Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. 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.

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.

Here’s a brief summary of The Lost Apothecary:įrom the Publisher: “Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. I’ve provided book club questions and delicious food ideas for The Lost Apothecary, so if you are looking for book club ideas and more, keep reading! Like The Exiles, I also loved the way The Lost Apothecary centered on female relationships and how women have gone to great lengths to help one another in the past and continue to do so in the present. If you’re looking for a similar read after enjoying The Lost Apothecary, check it out. The Exiles is Christina Baker Kline’s ( The Orphan Train) fabulous novel about the women convicts who were shipped to Australia to serve their sentence. In fact, the multiple narrators, setting, theme, and period all reminded me of another recent novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really enjoyed all three narrators and was glad for the addition. In 1790s London, an apothecary who aids troubled women is unexpectedly undermined by her newest patron, a meddling twelve-year-old, and the consequences will echo through their lives and to the present day.ĭue to the dual-timeline, the book is told by Caroline and the apothecary, Nella, but a third voice, that of the twelve-year-old, is also included. When she stumbles upon a rare bottle on the Thames, it propels her on a journey to discover the bottle’s origins and the dark purpose it once held. In present day, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell finds herself broken-hearted and on her ten-year anniversary trip alone. And the plot was well-crafted and satisfying.

Despite feeling like it was a quick read, the characters were well-developed and complex. The split timeline along with plenty of tension made for a fun and fast read. A dual-timeline story split between present day and late 1700s London, it is one of my favorite novels of the year. The Lost Apothecary is Sarah Penner’s debut novel. *If you are new here, WELCOME! For The Lost Apothecary, I provide your book club with a brief summary, food ideas, and discussion questions in that order! The Lost Apothecary Book Club Questions and Food Ideas

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