Ultimately, this novel is written by a feminist for feminists.
Cover of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
The Lost Apothecary, a novel by Sarah Penner, is a celebration of the special relationships that have bonded women together through the centuries. It was the most anticipated indie novel of 2021 and was well worth the hype—and with the release of Penner’s latest novel, The London Séance Society, hitting the shelves, what better time is there to review her debut novel? The story of The Lost Apothecary takes place in 2019 London, England, where Caroline Parcewell is visiting for what should have been a celebration of her ten-year wedding anniversary. However, Caroline is instead using the trip to redefine her priorities and discover what she really wants out of life after learning about her husband’s adulterous nature. Two hundred years in the past, apothecary owner Nella Clavinger meets an unlikely friend in a young girl, Eliza Fanning, a servant sent by her mistress to purchase poison to kill her unfaithful husband. As Caroline discovers a vial that leads to a huge historical mystery, we follow alongside the story of Nella and Eliza and face questions of adultery, morality, life, death, and power.
Ultimately, this novel is written by a feminist for feminists. We see the idea of power and morality played with over and over again throughout the story. We as readers are able to watch the suspense and the build-up grow and develop in each incredible turn of events; however, this novel does fall a little short of a satisfying ending. The climax is delayed, and if the novel were 20 pages longer, it would have been perfect. However, it wasn’t quite there. I would absolutely still recommend this book to fellow readers. The usage of prose, plot, characters, and story development are some of the best that I’ve ever read, but the finale of the novel didn’t quite hit the sweet spot. If you’re looking for a novel that introduces the adult genre in a way that isn’t vulgar, this is absolutely the book for you. This novel does a fantastic job of introducing adult themes and ideas without being crass or smutty, and it’s one that I would recommend to every adult looking for a historical fiction novel with a bit of a fantastical edge.
—Review by Rachel Blackburn
