From the bestselling author of Devil's Breath, Jill Johnson is back with another gripping Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery.

'Dark academia meets cosy crime . . . Unique and darkly funny.' Suzy Apsley, author of Crow Moon
Betrayal is a bitter poison . . .

Professor Eustacia Rose's life is returning to normal. She is back teaching at UCL and her relationship with Matilde is blossoming. All is well.

Until a man is found with a needle in his neck, on the brink of death, and a disturbing painting of Eustacia links her to him.

To make matters worse, a stalker at the university is blackmailing her to gain access to her poisonous plant collection, and soon another body ties the professor to the dark world of illegal synthetic plant toxins.

With no leads and the body count rising, Eustacia, now firmly in the frame, is left with no choice but to investigate the deaths in earnest herself, however dangerous it may become.

With a quirky protagonist, dark academia aesthetic and an array of exotic poisonous plants, this unique spin on the classic murder mystery novel will hook fans Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project and Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.

'Bloomin' enjoyable! Well-written eccentric escapism' Claire Wilson, author of Five By Five