Professor Eustacia Rose is trying to get her old life back. But as always, things get more complicated when poisonous plants - and people - start to disappear . . .
SECRETS ARE THE DEADLIEST POISON
When a poisonous plant murder case once again lands on Professor Eustacia Rose's desk, she knows she should walk away. After all, she promised Matilde, her loving partner, that she would devote time to their relationship. That she would avoid any dangerous adventures from now. That they would live a normal life.
But the murder victim was poisoned with hemlock - one of the plants stolen from Eustacia's illicit garden of poisonous plants. And Eustacia is not the only one desperate to retrieve her lost treasure: the beguiling and persuasive trader of rare plants, Zsa Zsa, and rival university Professor Hutchings are on the trail, too, not to mention the dangerous criminal gang determined to keep hold of the lethal plants.
Between the promises she must keep and the secrets she must protect, Eustacia is torn and fraying at the edges. And if she cannot save her plants in time, there may be no saving Eustacia herself, either . . .
'Professor Eustacia Rose, genius botanical toxicologist, eccentric loner, instinctive detective and all-round mystery - a splendid creation.' -- Praise for Devil's Breath M. J. CARTER, author of the Blake and Avery Mystery novels
'With Eustacia Rose, Jill has created an utterly unique character and has ensured that the detective genre turns a new leaf. Mystery, murder, and mulch. What's not to love.' -- Praise for Devil's Breath Adil Ray OBE
'Sherlock Holmes meets Gardeners' Question Time' -- Praise for Devil's Breath Nish Kumar on BBC2's Between the Covers
'I absolutely tore through it! Eustacia is a delightful sleuth and, as a fellow plant lover, I adored the way the mystery was revealed as we learnt more about the poisonous plants in her collection. Who knew there were so many ways to die in a garden? Overall, it's a charming, quirky and compulsive read and I look forward to many more adventures with the professor.' Jessica Bull, author of Miss Austin Investigates
'Another intriguing case for Eustacia in this quirky and charming series. Bella Donna is original and engrossing - a must-read for lovers of horticulture and crime fiction.' Jane Bettany, author of the Violet Brewster novels and DI Isabel Blood novels
Jill Johnson has lived in South-East Asia, Europe and New Zealand. She obtained a B.A. Degree in Landscape Design. She has previously owned an editorial cartoon gallery, a comic shop and has been involved in a graphic novel publishing house. She is a Faber Academy graduate and now lives in Brighton with her children. Jill's writing is inspired by her Maori heritage. Her debut novel Devil's Breath was a BBC2 Between the Covers Book Club pick.
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