Poison is a woman's weapon.
It's often been said that those who use poison in murderous plots are women, and rightly so. Poison, the silent killer, is the perfect instrument for a woman seeking vengeance - it requires no strength to employ beyond the woman's will, and in the days before forensic science and modern medicine, was virtually untraceable. Yes, women often got away with murder by poison, and such is the secret enclosed in the pages of The Lost Apothecary, a debut novel and LibraryReads Favorite by author Sarah Penner. Written in a dual timeline, this novel tells the story of two women, one in the 1790s and one in present day, who become connected through a secret long thought buried and forgotten.
Caroline Parcewell is in London on what was supposed to be her 10th anniversary trip. There's just one problem - she recently found out that her husband has cheated on her. So she ventures off to London alone to take some time to think and figure out what she wants to do with her life and marriage. Little does she know that she is about to stumble upon an apothecary bottle that sends her on a journey through London's history, researching the past and attempting to discover the deadly secrets held within this little bottle.
Nella is a woman of secrets. She runs a covert back alley apothecary shop in 1790s London where women come to seek revenge on the men who have hurt them. To the ordinary eye, there's nothing deadly about Nella's concoctions, but one drink would prove otherwise. Nella is used to catering to women of her own age, so she is surprised when she receives a 12 year old girl named Eliza as a customer. Eliza seems innocent enough, but she will actually be Nella's undoing. A simple mistake is soon to change Nella and Eliza's lives forever, leaving behind a murder mystery that Caroline discovers over 200 years later and is determined to solve.
There's so much to love about The Lost Apothecary. I honestly was a little wary going into this novel because I worried that it would be overwritten and wrought with detail, but thankfully Penner proved me wrong. This delightful story sticks to the plot without straying too far off the main storyline, so if you are a reader like me who isn't a fan of subplots that go nowhere, then you won't be disappointed with The Lost Apothecary.
Furthermore, I was also a bit nervous about the dual timeline, which isn't my favorite plot device, but again, Penner delivers. What makes this novel so compelling is that there are parallels between the book's two main characters - Caroline and Nella. Both are women who have been wronged by the men in their life and are striking out on their own in hopes of following their heart and discovering their true purpose. Penner ties the two storylines together effectively, relating in alternating chapters what is happening in present day to what happened in the past. This novel did not leave me confused or with questions, which to me, is the mark of good storytelling. I hate to feel as if I missed something at the end of a book.
I also enjoyed the uniqueness of The Lost Apothecary's plot and the vibes the book gives off. I have never read a story such as this one that deals in herbs and potions used to poison men, and appreciated the fresh perspective this reading experience gave me. Furthermore, this plot is ominous and atmospheric, enveloping me in the perils and precariousness of the story. I love an author who can effectively build mood and tone as Penner did.
The Lost Apothecary has strong feminist vibes, but not in the tone of "in-your-face" politics. Rather it deals in the issues and choices that women have faced throughout time and are still scrabbling with today. The novel features strong women who aren't afraid to go against the status quo to be true to themselves. Furthermore, it develops the idea that we are stronger when we, as women, stand together as a united front, working towards our goals and offering a helping hand. While a book that is too feminist-driven can sometimes grate my nerves, The Lost Apothecary's subtle hints at "girl power" touched my soul and made me reflect on the female experience throughout time - on the ways it has changed, and on the ways it has remained the same.
I listened to an audiobook of this novel through cloudLibrary, and as an avid audiobook listener, I can solidly recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction. The audiobook is narrated by three different readers - one for each of the main characters - Nella, Caroline, & Eliza. Nella's narrations may take listeners a few chapters to adapt to, but once a rhythm has been established, I found the tone and timbre of the reader's voice to take me back in time to the 1790s and build in me the importance and gravity of the work being done by Nella. Caroline's narrations were what I would describe as normal, which is what I want and expect from someone with a character such as hers. Eliza's reader does an effective job of conveying the voice of an innocent young girl, learning the ways of the world around her. In all, I found this audiobook easy and enjoyable to listen to. I was able to enjoy this book both in my car and at work without becoming bored, distracted, or sleepy, which are all common problems with me when it comes to audiobooks!
Availability: Book; Large Print Book; eBook & eAudiobook in cloudLibrary Rating: **** Stars (I really liked it) Reviewer: Brooke, Public Relations Librarian
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AWARDS: LibraryReads Favorite: 2021 GENRE: Historical Fiction; Parallel Narratives TONE: Atmospheric STORYLINE: Intricately Plotted LOCATION: London, England TIME PERIOD: Georgian Era (1714-1837)
SUBJECT: Abusive Men; Americans in England; Extramarital Affairs; Historical Research; Husband and Wife; Men/Women Relations; Murder Investigation; Nobility; Pharmacists; Poisons; Revenge; Secrets; Wedding Anniversaries; Women Amateur Detectives; Women Chemists; Women Historians
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