The Lost Apothecary and Rosemary Butter Biscuit Cookies

Let’s go to London, England…or should I say Victorian London. England.  There in this historic city at 3 Bear Alley is an apothecary that is hidden away from prying eyes.  The proprietor’s name is Nella who has a tragic past and she is looking to help women with their “ailments.”  These ailments are the domineering men in their lives.  With the help of a young maid in a wealthy household, she makes these troubles “disappear.”  At the same time, we flash forward to present day London and meet Caroline.  A woman who is escaping from her husband’s infidelity and her broken heart.  When she finds this strange antique glass vial from the Thame’s River, she finds herself uncovering a long-lost mystery.  Will any of these women find healing after being delivered so many betrayals?  Let’s see.

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The Story

The Lost Apothecary revolves around a mysterious potion/poison maker in the 1800s named Nella.  A woman who is no stranger to treachery, heartbreak, and injustice.  Due to a tragedy that was brought on by a man she loved named Frederick, she made a promise that no woman would ever feel the pain that she did.  Her solution was no longer to make medicines that helped heal the sick but poisons to get rid of the men that mean harm to the women in their lives. 

She gets the surprise of her life when a girl who could not be more than 12 years old comes into her secret hideaway.  Her name is Eliza and she is the handmaid of Nella’s latest client who is seeking her help.  Nella is reluctant to believe that Eliza is somehow involved with this situation but there is something about her that draws Nella in.  Before she knows it, this young girl and her find themselves helping each other.  But to what end?

Back in modern times, Carolina has just been dealt a bombshell when her husband of 10 years has been having an affair at his office.  Her answer is to go to London on their 10-year anniversary alone to deal and heal.   On a spontaneous jaunt at the bank of the Thame’s River she finds a small Victorian vial washed up on the shore.  Finding this has opened up her deep buried love of history and she finds herself trying to solve the mystery of this long-forgotten apothecary. 

With these women’s stories intertwined there may be a chance for these women to find closure and restore some past hurts.  All it will take is some new friendships, a little magic, a few big mistakes, and one big miracle.  Can these women make that happen?  Only one way to find out.

My Review

This book was nothing short of amazing!  I could not put it down.  The story was intriguing with a lot of twists and turns, including an ending that I did not see coming.  Each character was believable.  Nella with her jaded past has a hard time trusting and opening up to people.  She just does not believe that there is anything good in the world after a selfish man took something dearer to her than her own life.  I will not say what it was but I will say that it is understandable why she feels this way.  Then along comes little Eliza, a young, impressionable girl that is on the cusp of womanhood yet has all the innocence and light that was missing in Nella’s life.  Eliza is immediately captivated by what Nella does.  She sees the enigmatic proprietor as a magical woman who can weave spells and save women from bad things.  Little does she know that it does not work that way.  Then there is Caroline who feels so lost after leaving Ohio and does not know what to do about it.  But even with her hurting heart, she finds a solution in a glass bottle that holds so many secrets.  This just might get her back on track with a life that she has long denied existed for herself. 

One would call this book, a magical realism story.  It can’t be denied that there is a bit of magic in this book despite what Nella says.  Little Eliza looks for magical solutions for all of her problems and that of her new mentor Nella.  She also has a fear of ghosts and thinks that she is being haunted by her old master that has a grudge against her.  There are times that you believe this must be what is going on because the beliefs are so strong within this book.

That said, I need to state that the descriptions and words of this book paints a clear and concise picture of what is happening in the lives of these three women.  It does not feel like you are there but you are certainly watching what is unfolding to these women in detail.  You can see what pains them and you just hope that there is some kindness even in the hardest of times to help these three women.  

The theme of modern day mixed with the Victorian era is a good one.  You see what has changed and what hasn’t in London with the help of this novel.  The architecture for example has not changed during the centuries but finding the truth and researching has (thank you internet).  It is quite fun to see the comparisons of history and the present.

Honestly, I can find nothing wrong with this book.  Every bit of it was wonderful.  It was easy to follow, had characters that you can not help but feel for, and little parts of magic that captivates you in all the best ways.  Bravo, Sarah Penner!  Bravo!  

A toast to your health!

The Pairings

What is unique about this book is that it comes with a few recipes.  So, what could be a better snack than what is suggested within the book?  In this case, it is rosemary butter biscuit cookies and Tom Pepper’s hot brew.  The rosemary cookies are shortbreads that have (you guessed it!) rosemary in it.  They are a sweet, buttery biscuit with a savoury herbaceous flavour to them.  It is quite the combination and not a bad one either.

Tom Pepper’s hot brew on the other hand is a required taste.  With the thyme and bourbon mixed together (you can also use scotch if you want) it has a medicinal taste that quite frankly, I did not find too pleasant.  So, if you like this kind of drink, go for it but I swapped this out with some peppermint tea.  Which is somewhat medicinal but much tastier to my palate. 

The Rating/Final Thoughts

10/10

I just can’t resist a book that has intrigue, mysticism, and feminine strength.  I know it kind of starts out dark and you wonder how someone who is a poisoner/serial killer can be sympathetic but when you read this book you will see what I am talking about.  But do yourself a favour.  Do not make a potion maker mad.  That’s just asking for trouble.