Book Review: The Lost Apothecary

The Lost Apothecary (2021) by Sarah Penner

Historical Fiction | Fiction | Mystery

Disclaimer: In every review I do, I try my best to avoid spoilers of any kind and include spoiler warnings when necessary.

About the novel (Goodreads)

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.

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My Thoughts

Starting from the first chapter, I was hooked! I fell in love with each of the three main characters and their unique personalities, and the dual storyline that Penner weaves is absolutely stunning. Often when I read stories that are split in this manner, one falls short. However, the atmosphere of both modern London and London during the late eighteenth century is fantastic.

I regret not reading The Lost Apothecary sooner!

The Good Things

1. The characters were written exceptionally well. I felt a connection to each of them in a different way, which isn't always easy for an author to do.

2. The historical accuracy is exceptionally on point. Penner clearly did a lot of research before telling the story of an apothecary, and I am here for it!

3. Caroline's story is quite fitting of that of a modern, married woman facing troubles due to her husband's infidelity and whose life is unfulfilled in many ways. I can't imagine anyone having trouble connecting to her character.

4. Few books discuss periods and bodily functions. I approve of how the author weaved them into the tale.

5. I would very much like to go to London now, thank you very much.

The Bad Things

1. A few actions that the main character took, especially considering the main character is a lover of history and has a degree in history, are wildly far-fetched. I don't want to delve further into this out of risk for spoilers, but let's just say, as a History major, her actions would be acceptable among scholars.

2. A few minor occurrences are far-fetched (aside from the MC's actions), but they do not take away from the story; it is, after all, a fictional piece.

My Final Rating

5/5 stars (Blog)

5/5 stars (Goodreads)

5/5 stars (Amazon)

Please feel free to leave comments concerning how you liked -or didn't like, no judgment here- The Lost Apothecary. I would love to hear your thoughts!