The Alchemist of Lost Souls
(A Bianca Goddard Mystery)
by Mary Lawrence
About the Book
Historical Mystery
4th in Series
Kensington (April 30, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1496715314
ISBN-13: 978-1496715319
Digital ASIN: B07G6R99SR
My ReviewA dangerous element discovered by Bianca Goddard's father falls into the wrong hands . . . leading to a chain of multiple murders.Spring 1544: Now that she is with child, Bianca is more determined than ever to distance herself from her unstable father. Desperate to win back the favor of King Henry VIII, disgraced alchemist Albern Goddard plans to reveal a powerful new element he's discovered--one with deadly potential. But when the substance is stolen, he is panicked and expects his daughter to help.Soon after, a woman's body is found behind the Dim Dragon Inn, an eerie green vapor rising from her breathless mouth. To her grave concern, Bianca has reason to suspect her own mother may be involved in the theft and the murder. As her husband John is conscripted into King Henry's army to subdue Scottish resistance, Bianca must navigate a twisted and treacherous path among alchemists, apothecaries, chandlers, and scoundrels--to find out who among them is willing to kill to possess the element known as lapis mortem, the stone of death . . .
I have read the second book in this series, I really liked it and couldn't wait to read a new episode.
Since discovering that she is pregnant, Bianca has decided to distance herself from her father. She has excellent knowledge of herbs and uses them to help people while he is an alchemist and has recently discovered a very dangerous potion. Unfortunately she remained alone, her husband was sent to the Scottish border. Her good intentions jump when her father asks her for help to find the thief who stole his dangerous potion. Meanwhile she must also find out what is behind the murder that took place in her infamous neighborhood.
It is a very realistic and raw story, the descriptions are so accurate that it seems to be there, to perceive the typical smells of the London slums, the food, the humidity. Even the language is adequate at the time. A truly compelling mystery, written brilliantly with a well-woven plot full of suspense and with interesting characters.
It can be read as a standalone but for more enjoyment I recommend reading the series in order.
Absolutely to read for lovers of cozy historical mystery.
About the Author
Mary Lawrence lives and farms in Maine and worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years before publishing her debut mystery, The Alchemist’s Daughter (Kensington, 2015). The book was named by Suspense Magazine as a “Best Book of 2015” in the historical mystery category. Her articles have appeared in several publications most notably the national news blog, The Daily Beast. The Bianca Goddard Mystery series also includes Death of an Alchemist, Death at St. Vedast, The Alchemist of Lost Souls, and the fifth title for 2020.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marylawrence.author/
Twitter: @mel59lawrence
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84420.Mary_Lawrence
Purchase links: Amazon Barnes & Noble
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