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One of my Top Ten Picks for 2021!! ❤️❤️
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin/Park Row for this ARC in exchange for my view and opinion. It was one of the most fascinating and detailed insights into a sinister side of historical fiction.

Caroline is on her 10 year wedding anniversary trip in London, but alone. After discovering her husband is cheating on her, she needed time to think. While mud-larking in the River Thames, (a new term for me) she discovers a blue medicine vial with a small bear etched into the glass. This takes her on a scavenger hunt to the library to research for the origin of this intriguing find.

With 3 person POV and a span of 200 years this story is delicately tied to a silent secret network of well disguised poisons, vengeance and a clue to unsolved apothecary murders 2 centuries ago. The very discreet business is ran by Nella and open only to female clientele with a mission. She continues this sinister avail with a 2 rule focus: 1. The concoctions can never be used against another woman.
2. The names of the victims and the ones carrying out the deed must be recorded.

The apothecary is hidden away in a back alley behind an intriguing wall of shelves that even the keen eye would miss. With mixtures of remedies for healing, one slight change of an ingredient can turn purposely fatal.
When 12 year old precocious, Eliza, meets Nella under her Mistress's orders for a vial of poison, things become complicated and all involved are in danger of being exposed.

The suspense and story telling is fascinating. The way the author interacts the characters is flawless from present to past. As sinister as it all appears, it will leave you finding female heroines on different terms of strength and commitment to themselves and others. I'm only sorry the story ended.
Good Job, Sarah!!!!!! If this a debut, I can't wait for your next book!