The Lost Apothecary

By: Sarah Penner

Narrated by: Sarah Cullum

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

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)

I loved this book, but...

I really enjoyed this book. I loved all the female protagonists. But the husband was just a gaslighting bore. I couldn't tolerate him. I must admit I would have liked a different ending for him. But that being said, I will remember this book fondly and look for other books by this author. The narrator did a great job and added to the story.

Awful Awful Awful recording of the narration

I enjoyed this story immensely. However, it was spoiled by the recording of the narration which was at times like an automated voice you would get on an automated answer to a telephone call. Very artificial and most annoying. Please if you expect people to pay good money for an audible book have the professionalism to proof listen to the recordings.

Good story, niggling narrators.

loved the story, brilliant story.
I found Caroline's narrator a bit too forceful like I would describe it as aggressive storytelling, never come accross it before found it really bizarre and then the internal monologue on an English accent and then the speaking in American. that really threw me!
likewise the narrator for eliza hisses her 's' and once you've heard it you can't unhear it!!
Nella's narration though, spot on exactly how I would have imagined her to sound had I been reading this book rather than listening.
I would recxomend this book though really enjoyed it

An interesting area of history with a female focus

The story held together generally quite well, although there were some holes (the police did not exist in the 1790s and neither Bow Street Runners - their rough equivalent- nor Parish Constables were uniformed). It also seemed a groundless and rather big leap when Caroline assumed early on that the vial she found during mudlarking, related to apothecary killings.
Later on during questioning at the hospital, it’s as clear the author wanted to draw parallels between the character and personality of the modern policeman and the historical one, but it came over as unrealistic as unlikely - uniformed police would be unlikely to undertake that kind of questioning if attempted murder were suspected.
Finally, Eliza’s narrator.. Perhaps she had been told to read more slowly, but the result was that she put emphasis repeatedly on the later consonants in words at the end of sentences. The consequent sibilance/emphasis (lassssst; leffffft; missssed; wissssse)and strange extending of words became noticeable; quite awkward and intrusive to listen to.

Caroline's Narrator Lets Down This Audible Version

I found the protagonist (Caroline) quite self absorbed. The narration for Caroline didn't quite sit well for me given that she was supposed to be American yet had a British accent. I found her voice incredibly monotone so her chapters of the book were difficult to listen to. She was an irritating character, for me personally.
However I continued to listen because the story was engaging and Eliza's narration was a perfect fit for the character she portrayed, as was Nella's. Their narration really captured the essence of each character's personality and background.
It would be better improved by changing whoever narrated Caroline's part with a genuine American voice and a bit more vocal range.

I hat is with this narration?

I’m sorry I couldn’t get any further than chapter 1 it was too off putting I did try but I’ll have to stick to the hard copy I have. I really couldn’t listen to the book it’s almost robotic but or done by AI there’s no emotion and the words seem clipped or otherwise not very human. Sorry unlistenable

Engaging story let down by narration

This was an interesting and engaging read. I don’t understand why the character of Caroline was narrated with an English accent when it very clearly stated that she was American, from Ohio. I found this narrator intensely irritating, which somewhat detracted from the rest of the story.

Great story but terrible narration

A really great story ruined by irritating narration - the role of Caroline played by someone who is I able to use tone appropriately to emphasise sentences - very distracting. Wish I’d read as a paperback instead of an audiobook.

Good story, narration could have been better

Enjoyed the story but did not like the robotic voice of Caroline. For a novel set in 18th century London, the Americanisation of some phrases jarred eg cookies, trash etc

Narrator was awful

Honestly, I can’t believe how the narrator ruined this. She’s like a automated robot with no emotion or acting. Like a satnav. Such a shame!

Unique, and brilliant

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.