The Lost Apothecary is a medium-paced historical fiction written from three different perspectives. When I first picked this book up, I was interested in the idea of following three different people throughout the story. As the story progressed, I was constantly intrigued with trying to figure out how the three stories were connected. 

The story follows Nella, the apothecary, Eliza, a twelve-year-old who befriends Nella, and Caroline, a woman on a solo adventure in England. Nella and Eliza's story takes place in 1791 whereas Caroline is in the "present day." The reader learns that Nella is no ordinary apothecary- rather than dispensing potions to provide relief from ailments, she provides poisons to women to use on men who have done them wrong. A quote from Nella sums up the motive behind all of the women's intentions, "every woman has faced a man's wickedness to some degree..." This quote along with the one mentioned above encapsulates the overarching message of the book. Eliza meets Nella after being sent to her by her mistress and falls into a deep appreciation for Nella. Caroline is a college graduate who loves historical England. On a solo trip to England, meant to be an anniversary trip, Caroline finds herself mudlarking and discovers a piece of history that sends her down a researching rabbit hole that is connected to some unknown woman who may or may not have been some kind of apothecary. 

I gave The Lost Apothecary four stars. I enjoyed the story and the storytelling elements. The three perspectives added to the atmosphere of the book while also providing a sense of mystery. Throughout the book, I felt a sense of urgency and worry for the three characters. There were several, "Wait, what?" moments throughout the book that left me wanting more. Spiraling into uncertainty, there is a sense of relief and an almost satisfactory resolution to the story that left me feeling ultimately serene. 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a good historical fiction with some twists and turns.