It is 1869 and the Palmers run a pharmacy in Edinburgh. Alexander Palmer is an ambitious man, controlling and keen to test the effects of his new medicine, heroin, on women who he sees as the weaker sex. Rebecca Palmer, his wife, is the unwitting subject of his tests, falling deeper into addiction. However, Rebecca is tougher than Alexander gives her credit for and she fights back with unexpected consequences.
I loved the Victorian setting of this and the characters. It was really interesting to read about early experiments with heroin and the women's rights issues that are caught up in the novel. I did occasionally find it a little slow paced, but it was engagingly written.
I'd recommend this to lovers of historical fiction, especially those which explore relationships - the shifts in the balance of power between the Palmers will keep you reading.
I loved the Victorian setting of this and the characters. It was really interesting to read about early experiments with heroin and the women's rights issues that are caught up in the novel. I did occasionally find it a little slow paced, but it was engagingly written.
I'd recommend this to lovers of historical fiction, especially those which explore relationships - the shifts in the balance of power between the Palmers will keep you reading.