The Lost Apothecary
The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner
March 2, 2021 by Park Row
Genre: Historical Fiction | Women’s Fiction
ABOUT THE LOST APOTHECARY
A forgotten history. A secret network of women. A legacy of poison and revenge. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary…
Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.
Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.
With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.
OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LOST APOTHECARY
Olivia: 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved, loved, LOVED this book. It was SO good. My attention was caught from the first page and I read it in less than a day. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about the book and wondering how long until I could get back to it. It was very easy to get attached to the characters and easy follow their story as the point of view changed from chapter to chapter. A 100% clean read. This was an amazing debut book and I can’t wait to see more from Ms. Penner.
Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah Penner and Park Row Books for allowing me to read this book. I received an advance copy and I share this review voluntarily.
Louise: 4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Although sometimes a two-timeline book has me losing interest in one of the stories, this book did not have that issue. I found both of the stories quite engaging and I loved how they interacted with each other along the way. One issue I did have is that, in the modern story, Caroline discovered the location of the 1791 apothecary workshop and various documents way too easily. Of course, that made the story move along but in reality, these things would never have come so easily and quickly to an amateur researcher (one week or so). That being said, I was still drawn into the story and was rooting for each of the three women.
I listened to the audiobook and I thought the three narrators were excellent: Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, and Lauren Irwin.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the opportunity to listen to an advance readers copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Kate: 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was soooo good! The dual timeline works magnificently as a means to weave both storylines together. Each character’s plot is individually compelling and the combining of them truly brings this book to the next level. There is certainly something to be said about a woman apothecary who uses her skills as a means to be a vigilante. Having the three woman experience varying levels of motherhood was very effective at not only allowing them to relate to each other but also to the reader. The historical mystery that Caroline works to unravel was a joy to read. The duplicitous James incites the reader to possibly wish the apothecary was still in business. A fantastic debut novel that is edgy, compelling, and well written.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
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