The Lost Apothecary: an enjoyable story

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is the story of three women, alive in different times, but all have suffered at the hands of men. Nella, a female apothecary and once a respected healer, secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them. She has two rules: 1) the poison must never be used to harm another woman and 2) the names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the register. One February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella waits for her newest customer, a precocious 12-year-old named Eliza Fanning, who comes to the shop at the request of her mistress. Their meeting would set in motion a string of events that threatens to expose Nella, her shop and the women who are written in her register. Present day, London, an aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone after she discovers her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she is determined to find it’s origins. Will Caroline find the truth behind the vial? How is it linked to the events surrounding Nella and Eliza? 

I was first drawn to The Lost Apothecary by it’s gorgeous cover. Not knowing much about the story, I picked up the book and dove in. The opening chapter hooked me in as Nella nervously waits for her new client. The story was an easy read, fast paced story as the action picks up when Caroline discovers the vial and half heartedly searches for clues of its past. Soon she is pulled into a mystery that she can’t help but push forward to find the truth. The characters were likeable and unlikeable at times especially Caroline. Yes, she was a woman scorned but sometimes didn’t act like it. Some of the language the author uses was a bit cringey especially at one part when Caroline realizes she has gotten her period. I had to roll my eyes. Also, there were words and phrases used by the characters in 1791 that are true to the time period. As a debut novel for Ms. Penner, I found it was a good story. With time, a bit more polishing and research, I see great works in her future and I look forward to reading more of her works. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend The Lost Apothecary.

The Lost Apothecary is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook.