An Apothecary John Rawlings Georgian mystery

Apothecary John Rawlings has travelled to Devon to be by the side of his mistress, Elizabeth di Lorenzi, who is due to give birth to their child. Leaving his shop – and his new carbonated water business – in good hands, John is presented with a surprise on his arrival at Sidmouth Bay.

While Elizabeth is recuperating, he learns that Lady Sidmouth's daughter, Miranda, is to marry the Earl of St Austell, who is fifty-four years her senior. The Earl has a cruel reputation and John feels that no good will come of this unlikely match.

As the wedding day approaches, John feels increasingly uneasy, and he is especially mindful of a vision his daughter, Rose, had about an evil old woman who may do him harm. Before too long John's fears are confirmed, and he soon finds himself at the centre of a murderous plot that must be unravelled .