So, yet another thriller. And yet another thriller series. The Botanist is the 5th in the DS Washington Poe series of books. But it is my first. There were quite a few deterrents as I picked this book up. First, with so many thrillers one after another, I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to read another. And second, at 500 odd pages, this was threatening to test my patience for sure! But whoa! Am I not glad I read this. I would have missed such an enjoyable & engaging read.
The plot in a nutshell – some well known people of the city are mysteriously dying, each receiving a weird poem & a dried flower as a warning (or threat). And despite the most stringent of security measures in place, the security forces are failing to save them. So, this basically forms the case that DS Poe and his team are pitted against.
The Botanist – as the name would suggest – bases upon various such things as – the mandrake plant, ricin, acetone, mixtures, compounds & poisons. This is bound to induce a child like excitement in you – like a witchcraft fairy tale you read in your childhood with poisoned apples and so on. I absolutely relish such themes. Remember The Lost Apothecary and it’s arsenic, chicken egg laced with nux vomica, cantharides and so on? Thoroughly enjoyable and exciting. And, the mention of Bunsen burners, beakers, test tube racks, chromatography column takes you back to your school days. As a concept – a double-thumbs up!
This book keeps the reader engaged right from the start. How the Botanist reaches his targets, and the whole rigmarole associated with it. The curiosity towards whether they will be able to save the Botanist’s next target. Or rather, how will the Botanist befool them this time? It is great stuff, well imagined and well executed! There are some exhilarating sequences that keep you interested at all times. The scene where the team discovers the Botanist’s flats is extremely well presented. What a show he makes of his crime! You somehow are left admiring his showmanship, at the same time dreading his next move! The part where they are trying to break the code to the safe room is another such exciting sequence.
The Botanist has it’s share of well guarded suspense & many revelations coming towards the end of the book. Right from the Botanist’s modus operandi, to the reasons for his crimes, his connection to Stahl – it’s like a big jigsaw puzzle taking shape. The part towards the end where they finally trap the Botanist – it sure comes as a punch you least expected. And talking of surprises, there is another unexpected twist awaiting you at the very end – when you thought all was over, adding a zing to the book.
But all said and done, if there is a star of the book, there is only one. Matilda (Tilly) Bradshaw!!! What a character! Just the mention brings a wide smile. It is a beautifully crafted character – nerdy, genius, blunt, little or no social skills – and all of this lending an endearing innocence and genuity to her. While Poe may technically be in the thick of things, he is absolutely nothing without the sheer brilliance of Tilly. Her character lends the much needed humour and light scenes to the book. She is totally adorable. As Poe says to himself in the book – Bradshaw’s innocence was a tonic. Or Doyle who says I think she may be my favorite person ever – referring to Tilly. Without her, I feel this would have been “just another triller”!
Conclusion:
The Botanist is an exceedingly enjoyable book. Despite it’s length, it never felt too long. It was a thrill to be with these characters for all this while. The main plot aside, even the sub stories of the various victims for example, they are well done. The character of the presenter Morgan Soames or that of Karen Royal Cross – while they are only supporting cast, they leave their mark.
So is this the best thriller around? Well, take your call. But what I can vouch for is – this certainly is the best detective team from amongst all the series with recurring characters that I have read (along with William Warwick & Co). DI Flynn, DS Washington Poe and analyst Tilly Bradshaw – a rocking team! Tight knit, funny, competent – and more like friends. Both Poe & Tilly know they can take that liberty with Flynn. Like, when Poe is asking if Tilly can accompany him, she is already packing her laptops and cables and is out there despite Flynn having answered in the negative hah! Its sweet actually! I have missed the previous books of this series, I certainly am not missing the next – The Mercy Chair.
So until then, don’t miss this and get your copy now!