Sarah Penner

A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them - setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course. Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman. Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register. One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose - selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register. In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive.

A spellbinding tale about two daring women who hunt for truth and justice in the perilous art of conjuring the dead.1873. At an abandoned château on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister’s death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. But as the women team up with the powerful men of London’s exclusive Séance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselves…

1873: In einem verlassenen Château außerhalb von Paris hält die Spiritualistin und Wahrsagerin Vaudeline D’Allaire düstere Séancen ab. Sie ist weithin bekannt für ihr Talent und ihre Dienste werden gleichermaßen von Verwitweten wie von Gesetzeshütern in Anspruch genommen – um Kontakt zu Mordopfern aufzunehmen und deren Mörder zu finden. Die junge Lenna Wickes ist nach Paris gekommen, um den Mord an ihrer Schwester aufzuklären, wobei sie erst ihre Vorurteile gegenüber dem Okkulten überwinden muss. Als dann Vaudeline für eine Mordermittlung nach England gerufen wird, begleitet Lenna sie als Gehilfin. Doch während die zwei Frauen versuchen, mit der exklusiven und ausschließlich aus Männern bestehenden Geheimgesellschaft »Séance Society« zusammenzuarbeiten, kommt ihnen langsam der Verdacht, dass sie nicht nur ein Verbrechen aufdecken sollen, sondern selbst in eines verwickelt wurden …

A forgotten history. A secret network of women. A legacy of poison and revenge. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary… Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-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 twelve-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 tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive. 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.

In nineteenth-century Venice, a young woman’s marriage to an illusionist hides secrets that go deeper than his spectacular acts. The stage is set for transformation in a mesmerizing short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary. In 1820s Venice, world-renowned magician Oscar Van Hoff confounds sold-out crowds with his astounding manifestations. Even his beautiful wife and assistant, Olivia, is mystified. Her job is to smile and recite her lines—onstage and in society. But the thankless routine is bringing out her rebellious side. Then, on the eve of what promises to be Oscar’s greatest performance yet, Olivia uncovers a secret with the power to shatter all her husband’s illusions. Now the finale belongs to her.

Escondida en las entrañas del Londres del siglo XVIII, una botica secreta sirve a una clientela muy inusual. Entre las mujeres londinenses se rumorea sobre una misteriosa mujer llamada Nella que vende venenos bien disfrazados de medicina a aquellas que necesiten usarlos contra hombres que las maltraten. Pero el destino de esta boticaria está comprometido cuando su nuevo protegido, un precoz chaval de 12 años, comete un error fatal que tendrá unas consecuencias cuyo eco se mantendrá durante siglos. En la actualidad, una aspirante a historiadora llamada Caroline Parcewell pasa su décimo aniversario de bodas sola, enfrentada a sus propios demonios. Entonces dará con una pista para resolver los misteriosos asesinatos que hicieron temblar al Londres de hace más de doscientos años. Su vida se mezclará con la aquella boticaria en un sorprendente giro del destino. El secreto de la boticaria es una debut subversivo y adictivo lleno de suspense, con personajes inolvidables y una aguda profundidad. Un sinfín de secretos, venganza y singulares maneras en las que las dos mujeres pueden salvarse la una a la otra pese a la barrera del tiempo.

Таємна спільнота жінок. Призабута історія. У повітрі ще відчувається отруйний подих помсти. Непримітна аптекарська крамниця, захована у глибинах Лондона вісімнадцятого століття, тут обслуговують незвичайну клієнтуру та ще й за некласичними умовами: Правило № 1: Ніколи не можна використовувати отруту на шкоду іншій жінці; Правило № 2: Імена вбивці та її жертви мають бути записані в аптечній реєстровій книжці. Жінки всього міста шепочуться про загадкову аптекарку на ім’я Нелла, котра продає отрути, завдяки яким можна позбутися чоловіків-гнобителів. Моторошний світ Нелли — не найкраще місце для її нової відвідувачки, надзвичайно обдарованої 12-річної дівчинки на ймення Еліза Фаннінг. Авторка видання Сара Пеннер майстерно занурює читачів у водночас моторошний і вабливий роман про жінок, які виборювали своє виживання у світі, створеному чоловіками та для чоловіків.

Escondida nas entranhas de Londres do século XVIII, uma botica secreta serve uma clientela pouco usual. Entre as mulheres londrinas, fala-se sobre uma mulher misteriosa chamada Nella que vende venenos bem disfarçados de remédios àquelas que precisem deles para os usar contra os homens que as maltratam. Contudo, o destino desta boticária fica comprometido quando a sua nova protegida, uma rapariga precoce de 12 anos, comete um erro fatal que terá consequências cujo eco se manterá durante séculos. Na atualidade, uma aspirante a historiadora chamada Caroline Parcewell passa o seu décimo aniversário de casamento sozinha, enfrentando os seus próprios demónios. Então, encontrará uma pista para resolver os assassinatos misteriosos que fizeram Londres tremer há mais de duzentos anos. A sua vida misturar-se-á com a da boticária numa reviravolta surpreendente do destino. E nem todos sobreviverão. O Segredo da Boticária é uma estreia subversiva e viciante, cheia de suspense, com personagens inesquecíveis e uma profundidade aguda. Cheia de segredos, vingança e de formas singulares como as duas mulheres podem salvar-se uma à outra, apesar da barreira do tempo.

A nautical archaeologist searching for sunken treasure unearths a centuries-old curse, powerful witchcraft and perilous love on the high seas in this spellbinding new novel from the author of The Lost Apothecary Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work? In 1821, Mari DeLuca and the women of her village practice the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the power of the ocean. As their leader, Mari protects Positano with her witchcraft, but she has been plotting to run away with her lover, Holmes—a sailor aboard a merchant ship owned by the nefarious Mazza brothers, known for their greed and brutality. When the Mazzas learn about the women of Positano, they devise a plan to kidnap several of Mari’s friends. With her fellow witches and her village in danger, Mari is forced to choose between the safety of her people and the man she loves. As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a tale of perilous love and powerful sorcery. Can she unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever? Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.

A spellbinding tale about two daring women who hunt for truth and justice in the perilous art of conjuring the dead.1873. At an abandoned château on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister’s death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. But as the women team up with the powerful men of London’s exclusive Séance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselves…

Suntem în 1873. Într-o sală întunecată a unui castel abandonat de la periferia Parisului, începe o ședință de invocare a spiritelor. Ședința e condusă de cea mai celebră spiritistă a vremii, Vaudeline D’Allaire, care are o predilecție pentru a chema victimele crimelor, să afle cine le-a răpit viața. Desigur, D’Allaire e foarte apreciată atât de familiile în doliu, cât și de anchetatorii crimelor. Lenna Wickes a venit la Paris să studieze arta spiritismului cu D’Allaire, dar motivul ei real e altul: își dorește să descopere cine a ucis-o pe sora ei Evie. Spre deosebire de Evie, o împătimită a artelor oculte, Lenna are o gândire bazată pe logică și rațiune, prin urmare, se îndoiește de existența vieții de apoi și de abilitatea celor vii de a interacționa cu spiritele morților. O scrisoare cu chenar negru o invită pe D'Allaire în Anglia, la sediul Societății Londoneze de Spiritism. Lenna o însoțește, sperând că va primi răspunsuri legate de Evie. În timp ce investighează o crimă care ține prima pagină a ziarelor vremii, cele două femei descoperă câteva dintre cele mai sinistre secrete ale bărbaților influenți ai vremii, iar adevărul le pune într-un pericol pe viață și pe moarte. Explorează atmosfera stranie și enigmatică a Londrei victoriene în acest roman gotic și întunecat, plin de suspans, de tensiune și de senzualitate subtilă, în timp ce amenințarea se împletește cu o poveste ambiguă despre iubire și dorință.

En glömd historia. Ett hemligt kvinnligt nätverk. Ett arv av gift och hämnd. Nella driver ett undanskymt och lite annorlunda apotek i 1790-talets London - i största hemlighet hjälper hon kvinnor att giftmörda de män som behandlar dem illa. Nella har bara två regler som måste följas: Giftet får inte användas mot andra kvinnor och allt måste registreras i apotekets böcker. I nutid hittar historikern Caroline Parcewell av en slump en ledtråd till den över tvåhundra år gamla historien vid Themsens strand. Hon börjar gräva i det förflutna och sakta kommer sanningen kring de mystiska apoteksmorden fram. "En djärv, vass och fullbordad debut!" Kate Quinn, författare "Oavbrutet spännande (...) ett imponerande romanbygge." Katrine Hamori, BTJ-häftet Sarah Penner arbetar på heltid inom finans och är medlem i ett historiskt romansällskap och Women's Fiction Writers Association. Hon bor med sin man och sin hund Zoe i Florida. Giftmakerskan är Sarah Penners debutroman.