First Sentence: ‘It is not,’ said John Rawlings, raising his quizzing glass to his eye to inspect the plant lying on the counter before him, ‘the finest chamomile leaf I have ever seen.’Apothecary John Rawlings buying herbs as a dinner of the Worshipful Society has ended. He comes across Liveryman Alleyn summoning his boat to home and desperately ill. John accompanies him home and apparently saves his life. After returning home to change and refresh, he and his father head to Kensington, stopping at the Alleyn’s on the way, only to find his patient dead. As several of those who attended the dinner had been taken ill, was it accidental food poisoning, or intentional.For those of us who enjoy historical mysteries, this is such a good series. Lake’s sense of time and place are so well done. She does a wonderful job of conveying 18th century England, from the wealthy to beggars, the food, the dress, the manners and even the voice which has a period feel it without being obsessive. The characters are wonderful, particularly John’s father. John does seem a bit fickle at times, while at others he is cleaver and knowledgeable of his profession. It is also nice to see his apprentice develop and the always interesting figure of Sir John Fielding. Even though I suspected the villain, I enjoyed seeing the story unfold and the motive behind the crime. I always find when I finish one Rawlings book, I’m anxious to read the next. Very well done.DEATH AT APOTHECARIES’ HALL (Hist. Mys-John Rawlings-England-1758) – VGLake, Deryn – 6th in seriesHodder & Stoughton, 2000, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0340718609
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