The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Unveiling Magic in The Lost Apothecary: A Must-Read Journey of Mystery, Empowerment, and Fate
“History doesn’t record the intricacies of women’s relationships with one another; they’re not to be uncovered.”
Welcome, avid readers and literary explorers!
Today, I’m thrilled to dive into a book that completely drew me in with its mix of mystery, history, and unforgettable female characters.
I'm talking about Sarah Penner’s mesmerizing novel, The Lost Apothecary. It’s a story that celebrates the power of women supporting women, despite the centuries that separate them.
Intriguing, right? Let’s dive in!
A Blend of Genres: Historical Fiction Meets Mystery
At its heart, The Lost Apothecary is a unique blend of historical fiction and mystery. Penner skillfully weaves a tale that binds together the past and present in a mesmerizing dance.
The Heart of the Story
Sarah Penner does such a great job blending these distinct voices and storylines—historical fiction, mystery, and a touch of self-discovery—all into one seamless, captivating story.
The parallel lives of Nella and Caroline serve as a captivating narrative device, beautifully illustrating how women, despite being separated by centuries, share timeless struggles and aspirations.
“For many of these women, this may be the only place their names are recorded. The only place they will be remembered."
Nella, the broken healer.
Nella is the heart of the 18th-century storyline.
Once a trusted healer who inherited her mother’s apothecary shop, Nella’s purpose took a darker turn after a devastating betrayal shattered her life.
Years earlier, she fell deeply in love with a man named Frederick only to discover, after suffering a miscarriage, that he was already married and had deceived her into becoming his mistress.
Heartbroken and enraged, Nella joined forces with Frederick’s wife, Rissa, to poison him—making Frederick her first victim.
“every woman has faced a man’s wickedness to some degree.”
From that moment on, Nella’s apothecary transformed from a place of healing to a secret refuge for women seeking justice.
She used her deep knowledge of herbs and medicine to craft poisons that liberated women from cruel and unfaithful men.
But her vengeance came at a cost: each dose she prepared weighed heavily on her conscience, eroding her health and her sense of peace.
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When she finally broke her most sacred rule—never harm another woman—the delicate balance of her world began to unravel.
Nella’s significance in the novel lies in how she embodies both power and pain. She is a woman shaped by betrayal and loss, yet she channels that suffering into purpose. Through her story,
Sarah Penner explores the fine line between justice and vengeance, and the enduring resilience of women who refuse to remain powerless.
Nella reminds us that even in the darkest corners of history, there are women who found ways to fight back.
Eliza, the curious apprentice.
Eliza brings a spark of innocence and curiosity into the shadowed world of The Lost Apothecary.
Just twelve years old, she enters Nella’s life when she’s sent by her employer to collect a poison for a client, but her wide-eyed fascination with Nella’s mysterious craft quickly draws her deeper into the apothecary’s secret world.
What begins as a simple errand blossoms into an unlikely friendship between the two.
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Eliza’s purpose in the story represents the possibility of renewal and hope in a tale steeped in guilt and revenge.
While Nella’s life has been consumed by the past and her own regrets, Eliza embodies the innocence of new beginnings. Her curiosity and courage breathe life back into Nella’s weary heart, reminding her that not all paths must end in bitterness.
Caroline, the modern seeker.
Caroline anchors the modern timeline of The Lost Apothecary, and her story mirrors the struggles and self-discovery of the women who came before her.
At first glance, she seems to be living a comfortable, ordinary life—a steady job, a stable marriage, and a predictable routine.
But beneath that surface lies a deep sense of unfulfillment and longing for something more. Once a passionate history lover with dreams of earning her master’s degree at Cambridge, Caroline gave up her ambitions when her college sweetheart proposed.
Years later, after discovering his infidelity, she’s forced to confront a painful truth: somewhere along the way, she lost sight of herself.
“History might dismiss these women, but I would not.”
Caroline’s purpose in the novel is to represent rebirth and the courage to reclaim one’s identity.
Her journey to London—originally meant to be a distraction from her broken marriage—becomes a symbolic return to who she was meant to be. When she stumbles upon an old apothecary vial buried in the mud along the Thames, she unknowingly unearths Nella and Eliza’s long-forgotten story.
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Through her research and growing fascination with the mysterious apothecary murders, Caroline begins to see reflections of herself in Nella—both trapped by circumstance, both yearning for freedom and purpose.
Caroline’s significance lies in how she bridges the past and the present.
Through her, Sarah Penner reminds us that the strength of women endures across time—that the choices we make, the pain we overcome, and the courage we find in ourselves are threads that connect us all.
“As a student, I'd been fascinated by the lives of ordinary people, those whose names weren't acknowledged and recorded in textbooks.
And now, I'd stumbled on the mystery of one of those nameless, forgotten people - and a woman, no less.”
Why I Recommend This Enchanting Tale
Honestly, The Lost Apothecary is supremely underrated.
The way Penner weaves together the lives of Nella, Eliza, and Caroline is impressive; it’s like three stories in one, all connected across centuries, and somehow it all just works perfectly.
It’s so easy to forget the women who came before us—the ones who fought, suffered, and persevered in their own ways.
Even though the times were totally different, the battles feel the same. Reading this book felt like a reminder of that shared strength, of the unbreakable bonds between women across generations.
Final Thoughts: A Journey Worth Embarking On
The Lost Apothecary is a testament to the power of women, the intrigue of mystery, and the beauty of storytelling.
So, dear readers, are you ready to uncover the secrets of The Lost Apothecary?
Until my next read,
Marianna ♥
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