Devil’s Breath is a mystery novel by Jill Johnson and the first book in the Professor Eustacia Rose Mysteries series.
I first came aware of the book when it was selected for the Between the Covers book club and I was instantly intrigued by the premise.
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Book Blurb
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 when her precious garden is vandalised and someone close to Simone is murdered with a toxin derived from a rare poisonous plant, Eustacia finds herself implicated in the crime and decides to take matters into her own hands . . .
Devil’s Breath Book Review
I really enjoyed Devil’s Breath as it felt really unique and original. While it’s a mystery/crime novel, the botanical twist sets it apart from so many other thrillers I’ve read. I personally know nothing about botany, but the facts about poisonous plants were fascinating and gave the story a fresh and educational element.
Professor Eustacia Rose is a very unlikely and unconventional detective. She was an eccentric, neurodivergent protagonist and approached the mystery from a scientific and logical standpoint.
The entire narrative unfolds through her perspective, and I found myself questioning just how reliable of a narrator she really was. She was such a compelling character and I found myself both pitying and respecting her, which is an unusual mix.
The pacing of the novel is solid, keeping the tension consistent without feeling rushed. While there was nothing overly surprising in the mystery itself, Eustacia and the novel’s unique angle made it an enjoyable read.
Devil’s Breath is the first in a series, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next one to see how Professor Rose’s story develops.