The Lost Apothecary tells the story of three people whose stories intertwine in an unlikely way. Caroline is in London celebrating her ten year anniversary alone. Nella is an apothecary in 1791 who primarily deals in posions. After she meets 12 year old Eliza, things start to go awry for Nella. Caroline finds a small link to the past which leads her down a search for the past while she debates what her future holds.

I loved this book and how everything intertwined but you weren't quite sure how intimately until the end.

Before we begin, I’d just like to say this is the first print (prose) book I have finished since April. It took me a month, but I did it! The Rona pandemic has left me without much concentration for reading, and I went from reading 2-3 print books per week before all of this, to apparently 1 every three months or so. It sucks, but this book did not.

In modern day, Caroline Parcewell was supposed to take a trip with her husband to London, but when she finds out he’s been cheating on him, she leaves him behind and makes the journey solo. While combing the shores of the Thames, she comes across an old glass bottle with an engraving, and as an aspiring historian, she embarks on a quest to discover its origins.

In Eighteenth-Century London, Nella serves as an apothecary. She and her mother used to dispense remedies for women suffering from various ailments, but ever since a dark moment in her past, Nella also helps women who need to rid themselves of the men in their lives. When she meets housemaid Eliza, the girl takes a shining to Nella and while apprenticing for her, makes a mistake that just may cause them their lives.

The story moves seamlessly back and forth between the two time periods, and while I wasn’t overly interested in Caroline’s story at first, I found myself rooting for her and wanting to take the journey with her and not just leave her behind when the story moved back to the Eighteenth Century. I absolutely loved Nella and Eliza, their relationship, and I was fully invested in their outcomes.

I loved the mysterious aspects of the unfolding story. I’m not one for the genre myself, but I love an intriguing story that has mysterious elements of discovery as long as it’s not a whodunnit. This book is so much more. It’s a story about the inner lives of women that time has forgot. What they must have been through, how they lived, what they did. Things we’ll never know because they weren’t written down in the books of men but are so so important to our history.

I was so happy to finally finish a book, and I’m so grateful that this story was so good to encourage me to keep going, even when I was so tired I could only do a chapter or two per night.

It’s not out until March, but in my humble opinion, it’s worth the wait.

PS the cover is stunning.

I devoured this debut, atmospheric novel set in London. Themes overlap in both the present day and 1790’s settings; feminism, survival, and crossroads guiding the plot. Ms. Penner’s dual timeline story, from 3 points of view, was a joy to read and the historical detail was not lost on this former expat.

“Bachelor Alf ’s words on the mudlarking tour, about how finding something on the river was surely fate. I hadn’t believed it at the time, but I now knew that stumbling upon the tiny blue vial was fate—a pivotal turn in the direction of my life.”

Caroline’s discovery, while on an anniversary trip gone awry, sets in motion the story of 18C. women, and how they protect and defend one another. Friendship and guidance are mirrored in both timelines throughout this novel which I predict will be a hit among the historical fiction crowd (card-carrying member here). Fans of Lauren Willig, Diane Setterfield, and Kate Morton, all masters of this genre, should put this debut novel on their TBR lists. Expected publication March 2021.
Thank you NetGalley and Park Row Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

It’s not the 10th anniversary celebration that Caroline Parcewell would have wanted. She’s spending the day alone, studying the two hundred year old apothecary murders that have intrigued and captivated London ever since they occured. It would seem a mysterious woman known only as Nella, would help women escape the clutches of evil men by way of a poisonous elixir. Nella was widely sought after for her abilities, until a young patron makes a fatal mistake. As Caroline searches through history for Nella, the fate of both women become entwined. A thrilling and dangerously addictive story of women taking back their power by whatever means necessary

An engaging tale of women helping women that transcends time. I modern day London a recently betrayed wife finds a vial that connects back to an eighteenth century apothecary. This is a hidden secret apothecary that serves only women, most of whom have been betrayed by men. As the modern woman researches the vial we learn the tale of the secret apothecary and the young customer who may be her undoing.

This is the story of three women whose lives are interwoven though separated by 200 years.
Nella has inherited her apothecary shoppe from her mother, and is dedicated to helping women. Unfortunately, due to a deep betrayal, Nella has turned to darker remedies for women who have been mistreated, to poison their abusers. While helping one of her customers, she apprentices a young maid, Eliza.
In current times, Caroline is grieving the breaking of her heart and marriage. She travels to London, on a planned second honeymoon, without her husband. When she was a young college student, she had dreamed of pursuing an advanced degree in British history. So, her first afternoon in London, she goes mud-larking with a tour group and finds an old bottle in the Thames. In the course of finding out everything she can about the bottle, her life becomes linked to Nella and Eliza. I found this book to be fascinating and enjoyed learning about 18th century medicine and the research Caroline did with the help of a librarian at London’s iconic British National Library.
And just to make the book a little better, there’s magic!

This book actually gave me an adernaline rush and literally kept me at the edge whole time. This is all a  reader can ask for!
I loved how it blended in the multiple genres along with dual timelines and ending of each chapter left me in a thirst of  knowing more and more.
I love reading about old London and omg the description of the old city is so atmospheric and fasicnating that you can actually visualize the scenes, but not overly detailed that you get lost in the description.
I felt sad when the book ended as I was so into and I wanted to know more about the characters. Especially about  Eliza fanning and her survival journey.
If you enjoy a fast paced, page turner thirller that keeps you guessing till the end. This book is a must read for you.

This book has definitely won my heart and ofcourse the 5🌟 from my side.
Thank you @harlequinbooks for my digital review copy. This title will be out on shelves on Mar 02, 2020.

What an enchanting novel . I loved reading the story from three women’s point of view. We have Nella, the apothecary who dispenses poisons to women . Eliza , there on behalf of her mistress who discovers she has a strong stomach for the sinister . And Caroline who is set in present day and finds an old vial by the Thames river. The twists and turns of this book kept me reading until the early hours of the morning. I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good historical fiction as well as a mystery.

Fascinating and just a bit spooky. I love books that revolve around magicks and poisons, and this book did not let me down! Really interesting. The crossovers between time periods was not hard to follow at all. Great read!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this beautiful piece of work! The Lost Apothecary is gorgeously written and had me hooked until the end. The characters made quite the impact on me, especially Caroline and Eliza. Caroline because she is basically me without the James; Eliza because she is such a sweet curious loving young lady.
The only critique I’d have is some questions about how easy some things ended up for the characters at the end where as magical the book was, I wanted a bit more reality to their situations.
But with that said, I do recommend this book to anyone who loves a little bit of late 1700s Murder and magic on top of some modern day historical investigation.

Wholeheartedly and truly obsessed with this book. Will be recommending it to all of my fellow historical fiction readers. And I was shook when I found out that this is Sarah Penner's debut novel!

The novel jumps in time between present day and eighteenth century London focusing on three extraordinary women whose paths cross in the most unexpected of ways. My heart broke for these women, in very different ways, and I was simultaneously struck by their strength and thirst for knowledge. Penner has crafted incredibly well-drawn characters woven together in a storyline that needs to be read to be believed. All centering on one small vial from an apothecary shop.

I don't want to say too much - so I'll simply encourage you to do whatever possible to get your hands on this intoxicatingly beautiful novel. I won't soon stop thinking about these amazing women, and the hidden apothecary in the alley.

Thank you immensely to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction like I am, put this on your to-read list! It is an excellent debut novel by @sarah_penner_author and will be released in March 2021. I’ve read so much historical fiction and this managed to stand out with a unique premise and addictive writing style.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cover is so pretty! It's absolutely what pulled me in. Coupled with the title, it seemed so full of promise. Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me. I did not like Caroline. She felt younger than her age and was rather annoying most of the time. It was hard to have any sympathy for her.

I loved Eliza, though! She was darling and really drove that story. There was a timelessly charming quality about her. And Nella was great, too. I think the older story was done better than the present-day story. It was more interesting and better written, I felt. Caroline's story beat me over the head with the importance of living a fulfilling life, of standing on your own, and following your dreams. It's like, "Okay, I get it".

The importance Nella placed on remembering the names, the lives of the women she helped, that made sense. It fit with the times and wasn't too heavy-handed. I almost would have preferred to just read about Nella and Eliza. But I appreciated the ending. It was beautifully vague and I liked that things were still left to my imagination.

I kind of feel like I was suckered by a pretty cover. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this one.

The Apothecary by Sarah Penner
I absolutely loved this book, it had me enthralled from the first page . Well written, with a great cast of characters. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about the lives of everyday people from the past.

It's a cold night in February of 1791 and in an unmarked back alley in London, Nella sits awaiting her customer.

Nella is an apothecary, as her mother before her was. Women came from all around for her healing potions and salves. Taking care of women. Nella is carrying on the tradition in another way. Women come to her for poisons that will release them from the men who have done them wrong.

Of course, there are a few rules. The poison must never be used to harm another woman. And the names of the victim, poison, and the killer are to be recorded in a register.

When her next customer shows up Nella is shocked it is a twelve-year-old girl named Eliza, whose employer wishes to engage Nella's services to relieve herself of her husband. Little does Nella know that this meeting will alter both of their lives as well as the life of present-day historian Caroline, who is spending her anniversary alone after her husband has an affair.

When she finds a mysterious vial with a bear on it, her research instincts kick in and she is determined to find out everything she can about the apothecary shop, Nella and Eliza.

Women had very few options in this London. One had to put up with whatever situation one found themselves as far as philandering spouses or abusive ones. This was a great look at the lengths women would go to seek revenge. 

This was disturbing and yet honest. A very good debut!

NetGalley/  March 2nd, 2021 by Park Row

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!! The Lost Apothecary is the perfect blend of history, mystery, real life, and just a touch of fantasy. The story of a 18th century apothecary who “helps” women by providing them with poisons to kill those that have wronged them, interwoven with the story of the modern day tourist who discovers the secret London location, is a great escape from COVID stress. I was completely immersed in both worlds, and am amazed that this is a debut novel. I will look forward to the author’s next book!

My review for Library Journal:
After finding out her husband James has been having an affair, Caroline leaves alone for London on what was supposed to be their ten-year anniversary trip. While on a mudlarking tour along the banks of the Thames, Caroline finds a small glass vial with an imprint of a bear. Believing the vial to be quite old, Caroline becomes intrigued by its origins and sets off for the British Library to see if she can discover any clues to its history. As she digs deeper, the reader is pulled into an intriguing parallel story. In 1791, Nella’s apothecary shop is hidden in a back alley behind a false wall. Nella sells remedies to many women, and some of these remedies happen to be poisons, for women who wish to rid themselves of abusive men in their lives. When one of Nella’s poisons results in the death of a Lord, the authorities begin seeking the apothecary responsible. Nella must flee or risk the exposure of her other clients. VERDICT: Readers who enjoy parallel historical/contemporary narratives about women’s lives, such as Claire McMillan’s The Necklace or Liz Trenow’s The Forgotten Seamstress, will enjoy the historical details and mystery in this engrossing tale.

This was a surprisingly compelling book that I enjoyed tremendously! This is a fun twist on the classic revenge plot and had just enough historical fiction elements to also pull in fans of that genre as well! I really did enjoy this book. Would definitely recommend for fans of mysteries, thrillers, and historical fiction!

I have always enjoyed stories laced with murder and poison, but I do not know if I have ever read these themes in a more poignant, thrilling story as Susan Penner’s, “The Lost Apothecary.” I found myself enthralled by the story and its themes, wanting to devour it all in one sitting.
This story is set in the past and the present, the past focusing on an old apothecary who, after a betrayal in her own past, sells poison to women whose husbands or mates have betrayed them in some way. Now she is so tightly bound to this life of holding onto other women’s dark secrets that she cannot find a peaceful way out. She usually sells to older women, so when a twelve-year-old girl by the name of Eliza comes into her shop one day, her already unstable life is thrown off the rails.
In the present, the story focuses on Caroline. She has held onto hopes and dreams for her whole life, but her life comes shattering to the ground when she discovers her husband’s infidelity. Distraught, Caroline goes to London to get away from her husband and reprioritize her life. While doing so, she delves into the secret of the lost apothecary, discovering the past of the women who sold poisons to get her mind off her own seemingly horrible future.
Penner combines the past and present so flawlessly in this story, where Caroline is discovering the past just as the apothecary and Eliza are stepping into an uncertain future. The ending held twists I never saw coming that thrilled me and kept me glued to the page. To anyone wanting to feel a little “girl power” in their life, this is definitely the book to read.

Reviewed by Bailey Day, author of “The Amazing Imagination Machine” by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine.

I have a fascination with reading about murders committed by poisoning from the Victorian era and before. It has always intrigued me. I loved this book. It was engrossing and fascinating. I loved the take on this. I'm use to reading about how a single person came by poisoning their spouse, kids, etc. This one was about many different people that would come to a hidden shop to get the poisons. There were rules and secret ways to communicate. Then one day a child shows up wanting poison....say what.....

I don't want to give anything away. This was just awesome.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher/Author for allowing me to read this!