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The Lost Apothecary

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The Lost Apothecary

By: Sarah Penner
Narrated by: Sarah Cullum, Joan Walker, Charlie Sanderson
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Summary

Newsweek's 2021's Most Highly Anticipated New Books

PopSugar's Most Anticipated Books of 2021

A New York Times top 10 best seller

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.

Hidden in the depths of 18th-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 12-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 10th wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London 200 years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive.

©2021 Sarah Penner (P)2021 W F Howes Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction England
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Critic reviews

"A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!” (Kate Quinn, New York Times best-selling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress)

“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)

“Readers who enjoy Katherine Howe and Susanna Kearsley will be drawn to this promising, fast-paced debut.” (Booklist)
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Enjoyed the story but did not like the robotic voice of Caroline. For a novel set in 18th century London, the Americanisation of some phrases jarred eg cookies, trash etc

Good story, narration could have been better

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This book had me hooked from the start!! I have the physical copy but I listened to the audiobook. Each character had there own narrator. It was fantastic. Such an amazing story of 3 people who now all hold a place in my heart.
I am not a fan of historical fiction but this is an amazing mix of then and now.
Highly recommend to everyone!!

Hooked from the start!

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Loved this book! Listened to it in two days! However one thing which annoyed me was Caroline’s narrator. Her voice was very forceful which grated on me. Another thing is Caroline is American, yet her monologues were in an English accent and when she spoke to other characters her accent was American, why??? (Although I am glad it was mostly in an English accent as her American accent was very annoying and grated one me; I don’t think I could have listened to it had it always been an American accent)….

However, these are small issues and I still thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Brilliant story. Slightly annoying narration.

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Absolutely brilliant story right to the end and very good read thank you keeps you gripped

Loved it

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Loved the book. Lots of interesting information woven into the story. Mix of past with present made it interesting.

Great storytelling

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