The Lost Apothecary is a fantastic read. I was immediately drawn in as soon as I started reading. . The story follows three different point of views and two time lines. Sometimes that can be confusing if not executed well. The way these two time lines weave together is done wonderfully. I loved it. I highly recommend it.

When I saw this book, the cover made it hard to pass on. The cover is so eye catching and colorful that I couldn’t look away! I loved it and was immediately curious what this book was all about! Then I read the back…..ummmm sold after the two rules! I couldn’t wait to check this one out!

In the summary the first line is this: Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman. Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register. I mean poison and murder in the late 1700s?! YES! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one!

I also saw that this book was announced as a Book of the Month pick for March and while I have a copy of this one on my iPad, I also ordered the hard copy as my BOTM too! It’s a gorgeous book and the story was so so so good! I am so excited to share this one with you guys today! If you love historical fiction and thrillers this one is wonderful!

Summary
A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them—setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course

Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.

Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.

One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose—selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.

In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive. (Summary from Goodreads)

Review
This book was a debut release for author Sarah Penner and I was so impressed with the quality of the writing and the development of the characters. I also liked that this one was a duel timeline novel, I know that a lot of people feel that the duel timeline story telling is so over done in historical fiction, but I actually love it and do not mind the style what-so-ever. I feel that this approach helps the story move quickly and keeps readers interested and engaged. It worked really well for this book and it read really quickly for me and the duel timelines connect really well as the story goes on. Very well done!

I don’t know that this book was perfect but I thought the storyline/plot was strong and the characters were fun and developed but the quality of writing was what stood out to me. I also enjoyed this historical details like mudlarking. I had no idea what it was really until I read this book and it sounded like an interesting activity. She also did a great job presenting the apothecary profession. I think for me as a reader, I always think of an apothecary as just someone who dispensed medical treatments but clearly their job was a lot more involved and I appreciated that the author really brought the profession to life in this one. The author did a good job explaining it and creating a unique historic profile of the era and the jobs/activities.

For me the historical part of the story was much more developed than the modern day one. I would have liked to have seen the modern day plot a little more developed but over all this is a historic novel so the emphasis on the historical time is appropriate. I loved the gothic feel of this book too. It had a lot of atmosphere especially in the historic time, which of course I loved. But again, the modern day portion needed a little more development for me and that’s what made this one a 4 star book for me. I enjoyed it but was also hoping for a little more umph in the modern day portion.

If you love historical fiction and a little bit of the gothic you are going to want to get this one on your radar to read! It’s a great debut and the quality of the writing was wonderful! This is going to be an author to watch in the future!

Book Info and Rating
Hardcover, 320 pages

Published March 2nd 2021 by Park Row

ISBN0778311015 (ISBN13: 9780778311010)

Free review copy provided by publisher, Park Row, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: historial fiction

Every once and awhile a story comes along that reminds you about how much history has been lost over time. Sarah Penner's debut novel, The Lost Apothecary, was one of those stories. She writes of how a woman in the present tries to unravel the mysteries left behind by two women living centuries ago.

Here's the book's description:

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.
In the past, I hadn't really thought too much about the process of finding a historical artifact and researching and so on. Probably more than the average person, of course. I do read a ton of historical fiction and watch movies set in the past so, yeah, I'd say I'm interested in how the truth is found. But for the last almost year I've worked at a community museum as a fundraiser. I've learned from my colleagues (curators and archivists) and my own research on how museums run and I couldn't help but wonder how damaging some of Caroline's behaviour would be to the history she found and why she was choosing to withhold some of the information. I can't mention one particular thing because spoilers but there was a moment at the end where I was just about screaming at the book, wondering what the hell she was thinking. All that being said, I could totally identify with her wanting to get to the bottom of the historical mystery. I was fizzing with excitement right alongside with her as she and Gaynor unearthed research and secrets. I also hoped she would realize that she was doing what she was meant to and would change her life so she could keep going along that path.

A bit more about Caroline...she was so very bland. I didn't find myself caring too much about her apart from her being the vehicle that allowed the mystery of the lost apothecary to come to light. I could, to a point, understand why she would have pushed her dreams aside but...I was annoyed too. Her husband had been so selfish as to kind of persuade her to stay and get married instead of pursuing further education after they finished college. Was he that insecure that he couldn't handle her being away for a year when they were in their early twenties to further her career? Was she that blind that she didn't realize that it was totally possible for her to still do her schooling and go back to him? Especially when he said he didn't want kids until he was more on partner track? I couldn't help but feel more frustration than empathy when it came to Caroline. She was fine but she'll be the most forgettable part of this whole story.




I think this also reads a lot like a debut novel. It kind of felt like a bit of an info dump, especially at the start, and I was impatient for the story to get moving. That said, Penner does do a really good job of keeping the suspense and unraveling the mystery. Until the end when it was kind of just...done. Satisfying, mostly, but I find I'm left with a few niggling questions. I liked that Caroline's chapter's didn't reiterate what I had just read from Nella's or Eliza's points of view as that kept the plot going and kept the story from being repetitive.

Nella's and Eliza's stories were the most intriguing and I enjoyed the historical part of the story the most. I don't spend much time reading about the late 1700s but it was an interesting time. Women didn't have a lot of options and lower class women had even fewer. I appreciated that Nella used her registry not just to write down the poisons and remedies sold but also as a record of the women she interacted with. As she said, these women would otherwise be forgotten by society and their names would never be recorded anywhere else. It was a powerful reminder that, while we still have a lot to do to have equality, things have come a long way.

The Lost Apothecary was an enjoyable read but might not be one that stays with me for too long. Sarah Penner's debut novel was interesting enough and I did feel the need to keep reading until I finished the story and figured out the mystery behind the apothecary.

About the Author
Sarah Penner is the debut author of The Lost Apothecary, to be translated in eleven languages worldwide. She works full-time in finance and is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Women's Fiction Writers Association. She and her husband live in St. Petersburg, Florida, with their miniature dachshund, Zoe. To learn more, visit slpenner.com.

Connect with the Author
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter

Buy the Book
Bookshop.org * IndieBound * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Audible * Apple Books
Kobo * Google Play * Books-A-Million * Target * Libro.fm




*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Park Row Books/HarperCollins, via NetGalley in exchange for a review for the purposes of a blog tour. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Revenge, Intrique. Undetectable potions. Dark alleys and centuries past. Still, a woman scorned has a secret place to go to get what she needs to get even with her heartbreaker, even if she cannot get rid of the heartbreak. I loved the double timelines and trio of point of view characters to savor a satisfying story of the consequences of revenge. Thank you to Sarah Penned who I will be following!

Told in dual timelines from different points of view this book will have you hooked from the very beginning. Nella and Eliza share their life and how they came to know each other in the 1780s, Caroline tells of her present day investigation into the blue apothecary bottle she finds while mudlarking. What these three women have in common keeps you turning the pages faster and faster. Such a phenomenal read that will have you believing in magic.

Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Penner and Park Row Publishing for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

Such a fun, page-turning, historical novel about betrayal and revenge in the late 1700s in London. It is always interesting to read of the role women played in society and how they managed to survive.

Thanks to NetGalley and Park Row Books/HarperCollins for the ARC to read and review.

In 1791, Nella is a secret apothecary who dispenses poisons to her female customers. She had two rules: the poison can never be used against a women and she must record all transactions in her record book. One day, her customer is a young girl named Eliza. She visits the apothecary to get a poison for her mistress to administer to her husband who has suddenly taken an interest in Eliza. This meeting creates an unlikely friendship and threatens to destroy Nella’s entire life’s work. In present day London, Caroline is on her ten year anniversary vacation by herself. She discovered her husband’s affair right before leaving, so she decided to take the vacation alone to have time to think. Caroline goes searching on the banks of the Thames for hidden treasures, and finds a mysterious vial. She takes it upon herself to research the history of the vial, and discovers the two hundred year old mystery of the apothecary murders.

This was such an amazing debut! It was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. The narrative alternated between Eliza and Nella in 1791 and Caroline in the present. The two stories slowly unraveled together. All of the narratives had exciting cliffhangers that made it almost impossible to stop reading. I usually have a favourite narrative in a story with dual storylines but each of these women’s stories were so exciting, I can’t choose a favourite.

London was an important setting in the story. The two time periods had very different versions of London but they were both connected to the apothecary. Caroline had to use historical maps to figure out where the apothecary would have been in today’s London. Even though the city has been bustling since the time of Nella’s apothecary shop, the secret behind the shop had reminded hidden within London.

This was such a great story! I highly recommend it!

Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Apothecary involves Caroline who visits London alone on what should have been her 10 year anniversary trip. While there, she finds an old vial that sets her on a path to find where it came from and finding herself along the way. The story is told in three perspectives, Caroline, Nella and Eliza.

For the most part, I enjoyed the story. I say that because I enjoyed Nella and Eliza's perspective in 1971 more than Caroline's present day perspective. Nella and Eliza's story was very engaging and I almost would have loved to read a stand alone book about them. Caroline however was kind of boring. There were decisions that she made that really made no sense. Especially when it came to the discovery of the shop. Her story wrapped up a bit too nicely for me as well. Like I said, it was overall a well written book, I just didn't love it as much as I wanted to.

Having recently finished "The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner, I am happy to have had the chance for the preview; thank you NetGalley and Park Row Books!

It's been quite awhile since the unfortunate affliction of "sand in my eyes" has forced me to stop reading when I desperately wanted to continue. With fresh eyes, I'll pick this wonderful debut novel up again in the morning, and discover how this mystery of the little blue vial and the hidden apothecary shop ends. It will be hard to say good-bye to Nella, Eliza, and Caroline, but this beautiful book will be one I keep and read again... and again. I too enjoy "the minutiae of life long ago" and "the untold secrets of ordinary people." Ms. Penner took me away with her words and did an excellent job of making me feel like I was there with my sneakers in the mud, making discoveries as Caroline did too. I can't wait to see what's next!

Finally, a book that lives up to the hype. I read some glowing review of this and was intrigued. Little did I know, that this novel would immediately suck me into its pages like the vial Caroline pulled from the mud of the Thames. The parallel timelines of Nella and Eliza and Caroline were well woven, and kept me turning the pages long into the night. I have no doubt this debut novel will be one of the best books of 2021.

I absolutely loved this book! The description and cover caught my attention right away. I was not disappointed. This book is great for true crime lovers (murderinos, specifically) or historical fiction lovers. The story within a story was so good. I loved how it all came together to the theme of the book without being preachy. This was so well done. I've already declared this book one of my favorites for the year!

The Review

A hauntingly entertaining and engaging read, author Sarah Penner does a fantastic job of crafting a narrative that speaks to both historical fiction fans and fans of a serial killer-driven thriller, with a focus on the struggles and hardships of women throughout 18th century England.

The story is perfectly written to explore the past of the apothecary while showcasing how this mystery impacts the life of struggling historian Caroline, who’s dealing with an unfaithful husband and must somehow find her true calling in life. The story does an excellent job of showcasing how this woman in the past became a serial killer, in essence, helping women throughout London either gain vengeance or escape impossible struggles utilizing poisons, while also making her plight sympathetic at the same time.

The Verdict

A masterfully-thrilling, thought-provoking, and lengthy yet memorable read, author Sarah Penner’s “The Lost Apothecary” is a must-read. The story is inviting and engaging, while the protagonists keep the reader invested. The story is perfect for both fans of history-driven backstories with a modern twist that explores the struggles of women in the world while searching to gain more power and confidence in themselves, making the characters truly remarkable to read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

This book has all the right vibes! Sarah Penner is a phenomenal writer and it is so clear why this was Book of the Month. This historical fiction piece had everything: amazing female characters, witchy potion feelings, timeless London, dark, and edgy! I was sad when the book ended. A reread for sure... even bought my own copy. The Lost Apothecary is a must read this year!

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooksfire for this amazing ARC!

Take a step into the time when life was difficult for women, where men ruled the day, where choices were limited for those who were trapped in situations that couldn't escape. This was London in the 1790's, a place that often seem dark and dismal for its many inhabitants, a place of intrigue, a place of secrets. Find a small shop hidden away in Back Alley that tried to aid these women in finding solutions and a tinge of magic in their journey. Follow a present day woman, newly arrived in London with her own feeling of despair "mudlarking" her way to a discovery that would change her life and you will also find your way into this wonderful debut story by Sarah Penner.

The world of the present goes head to head with the world of the past in the new book The Lost Apothecary.


The books begin with a dejected Caroline Pacewell who has just had her world blown apart upon learning of her husband’s unfaithfulness. Deciding to get away on which would have been their tenth anniversary, Caroline decides to go to London, their second honeymoon destination, by herself. Looking for something to fill her time trying to forget her sorrow, she receives an invite to go mudlarking. Little does Caroline she realize that through this mudlarking discovering a vial, her life will take a most unexpected turn.

Following the vial with its bear etching, Caroline enlists the aid of a British librarian well educated n the world of maps of the old London. They form a team and what Caroline learns is enough to make her become the person she always wanted to be.

Go back to 1792, where we find Nella, a women well versed in the art of healing, but after a devastating journey with a man named Frederick, Nella has turned her attention to a darker side, assisting women being burdened with despicable husbands being able to rid themselves of these men. Yes, poisons are what she secretly deals in and with a book in which she inscribes the poisoner and their victim. Into her shop, one day comes a young girl, Eliza Fanning, and they strike up an eventual friendship. However, Eliza is young and foolish an she sets in motion a series of events that threaten not only Nella and herself, but also the people who are named in the book.

This clever story was definitely intriguing, a walk back into another time and place, a way towards healing for women who made a connection through time and distance. I recommend this story for its ability to skillfully connect the past and the present and make the times and situations come alive and real.

Thank you to Sarah Penner, Park Row Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this book that has just recently published. If you enjoy a story mixed with magic and discovery, this is the one for you.

I liked how this book switched between the past and the present. I love historical mysteries. I really enjoyed this one.

I am so very delighted that I requested an ARC of this debut novel by Sarah Penner. This reads as if it were written by a seasoned author.

This is a dual POV, historical fiction that alternates between 1790's and present time. Nella was raised by her mother who treated women from her apothecary shop. Nella learned everything she knew from her mother, even those remedies that could be fatal if administered in the wrong dose. When Nella is wronged she takes her passion of helping women to a sinister level and soon no man who treats a woman badly is safe. Fast forward to present time and Caroline is in London alone on what would have been her tenth wedding anniversary. Instead of doing the local tourist things she finds herself along the shore of the Thames with a group of mudlarkers. Hidden in the mud she finds an apothecary vial with a bear etched into it. Thus begins her journey into the past as well as a journey of self discovery and who she might discover she has become now that her life has taken a drastic change.

The only thing that I could have asked for in this book was the ending a little longer, more details on Caroline's ending in the present. I felt it was a tad bit too rushed so at the end I felt like it wasn't the end. Overall this is a fantastic, must read.

**Received an ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading this book and I have no regrets. I loved so many things about this novel -- the female friendships, the alternating chapters, the mystery, and the wonderful sense of place. There were a couple of twists that I didn't anticipate which is always a pleasant treat.
Super brief recap -- Present day storyline is about Caroline who goes to London alone on her 10th wedding anniversary trip after discovering that her husband of 10 years has been unfaithful. On her first day in London she goes mudlarking and discovers a apothecary bottle with a unique marking and she decides to investigate.
Historical storyline is set in 1791 London and centers on Nella who runs a secret apothecary that specializes in poisons but they are only to be used on men. 12-year-old Eliza shows up in the shop and sets in motion a string of events that will keep you reading this book.
Throughly enjoyable!
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story that reaches across time to bring together three women who need each other. It's a story of the oppressed fighting their oppressor in ways that might be illegal and yet feel like justice. While the book doesn't condone the actions of the apothecary, it makes her understandable and sympathetic. It's a fascinating, engrossing tale, and a pleasure to read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Sarah Penner's The Lost Apothecary will make you want to take a solo jaunt to England (or wherever your fondness lies) and go on an adventure discovering ancient history.

Caroline goes on her anniversary trip to London alone, while her cheating husband stays behind in America. On a whim, she joins up with a group of "mudlarkers" looking for treasure in the Thames. When Caroline uncovers a light blue apothecary vial with a bear imprinted on it, it awakens the long-dormant historian inside herself.

While Caroline tries to uncover the unknown history of the apothecary's vial, the reader gets to know who the apothecary actually was through chapters that go back in time to 1791. This apothecary dispensed remedies, but remedies that would help women get rid of the men who had wronged them. The more Caroline uncovers about the apothecary, the more the past gets tangled up in her present.

This book was so good that I read it in about a day. I just couldn't get put it down! I loved discovering the apothecary's story and couldn't wait to find out more. I loved the juxtaposition between the apothecary writing down the names of the women who came to her in her register so that at least somewhere, their names would be recorded. However, the apothecary's name goes unknown. So much that's ripe for discussion if you're looking for a good book club recommendation.

The Lost Apothecary is published by Park Row and is on bookstore shelves now. I received a free e-ARC in exchange for this review.

Historical mystery told from multiple points of view in different time periods. Great story, some parts could use a little better description, but otherwise a great read.