74 pages • 2 hours read
The Lost Apothecary
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 1790s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner alternates between an 18th-century and present-day timeline, following apothecary Nella Clavinger, housemaid Eliza Fanning, and tourist Caroline Parcewell. Nella sells poisons to women seeking freedom from abusive men, while Caroline uncovers the apothecary's secrets in modern London, exploring themes of betrayal, feminine power, and secrecy.
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Suspenseful
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
452,588 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is praised for its imaginative storyline and strong female characters, weaving historical and contemporary narratives effectively. Critics highlight its enchanting atmosphere and engrossing mystery. However, some find the plot predictable and the character development lacking depth. Overall, it offers a captivating, though occasionally simplistic, read.
Who Should Read The Lost Apothecary?
A reader who enjoys historical fiction interwoven with mystery and a touch of feminist themes would be captivated by Sarah Penner's The Lost Apothecary. Fans of Kate Quinn's The Alice Network or Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale would appreciate the book's blend of suspense and richly developed female characters.
452,588 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
320
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 1790s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.