$9.95 sale price when purchased online
$17.99 list price
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About this item
Description
Book Synopsis
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERNamed Most Anticipated of 2021 by Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, Hello! magazine, Oprah.com, Bustle, Popsugar, Betches, Sweet July, and GoodReads!
March 2021 Indie Next Pick and #1 LibraryReads Pick
"A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network
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.
Review Quotes
"The Lost Apothecary is a poisonously good read... An enthralling work of mystery, murder, trust, and betrayal. Set in an atmospheric London, Penner's immersive story flows skillfully from past to present, revealing the heartaches and lost dreams of three captivating main characters in a page-turningly tense drama that surprises right up until the final paragraph." --NPR "You will not be able to put it down." --theSkimm "A juicy spring read." --Katie Couric, Wake-Up Call "An impressively original, deftly crafted and fully entertaining novel from cover to cover, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner fairly crackles with compelling suspense, features truly memorable characters, and a series of cliffhanger style plot twists and turns." --Midwest Book Review "Engrossing, with rich detail, assured pacing and effective suspense." --Tampa Bay Times "Spellbinding... Like in a well-brewed potion, all the ingredients have been given exactly the right level of care and time, and the result is a novel that simply overwhelms with its delicate spell." --Bookpage "Enthralling... Musical prose... A completely absorbing story of the power of secrets and finding one's way." --Historical Novel Review, A Best Book of the Month Pick "In The Lost Apothecary, Sarah Penner convincingly weaves three heroines and two timelines into one tale of poison, revenge, and the silent network of women helping other women in a world stacked against them.... A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!" --Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress "Dark, clever, and wickedly fun, The Lost Apothecary is a true page-turner. Sarah Penner has given us a puzzle box of women's lives, betrayal, power, and history. It's a book that slyly asks what any of us deserve and if, sometimes, that might not be a little poison." --Erika Swyler, bestselling author of The Book of Speculation "Filled with fascinating historical detail... With gathering intensity, author Sarah Penner builds toward a heart-pounding, satisfying conclusion. A skilled, captivating debut that celebrates the strength of women across the centuries." --Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names "Penner's debut had me completely under its spell. The women of The Lost Apothecary, separated by centuries, seek both revenge and truth in this powerful story. Riveting and utterly original." --Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Dollhouse "Sarah Penner kept me guessing until the last page of this addictive, atmospheric novel... Meticulously researched, The Lost Apothecary is both a cure for idleness and a recipe for intrigue. Prepare to be consumed by this carefully plotted, propulsive debut." --Amy Meyerson, bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays "An intoxicating debut, The Lost Apothecary is a riveting tale of poisons and potions and dark deeds in the name of survival." --Heather Webb, bestselling co-author of Meet Me in Monaco "Readers who enjoy Katherine Howe and Susanna Kearsley will be drawn to this promising, fast-paced debut." --Booklist "Intriguing... 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." --Library Journal
Dimensions (Overall): 9 Inches (H) x 1 Inches (W) x 6 Inches (D)
Weight: 1 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 352
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Historical
Publisher: Park Row
Format: Paperback
Author: Sarah Penner
Book theme: General
Language: English
Street Date: February 22, 2022
TCIN: 83968182
UPC: 9780778311973
Item Number (DPCI): 059-04-7351
Origin: Made in the USA
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.81 inches length x 5.31 inches width x 8 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.59 pounds
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4.7 out of 5 stars with 96 reviews
100% would recommend
16 recommendations
Good read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
KR18 - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
Personally, I really enjoyed this book. The story didn’t develop super fast but I was still intrigued and in the end there are tons of twists and surprises. It was filled with magic, friendship, and hope. A truly fun read.
What a mesmerizing story!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Esp0725 - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
I LOVED this book. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were wonderful and their stories were so intriguing.
10/10
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Kaitlyn - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
I absolutely loved this book! Such an interesting story that had me hooked the whole time with unexpected twists throughout. Highly recommend!!
Read it!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Hcally - 3 years ago
Such a good read! I could not put this book down!
LOVE
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
ks662014 - 3 years ago, Verified purchaser
Such a great read! I was hooked!
A great read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Tee Red - 3 years ago, Verified purchaser
This was such a fun read I love historical fiction so this was perfect. I would definitely highly recommend it.
Yawn!
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
hellothere0 - 3 years ago, Verified purchaser
This book was soo boring! After finally getting to some good parts it was cut off and continued on to the next chapter through another POV. There are three POV’s and it just dragged… I almost gave up on reading it, but I powered through. I’d get sleepy every time I was reading, lol. Overall, it was just boring and I’m glad it’s over.
Fantastic
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Lindsay - 3 years ago, Verified purchaser
I loved this story so much! The way the author switches perspectives spanning a century was remarkable. The characters were intriguing and it kept me guessing the whole way through.
Love it!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Ruthl - 3 years ago, Verified purchaser
This book was amazing and it felt like I was right there with the main character!! Couldn’t put down the book!! We need a part 2!!
Superb
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Tammy - 4 years ago, Verified purchaser
One of the best books I’ve read this year. I finished it on a lazy Sunday. Highly recommend.
A good quick read!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
MPtheNP - 4 years ago, Verified purchaser
This book was an enjoyable read. The ending wasn’t at all what I expected, and I’m glad for that. A good mystery flipping between multiple timelines and different points of view.
A great read
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Kari - 4 years ago
An endearing story of growth. Loved the way all characters were woven together.
Three women centuries apart
4 out of 5 stars
Perriknows - 4 years ago
Nella and Eliza, long dead, but also so alive. Caroline, living in the present but fascinated by the past. I enjoyed how their lives meshed, although they lived centuries apart. A fascinating book. Not perfect, but it held my interest and gave me many things to think about.
Loved This Book!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
wannabenomad - 4 years ago, Verified purchaser
Loved every second of this book! I finished it in two days and it is my new favorite book. Loved the contrast and connection between Victorian London and present day.
What a great debut novel!
5 out of 5 stars
HappyMom - 4 years ago, Verified purchaser
I don't often buy a book without even reading a sample, but this one checked a bunch of boxes for me, so I bought it on impulse. I am glad I did. I didn't love the modern character initially (I have no idea what she looks like even now and to quote from Charles Dicken's, Pickwick Papers, "she had a blandness of demeanor which baffles all description," which coming from the over-describer if ever there was one, is truly saying something.) I found myself skimming through the early chapters from her point of view. Luckily enough, there were other characters who were interesting enough to carry the story, as-well-as, a couple plot took a twists I didn't see coming. The one plot point which his almost unforgivably oversimplified has to do with how a bureaucratic and highly competitive process works. (I don't want to spoil what it is, but it is likely obvious to most readers. It seems like an attempt to simply the story and just finish it, which is a tad sad given the overall detail which drives the story otherwise.) I was a quick fun read over the weekend for a perfect little escape from screens and reality while staying in the house during the pandemic! The 30% cover price at Target sealed the deal for me. (I have a limited budget.) The cover art is lovely! Really gorgeous! And at a paperback price, it really quite wonderful. I only wish it was easier to peel that 30% off Target sticker off the front of it. I don't often buy hardcover books when they are initially released, but I do sometimes buy books on principle, to support authors and vote with my dollars so to speak. I love independent bookstores, but have been getting some gems at Target! (Reminds me a bit of the Clockmakers Daughter, which I loved. If you like this, you may like that too. Also, the Scent Keeper. )
Great easy read!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Katie - 4 years ago, Verified purchaser
Such a good book! Read it in about a day! Was a little hard to get into at first, then I was hooked!
Must Read!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
One To Fifty Two - 4 years ago
The Lost Apothecary was our choice for our monthly book club. I was extremely excited to read this book, first and foremost because the cover is absolutely breathtaking! It is hands down one of the prettiest covers I have ever seen, and I am 100% someone who buys books based on their cover. Besides the lovely cover, the synopsis of the book is exciting! Two story lines twisted: one in the president, the other 200 years in the past. Both about strong women who have been scorned. In the 1700s, Nella is a apothecary helping women to seek revenge on men who have wronged them. We also have Eliza who is goals! She is my FAVORITE character! These two women are strong, fight for what they believe in, and make you question what is wrong/right. I absolutely adored their story line. I wanted more and more! I still do! I wished there were more of them in this book. I want there to be another book. Sarah Penner give me more Eliza!!! I need her! In the present day, we have Caroline. Her story was much more complicated for me. I struggled with Caroline’s awful husband, James, and their relationship. In my opinion, this relationship was extremely abusive. James is controlling, manipulative, and just a real... you know what! He really ruined her story for me. It may be because of my abusive past? I’m not sure. But it ultimately was why I could not give this story 5 stars. WHAT I DID LIKE, was Gaynor and Caroline! I also liked how present day tied into the past. The last note I wanted to make was that I did not agree with Caroline’s end decision... you’ll have to read for yourself and tell me what you think! Overall, this is a must read! Such an amazing debut novel! Bravo to Ms. Penner! I will definitely buy her next novel because I found her writing captivating! So what are you waiting for?! Get the book!
Must read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Sc - 4 years ago
Finished in less than a day. This book weaves two stories flawlessly with surprises sprinkled throughout.
A captivating historical novel
4 out of 5 stars
- 4 years ago
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is a dual-timeline novel told from the point-of-view of three women. I found this to be an engaging historical novel. I was transported back to London in 1791 where Nella has a small hidden apothecary shop. Nella catered to women who needed a certain man in their life removed. She only catered to women who wished to harm men. Eliza Fanning arrives one day on behalf of her mistress who needs help taking care of her husband. Eliza is fascinated by Nella’s workshop and asks dozens of questions. A friendship of sorts develops between the pair. Caroline Parcewell is in London on what was supposed to be her tenth anniversary trip. The night before departure, Caroline discovered her husband has been cheating on her. She takes the trip to give herself time to think away from home and her husband. Caroline goes mudlarking on her first day and discovers an old blue apothecary bottle in the Thames. Caroline sets out to find out more information on the bottle and where it came from. It was fascinating learning more about an apothecary shop and what it contained. A small amount of an item can be helpful, while a large amount can be deadly. I admit that I enjoyed the historical time-period more than the modern storyline. Personally, the book could have excluded Caroline’s story and been even better (less repetition too). However, I did like how the three storylines tied together. The Lost Apothecary is a well-written, developed story with great characters and a fabulous, dark atmosphere. It has a spooky quality that I loved. The Lost Apothecary is a dark, mysterious tale that captured my attention and imagination. Sarah Penner created an intriguing debut novel and I look forward to reading Sarah Penner’s next creation.
A must read!
5 out of 5 stars
stitchysbookclub - 4 years ago
Thank you to Harlequin Trade/Park Row Books for my own copy and inviting me to take part in this blog tour! The Lost Apothecary will be published on March 2, 2021. Wow! What an extraordinary story! I absolutely loved The Lost Apothecary. This book completely transported me and the escapism it provided was priceless. The history, scandal and camaraderie in these pages formed its own little tincture that eased the pain of all the friends I’m missing right now. Do yourself a favor and grab this book!