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The Lost Apothecary: A Novel
Don't miss THE AMALFI CURSE! Sarah's next spellbinding book to unearth a centuries-old curse, powerful witchcraft, and perilous love on the high seas. Coming April 2025.
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER -- OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD!
"A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code
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.
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER -- OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD!
"A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code
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.
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Community Reviews
I really liked this book! It's told from 3 POVs and 2 of the them are in the same time period so it's easy to follow (I have found others like this can get confusing)
Themes of feminism and women empowerment. With a mix of poison, vengeance and history!
I will definitely be checking out some of Sarah's other books!
This book was a great read. I especially enjoyed the way that Sarah Penner interweaved the lives of two women from 18th century London with that of a 21st century American woman who by chance retraces their footsteps and with the help of a female librarian who she gets to know, unearths their story and by doing so, solves the puzzle that has remained locked for centuries. There are many parallels too between the lives of all the women; although the context is different, the fundamental challenges remain the same. Relationship difficulties, misunderstandings and the unparalleled grief of baby loss have the same effect on women whatever moment in time they occur. I found this book both fascinating and intriguing and an added bonus was that through the character Caroline’s research aspects of London over time are revealed.
This would make a good vacation read. The chapters are short and intriguing as it flips between the present day (Caroline) and the past (Nella and Eliza). Trying to follow the mystery discovered during a modern day mudlark, the reader bounces back and forth between a woman trying to rediscover a drive for purpose and a woman's purpose to help others gain some freedom into theirs. I really liked the apothecary tying them together.
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