The Lost Apothecary

The Lost Apothecary: a novel  by Sarah Penner.  Park Row, 2021. 319 pages. ****

"Rule #1 The poison must never be used to harm another woman." Nella is a woman in 1791 London, who runs an Apothecary catering to women who want to poison the oppressive men in their lives. She sells well-disguised natural poisons in a shop hidden from prying eyes. When 12-year-old Eliza Fanning comes to pick up a poison ordered by her mistress, Nella has a foreboding that this transaction may be her undoing. Meanwhile, in present-day London, Caroline Parcewell has traveled on a vacation that was supposed to celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary until she found out right before she left that her husband was having an affair. Invited by a gentleman on the street to join a group of people who were mudlarking along the river, Caroline finds glass vial with a bear etched on it. Trying to find the origin of the vial leads Caroline to meet Gaynor at the Maps desk in the British Library. Becoming fast friends, the two embark on a journey to discover the mystery surrounding the vial and the dark secrets of a hidden Apothecary. 

This book is my Book Club's May choice. 

I found this book utterly fascinating and somewhat ironic in the face of current events, men wanting to  enact laws controlling women's bodies. What a diabolical concept, using natural ingredients to concoct a poison undetected by a coroner performing an autopsy in the 18th century. The fact that Nella recorded in her book what formula was provided and who ordered it and who the intended victim was added to the drama and fear of being caught. Women could murder the men who controlled them and never be held accountable for their actions, did anyone immediately regret what they did?  I'm still not clear on the purpose of recording the transaction, was it to cement the loyalty of those she helped? Verify the identity of those who died an untimely death? Cleanse her hands of the crime committed, was she merely the facilitator? I still want to know what was in the tincture created by Eliza. I can't wait until the discussion at Book Club, I'm sure it will be a lively one. 

This debut novel with its multi-faceted moral dilemma is a perfect choice for a book club. 

Sarah and her husband live in St. Petersburg, Florida with their miniature dachshund, Zoe. Penner offers a Book Club Kit filled with questions, Sarah's experiences mudlarking, and cocktails. To discover more about Sarah Penner, https://www.sarahpenner.com.

For more information on mudlarking:

https://www.frommers.com/slideshows/848024-mudlarking-in-the-thames-might-be-the-best-thing-i-ve-done-in-london

https://britishheritage.com/history/mudlarking-thames-treasures-london

Follow me on IG - kathy.nester

#bookstagram #historicalfiction #mudlarking