The Apothecary's Garden: A Novel

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

“I predict from the quality of its prose, its rich characterizations, and the authenticity of the historical setting that The Apothecary’s Garden will win awards.”  - Cloud Lake Literary

“Masterful. . . . Gorgeous.” - Sharon Butala, author of This Strange Visible Air

“From the first magical page, the reader is swept into the romance of another era. This is a classic and charming tale of a poverty-stricken maiden, a ghost and a medium, of family secrets and hidden treasure, and how true love perseveres.” - Gail Anderson-Dargatz, author of The Almost Wife

“An open-hearted story, full of light, flowers, and love, The Apothecary’s Garden is vintage sweetness.”  - Jacqueline Baker, author of The Broken Hours

"Magical....a delight....In the Apothecary's Garden, Jeanette Lynes has crafted a wonderfully lyric story where the words flow like music. It is poetry for the mind and the heart - a tonic for souls bruised by the difficulties of our present day." - Blog Critics

"Enchantments abound and broken hearts become whole in this spell-casting novel."  - Miramichi Reader