The Apothecary's Garden: A Novel

Written by Jeanette Lynes

Narrated by Denice Stradling

National Bestseller

Canadian Indies Bestseller

Indigo Top Ten Canadian Reads

Indigo's Most Anticipated Books of 2022

Finalist Saskatchewan Book Awards, Book of the Year

Finalist City of Saskatoon Book Award

Victorian Canada: Touring circuses, seances, and a world powered by steam engines. But in Belleville, Ontario, a twenty-eight-year old spinster, Lavender Fitch, barely scrapes by, selling flowers from her garden at the train station, her position in life greatly diminished after the death of her father, the local apothecary.

Then, one day, a glamorous couple step off the train. The lady is a famed spirit medium, Allegra Trout, who has arrived for a public show of her mediumship, accompanied by her handsome but disfigured assistant, Robert. With her striking beauty and otherworldly charms, Allegra casts a spell over Belleville from the moment she arrives.

Lavender is captivated by the medium as well. She’s been searching for a secret cache of money and hopes Allegra might be able to contact her dead mother for clues to its hidden location.

As the Trouts remain in town, preparing for their Mystical Extravaganza, Robert and Lavender grow close, much to Allegra’s disapproval. Will Robert and Lavender's relationship blossom or will it be abandoned when he leaves for the next town? Will Lavender find her mother's gift or be forced from her home and beloved garden?

The Apothecary’s Garden is a magical story about the mysteries of life, the enchantment of flowers, and wonders of love

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781443464697

Jeanette Lynes

JEANETTE LYNES grew up in rural southern Ontario. She is the author of seven collections of poetry and two novels. Her first, The Factory Voice (2009), was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Her second, The Small Things That End the World (2018), won the Saskatchewan Book Award for fiction. The director of the MFA in writing program at the University of Saskatchewan, Jeanette Lynes splits her time between Toronto and Saskatoon.   

Reviews for The Apothecary's Garden

[Brea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While I do think some things wrapped up a little too neatly, it was overall a beautiful and well-researched book. All the characters felt very genuine and, like the flowers, were full of life.