5 Years Later, Instant Bestseller Historical Mystery Is Finally Getting a Sequel

A long-awaited return

The Lost Apothecary launched Sarah Penner’s career, reaching the top of the New York Times bestseller list in 2021. The historical mystery moves between 18th-century and modern-day London, following Caroline and Nella across two timelines.

Readers have continued to hope for more after Penner published other books. The debut was not originally presented as a series, but questions left by its ending helped fuel interest in a follow-up. The Lost Apothecary sold over 1 million copies.

Eliza faces a perilous demand

The Lost Elixir is scheduled for May 4, 2027, and takes place twelve years after the first novel. Eliza Fanning, a familiar character from the debut, continues the work of her would-be mentor by selling potions to people in need.

Her children are kidnapped, and their captors demand a rare, powerful elixir for their safety. Eliza must enter London’s underworld to find it. The book’s synopsis also hints at an “unexpected villain,” without revealing who it is.

A second timeline emerges

In modern-day London, archivist Gaynor Baymont finds an ancient letter that may hold a secret about her past. She sets out to locate the elixir that took her memories and changed the course of her life.

The two women’s stories unfold years apart and are linked by historical objects. How these plotlines connect with Caroline and Nella’s stories has not yet been revealed.

Prequel and sequel together

The book is designed to stand alone while providing answers for readers of Penner’s debut. Familiar characters will return, but the story will also explore a new setting when it arrives in 2027.