“L.M. Jorden has done it again… Humor abounds. At the same time, dark undercurrents of the social and political situation in 1935 are recognized. The combination is successful." - Richard Nochimson, author BELLADONNA Bitter Conduct, a 1935 Mystery Voyage Inspired by a true story An Italian opera star spouts strange verses and collapses during the final act of Romeo and Juliet. Dr. Josephine Reva is in the audience and rushes to render aid. She believes the soprano was poisoned by Belladonna, a plant with deadly black berries, but her botanical expertise tells her there’s more. Meanwhile, the Chief Detective uncovers fascist plots to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Could these events spark another World War? Josephine enlists her friends to follow the opera stars and investigate on the high seas. Who's the killer aboard the luxurious SS Rex? A shocking surreal artist, an avant-garde fashionista, a cardinal and priest carrying the relics of an American saint, a mysterious Mussolini official, a British lord, a Nazi doctor, or any of the narcissistic opera divas and dons? Also along is a handsome paramour—is romance on the horizon for Josephine, if she can survive the trip? Josephine must hurry to solve these Belladonna crimes with deeper roots, before the ship docks in Fascist Italy and it's too late.

"Aconite: Queen of Poisons by L.M. Jorden is an exciting and engaging story with a well-developed plot and characters." - Reader's Favorite "Fans of Maisie Dobbs, Miss Fisher... and Dorothy Sayers will be delighted by the brilliant Dr. Josepine in this historical madcap romp." -ARC Review Dr. Josephine Plantæ Paradoxes, a riveting new series by L.M. Jorden The adventures of Dr. Josephine, Brooklyn’s trailblazing Lady Doctor, who moonlights as a detective to solve paradoxical ‘poison cure’ crimes. BASED ON A TRUE STORY In Roaring 20’s New York, a feisty orphan rises from the slums to become a doctor. When no one will hire a female, Josephine Reva, M.D. hangs her shingle in Brooklyn as the area's first woman doctor. Her loyalty to the Hippocratic Oath will be tested under Prohibition, but Josephine has graver concerns. She's fighting for women's equality, and she won't stop using her botanical poison cures. Murder intrudes when a man is found dead from Aconite, a flower known as the "Queen of Poisons". The Chief Detective suspects Josephine, and the two begin a cat and mouse chase. Josephine must race to prove her innocence and goes undercover as a sexy flapper to spy, but complications arise when she falls for a debonair suspect. Can Josephine unmask the murderer? Can she follow her heart and save her career, while keeping her dark secrets hidden? More books in the series: ACONITE Queen of Poisons - Roaring 20’s Murder Mystery BELLADONNA Bitter Conduct - 1935 Mystery CINCHONA Coney Island Bones - 1941 Mystery DIGITALIS A Deadly Garden GELSEMIUM Memoir of a First Woman Doctor HELLEBORUS Death on the Hudson Follow along as Dr. Josephine solves paradoxical "poison cure" crimes.