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The Lost Apothecary

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The Lost Apothecary

By: Sarah Penner
Narrated by: Sarah Cullum, Joan Walker, Charlie Sanderson
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About this listen

Newsweek's 2021's Most Highly Anticipated New Books

PopSugar's Most Anticipated Books of 2021

A New York Times top 10 best seller

With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.

Hidden in the depths of 18th-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. 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. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious 12-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.

Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her 10th wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London 200 years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive.

©2021 Sarah Penner (P)2021 W F Howes Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction

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Critic reviews

"A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!” (Kate Quinn, New York Times best-selling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress)

“Intriguing.... Readers who enjoy parallel historical/contemporary narratives about women’s lives, such as Claire McMillan’s The Necklace or Liz Trenow’s The Forgotten Seamstress, will enjoy the historical details and mystery in this engrossing tale.” (Library Journal)

“Readers who enjoy Katherine Howe and Susanna Kearsley will be drawn to this promising, fast-paced debut.” (Booklist)
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Somewhat in the vein of Barbara Erskine, this historical mystery is so good. it is very well written, and the storyline is brilliant. I will definitely read more by this author. Extremely well performed.

Unique, and brilliant

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I didn't realise a lot of other listeners have same complaint as I do re Caroline's voice. Poor emotion and too fast reading spoiled my empathy for the character. Also, I found the storyline full of sloppy research but by biggest gripe are the myriad of platitudes around women's thinking. Is this book written by AI?

Written and performed by AI?

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Some parts of it, I was thinking - that wouldn't happen in real life... don't be so dumb! I did love the parts set in the past.

Easy listening - loved the historical parts

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Good story. However I struggled with the voice of Caroline. She sounded very robotic and forced. Enjoyed the other narrators.

Good story, struggled with one of the narrators

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Read this book as part of a book club. Was hooked from the beginning and all the way to the end

Loved this book

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