Some of my book club friends were less forgiving and struggled with the many happy coincidences that appeared. It was an easy and entertaining read, and I was invested enough in the story to set aside some incredible (in all senses of the word!) occurrences. I enjoyed the book, although the chapters set in the 18th Century resonated more than those in the present day. The book follows the unravelling of Nella’s livelihood, and Caroline unravelling the secrets behind the blue bottle she has found. Having inherited her mother’s general apothecary business, events have led her to niche her offering to that of helping women to dispose of the menfolk in their lives - discreetly and undetectably.

On a mudlarking trip by the River Thames she discovers a blue bottle with a bear symbol on.Ĭut to the 18th Century and Nella who runs an apothecary near Bear Alley. But shortly before she left she discovered he has done the dirty on her, so she leaves him in Ohio and heads across the pond alone. Present-day Caroline Parcewell is in London on what is meant to be a 10th anniversary celebration with her husband. In this story the connection between the two is very clear. Like The Last Ship, the last book I reviewed, The Lost Apothecary has a dual timeline. Aptly named Reading Between the Wines, we are a group of ladies of a certain age who gather to drink wine (and beer), spend 3.5 hours catching up, and half an hour discussing the book we’ve picked.

I have my local book club to thank for my reading this book.

Review the lost apothecary