Country estates, castles, old taverns, historic cottages, you name it. My strongest inspiration comes from anything historical in nature, particularly places: I feel a very strong pull when I visit old homes or structures, or when I see them in pictures. I was surprised by the number of plants and herbs that are highly toxic, and I was fascinated while reading about the clever, if ineffective, remedies used by the predecessors of modern-day pharmacists. I spent time in the British Library, sifting through old manuscripts and druggist diaries I reviewed digitized pharmacopeias, and I studied extensively some well-known poisoning cases in the 18th and 19th centuries. Researching the many herbal and homespun remedies for this story was a time-consuming, albeit entertaining, task. I aimed to develop this enchantment within the story, to really make the reader feel like he or she had stepped into the old apothecary shop. There is something beguiling, even enchanting, about what might lie within those bottles: potions that bewitch us, cure us, kill us.

The word “apothecary” is evocative, drawing forth visions of a candlelit storefront with sash windows, its walls lined with mortar bowls, pestles, and countless glass bottles. I clung to this initial vision throughout the writing of the book. But I knew I wanted there to be something sinister about her, and this quickly led me down the path of poison.

Sarah Penner: When the idea for The Lost Apothecary first came to me, I envisioned a woman - an apothecary - working from a hidden shop in a dark London alleyway. KCM: This is such a fun concept of a novel. She also gave some tips on what teas and essential oils to keep in your own home! We talked to Penner about her research, her love of historical oddities and documents and the feminist themes in her novel. The novel tells the story of a secret apothecary shop in 18th century London - where a mysterious woman sells potions to women to use against the abusive men in their lives. What would you do if you ever came across an underage girl who was being sexually assaulted, like Eliza Fanning did by Mr.If you’re looking for a mystical escape this spring, look no further than The Lost Apothecary, a new bestseller by Sarah Penner.

If your spouse ever cheated on you, would you react in a similar way as Caroline Parcewell did after being cheated on by James Parcewell?.Did you ever find ancient objects, like Caroline Parcewell did when mudlarking in River Thames?.When you were reading The Lost Apothecary, what did you think about Nella Clavinger providing poison to women, so they could murder men, just because they had wronged them?.These are questions about The Lost Apothecary for book clubs: The Lost Apothecary: A Novel, authored by Sarah Penner, has been picked by many book clubs for their members to read.

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