The Lost Apothecary

Once again, my assumption that I don't like historical fiction was challenged, this time by the brilliant Sarah Penner and her book, The Lost Apothecary.

Goodreads Stats

Why I Read This Book/How I Heard About It

This was another Goodreads Choice for fiction and, you guessed it, I liked the pretty cover. That means it was yet another totally blind read, where I didn't know a single thing about it going in.

Basic Summary

Goodreads Summary:

"A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them - setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course.

Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.

Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.

One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose - selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.

In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved 'apothecary murders' that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive."

First Impressions

I appreciate audiobooks that use separate narrators for different characters, especially in books like this where the viewpoint changes from character to character as the chapters change. It makes it so much easier to understand who is "speaking".

This book was a perfect balance between action taking place in the 1700s and in the current time period. I like the built-in mental breather from intense world-building that it gives me when the story switches over to present-day London.

Final Thoughts

Surprising to no one but me, both sides of the story were equally fascinating and interesting. I don't know what my hang-up is and why I assume that history equals boring. I've seen time and time again that this is not the case. I love fantasy novels, which are literally brand new worlds and often-times take place in what feels like a historical era. I love The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and Anne of Green Gables and so many other "old-timey" sorts of stories. Why wouldn't I also admit that historical fiction might hold some interest for me?

On top of the fact that it was well written and interesting (not in the least boring), this book had some cool "witchy" vibes and an obvious message of female empowerment, coming from a time period where women had next to no rights and definitely didn't have any power. I adore those kinds of stories! Salem witch trials anyone?

I guess the final word I have on this is...I need to let go of my prejudices about historical fiction and just admit that it deserves a shot. If I would have refused this book because it fell under historical fiction, I would have missed out on one of my three favorite books I've read so far this year. And that's saying a lot. It's in the Top 3 out of 33 and counting. At least for now.

Rating on Goodreads

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars. Yes, friend...this one got the coveted 5-star rating.

My rating method:

• I rarely rate books 5 stars. I save this for the absolute best books I've read. You know the ones...the ones that you can't get out of your head, even after you've finished them. The ones you think about for weeks afterwards.

• If a book is really, really good, I'll give it 4 stars. If you see a 4-star rating from me, I'd definitely recommend it to you to read.

• If it's just OK, it gets 3 stars. Basically, it means I could take it or leave it. I'd probably read it again because it wasn't terrible. But not like a favorite or anything.

• If I rate it 1 or 2 stars, I would not recommend anyone read it. It either didn't hold my interest or I couldn't relate to the characters/plot.