Mystery

I love when people recommend books to me. Sometimes I like them and sometimes I don’t. Several people told me that I needed to read the book, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. I read the synopsis and put the book on hold in the Libby app. It is classified under magical realism and historical mystery. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but since so many people said I should read it, I decided to give it a try. My elementary school librarian used to tell us not to judge a book by it’s cover. In this case, I was not about to judge a book by how it was classified. Like in elementary school, there was a good chance a book could surprise me!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

Kindle Paperwhite – (previous generation – 2018 release) Waterproof with more than 2x the Storage, 32 GB, Wi-Fi + Free Cellular ConnectivityKindle Oasis Essentials Bundle including Kindle Oasis (Graphite, Ad-Supported), Amazon Leather Cover, and Power AdapterKindle Kids, a Kindle designed for kids, with parental controls – Rainbow Birds Cover

Kindles Make the Best Gift!

My Kindle Paperwhite was the best gift I ever got. It is so much easier to slip my Kindle in my purse and take it with me. Since I spend most of my time waiting in car lines or in the parking lot at practice, having something portable is good! Kindles are also good for kids! All they can do on a Kindle is read. So there is no worry about whether or not they are playing games instead of reading. We got our kids a Kindle when they went into 6th grade because they had to have a book with them at all times. At their middle school, backpacks were not allowed, so having a light Kindle in their binder made it easier for them. They also never had to worry about losing points if they finish their book and don’t have something to read.

About The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

From Amazon –

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.

The Lost Apothecary: The New York Times Top Ten Bestseller

My Thoughts on Sarah Penner’s Book

I really enjoyed this book! It was written in one of my favorite styles where it alternates points of view of the characters. Some chapters also go back in time. That may seem confusing, but it really isn’t. I felt like I got more information and insight into the characters and the actual plot. My hope is that Sarah Penner will write a sequel to The Lost Apothecary. When I was looking this book, I found an article that this will be made into a series! How exciting is that?! It also stated that the author will be a consultant to the series. So I hope that means it will stay very close to the original story.

Other Books You Should Read

I have read a lot of books lately. Below are my favorites that you should give a chance!

• It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
• Verity, Psychological Thriller by Colleen Hoover
• The Best of Friends by Lucinda Berry
• Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

If you’ve read any of those, let me know what you thought! Also, if you have any suggestions for me, leave them in a comment!

I really get excited when new (to me) authors reach out to me to read their book. What also excites me is when this new (to me) author agrees to an author interview (go read it)! Kathryn Schleich is the author of the new crime novel, Salvation Station. This page turning novel will have you on the edge of your seat, anxious to get to the end!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The author of this book provided me with an ebook for the purpose of this review*

After Effects: A Zimbell House AnthologySalvation Station: A NovelHollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and other Images

Salvation Station Synopsis

When committed female police captain Linda Turner, haunted by the murders of two small
children and their pastor father, becomes obsessed with solving the harrowing case, she finds
herself wrapped up in a mission to expose a fraudulent religious organization and an
unrepentant killer.
 
Despite her years of experience investigating homicides for the force, Captain Linda Turner
is haunted by the murders of the Hansen family. The two small children, clothed in tattered
Disney pajamas, were buried with their father, a pastor, in the flower garden behind a church
parsonage in Lincoln, Nebraska. But Mrs. Hansen is nowhere to be found—and neither is the
killer.
 
In St. Louis, the televangelist Ray Williams is about to lose his show—until one of his
regular attendees approaches him with an idea that will help him save it. Despite his initial
misgivings, Ray agrees to give it a try. He can’t deny his attraction to this woman, and
besides, she’d assured him the plan is just—God gave her the instructions in a dream.
 
Multiple story lines entwine throughout this compelling mystery, delving into the topics of
murder, religious faith, and the inherent dangers in blindly accepting faith as truth. While
Reverend Williams is swept up in his newfound success and plans for his wedding, Captain
Turner can only hope that she and her team will catch the Hansens’ cunning killer—before
more bodies surface.

About the Author

Kathryn Schleich has been a writer for thirty years. Her most recent publications include the short story “Reckless Acts,” featured in After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology, and her story “Grand Slam,” published in The Acentos Review in May 2017. She is the author of two editions of the book Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images, which evolved from her master’s thesis. Her guest posts have been featured on the Women On Writing blog, The Muffin, and she writes for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s volunteer newsletter. When she’s not writing, Schleich is likely volunteering in the education and arts communities in the Twin Cities, where she lives. Friends, family, good food, wine, and traveling are important aspects of her life. Salvation Station is her first novel. It is available for sale on on Amazon.

Connect with Kathryn Schleich on Social Media

If you are like me, you probably liked to connect with authors you like on social media. You can find Kathryn Schleich on the following social media platforms:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Goodreads

You can also visit her website for more information about her and the books she has for sale right now!

My Thoughts

Typically, I like stories that have multiple storylines. This novel was no different. There were many storylines intertwined throughout the book and getting invested in each one quickly, was very easy! Go ahead, read it for yourself. Find out what I mean!