The Alchemist’s Secret is the story of two women separated by four centuries but linked through one house – Woodham Hall in Suffolk. In 1672, Jeanne is living at the Hall with her older sister, Marie, and young niece, Hélène. Jeanne is still unmarried at the age of twenty-four and looks set to remain a spinster, but she doesn’t really care. She’s happy devoting her time to painting and practising her alchemy skills, and there’s no money for a dowry anyway. Marie, on the other hand, is very unhappily married; her husband, Sir Robert Woodham, is having an affair with a widowed neighbour who has given him the sons Marie has been unable to provide. Eventually, Sir Robert decides to move his mistress into the Hall and tells Marie and Jeanne he is sending them to a convent in France where they will stay for the rest of their lives.
Back in their home country – the two women had left France ten years earlier, when Marie married Sir Robert – they are determined to find a way to escape from their captivity and get back to England and Hélène. Their adventures take them to the court of the Sun King where they make some new acquaintances whom they hope can help them take revenge against Sir Robert and resume their rightful places at Woodham Hall.
Meanwhile, in 2026, we meet the current residents of Woodham Hall – Simon and his daughter, Paige, who has just returned home after the break-up of her marriage. Simon has been hiring the house out as a wedding venue but is starting to struggle financially and is in need of new ideas. Paige begins to research the history of the Hall and the Woodham family and comes across an intriguing painting which seems to depict a poisoning which took place in the house centuries earlier. But who was the artist – and, more importantly, who were the victims and why were they killed?
I liked The Alchemist’s Secret, although it’s yet another example of a book with dual timelines where most of the drama unfolds in one of them, leaving the other feeling a bit superfluous. The 17th century storyline dominates this book and I found it by far the most interesting. The plot was slightly far-fetched at times and there were moments when attitudes or actions didn’t quite ring true to the period, but otherwise I was much more absorbed in Jeanne and Marie’s story than I was in Paige’s. I loved the parts of the book set in Paris and at the Palace of Versailles (which is still under construction in 1672 – no Hall of Mirrors yet) and I thought this made a good contrast to the English country house that forms the setting for the majority of the novel.
There’s not a lot of mystery involved, as it’s obvious that the events depicted in the painting are connected to the historical storyline, but I enjoyed seeing how the characters get to that point and how things play out afterwards. I’m not sure if the title is really representative of the novel, though; alchemy is barely mentioned, although it doesn’t matter too much as the story is interesting enough even without it! This is the first book I’ve read by Clare Marchant but I’m planning to read her new one, The Curse of the Saltmarsh Girl, and am tempted to try some of her others as they all sound intriguing.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
She Reads Novels 
A constant bugbear of mine – a dual timeline novel where the modern day storyline seems superfluous. Could the book have worked without it entirely?
I often wonder if editors say to authors, ‘How about introducing a second timeline because dual timeline novels are really popular you know?’
The modern day storyline often feels completely unnecessary to me. It does seem that they’re including them just because dual timelines are popular – or maybe because they think modern readers need modern characters to identify with.
Yes, I think there’s an inherent weakness in most of these dual-timeline books. They can’t tell the whole story from the current time or the past time, but one is always weaker than the other.
Yes, it’s very rare that both timelines in a book are equally interesting. I nearly always prefer the historical one.
Me too. I think once I surprised myself by liking the more modern storyline better, but I don’t remember the book.
The 17th century storyline sounds interesting, but I’m not keen on dual timelines.
I don’t mind dual timelines if they’re necessary for the plot, but often a modern storyline just seems to be included for the sake of it!
Glad you enjoyed this one overall. The fact that some parts felt a bit far fetched has me a little bit nervous so maybe I’ll try another title by the author first. Although the Palace of Versailles setting definitely intrigues me. I hope you enjoy The Curse Of The Saltmarsh Girl and will definitely keep an eye out for your review.
Yes, I loved the Palace of Versailles setting, particularly as it was still being built at the time the story takes place. Clare Marchant seems to have quite a big backlist of books – I don’t know how I’ve never come across her until now, but I’m looking forward to reading more, starting with her new one.
I always wonder why an author feels it necessary to do these kind of dual timeline books. The story set in the past sounds like enough of a novel to me without adding in the present timeline.
I definitely think the historical story could have been a whole novel on its own. Dual timeline books are obviously popular, though, so maybe authors feel they have to do it.
While you had to suspend belief a bit with this, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I like the sound of the 17th century setting, with comparison between an old English country estate and then the French palace. 😊
I loved the two contrasting settings, particularly seeing the Palace of Versailles while it was still being built.
I generally prefer the historical timeline out of dual timelines. I am intending to read her new one. The only other book I read by her so far was The Secrets of Saffron Hall which I liked.
Thank you for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
Yes, the historical timeline is nearly always the most interesting. I’ll have to look for The Secrets of Saffron Hall!