# TLDR Review: The Lost Apothecary *Published: 2025-09-26 | Updated: 2025-09-26 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/the-lost-apothecary* --- ## Verdict "The Lost Apothecary: A Novel" is a compelling debut that artfully combines historical fiction with a thrilling mystery. With strong female characters and a captivating dual-timeline narrative, it offers an engaging escape into a richly described world of intrigue and empowerment. This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate immersive historical settings and tales of women's resilience. If you're a fan of Alice Hoffman's works like "Practical Magic," you'll likely enjoy this book. Consider adding it to your reading list for a unique blend of history and suspense. **Top pro:** Engaging debut novel that captivates readers from the start. **Top con:** The modern character, Caroline, lacks depth, leading to a potential disconnection for some readers. ## Product: The Lost Apothecary **Brand:** Penner, Sarah [Compare prices and price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/the-lost-apothecary) ## Pros - Engaging debut novel that captivates readers from the start. - Features strong female characters that are deeply relatable and beautifully crafted. - Offers a dual narrative that seamlessly bridges the 18th and 21st centuries. - The historical setting in London, 1791, is richly described and integrates well with the modern storyline. - The suspenseful storyline with unexpected plot twists keeps readers guessing. - Explores compelling themes of vengeance, betrayal, and empowerment. - A unique and intriguing plot element is the apothecary's secret use of poisons. - Beautiful cover art enhances the book’s appeal. - Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and thrillers. - Provides a sense of escapism, making it a great read during challenging times. ## Cons - The modern character, Caroline, lacks depth, leading to a potential disconnection for some readers. - Some may find the modern timeline less captivating than the historical parts. - A key plot point about bureaucracy feels oversimplified, which might disappoint detail-oriented readers. ## Pros vs Cons at a Glance | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Engaging debut novel that captivates readers from the start. | The modern character, Caroline, lacks depth, leading to a potential disconnection for some readers. | | Features strong female characters that are deeply relatable and beautifully crafted. | Some may find the modern timeline less captivating than the historical parts. | | Offers a dual narrative that seamlessly bridges the 18th and 21st centuries. | A key plot point about bureaucracy feels oversimplified, which might disappoint detail-oriented readers. | | The historical setting in London, 1791, is richly described and integrates well with the modern storyline. | | | The suspenseful storyline with unexpected plot twists keeps readers guessing. | | | Explores compelling themes of vengeance, betrayal, and empowerment. | | | A unique and intriguing plot element is the apothecary's secret use of poisons. | | | Beautiful cover art enhances the book’s appeal. | | | Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and thrillers. | | | Provides a sense of escapism, making it a great read during challenging times. | | ## Last Seen Prices *Each price is the last one ShopSavvy observed, on 2024-10-18; it may have changed since.* | Retailer | Price | Availability | Last seen | |----------|-------|-------------|-----------| | [PangoBooks](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/6bb290a3-bd03-2032-2616-de83e86ef6c2?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $5.00 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Biblio.com](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/5a033280-e7a9-176a-cff5-6dac65d471c2?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $5.59 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Half Price Books](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/1c51139f-809e-7685-b289-ad02c5cc2c76?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $8.99 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Amazon](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/oH6Rjp5Hrk9Psooeve90?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $10.93 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Target](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/1XtLNtBZtBcmnmcPDRB5?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $10.93 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Bull Moose](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/ac91Fc3MDDIQncQIVpV6?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $13.97 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Harlequin Enterprises ULC](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/28718447-1799-c69b-d311-621bb57c21f9?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $15.19 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Bookshop.org](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/che1lqxtX3po9tCCHIkd?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $17.66 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Symposium Books](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/sC2A9ziVVCbsXj0o6KhE?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $17.99 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Walmart](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/xfMO7k2MkY1o8F9ppMsH?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $18.02 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Books A Million](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/pfRHs2sYFTmS742axint?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $18.99 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [HarperCollins Publishers](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/5135aa9e-d803-18bf-74b3-cc1b8be024ef?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $18.99 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | | [Macy's](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/VZeFOOj86azOR4iD7ehT/offers/4bea6921-6cc4-f883-e97e-983ceac52301?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $18.99 | In Stock | 2024-10-18 (may have changed) | [See every retailer and the full price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/the-lost-apothecary) --- *About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data (each price shows when it was last seen).* *Machine-readable access: append `.md` to any ShopSavvy URL, or send `Accept: text/markdown`, to get this page as Markdown. 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