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 Hutchins 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 . . .