I remember watching a PBS documentary on forensic science several years ago. I found it fascinating that in the 1920s there were quite a few murders by poisoning. Apparently at that time forensics and toxicology was so new that it was difficult to trace the poisons in the body that contributed to the death of an individual.
I just finished a very interesting book entitled The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. It is the story of a young woman who discoveries an old apothecary bottle while mudlarking in London. (I had never heard of mudlarking before, but the book will catch you up to speed.) In fact, it was a mudlarking trek that inspired the author to begin researching more about apothecaries and poisoning.
This find leads Caroline, the young woman, on a journey to discover who it belonged to, and what it might have once contained.
Meanwhile, the story also follows an apothecary owner, Nella, who lives in the late 1700’s. She provides care for women’s ailments, and poisons to kill the men in their lives.
It really was a fascinating story about a time period I’ve rarely read about, and it is also a coming of age story for the present day character, Caroline. I also find it fascinating that due to today’s scientific advancements poisoning is not as common of a practice when it comes to murder.
Although, a different kind of story The Lost Apothecary was an enjoyable read.
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