by Fez Inkwright
SYNOPSIS
Discover the fascinating folklore, lurid histories, and malignant properties of toxic plants.
‘If you drink much from a bottle marked ‘poison’, it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or later.’ – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Poisonings are among the most memorable deaths in history, from the Roman Empire to the Medieval era and beyond. Concealed and deliberate, it’s a crime that must be planned in advance. And yet there is a fine line between healing and poisoning – Paracelsus argued that only the dosage matters!
In Botanical Curses and Poisons, illustrator, author, and folklorist Fez Inkwright returns to archives to uncover the fascinating folklore, lurid histories, and untold stories behind deadly plants, witching herbs and fungi.
Filled with beautiful illustrations, this treasury of folklore is packed with insight, lore, and the revealed mysteries of everyday flora!
Botanical Curses and Poisons is printed in hardcover with metallic foiling, a ribbon bookmark, black-and-white illustrations on nearly every page, and a wealth of folklore, history and poetry about the deadly plants within!
REVIEW
Last year, I read one of my favourite thrillers of 2020, The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. In the story, there are references to a poison garden in the grounds of the house - full of deadly plants and berries. At the time, it started me thinking about how many thrillers and murder mysteries use poison as a murder weapon. This might sound morbid, but as a lifelong crime fiction fan, it is a topic that really interests me. When I heard about the book 'Botanical Curses and Poisons', I realised that somebody else must have exactly the same interest as me - as the book is the perfect companion for your crime fiction library.
Every time I read a mystery where poison is used, I can refer back to this book and read more about the type of plant used, its history as a poison and also it has been used in other fictional accounts.
The combination of facts in this book are really fascinating. Using botanical knowledge as a basis, but also having references to works of fiction and folklore make it truly unique. I also have to mention the cover design and endpapers which are stunning. This book would be the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in crime fiction like myself, or simply anyone with an interest in gardening wanting to expand their knowledge from just the scientific properties of these poisonous plants.
A five star read from me, and a book that I will definitely return to again and again as I continue my obsession with murder mysteries.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fez Inkwright is an illustrator, author and folklorist. Her greatest passions are botany, nature, primitive religions, and folklore, which flavour most of her work. For the past eight years she has produced work for children’s books, hand-drawn maps and tattoo design and now spends her time indulging in conservation work and writing. She lives in Bristol with two cats and several hundred bees.
Thanks to @annecater, @Liminal_11 and @Rosdottir for the opportunity to read and review.
Fiction: Gardening / Plants / Folklore & Myth / Herbal Remedies
Product format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-912634-22-4
Pages: 224 pp
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