The wonderful world of Charlotte Betts' books Part II

The Apothecary's Daughter

Having read and enjoyed “The Painter's Apprentice” I was keen

to read the story which preceded this wonderful book.

The Apothecary's Daughter tells the story of Beth's mother

Susannah, who grew up in Fleet Street, London at her father's

apothecary shop. Beth had grown up learning her craft from

her father of herbal rememdies and cures and enjoyed working in her

father's apothecary shop.

However, there were changes in the air, not always

for the best for Susannah at first glance, though she eventually

finds her place in the world. Susannah's father, a widow, had

decided to marry again which turned Susannah's world upside

down.

This book is magnificent in detail with great descriptive writing.

However, as this book is set twenty years previously to “The Painter's

Apprentice” it brings the reader to the grim realities of London during

the plague years of 1665 and the Great Fire of London of 1666.

This book is emotional and sentimental with wonderful depictions of

life as it was in London during these troubled times of the seventeenth

century.

This story is also a beautiful romance which appeals though I tend to enjoy “The Painter's

Apprentice” for the beauty of the romance. Many of the settings of London

were quite beautiful with golden sunsets, day trips and boat rides on the river Thames.

The romance is between Susannah and one of her father's customers at the apothecary shop,

Doctor William Ambrose, a fairly sombre professional man who works hard in London tending

his many patients. This romance evolves during the story.

There is some wonderful writing by Charlotte Betts describing the horror

and fear in London.

There are also beautiful descriptions given in the

writing of the sunsets, the River Thames, London streets and alleys

and also of beautiful Merryfields, the place

where Susannah eventually leaves London to live.

Strong writing and character make this book wonderful to read.