As Nella drops the package on the porch, she thinks she sees Eliza, but isnt sure if it is her or an apparition. WebThe Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner BOOK REVIEW (No Spoilers!) In present day, Caroline thinks about how shed discovered Jamess infidelity due to a text message notifications that popped up on his cell phone, followed by a suggestive picture, from someone saved on his phone as B. In the present-day timeline, Caroline Parcewell, an Ohio-born farm administrator in her mid-30s, is in London on what was supposed to be a celebratory trip for her 10th wedding anniversary. I LOVED The Lost Apothecary. Penner, though a corporate associate until the release of this book, belongs to both the Historical Novel Society and the Womens Fiction Writers Association. Nella thinks about the girls note For my mistresss husband, with his breakfast and is curious about her. When 12 year old Eliza is sent to her shop for a remedy, they form a friendship. You cannot be betrayed by someone you do not trust what you have learned is the same heart-wrenching journey of every woman to whom I have sold a poison. Tom offers her the book for free, merely asking that she report back to him whether her spell worked when she tries one. Meanwhile, Eliza visits a magic shop to try to deal with Mr. Amwell's angry spirit, and she ends up mixing up a magic tincture to reverse "bad fortune". For the final entry of the book, Nella makes a note of the potion that Eliza had taken (Eliza Fanning, London. The maid had been told the poison was sweetener, but clearly figured out the truth, and she told the police about Lady Clarences involvement. Then, there was betrayal. Caroline's life in coming apart, and her life runs into the story of Nella and Eliza. In the twenty first century American Caroline Parcewell is on vacation and takes up Bachelor Alfs offer to join a mudlarking search. 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. An Apothecary shop that caters to your every needwhether it be helping with an ailment or kill your husband? 'The Lost Apothecary' Brews a Secret Sisterhood of Revenge Sarah Penner intoxicates with her debut novel about a mysterious apothecary who supports oppressed women of 18th-century London through sinister means. I knew neither her age nor where she lived. When Nella learned she was pregnant, she told him. Nella goes into the city, and she retches when she sees a news item about the search for Lord Clarences murder. Nella realizes that the incriminating jar could be traced back to Nella, and she demands that Lady Clarence retrieve it. The young child Eliza Fanning is a sparky and bright personality who is sent to get poison, and a friendship develops between Nella and Eliza. She jumps into the depths, and the constables assume that she was the apothecary killer. An avenger female who can concoct poisonous formulas to help you get rid of man trouble. But despite all that I did not know, I understood this: the woman knew exactly who she wanted dead. More than James' infidelity. Oh, The Lost Apothecary, how you enticed me with your beautiful cover and your tantalizing plot, but you betrayed me. Meanwhile, Caroline is eager to get a good look at the photos she took, including some of the logbook that was in the room. Spoiler warning: these summaries contains spoilers. She permits him to sleep on the hotel room couch, but she wants to functionally be alone for the trip. You cannot be betrayed by someone you do not trust., It's okay to change," I interrupted, "but it's not okay to hide, to bury parts of ourselves., To me, the allure of history lay in the minutiae of life long ago, the untold secrets of ordinary people., Healing by way of vengeance no such thing existed; it never had. I enjoyed the past timeline and characters/story more than the present. Spam Free: Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time. Ummm yes please! Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. Before they can separate, they are pursued by constables onto Blackfriars Bridge. Why not go mudlarking? Vengeance is the only way out from under their thumb, but when the reckoning comes no one will save women with as much heart and heroism as other women. I have to say I really love the cover of this book, and the cover really fits the story in every way. This revelation of closure for Nella and Eliza aligns with the emotional resolution experienced by Caroline, and she throws Elizas vial back into the Thames, wanting to keep the details of these womens stories to herself just a while longer. Caroline figures out that James ingested it on purpose to try to win her back, tells him they need to separate, and he leaves. NYT Bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary (Park Row Books/HarperCollins), to be translated into 40 languages worldwide. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Lady Clarence returns to her estate to get the jar while Nella fetches Eliza. Eliza also did not want to go home to Swindon. Caroline, though vexed, plans to have the talk, but she intends to visit Bear Alley before James appears. She also says how drinking her tincture (a little blue vial of magick) brought her warmth (and presumably saved her life) when she ended up in the frigid river. In 1791, Nella runs a secret apothecary And it is, indeed, the same path for me. She looked back at her companions, Castti the Apothecary, Osvald the Scholar, and Temenos the Cleric. While James had been climbing the corporate ladder with the goal to become a partner in his firm, Caroline's happiness had played second fiddle. Nella looks at her registers book, which logs all the many similar orders she had fulfilled over time. She also used the whole jar (instead of half as instructed), so he died immediately which made it more apparent he was murdered. For years, the creators stayed silentrefusing to over-explain the ending. Refresh and try again. Penner, though a corporate associate until the release of this book, belongs to both the Historical Novel Society and the Womens Fiction Writers Association. The letters were only partially legible (B ley instead of 3 Back Alley), but the bear could clearly be made out. Courtesy of Laura Foote / Park Row Books. and right now, im imagining the atmosphere of 1790s london. At the mudlarking tour spot, Caroline joins 5 or 6 others and the tour guide, Alfred (nicknamed Bachelor Alf due to the number of wedding rings he finds in the mud). Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is a historical mystery about an apothecary who helps other women by providing poisons and other remedies. but then i pick up a brilliant work of historical fiction and i daydream about life as a historian. Once again, we have an historical fiction using the split time period device. In fact, if you asked me when the book is set, I would be able to define the time only because the dates are given in the book. She looks at her photos and sees the name Lord Clarence in the logbook which affirmatively ties the shop she broke into to the stories about the apothecary killer she read about in the bulletins. The store is manned by a shop boy, Tom Pepper, and it belongs to Toms father. Gaynor calls Caroline mid-interrogation with information on the apothecary and, when Caroline asks her to come to the hospital, does so with no further context. Why? Daybreak, 4 Feb. At once, I drew to mind a middle-aged housemaid, called to do the bidding of her mistress. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. In the morning Nella meets Eliza Fanning, who purchases two raw eggs, spiked with nux vomica, on behalf of her mistress; Mrs. Amwell plans to murder her husband for incapacitating Eliza with liquor and attempted to rape her. Brewing poisons also causes Nella physical discomfort, so she suffers from chronic pain. Its fitting that I write this review today, because 230 years ago today on Feb. 10, 1791, the events that changed the lives of our three main characters: Nella, Eliza and Caroline took place. Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. Sign me up for a read that promises to be dark and twisted. Nella refuses at first but realizes that her mysterious physical illness makes it difficult for her to portion her clients aphrodisiac powder into the required jar. Caroline thinks about Elizas secret; even though she knows what a great and very publishable story this would make if the truth of what happened so many years ago were to be revealed, Caroline feels protective over Eliza and her secret. The man and woman insist that Nella let them give her a ride on their boat, given her weak condition. Eliza walks towards her carrying her tincture (in the pinkish vial). Though the shop, located at 3 Back Alley, once belonged to her late mother and only distributed reputable cures for womens maladies, Nella now sells poisons to women who would like to kill the harmful men in their lives. However, in the process the police show Gaynor the notes Caroline took, and Caroline knows she owes Gaynor an explanation for not disclosing that shed broke into the apothecarys office. However, the two policemen bring up the recent rift in her relationship and want her to go to the station to answer more questions. The past and present intertwine in this great novel. Afterwards, Eliza considers whether she should use the spell and go back to Mrs. Amwell, or if she should just go work for Lady Clarence. Nella insists that its important to preserve the existence of these women through her logbook. Retrieved 21 December 2021. I also did not pick this book up because it says it is Historical Fantasy, and I do not really do Fantasy. While The Lost Apothecary feels like it gets off to a slow start, Penner builds tension by planting us deep into each woman's psyche. However, Jamess proposal a few months after their graduation changed all that. In her room, Caroline searches online archives for information about the vial. Hed helped her get the stores finances in order, and theyd fallen in love. You cannot have one without the other. The front half looks largely abandoned except for an old grain barrel and shelves. Two timelines. Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Chapter 2: Caroline (Present Day, Monday June 2). As two of the constables catch up to them (Craw and Putnam), they arent sure if Nella is part of the crowd or if she was with the person who jumped. In her shop, Nella takes two large eggs that have been infused with rat poison to give to Eliza and two normal, slightly smaller eggs. The ending was so good. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Follow along on Goodreads, or keep in touch via the newsletter. A: The Lost Apothecary is very much a story about women controlling their own destinies. The police question Caroline when the medics see her notes on poisons on her desk. This book initially piqued my interest because two of my daughters are pharmacists (no, they do, This was an interesting read. And to have the current character doing research on the characters in the past is wonderful (Colleen T). In The Lost Apothecary, Nella runs a secret apothecary shop hidden behind a fake back wall in London where she sells poisons to women, spread by word of mouth, to be used against the men in their lives who have wronged them. WebThe Lost Apothecary is very much a story about women controlling their own destinies. When Eliza fails to garner Nellas help this way, she asks to remain in the shop as an apprentice so that she will not have to return to the haunted Amwell estate. Caroline regards the strange final entry in the logbook, noting how the ingredients are unknown and how its the only entry that doesnt denote who requested the potion. Her request was simple and straightforward. Eliza also says that poisoning the breakfast of Mrs. Amwells husband, Thompson Amwell, was Elizas own idea. Tom says that some believe there is a curse when it comes to using magick for every spell that succeeds, something else must go terribly wrong, since there is always a price to be paid for using magick. Nella then explains that she cannot give her the poison. WebWelcome to The Lost Apothecary. Mrs. Amwell also has a tremor in her hand, so she taught Eliza how to read and write so she could transcribe notes for her. They must be dredged up, held to the light and rinsed clean., If there was anything that the last few days had taught me, it was the importance of shining new light on old truths hidden in dark places., Beneath the ink strokes of my register held betrayal, anguish anddark secrets., Why did we go to such lengths to protect the fragile minds of children? Nella thinks about how her poisons are rotting her from the inside, and she is certain the potion for Lady Clarence was especially bad for her. Caroline gets a call from Gaynor and the police allow her to take it. It's atmospheric and well-paced". Johanna went into labor, but both she and the baby died. We only robbed them of the truthand the chance to grow numb to it before it arrived with a hard knock on the door.. Nella burns the letter and knows her poison-dispensing days are over. Eighteenth-century London. She finds a record with a headline that reads: Eliza Pepper, ne Fanning, Sole Inheritor of Husbands Magick Book Shoppe. Eliza had married Tom Pepper, they had two kids, and theyd run a successful bookshop. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner About the Book Hidden in the depths of 18th-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of This is also a great one for book clubs and thats why I included it in my must-read book club picks list for 2021. She finds herself in a cellar. The bulletins that Gaynor found are from a periodical that was published in the late 1700s called The Thursday Bulletin. She soon finds a small blue vial engraved with only the craggy image of a bear on all fours. With this incredible debut Milan has rocketed himself into the literary stratosphere. Eliza feels relieved, but theres no time to waste since they need to leave and part ways. He is recovered now and inadvertently reveals that he poisoned himself on purpose to force Caroline into a reconciliation. 'The Lost Apothecary' Brews a Secret Sisterhood of Revenge Sarah Penner intoxicates with her debut novel about a mysterious apothecary who supports oppressed Back at the hotel, Caroline takes notes on the register she found and withholds all this new information from Gaynor. The storyline is so original and I really enjoyed the mystery componentsplus this features a gorgeous cover. "Junot Diaz. That day, Nella hears someone enter the shop to pick up their order, peeks out and is surprised to see her that her customer is a young girl, Eliza Fanning, only 12. The Lost Apothecary is a New York Times best seller. Caroline declines and heads inside for a drink instead. Later, Caroline updates Gaynor on her findings. But rarely have I read a book that bamboozled me as much as this one did. However, she doesnt want to erase these people, and she is convinced the authorities will never discover her back room. Readers have found that the character Nella parallels 17th-century Italian poisoner Giulia Tofana, who sold poisons in Naples and Rome to women who desired freedom from their abusive husbands. She married Tom Pepper, birthed twins, and inherited her husbands shop after his death; the interview also implies that Nella survived. Search String: Summary | New titles, recently rated, and recently tagged by the library community. I think that this book could have been so much better without jumping the time periods. Caroline heads to Bear Alley early Tuesday morning, which leads her to a small and unremarkable alleyway. On their trip to collect the specimen, Nella reveals what precipitated her poison-selling: the betrayal of her former lover Frederick. I noticed that I couldnt see the reviews of other readers for this book on BOTM app. Then, Nella received a visit from the woman she thought was his sister, Rissa, but who turned out to be his wife. i always admit that im not a fan of history. Two different centuries. Then, when Lady Clarence describes the jar of poison, Nella realizes that Eliza mustve grabbed an old jar to give to her, one with the shops address written on it (as opposed to just an engraved bear). Meanwhile, the third constable reports that they checked out the location and its empty with just a grain barrel. The women helping women story for that time period was cool. Women impacted by deceit. Caroline waits until he falls asleep, then sneaks out and breaks into the property she found. For a non-spoiler version of the plot synopsis, see The Bibliofile's review of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. She uncovers evidence in the unsolved Apothecary Murders that have been a Eliza is worried about her bleeding and discomfort (her period, which she does not understand) and wants to get away from the Amwell house for a while (since she think Mr. Amwells angry spirit is causing her period, and Mrs. Amwell is out of town for a bit anyway). It follows the stories of apothecary Nella Clavinger, young housemaid Eliza Fanning, and London tourist Caroline Parcewell. A "behind the book" feature with But a (possibly magic) tincture Eliza made ends up saving them both, and Nella realizes that dispensing these poisons is not the way to cure the pain of betrayal. Nella also realizes that dispensing poisons is not going to help heal the pain of Frederick's betrayal. 4 Feb 1791. 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. She goes back to her research and sees the second bulletin thats headlined Apothecary Killer Jumps from Bridge, Suicide. She asks Gaynor to come over to clear things up, which Gaynor does. She returns to find him intensely sick on the bathroom floor of her hotel room. She's assisted by Gaynor, a woman who works at the British Museum. She keeps a logbook of each transaction. The Lost Apothecary shows how far some women would go to rebel against a mans world. Web8 Reasons The Lost Apothecary Disappointed. Still, she finds herself driven by curiosity over the possible existence of a Killer Apothecary once upon a time. Though initially uneventful, as she mudlarks, Caroline finds a small, light blue, vial-like bottle with an etching of a bear. unknown. As she peeks in, a plumber interrupts her and ends up telling her about the service door at the end of the clearing. Nella thinks about how she had unknowingly been Fredericks other woman when they were together. They hadnt had much luck in those months. Journalist CM Lucca, narrator of Catherine Lacey's. There are dark aspects to the storylike the burden of secrets and the destructive pursuit of vengeancebut it is also a story of hope and the way women can protect, honor, and free one another, even when separated by the barrier of time. The medicine the apothecary gave you was quite potent, but you didnt have much. Steorra, he says, in an annoyed tone. $15 for 3 months. While there, she sees Eliza in a window and believes her to be an apparition just before she loses consciousness. Eliza was asked by her mistress, Mrs. Amwell, to fetch a poison to kill her husband, Mr. Amwell (it's implied he is a child molester who has set his sights on Eliza). Editorial Reviews "The Lost Apothecary is a poisonously good readAn enthralling work of mystery, murder, trust, and betrayal. Over the last ten years, James had been concentrating on climbing the corporate ladder. This was about more than the burden of the apothecary. Eliza then realizes that Nella intends to jump from Blackfriars Bridge into the water. How can this story be so dull? At the beginning of Caroline's story, she finds the apothecary vial while on a mudlarking tour. I could not put this book down because I had to know how this story ended. She could be a victim or a transgressor. Sarah Penner's debut is an intriguing and atmospheric piece of historical fiction revolving around women, set in the tail end of the 18th century in London, a story that shifts from the past and the present. WebThe premise of this book sounded so good but I found it to be pretty disappointing. Beyond the book | 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. An article Caroline finds from The Brighton Press reveals that Eliza survived her jump from the bridge. Lady Clarence had her maid hide the jar in the estate cellar until it is safe to retrieve it. Before she can gather the ingredients, there is a knock at the door. That morning, Eliza goes to serve the poisoned eggs and Mr. Amwell briefly runs his hand up her leg as she does. Instead, she says that they each have a lot of work to do for themselves, separately, and accepts a hug from him as he leaves. At the Clarence house, Lady Clarence tells her what happened and warns her she needs to leave or Eliza may be hanged if shes found to be implicated. Miss Castti had nothing but concern for your condition. WebWith crackling suspense, unforgettable characters, and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating exploration of women rebelling against a mans world, the destructive force of revenge, and the remarkable ways that women can save each other despite the barrier of time. The chapters alternate between Nella and Carolines stories. Rissa wanted to poison Frederick for his numerous infidelities, Nella agreed to help, and so Frederick became her first victim. Had you heard of mudlarking prior to reading this book? Article 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 fateand not everyone will survive. The next morning, there is an unexpected knock on Nellas door, and she sees that its Eliza. Genres & Themes | Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Nellas latest client is the very wealthy Lady Beatrice Clarence of Carter Lane, immediately characterized as arrogant and entitled. She locates a small lever and triggers it, revealing the back room. Eventually, Mr. Amwell dies. Author It was beginning to seem like every person, every place, carried an untold story with long-buried truths resting just beneath the surface., My mother had held tight to this principle, instilling in me from an early age the importance of providing a safe haven - a place of healing - females., The curse of magick, they believe, is that for every reward, there is a great loss. Eliza married the shopkeeper at the magic shop, Tom Pepper, and had two kids. When Nella refuses her help, Eliza finally admits that she thinks Mr. Amwell is haunting her. "Mudlarking" refers to the practice of scavenging for objects generally manufactured or otherwise manmade ones that have been lost or thrown away usually on the shore of a body of water such as a river. Caroline had expected to celebrate her tenth anniversary with her husband James in London. On Google Maps, she sees that Bear Alley is a real place in London, a short distance from her hotel. At Mrs. Amwells house, the cook/scullery maid Sally taught Eliza what to do, and Eliza liked it there. Unfortunately, its not long before a client seeks to violate one of Nellas rules (harm no women) and everything is put at risk. The woman has a baby, named Beatrice. Nella had still been grieving over the death of her mother when she met and seemed to fall in love with Frederick (but perhaps it was some combination of grief as well). She's in London for the vacation they were supposed to have gone on together. Just as Eliza finishes her tincture, Eliza and Nella are forced to flee. Reviews | Intermingled in the mess was another subtler secret that James and I had hid from each other for years. Then, there was betrayal. become a member today. And thus, nature is magic. Instead of proposing, he secretly put motherwort in her food to induce a miscarriage and stopped going to see her. Princeton Book Review. Since learning about her, Eliza has imagined that she can hear Johannas ghost in the house. Eliza goes back to warn Nella, and Eliza also finally asks Nella about her bleeding, which Nella says is normal. After finding out that her husband was cheating on her, Caroline decides to take what would have been their anniversary trip to London on her own. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner About the Book Hidden in the depths of 18th-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. I did find the past much more interesting than the present since the problems Caroline has to tackle do not make me care for her.