10 Books About Characters Running Apothecaries
There’s something utterly enchanting about apothecaries—those quiet, tucked-away shops filled with glass jars of mysterious herbs, the scent of dried flowers and aged parchment, and the whispered promise of magic, healing, or something darker. Whether blending potions, crafting remedies, or hiding dangerous secrets, apothecaries make the perfect setting for fantasy, historical fiction, and mystery.
Step into the world of potions, poisons, and powerful secrets with these 10 captivating books about characters running apothecaries.
1. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
🌿 A Secret Apothecary for Women Seeking Justice
Hidden in the winding alleys of 18th-century London, Nella’s apothecary isn’t just for healing—it’s for revenge. Women come to her seeking poisons to rid themselves of cruel men. But when a young girl makes a fatal mistake, Nella’s hidden world begins to crumble. Centuries later, an aspiring historian stumbles upon an apothecary vial and uncovers the long-buried truth.
📖 Read if you love: Dual-timeline mysteries, feminist themes, and atmospheric historical fiction.
2. The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga
🌿 A Clever Apothecary Solving Palace Intrigues
Maomao, a former apothecary, is kidnapped and forced into the emperor’s palace as a servant. But when she begins diagnosing mysterious illnesses and poisoning attempts, her sharp wit catches the attention of the emperor’s advisor. Soon, she’s drawn into palace intrigue, where her knowledge of potions and poisons may be the key to survival.
📖 Read if you love: Court intrigue, Japanese-inspired fantasy, and brilliant heroines.
3. A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
🌿 Tea Magic That Can Heal—or Kill
In a world where tea-brewing is a sacred art, Ning enters a competition to become the empire’s greatest shénnóng-shī (magical tea master). But she’s not just there for glory—she’s desperate to find a cure for her dying sister, poisoned by tea laced with deadly magic. Amid betrayals and hidden dangers, she must master her craft or lose everything.
📖 Read if you love: Lush Asian-inspired fantasy, poison lore, and magical competitions.
4. The Secret Apothecary by Julie Berry
🌿 An Orphan-Turned-Apothecary in Revolutionary France
When young Lydia flees the French Revolution, she finds refuge in an apothecary, where she learns the art of healing—and deception. But when her past catches up with her, Lydia must decide whether to risk everything for love and justice, or disappear into the shadows forever.
📖 Read if you love: Historical fiction, romance, and strong-willed heroines.
5. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
🌿 A Mortal Artist Tangled in Faerie Magic
Isobel is an artist who paints for the fae, capturing their eternal beauty in portraits. But when she makes a fatal mistake—painting sorrow into the eyes of a faerie prince—she is whisked away to the faerie courts, where magic and deception run deep. While Isobel isn’t an apothecary in the traditional sense, her skill with enchanted paints carries the same allure as potion-making.
📖 Read if you love: Romantic fantasy, the fae, and stunningly poetic prose.
6. The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
🌿 A Mysterious Book, an Apothecary’s Curse, and a Family Secret
Librarian Simon Watson receives an ancient book that holds a dark mystery—every woman in his family has drowned on the same date for generations. As he searches for answers, he uncovers links to an apothecary and a traveling circus, where potions and curses intertwine in a spellbinding tale.
📖 Read if you love: Gothic fiction, eerie family sagas, and books steeped in magic.
7. The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk
🌿 A Society Where Magic Is Forbidden to Married Women
Beatrice is a talented alchemist who dreams of joining the ranks of the world’s greatest magic-wielders. But in her society, marriage strips women of their power. As the season of matchmaking begins, she secretly brews potions and seeks forbidden texts, hoping to forge a different fate. But love and ambition rarely mix without consequence.
📖 Read if you love: Regency-inspired fantasy, feminist themes, and slow-burn romance.
8. The Alchemist’s Daughter by Katharine McMahon
🌿 A Young Woman Caught Between Science and Alchemy
Raised by her brilliant but distant father, Emilie Selden has been trained in alchemy, botany, and secret arts. But when she falls in love and leaves her sheltered world behind, she discovers that some knowledge—especially that of the heart—is far more dangerous than any potion.
📖 Read if you love: Historical fiction, forbidden knowledge, and rich character-driven storytelling.
9. Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
🌿 An Island Where the Land Holds Magic
On a remote island with a long history of herbal magic and whispered spells, Emery runs an apothecary steeped in old traditions. But when her childhood love returns, the past resurfaces—a past filled with tragedy, betrayal, and buried secrets. As dark magic stirs, the island itself seems to call for justice.
📖 Read if you love: Slow-burn romance, eerie small-town secrets, and nature-based magic.
10. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
🌿 A Modern Woman Uncovering an Apothecary’s Witchy Legacy
Harvard student Connie Goodwin is searching for a dissertation topic when she stumbles upon an ancient key hidden inside an old apothecary book. As she investigates, she unravels the life of Deliverance Dane, a healer accused of witchcraft in the 1600s, and discovers that magic may not be as mythical as she once believed.
📖 Read if you love: Dual-timeline stories, witchy academia, and historical mysteries.
Potion Bottles & Secrets Waiting to Be Uncorked
Whether they mix potions to heal or poisons to kill, the apothecaries in these stories wield both power and mystery. From historical intrigue to fantasy enchantments, these books offer a glimpse into a world where science and magic blur, and every bottle holds a story.
Which one will you read first? Or do you have a favorite apothecary book to recommend? Let’s talk potions and stories! 🌿📖✨
