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There are currently 29 member reviews
for The Botanist's Assistant
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Jaye S. (Chicago, IL)
A who-dun-it with memorable characters and a University setting
An old fashioned "who-dun-it" with the intrigues and petty foibles of a University lab setting. Most enjoyable were the characters, all of them troubled and eccentric with the exception of the handsome, brilliant, charismatic botany professor. I found myself drawn to these characters and desiring to return to the book as I went about my day. I think we all know someone who is a little like Margaret. I think there is room to continue with these characters in subsequent books, perhaps in minor roles. I would love to know what becomes of them
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Karen K. (SAVOY, IL)
A New Amateur Detective to Love!
The Botanist's Assistant by Peggy Townsend:
Review of ARC e-book June 2025 for the First Impressions Program
The hero of our story is Margaret Finch, a lover of science and nature, plants and birds and a very regulated life. I found Margaret to be a real gem. She is a bit prickly and blunt at times but also tenacious and honest, reliable and loyal. Margaret is not afraid to change her mind and habits if the situation demands it. She is a 54 year old woman who has faced many hardships and disappointments in life but has not become bitter. This book is fast paced and the story kept me interested all along. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a light mystery set in the current era at a small university. The character reminds me of the title character of Sister Boniface (a TV spinoff of the Father Brown series based on GK Chesterton books). Margaret is delightful, funny and inquisitive and not held back by how others perceive her. She is admired by many people and those who work with her but is often called offensive names by others because of her body size and appearance. Margaret's amateur detective skills are often doubted and always underestimated. I hope we see more of this character in the future and it was just the thing for a light summer read.
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Kathryn H. (Rochester, MI)
Margaret Bird Persists Despite Disparagement
Margaret Finch, the botanist's assistant, knows she is "different." She's precise, she's intelligent, and she's tall. Margaret knows that other employees at the university call her "Big Bird" behind her back.
Her boss, Dr. Deaver, treats her respectfully. In return, Margaret thinks he is one of the greatest scientists and researchers ever. She does her best work for him.
Tragedy strikes. Margaret has one opinion and her superiors and the campus police have another. Although she sometimes uses unconventional methods, Margaret is determined to find out the truth behind what has happened to her boss.
I enjoyed this book so much. Margaret was so likeable and she so frequently shared tidbits of scientific knowledge with the reader. "The Botanist's Assistant" was educational and informative as well as compelling.
I recommend "The Botanist's Assistant" by Peggy Townsend. I hope Margaret will have her own series!
Thank you to BookBrowse and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
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Melinda D. (Safety Harbor, FL)
My Kind of Who-dunnit, Fast-paced and Clever
I absolutely loved this fast-paced, plot-building writing style with many twists and turns. In fact, I had a hard time putting this book down as it kept me reading well past midnight multiple nights. From the very first pages, I was captivated by Margaret's idiosyncrasies, intellect and musings. And, I looked forward to page after page to watch her use deductive reasoning, test her theories and take on actions outside of her comfort zone. Not to mention as a gardener, I learned so much about plants that was an eye opener. I look forward to the next book (hopefully, a series!) on Margaret, the unassuming Research Assistant II, a super sleuth who knows how to catch a murderer!
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Peggy H. (Erie, PA)
A Fun and Quirky Read
The Botanist's Assistant was a fun murder mystery, replete with red herrings and quirky characters. The plot takes place in the biochemistry department in a small college, and our heroine is a 54-year old, very tall, plain research assistant called "Big Bird" behind her back.
Her boss, a charismatic professor, is found dead in his office, and Big Bird, ever keen on observing details, is sure that the cause is murder, not a heart attack. The author keeps you guessing until the end, and, if you are a gardening enthusiast, as I am, there are all kinds of horticultural factoids to keep you interested.
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Wendy K. (Rising Fawn, GA)
A perfect leisure read
I thoroughly enjoyed this new novel by Peggy Townsend. This is a murder mystery that isn't grizzly, and doesn't rely on gratuitous gore and horror. Peggy Townsend's writing drew me in easily. I was rooting for Margaret. I cared about her, her investigation, skills and research. I cared her character and what motivated her.
The writing style and pacing were excellent. The book is easily readable without being simplistic, staccato, dry, nor overly descriptive and wordy. The novel is well-paced and original in its subject of botanical research. I felt it to be in the Goldilock's zone for pleasure reading.
The characters are believable although not complex. I found them engaging and interesting.
This was a book I looked forward to reading each day. On multiple occasions I found it hard to put down. I can be guilty of not finishing a book, that thought never crossed my mind here. I was immersed in the story.
I think this is a good book club read. I think those readers who liked "Lessons in Chemistry" would enjoy this book too.
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Dan W. (Fort Myers, FL)
Murder Mystery
What an amazing book to read and review! I quickly became engaged with the story and the characters in this book. In fact, I read this book twice because how well written I found the book to be. Normally, I wouldn't have selected this type of book to read, because of the title. Any book with implications of science within the title would have stirred me away from selecting this type of book. Hopefully, other readers will be engaged, as I was, with this delightful and enjoyable book!
