“To me, the allure of history lay in the minutiae of life long ago, the untold secrets of ordinary people.”
If you loved The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, you’re likely on the hunt for more historical fiction books with dual timelines, strong female leads and just a dash of mystery. This captivating novel weaves together the past and the present, following a secret apothecary in 18th-century London who helps women escape their oppressors – one vial of poison at a time. With its feminist themes, atmospheric setting and intrigue, The Lost Apocathery became one of the best debut novels of the year when it hit shelves in 2021. Whether you’re drawn to books about apocatheries, secret societies or historical fiction with a magical realism twist, this list has something for you. From mystery-filled histories to stories of revenge, empowerment and discovery, join us at What We Reading for the best books like The Lost Apothecary that promise to whisk you through time whilst uncovering hidden pasts.
The London Séance Society – Sarah Penner
First stop on our list of the best books like The Lost Apothecary is another one of Sarah Penner’s best works, The London Séance Society. Set in Victorian London, the story centres around Lenna Wickes, a sceptical woman desperate to unearth the truth behind her sister’s mysterious death. To do so, she apprentices under the enigmatic Vaudeline D’Allaire, a renowned spiritualist known for summoning spirits to solve crimes.
When the elite London Séance Society summons Vaudeline – an occultist group dominated by men – Lenna joins her, only to discover a web of deception, dark secrets, and hidden power struggles. As they delve deeper, they realise that the society may be tied to Lenna’s sister’s murder, forcing them to grapple with a world brimming with betrayal, revenge and supernatural forces.
The Binding – Bridget Collins
Bridget Collins’ The Binding is a historical fiction novel with elements of magical realism, mystery and forbidden love. Set in an alternative nineteenth-century England, the story follows Emmett Farmer, a young man recovering from an illness when he is called to apprentice under a bookbinder. Yet, in this reality, books are not just stories – they contain real memories, pulled from people attempting to forget their pasts.
As Emmett learns the craft, he happens upon a locked book bearing his own name, suggesting that he also has a past he doesn’t want to remember. As he unravels the mystery, he is drawn into a hidden world of secrets, deception, and love that defies social expectations. With its gothic atmosphere and dual timeline, The Binding is perfect for fans of The Lost Apothecary looking for another read that delivers history, magic, secret paths and powerful emotional stakes.
The Miniaturist (The Miniaturist #1) – Jessie Burton
In seventeenth-century Amsterdam, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives at her husband’s grand but austere home with the hopes of making it a fresh start in her life. Instead, she finds herself trapped in an estate full of secrets, including her distant husband, his sharp-tongued sisters, and the servants who all appear to know more than they let on.
As a wedding gift, Nella receives an exquisite miniature replica of their new home, commissioned by a mysterious miniaturist. Soon, however, the tiny figures she receives start to reflect real-life events – revealing hidden truths and foreshadowing the future in unsettling ways. As Nella searches for answers, she reveals a web of lies, power struggles and defiance against societal constraints. One of the best historical feminist novels like The Lost Apothecary, The Miniaturist features historical mysteries, hidden pasts and strong females navigating a world of intrigue.
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The Apothecary’s Daughter – Julie Klassen
Lilly Haswell is the intelligent and driven daughter of an apothecary but longs for a life that extends beyond her father’s shop. Unlike other women of the time, she has a natural talent for healing and dreams of adventure beyond their small town.
When an unexpected opportunity presents itself, Lilly leaves home, stepping into a new world of wealth, romance and hidden secrets. But, as she grapples with high society, she is forced to contend with the life she left behind, the pressures placed on women, and the true meaning of happiness. Elsewhere, her father’s health begins to decline, leaving the apothecary’s future in the balance. Torn between duty and desire, Lilly must make a decision that will shape her future. With its feminist themes and atmospheric settings, The Apothecary’s Daughter is perfect for anyone who loved The Lost Apothecary’s strong female lead and secret pasts.
The Weight Of Ink – Rachel Kadish
A USA Today bestseller and winner of a National Jewish Book Award, Rachel Kadish’s The Weight of Ink follows Helen Watt, a modern-day historian who stumbles upon a trove of seventeenth-century Jewish manuscripts in London. As she deciphers the fragile documents, she uncovers the life of Ester Velasquez, a fiercely intelligent woman who defied social norms to become a scribe for a blind rabbi – a role forbidden to women of the time.
Ester’s story unfolds against the backdrop of plague-era London, religious persecution and philosophical rebellion, whilst Helen races against time to tie together the hidden truths buried within the manuscripts. As the two women’s lives intertwine across centuries, both must confront the sacrifices needed for knowledge, freedom and identity. With its rich historical setting, detailed mystery and dual timeline narratives, The Weight of Ink is one of the best follow-ups to The Lost Apothecary for anyone interested in another tale about female resilience.
The Clockmaker’s Daughter – Kate Morton
Another one of the best books similar to The Lost Apothecary featuring dual timelines, a gothic mystery and hidden pasts, Kate Morton’s The Clockmaker’s Daughter weaves together secrets, art and the passage of time, stretching from Victorian England to the present day.
In 1862, a group of artists gathers at Birchwood Manor for a summer retreat. But, by the end of their stay, a woman has disappeared, another has been murdered, and a priceless heirloom is nowhere to be found. At the centre of the mystery is Birdie Bell, the clockmaker’s daughter, a woman with a tragic past who becomes an unseen witness to history. Over a century on, archivist Elodie Winslow discovers an old satchel containing a photograph of a striking woman and a sketchpad that leads her to Birchwood Manor’s long-buried secrets. As she peels back the mystery, the past and present collide in a story of lost love and hidden identities.
The Familiars – Stacey Halls
The Familiars by Stacey Halls is a historical fiction novel with elements of mystery, feminism and magic set during the infamous Pendle Witch Trials of 1612. The story centres on Fleetwood Shuttleworth, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage and grappling with a difficult pregnancy. When she encounters Alice Gray, a healer accused of witchcraft, Fleetwood forms an unlikely alliance with the woman who claims to have the power to protect her unborn child.
As Fleetwood’s life becomes increasingly mixed in with Alice’s, she must navigate a world where superstition and power struggles can dismantle a woman’s entire life. Fleetwood’s search for the truth about Alice’s role in the trials reveals a web of deception, hidden pasts and forbidden. If you loved the gripping atmosphere, strong feminist themes and focus on women defying social expectations in The Lost Apothecary, The Familiars needs to be on your TBR list!
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
