About

Join local author Mary Georgina de Grey for a lively talk inspired by her latest novel, Let the Music Play On.

Tying directly into our current exhibition, Poison Garden – Healing or Deadly, this event explores the dual nature of the plant world—where the line between remedy and hazard, science and folklore, is often extraordinarily thin.

Set in South Devon, Mary's novel follows chemist Phaedra Marchant, the daughter of a visionary herbalist, as she moves to Totnes to build a career centred on sustainability, natural remedies, and growing herbs. Through Phaedra's journey—including her key visit to the famous Torre Abbey Poison Garden—Mary delves into how plants can nourish, heal, or harm depending on how they are used.

In this engaging 45-minute talk, Mary will explore:
• Herbal Wisdom & Natural Science: The fascinating properties of plants, the concept of Gaia, and how ancient remedies intersect with modern chemical science.
• The Poison Garden Connection: Real-world poisonous and medicinal flora featured in her research, from foxgloves to castor oil plants.
• Love Potions & Magic: A light-hearted journey into how humanity has used food, drink, and herbs to enchant and inspire love throughout history—from Ancient Greek potions and Shakespearean lore to historical aphrodisiacs, absinthe, and pop culture.
• Music & Storytelling: How music, poetry, and local Devon landscapes intertwine to create stories of healing and resilience.

The presentation will be followed by an open Q&A session where attendees can ask Mary about her research, her novel, and the intriguing history of the plants all around us.

About the Speaker:
Mary Georgina de Grey is a local writer whose stories celebrate strong young women and the beauty of the natural environment. Let the Music Play On is her latest novel

Mary Georgina de Grey biography
Mary Georgina, a linguist fascinated by various cultures and the way in which they impact on each other, writes about relationships with a strong focus on setting.
After several books set in various places around the world, Mary Georgina, who lives in South Devon, felt it was time to look closer to home.
Her latest book Let the Music Play On, recently published, is set in Totnes in Devon. A strong theme running through this novel is respect for the earth and an appreciation of the good things it provides for its inhabitants.

Other books by Mary Georgina de Grey:
Then The Earth Moved - The Wild Rose Press, March 2023
Let Love Find a Way - The Silent Room, April 2024
Then Time Stands Still - The Wild Rose Press, September 2024
Disappeared by M.G.de Grey - The Silent Room, May 2026