This is one of those books that takes place over multiple time periods, in which the historical sections are better than the modern-day parts. I'm not sure why, but this seems to be A Common Problem. I think it's because the authors of such works may be more fond of writing the historical sections, replete with old-fashioned style and manners, and can't quite let go of that enough to make the modern parts feel credibly modern.

Anyway, in the case of The Apothecary's Curse, the quite gothic Victorian story of doctor Simon Bell and the already-ancient alchemist Gaelan Erceldoune is initially compelling as a pastiche. I liked author Barnett's attention to period detail and subtle literary allusions. Far less successful is the attempt to situate these two men, now both immortal, in today's world of science and genetics and the news cycle. A weak connection is drawn -- both plotwise and themewise -- between the 19th century "mad doctor" who preyed upon Erceldoune and the contemporary "Genomics" corporation. A too-obvious connection is also drawn between Erceldoune's effective romance with Bell's sister, and his later, very cheesy and patently unnecessary romance with Genomics scientist Anne Shaw, about which the only enjoyable thing is their bonding over love of an ancient alchemical manuscript.

Ultimately, this book is alright but not particularly memorable. I'd recommend it for fans of Victorian gothic pastiche, but probably not for fans of fantasy in general.

There is a romantic quality to this fantasy that is subtle but ever-present and works well for this story.

Oddly enough, I had just finished another mystery in which an immortal apothecary was seeking a book of ancient writing that provided the secret to immortality when I started this book. It wasn't an intended synergy but the similarities in stories actually helped me enjoy this book just a little more, I think.

In Victorian England, physician Simon Bell and the apothecary Gaelen Erceldoune create a potion meant to cure the cancer in Bell's wife. Instead it kills her. Bell, distraught, drinks the remainder of the liquid, hoping to kill himself, but in fate's cruel irony, it instead gives him an everlasting regenerative power and makes him immortal. Later, Bell learns of a man with unusual recuperative powers and, upon discovering Gaelen, knows that his one chance at dying lies with Gaelen's ability to decode the book. But the book is missing.

Fast-forward to the present day, with Gaelen now a rare and antiques book seller in Chicago. Just as had happened in the Victorian era, someone has come to suspect that Gaelen has unique abilities of self-healing. And with modern abilities to search historic records and to do DNA testing, it is harder and harder for Gaelen to hide. But because he's being suspect for his regenerative healing abilities and even being suspect as having a long history, the book he's spent multiple lifetimes searching for comes to his attention. But does the woman he possesses the tome know what she has? Is she a distant relative? What is her true reason for seeking Gaelen out?

Author Barbara Barnett has put together a delectable mystery with a form of urban fantasy attached to it. I enjoyed my trip here and I would enjoy reading more about Gaelen and his search for knowledge.

Looking for a good book? <em>The Apothecary's Curse</em> by Barbara Barnett is a very satisfying mystery/fantasy that will make you believe the potion for eternal life exists.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.