A review by mama_bookworm_
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Book 119 of 2024 finished 22/10/24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

London, 1791, a female Apothecary secretly dispenses poisons for women to rid themselves of men who have wronged them. In present day London historian Caroline chances upon evidence which could help solve the mystery of the serial killer dubbed the ‘apothecary murders’. The deeper Caroline delves, the more entwined the past and present become. 

My thoughts: I really enjoy the historical element of this book and find the subject of the apothecary fascinating. I also love mudlarking so this was a great introduction to the story for me. 

The story wasn’t always historically accurate and required the reader to overlook things quite a bit. An example would be the police chasing a woman on suspicion of murder and then deciding to let her go because of lack of evidence. Sorry but that’s just not happening in the 1800s. 

I found Nella likeable but Caroline dull and I dreaded her chapters, but I did enjoy jumping through time. 

The book really piqued my interest and made me curious about apothecaries and I would like to read more stories about them in the future so recommendations are appreciated.