The Case of the Murderous Botanist: A Victorian Cozy Mystery (Lady Theodora Ashcombe Mysteries Book 2)

An orchid worth a fortune. A widow with deadly secrets. A lady detective caught in a web of treachery.London, 1882. Lady Theodora Ashcombe has begun to make a name for herself as a consulting detective. With cousin Bea settled as her companion and Jasper Welles as her reluctant partner, Theo is more determined than ever to use her wits, her independence, and her loyal spaniel Pip to uncover the truth.When celebrated botanist Dr. Edmund Fairweather collapses mid-lecture—moments after sipping tea offered by the gracious Mrs. Violet Ashford—his dying words point to a legendary orchid, the Crimson Empress. Rare, powerful, and supposedly extinct, it is said to hold the key to a medical breakthrough that could change the fate of nations.But in the hothouses of London’s elite, beauty conceals danger. Behind lavish conservatories and glittering society soirées lurks a smuggling ring with roots in foreign laboratories and branches that reach back to the dark network Theo thought destroyed. As the investigation unfolds, Theo and her companions must navigate coded telegrams, poisoned tea, and a suitor whose awkward courtship hides darker secrets.From the glasshouses of Kew to the fog-shrouded docks, Theo races to expose a conspiracy that entwines empire, science, and treason. Yet in a world where orchids bloom as easily as lies, one misstep could turn a lady detective into the next victim.The Case of the Murderous Botanist is the second adventure in the Lady Ashcombe Mysteries—perfect for fans of Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Deanna Raybourn, and Anna Lee Huber.Join Daisy's newsletter for writing updates, bonus content, sales and promotions at daisylandishromance(.)com