Devil's Breath
by Jill Johnson
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Pub Date 6 Jul 2023 | Archive Date 12 Nov 2023
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Description
'FASCINATING AND EERILY COMPELLING.' JESSICA FELLOWES, New York Times bestselling author of The Mitford Murders series
'AN INTOXICATING TALE, DEVIL'S BREATH MAKE TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY.' SALENA GODDEN, author of Mrs Death Misses Death
I've always been better with plants than people . . .
Eustacia Rose is a Professor of Botanical Toxicology who lives alone in London with only her extensive collection of poisonous plants for company. She tends to her garden with meticulous care. Her life is quiet. Her schedule never changes. Until the day she hears a scream and the temptation to investigate proves irresistible.
Through her telescope, Professor Rose is drawn into the life of an extraordinarily beautiful neighbour, Simone, and nicknames the men who visit her after poisonous plants according to the toxic effect they have on Simone. But who are these four men? And why does Eustacia Rose recognise one of them?
Just as she preserves her secret garden, she feels inexplicably compelled to protect her neighbour, but Eustacia soon finds herself entangled in a far more complicated web than she could ever have imagined. When her precious garden is vandalised and someone close to Simone is murdered with a toxin derived from a rare poisonous plant, Eustacia becomes implicated in the crime.
After all, no one knows toxic plants like she does . . .
'Professor Eustacia Rose, genius botanical toxicologist, eccentric loner, instinctive detective and all-round mystery - a splendid creation.' M. J. CARTER, author of the Blake and Avery Mystery novels
'A creeper vine of intrigue and suspense, with a most unlikely and engaging star detective at its heart.' ESTHER FREUD, author of I Couldn't Love You More
'A thrilling story . . . Jill Johnson writes masterfully.' JJ BOLA, author of The Selfless Act of Breathing
Advance Praise
FASCINATING AND EERILY COMPELLING.' JESSICA FELLOWES, New York Times bestselling author of The Mitford Murders series
'AN INTOXICATING TALE, DEVIL'S BREATH MAKE TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY.' SALENA GODDEN, author of Mrs Death Misses Death
'Professor Eustacia Rose, genius botanical toxicologist, eccentric loner, instinctive detective and all-round mystery - a splendid creation.' M. J. CARTER, author of the Blake and Avery Mystery novels
'A creeper vine of intrigue and suspense, with a most unlikely and engaging star detective at its heart.' ESTHER FREUD, author of I Couldn't Love You More
'A thrilling story . . . Jill Johnson writes masterfully.' JJ BOLA, author of The Selfless Act of Breathing
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781785304460 |
| PRICE | £14.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Kelly L, Reviewer
As someone who has always found solace in the company of plants, I was immediately drawn to Jill Johnson's novel, "Devil's Breath." The story centres around Eustacia Rose, a professor of botanical toxicology who lives a quiet life tending to her garden of poisonous plants in London. However, when she hears a scream from her neighbour's house, Eustacia is unable to resist the temptation to investigate.
What unfolds is a tale of mystery and intrigue as Eustacia becomes increasingly involved in the lives of her neighbour, Simone, and the men who visit her. Using her extensive knowledge of poisonous plants, Eustacia nicknames the men after their toxic effects on Simone but soon realizes that there is far more at play than meets the eye.
As the story progresses, Eustacia finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and deceit that ultimately leads to a tragic outcome. The suspense builds with each page, and I found myself unable to put the book down as I desperately tried to unravel the mystery alongside Eustacia.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the book was the role of poisonous plants in the plot. As someone who has always had a fascination with botany, I appreciated the detailed descriptions of the different plants and their various toxic effects. It was clear that the author had done extensive research, and I learned a lot about poisonous plants throughout the course of the book.
However, what really stood out to me was the character of Eustacia Rose. As a protagonist, she is unique in her introverted nature and her love for plants over people. Her unwavering dedication to her garden of poisonous plants was both fascinating and unsettling, and her gradual involvement in Simone's life was both unexpected and thrilling.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed "Devil's Breath" and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or has an interest in botany. The story was both gripping and educational, and I found myself invested in the characters and their fates. Jill Johnson has crafted a novel that is both engaging and thought-provoking, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.
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