books always feel well researched and written. Craven uses already known characters smartly to ensure we don't get overwhelmed with unknowns. Hard to stop listening as the story develops and gets more tense as complexity builds. Thoroughly enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb

Another excellent addition to the already brilliant series. Probably my favourite book of the lot - looking forward to The Mercy Chair immensely!

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