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The Alchemist's Secret
A totally unmissable, spellbinding, historical fiction novel, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Amanda Geard and Elena Collins. Brand new from the bestselling author of THE HOUSE OF THE WITCH. 📚✨ Now: When Paige returns to her ancestral family home, Woodham Hall, she’s nursing an unbearable heartbreak. The man she’d thought she loved has told her the most terrible lie, one she feels she’ll never recover from. The only thing that seems to be able to hold her interest is the story of a poisoning that once supposedly happened in the house – depicted in brutal detail in a painting by an unknown artist…
1672: Jeanne’s life at Woodham Hall is happy. Admittedly her brother-in-law – the lord of the manor – is unfaithful to her sister, causing terrible discord in the house. But Jeanne adores her sister, and her niece, Helene, and even though her growing feelings for another member of the household are illicit, they are bringing her great joy. That is, until Sir Robert chooses to move his mistress in.
Jeanne and her sister are to be banished to a French abbey to live out their days but all the sisters can think is how to get back to Helene, and the woman who Jeanne might just love. From the glittering court of the Sun King to the dark depths of French society and those who perform alchemy, they will do whatever they must. Even if it means murder…
Their stories are linked across history, with an unforgettable love story, and mystery that must be solved.
1672: Jeanne’s life at Woodham Hall is happy. Admittedly her brother-in-law – the lord of the manor – is unfaithful to her sister, causing terrible discord in the house. But Jeanne adores her sister, and her niece, Helene, and even though her growing feelings for another member of the household are illicit, they are bringing her great joy. That is, until Sir Robert chooses to move his mistress in.
Jeanne and her sister are to be banished to a French abbey to live out their days but all the sisters can think is how to get back to Helene, and the woman who Jeanne might just love. From the glittering court of the Sun King to the dark depths of French society and those who perform alchemy, they will do whatever they must. Even if it means murder…
Their stories are linked across history, with an unforgettable love story, and mystery that must be solved.
266 pages, Paperback
Published March 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 8, 2026
Thank you to the publisher Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was heartbreaking, it was a story of loss and love told by two women separated by the centuries. I was very much gripped when I started reading eager to find out what would happen next for both Jeanne and Paige, I loved the dual points of viewing detailing what happened in the past and was happening in the present. I very much admired Jeanne she was a very strong woman to have dealt with everything life threw at her and still remain standing, it was a cruel fate her sisters husband inflicted on them and I was hoping she made her way back to Charlotte. Marie was very single minded and determined in her plan, she dealt with it with ruthless efficiency. I liked Paige and her blossoming romance with Jacob as they investigate to find out the mystery of the painting, I think Paige needed someone gentle after her ex Tyler did a number on her. What I liked about this book was that it was a book about healing, as two women deal with the rough hand of cards that life has dealt them and somehow manage to start again. I really enjoyed this book, as it was beautifully told and poignant.
This book was heartbreaking, it was a story of loss and love told by two women separated by the centuries. I was very much gripped when I started reading eager to find out what would happen next for both Jeanne and Paige, I loved the dual points of viewing detailing what happened in the past and was happening in the present. I very much admired Jeanne she was a very strong woman to have dealt with everything life threw at her and still remain standing, it was a cruel fate her sisters husband inflicted on them and I was hoping she made her way back to Charlotte. Marie was very single minded and determined in her plan, she dealt with it with ruthless efficiency. I liked Paige and her blossoming romance with Jacob as they investigate to find out the mystery of the painting, I think Paige needed someone gentle after her ex Tyler did a number on her. What I liked about this book was that it was a book about healing, as two women deal with the rough hand of cards that life has dealt them and somehow manage to start again. I really enjoyed this book, as it was beautifully told and poignant.
March 9, 2026
Oh Clare Marchant, how I love the stories you weave!
I can not get enough of this author's books! The plots are interesting, the characters are intriguing, and the research details woven into her stories are fascinating.
My friend's know I love a good dual timeline too, and this one had me hooked from the first page! Both timelines are equally well written so my attention never favoured one story over the other. Exactly how a dual timeline should be!
Loved it!
I can not get enough of this author's books! The plots are interesting, the characters are intriguing, and the research details woven into her stories are fascinating.
My friend's know I love a good dual timeline too, and this one had me hooked from the first page! Both timelines are equally well written so my attention never favoured one story over the other. Exactly how a dual timeline should be!
Loved it!
February 22, 2026
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC).
I loved this book! It is about two sisters, Jeanne & Marie living in England from France for Marie married a Lord & Jeanne was sent with her. Lord Robert Woodham is not a pleasant man & Marie was often sad. He was unfaithful & illegitimately fathered other children whom he decided to move into the manor with their mother, his mistress & banish Marie & Jeanne to a Convent in France to save his reputation as it would cause scandal if he were to divorce! So much more to this story though, that is just the beginning!
I loved the way it was written in a dual timeline, 1672 & 2026. I really enjoyed it all but I particularly enjoyed the 1672 bits. It was written so well I could actually envisage myself travelling in the carriage, being in France amongst all the elegance & riches & even at Woodham Hall.
I adored Jeanne, she was a brilliant main character & the way it all came together at the end in both time lines was just great! I was drawn in to the spellbinding wonder & mystery & was hooked to find out what happened next. Paige is the main character in the 2026 part back living in her childhood home, Woodham Manor after her own heartbreak. The Manor is now a wedding venue & Paige is tasked with finding out some family history…..!
I highly recommend this book!
I loved this book! It is about two sisters, Jeanne & Marie living in England from France for Marie married a Lord & Jeanne was sent with her. Lord Robert Woodham is not a pleasant man & Marie was often sad. He was unfaithful & illegitimately fathered other children whom he decided to move into the manor with their mother, his mistress & banish Marie & Jeanne to a Convent in France to save his reputation as it would cause scandal if he were to divorce! So much more to this story though, that is just the beginning!
I loved the way it was written in a dual timeline, 1672 & 2026. I really enjoyed it all but I particularly enjoyed the 1672 bits. It was written so well I could actually envisage myself travelling in the carriage, being in France amongst all the elegance & riches & even at Woodham Hall.
I adored Jeanne, she was a brilliant main character & the way it all came together at the end in both time lines was just great! I was drawn in to the spellbinding wonder & mystery & was hooked to find out what happened next. Paige is the main character in the 2026 part back living in her childhood home, Woodham Manor after her own heartbreak. The Manor is now a wedding venue & Paige is tasked with finding out some family history…..!
I highly recommend this book!
March 9, 2026
"The Alchemist's Secret” by Clare Marchant is a superb 5-star historical fiction read! In 1672, sisters Jeanne and Marie are happily living at Woodham Hall when Lord Robert, Marie’s husband, has new plans for them. In the present day, Paige is also having trouble with a significant other and finds herself returning to Woodham Hall.
Like all of Clare Marchant’s previous books, this story is told through a dual timeline and two points of view. I really enjoyed following Paige as she researched the history of her home and the surrounding area. There are lots of fascinating details about poisons and how they were used during the late 1600s.
If you liked this author’s previous books, there is no reason you won’t enjoy this one as well. And if you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a must-read! I can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Clare Marchant, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
Like all of Clare Marchant’s previous books, this story is told through a dual timeline and two points of view. I really enjoyed following Paige as she researched the history of her home and the surrounding area. There are lots of fascinating details about poisons and how they were used during the late 1600s.
If you liked this author’s previous books, there is no reason you won’t enjoy this one as well. And if you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a must-read! I can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Clare Marchant, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
February 27, 2026
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! What a beautiful story. We meet two sisters, Marie and Jeanne in 1672 and follow their story as they face unexpected challenges. In 2026 we meet Paige and following a break up we see her back in her family estate. The house contains an interesting painting which leads Paige down the path of exploring the history of their estate and family secrets.
Told perfectly between the two timelines, this story had me loving the sisters and watching their challenges back in 1672 as well as enjoying watching Paige discover her history and prioritise herself. I felt the pacing of the two stories together was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed both.
I am so glad I’ve discovered Clare Marchant’s writing as I will certainly be reading more of her books. Her writing style is beautiful and she portrays the characters and plot so well.
I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR.
Releases 9th March
Wow! What a beautiful story. We meet two sisters, Marie and Jeanne in 1672 and follow their story as they face unexpected challenges. In 2026 we meet Paige and following a break up we see her back in her family estate. The house contains an interesting painting which leads Paige down the path of exploring the history of their estate and family secrets.
Told perfectly between the two timelines, this story had me loving the sisters and watching their challenges back in 1672 as well as enjoying watching Paige discover her history and prioritise herself. I felt the pacing of the two stories together was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed both.
I am so glad I’ve discovered Clare Marchant’s writing as I will certainly be reading more of her books. Her writing style is beautiful and she portrays the characters and plot so well.
I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR.
Releases 9th March
March 3, 2026
Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Amanda Geard and Elena Collins!
Had me gripped and also I liked that the two strong women and amazing page turner
Releases on 9 March
Had me gripped and also I liked that the two strong women and amazing page turner
Releases on 9 March
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Some books are enjoyable. Some are beautifully written. And then, very occasionally, one comes along that completely consumes you. The Alchemist's Secret by Clare Marchant is that kind of book.
Told across two timelines — 1672 and the present day — we follow two women whose lives are separated by centuries yet intricately connected. The story moves between them with such elegance and control, revealing what happened in the past only when it needs to be revealed. There is no heavy backstory, no overwhelming exposition. Instead, the truth unfolds naturally, piece by piece, exactly at the moment it carries the most emotional weight. It makes the experience of reading feel immersive and intimate — as though you are discovering everything alongside the characters.
I read this in just 24 hours because I simply could not pull myself away. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it. I found myself carrying the sisters’ story with me throughout the day, willing them on, hoping for strength where there seemed to be so little power. Their journey — and the quiet endurance beneath it — affected me more deeply than I expected. There’s a restraint in the writing that somehow makes the heartbreak feel even sharper.
In the present timeline, that same emotional care is mirrored in a slower, reflective journey of healing and rediscovery. The parallels between past and present are handled so beautifully — not forced, not dramatic for effect, but thoughtful and resonant. The emotional echoes between the two timelines are what make this novel so powerful.
Clare Marchant’s characterisation is extraordinary. She writes people who feel real — layered, vulnerable, imperfect. I wasn’t just observing them; I felt emotionally aligned with them. Their fears felt heavy. Their hope felt fragile. Their moments of connection felt precious.
And the atmosphere… the atmosphere is breathtaking. There is such a peaceful quality to the prose — a softness, almost — yet threaded through it is an undercurrent of sorrow and quiet desperation. The scenes set in 1672 are immersive and vivid without ever becoming overwhelming. You can feel the weight of the manor house, the tension in its corridors, the shifting power within its walls. Equally, the present-day setting carries a sense of reflection and inherited memory that lingers gently in the background.
The world-building is seamless. It never shouts for attention, yet it surrounds you completely. I felt transported — not just to a place, but into an emotional landscape. The past feels alive. The present feels shaped by it. And the transitions between the two are so fluid that the story reads like one continuous, beating heart.
There is also a beautifully tender emotional thread running quietly through both timelines — one that develops with patience and authenticity. It adds warmth to what is, at times, a heartbreaking story. That balance between love and loss, hope and injustice, peace and devastation is handled with such skill.
When I turned the final page, I genuinely didn’t want to leave these characters behind. That lingering feeling — that sense of having lived something alongside them — is rare. And precious.
This is, without question, a five-star read for me. It gripped me more than any historical novel I can remember. It moved me, unsettled me, comforted me — sometimes all at once.
A truly special book. One I feel very blessed to have read. And I will absolutely be reading Clare Marchant again.
Told across two timelines — 1672 and the present day — we follow two women whose lives are separated by centuries yet intricately connected. The story moves between them with such elegance and control, revealing what happened in the past only when it needs to be revealed. There is no heavy backstory, no overwhelming exposition. Instead, the truth unfolds naturally, piece by piece, exactly at the moment it carries the most emotional weight. It makes the experience of reading feel immersive and intimate — as though you are discovering everything alongside the characters.
I read this in just 24 hours because I simply could not pull myself away. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about it. I found myself carrying the sisters’ story with me throughout the day, willing them on, hoping for strength where there seemed to be so little power. Their journey — and the quiet endurance beneath it — affected me more deeply than I expected. There’s a restraint in the writing that somehow makes the heartbreak feel even sharper.
In the present timeline, that same emotional care is mirrored in a slower, reflective journey of healing and rediscovery. The parallels between past and present are handled so beautifully — not forced, not dramatic for effect, but thoughtful and resonant. The emotional echoes between the two timelines are what make this novel so powerful.
Clare Marchant’s characterisation is extraordinary. She writes people who feel real — layered, vulnerable, imperfect. I wasn’t just observing them; I felt emotionally aligned with them. Their fears felt heavy. Their hope felt fragile. Their moments of connection felt precious.
And the atmosphere… the atmosphere is breathtaking. There is such a peaceful quality to the prose — a softness, almost — yet threaded through it is an undercurrent of sorrow and quiet desperation. The scenes set in 1672 are immersive and vivid without ever becoming overwhelming. You can feel the weight of the manor house, the tension in its corridors, the shifting power within its walls. Equally, the present-day setting carries a sense of reflection and inherited memory that lingers gently in the background.
The world-building is seamless. It never shouts for attention, yet it surrounds you completely. I felt transported — not just to a place, but into an emotional landscape. The past feels alive. The present feels shaped by it. And the transitions between the two are so fluid that the story reads like one continuous, beating heart.
There is also a beautifully tender emotional thread running quietly through both timelines — one that develops with patience and authenticity. It adds warmth to what is, at times, a heartbreaking story. That balance between love and loss, hope and injustice, peace and devastation is handled with such skill.
When I turned the final page, I genuinely didn’t want to leave these characters behind. That lingering feeling — that sense of having lived something alongside them — is rare. And precious.
This is, without question, a five-star read for me. It gripped me more than any historical novel I can remember. It moved me, unsettled me, comforted me — sometimes all at once.
A truly special book. One I feel very blessed to have read. And I will absolutely be reading Clare Marchant again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What It’s About
The Alchemist’s Secret unfolds across a dual timeline, blending historical intrigue with a modern‑day mystery. In the present, we follow Paige, who returns to her ancestral home, Woodham Hall, an elegant but slightly haunting English country estate. While cataloguing the house’s archives, she stumbles upon a mysterious painting that hints at a long‑hidden family secret. As Paige digs deeper, the past timeline slowly reveals the darker, more dangerous events that shaped the truth she is now trying to uncover.
Review
This book turned out to be quite different from what I expected based on the title — and in a good way. There’s a slightly dark, atmospheric edge to the historical timeline that adds tension and emotional weight. The past storyline, in particular, feels heavy at times, with moments that are unsettling and intense.
The contrast with the present‑day storyline works beautifully. I found myself especially drawn to Paige’s journey as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the painting at Woodham Hall. Her chapters feel lighter, more accessible, and easier to connect with, offering a welcome balance to the darker historical sections.
The setting is wonderfully evocative. Woodham Hall, with its quiet corridors, hidden corners, and centuries of family history, creates the perfect backdrop for a story built on secrets. It has that classic English‑country‑house atmosphere — elegant, slightly eerie, and full of whispers from the past.
The characters are another strong point. They’re complex, layered, and well described, each shaped by their own fears, motivations, and histories. Their emotional depth makes the unfolding mystery feel grounded and believable.
The story unfolds slowly, but in a deliberate and satisfying way. There’s a steady sense of intrigue that keeps you turning the pages, always wanting to understand how the two timelines connect and what truth lies hidden beneath the surface. It’s the kind of mystery that rewards patience, drawing you deeper as each layer is revealed.
Overall, The Alchemist’s Secret is a well‑written, atmospheric dual‑timeline novel with rich characters, a compelling English‑country‑house setting, and just the right amount of darkness to keep you captivated.
My Rating
- Plot – 4/5
A slow‑building, intriguing mystery with satisfying connections.
- Character Development – 4/5
Complex, layered personalities that feel real and well crafted.
- Themes & Message – 3.5/5
Secrets, knowledge, danger, and the weight of the past.
- Writing Style – 4/5
Atmospheric, descriptive, and engaging.
- Enjoyment – 4/5
Captivating, especially as the story gradually unfolds.
- Overall – ⭐️ 4/5
A dark‑tinged, intriguing dual‑timeline mystery with strong characters and a compelling pace.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy:
- English country‑house mysteries
- Dual‑timeline historical fiction
- Stories centred around family secrets and old estates
- Slow‑burn mysteries with atmospheric writing
- Present‑day investigations that uncover dark, hidden histories
The Alchemist’s Secret unfolds across a dual timeline, blending historical intrigue with a modern‑day mystery. In the present, we follow Paige, who returns to her ancestral home, Woodham Hall, an elegant but slightly haunting English country estate. While cataloguing the house’s archives, she stumbles upon a mysterious painting that hints at a long‑hidden family secret. As Paige digs deeper, the past timeline slowly reveals the darker, more dangerous events that shaped the truth she is now trying to uncover.
Review
This book turned out to be quite different from what I expected based on the title — and in a good way. There’s a slightly dark, atmospheric edge to the historical timeline that adds tension and emotional weight. The past storyline, in particular, feels heavy at times, with moments that are unsettling and intense.
The contrast with the present‑day storyline works beautifully. I found myself especially drawn to Paige’s journey as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding the painting at Woodham Hall. Her chapters feel lighter, more accessible, and easier to connect with, offering a welcome balance to the darker historical sections.
The setting is wonderfully evocative. Woodham Hall, with its quiet corridors, hidden corners, and centuries of family history, creates the perfect backdrop for a story built on secrets. It has that classic English‑country‑house atmosphere — elegant, slightly eerie, and full of whispers from the past.
The characters are another strong point. They’re complex, layered, and well described, each shaped by their own fears, motivations, and histories. Their emotional depth makes the unfolding mystery feel grounded and believable.
The story unfolds slowly, but in a deliberate and satisfying way. There’s a steady sense of intrigue that keeps you turning the pages, always wanting to understand how the two timelines connect and what truth lies hidden beneath the surface. It’s the kind of mystery that rewards patience, drawing you deeper as each layer is revealed.
Overall, The Alchemist’s Secret is a well‑written, atmospheric dual‑timeline novel with rich characters, a compelling English‑country‑house setting, and just the right amount of darkness to keep you captivated.
My Rating
- Plot – 4/5
A slow‑building, intriguing mystery with satisfying connections.
- Character Development – 4/5
Complex, layered personalities that feel real and well crafted.
- Themes & Message – 3.5/5
Secrets, knowledge, danger, and the weight of the past.
- Writing Style – 4/5
Atmospheric, descriptive, and engaging.
- Enjoyment – 4/5
Captivating, especially as the story gradually unfolds.
- Overall – ⭐️ 4/5
A dark‑tinged, intriguing dual‑timeline mystery with strong characters and a compelling pace.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy:
- English country‑house mysteries
- Dual‑timeline historical fiction
- Stories centred around family secrets and old estates
- Slow‑burn mysteries with atmospheric writing
- Present‑day investigations that uncover dark, hidden histories
March 9, 2026
My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for an advanced copy.
Clare Marchant’s dual timeline novels are written with a deep historical sensibility crosses over the two periods she is depicting. In her latest, she sets the earlier story in the late 18th century. This one focuses primarily on French-born sisters Marie and Isobel, who have become the unwitting victims of their husband/brother-in-law, Sir Robert Woodham. The depressive Marie has produced a daughter but no sons. After ten years, once his mistress has two boys, he announces that the sisters will be removed to an abbey where they will be expected to give up their freedom, pray, and live in silence while his new family moves into Woodham Hall.
The present-day timeline is much shorter. Paige, a milliner and fashion historian (though we see little of either) has been betrayed by her bigamist husband Tyler. Not knowing what else to do, she goes to the ancient family estate. Woodham Hall, where her loving father welcomes her and immediately tries to involve her in running, and improving, his wedding business. In a seemingly very short time, Paige discovers a sombre painting of what appears to be a massacre at a dinner party. Signed only with initials, it is titled ‘Phaedra,’ after the goddess of revenge.
In the 18th century, Marie and Isobel, who is quick-witted and a fine artist, herbalist and would-be alchemist, find a way to escape their prison and return to England where Marie is determined to reclaim her position at any cost. Isobel has mixed feelings; she really wants only to have a loving relationship with Marie’s lovely maid Charlotte. It’s somewhat confusing how she claims to want no more than to cultivate herbs for healing and to love Charlotte, while at times she sounds just as hell bent on revenge as her sister.
What happens on their arrival, besides the sweet reunion of Isobel and Charlotte, ties directly to the contemporary story where Paige is uncovering the provenance and meaning of ‘Phaedra’ at remarkable speed. Definitely the contemporary storyline moves along at a much faster pace than the historic one. The characters in the older story, and their relationships, are more deeply developed, however.
I think the 18th century parts work much better than the contemporary angle. For one, the despondent Paige gets over her heartbreak almost instantly when she meets her father’s helper Chris. Her husband reappears in a menacing guise and his true reason for bigamy becomes laughably clear. It would have been better not to bring Tyler onto the set at the end. The older story wraps up far more effectively, though I was disappointed that so little was done with the alchemy first mentioned in the title. That part could also have been cut. Overall, however, the mystery is intriguing and Marchant is a talented storyteller.
Clare Marchant’s dual timeline novels are written with a deep historical sensibility crosses over the two periods she is depicting. In her latest, she sets the earlier story in the late 18th century. This one focuses primarily on French-born sisters Marie and Isobel, who have become the unwitting victims of their husband/brother-in-law, Sir Robert Woodham. The depressive Marie has produced a daughter but no sons. After ten years, once his mistress has two boys, he announces that the sisters will be removed to an abbey where they will be expected to give up their freedom, pray, and live in silence while his new family moves into Woodham Hall.
The present-day timeline is much shorter. Paige, a milliner and fashion historian (though we see little of either) has been betrayed by her bigamist husband Tyler. Not knowing what else to do, she goes to the ancient family estate. Woodham Hall, where her loving father welcomes her and immediately tries to involve her in running, and improving, his wedding business. In a seemingly very short time, Paige discovers a sombre painting of what appears to be a massacre at a dinner party. Signed only with initials, it is titled ‘Phaedra,’ after the goddess of revenge.
In the 18th century, Marie and Isobel, who is quick-witted and a fine artist, herbalist and would-be alchemist, find a way to escape their prison and return to England where Marie is determined to reclaim her position at any cost. Isobel has mixed feelings; she really wants only to have a loving relationship with Marie’s lovely maid Charlotte. It’s somewhat confusing how she claims to want no more than to cultivate herbs for healing and to love Charlotte, while at times she sounds just as hell bent on revenge as her sister.
What happens on their arrival, besides the sweet reunion of Isobel and Charlotte, ties directly to the contemporary story where Paige is uncovering the provenance and meaning of ‘Phaedra’ at remarkable speed. Definitely the contemporary storyline moves along at a much faster pace than the historic one. The characters in the older story, and their relationships, are more deeply developed, however.
I think the 18th century parts work much better than the contemporary angle. For one, the despondent Paige gets over her heartbreak almost instantly when she meets her father’s helper Chris. Her husband reappears in a menacing guise and his true reason for bigamy becomes laughably clear. It would have been better not to bring Tyler onto the set at the end. The older story wraps up far more effectively, though I was disappointed that so little was done with the alchemy first mentioned in the title. That part could also have been cut. Overall, however, the mystery is intriguing and Marchant is a talented storyteller.
March 10, 2026
I hadn't picked up a Clare Marchant book before, but I recently got the chance to read The Alchemist’s Secret - and now? Well, I’ll be picking up her books wherever I can because this book was phenomenal.
Everything about this book was so well done that once I started, I couldn’t stop reading because the dual storylines were so immersive, with one in the present day and one focusing on the ancestors in 1672. The world-building in both timelines was perfect, with elements creeping in that catch the reader's attention and help add to the mystery of the story and to draw the members of the family; past and present together.
In 2026, after being betrayed by her partner, Paige returns to her ancestral home, Woodfall Hall, to begin anew. As she helps her father, she not only uncovers her family’s history but also learns the value of self-love and putting herself first. I loved her journey, and how determined she became to make sense of her ancestral legacy, from a painting that doesn’t belong in the setting of a wedding to the full understanding of a story that had been passed down through the years.
The story that truly held my attention and was filled with so much vivid detail that I wanted more chapters from that era, where we have two sisters Jeanne and Marie who have spent their lives in the English countryside after coming across the channel from the bustling and chaotic city of Paris. Theirs is a story of betrayal, and the lengths you will go to protect those you love with a need for justice or revenge because the two are definitely on a fine line. You as the reader are drawn into their world easily due to not only the world-building but Marchant’s attention to detail over the time period with their costumes, and interactions with others. I adored Jeanne whose growth is incredible and her love for others so strong that I was rooting for her from the first moment we met, because she was both a woman of her time but also not with her love of learning, and her love for a maid called Charlotte.
Prepare for an addictive read, filled with twists and turns that are beautifully done. Faces that will be familiar and those who will feel as though they are by the end. Clare Marchant has an incredible skill, and it’s shown in The Alchemist’s Secret and as I said? I think I’ll love reading more of her work after discovering her work.
Everything about this book was so well done that once I started, I couldn’t stop reading because the dual storylines were so immersive, with one in the present day and one focusing on the ancestors in 1672. The world-building in both timelines was perfect, with elements creeping in that catch the reader's attention and help add to the mystery of the story and to draw the members of the family; past and present together.
In 2026, after being betrayed by her partner, Paige returns to her ancestral home, Woodfall Hall, to begin anew. As she helps her father, she not only uncovers her family’s history but also learns the value of self-love and putting herself first. I loved her journey, and how determined she became to make sense of her ancestral legacy, from a painting that doesn’t belong in the setting of a wedding to the full understanding of a story that had been passed down through the years.
The story that truly held my attention and was filled with so much vivid detail that I wanted more chapters from that era, where we have two sisters Jeanne and Marie who have spent their lives in the English countryside after coming across the channel from the bustling and chaotic city of Paris. Theirs is a story of betrayal, and the lengths you will go to protect those you love with a need for justice or revenge because the two are definitely on a fine line. You as the reader are drawn into their world easily due to not only the world-building but Marchant’s attention to detail over the time period with their costumes, and interactions with others. I adored Jeanne whose growth is incredible and her love for others so strong that I was rooting for her from the first moment we met, because she was both a woman of her time but also not with her love of learning, and her love for a maid called Charlotte.
Prepare for an addictive read, filled with twists and turns that are beautifully done. Faces that will be familiar and those who will feel as though they are by the end. Clare Marchant has an incredible skill, and it’s shown in The Alchemist’s Secret and as I said? I think I’ll love reading more of her work after discovering her work.
March 9, 2026
The Alchemist’s Secret is a dual time historical novel filled with mystery, murder and bigamy.
2026, Paige flees her home in London after finding out that her husband is a bigamist. Fleeing to her father and her childhood home of Woodham Hall, Paige’s father convinces her to help him save the Hall and his wedding venue business. While researching an old painting that appears to show the death of 5 people in the Hall’s dining room, Paige investigates a long rumored murder that supposedly took place in the Hall in the 17th century. Maybe a historical murder story will make the Hall more enticing to visitors? As she investigates, she comes across the story of a young French woman who lived at Woodham Hall in the 17th century and was a painter, Did this young woman paint the portrait and if so why?
1672, Jeanne a young French woman lives at Woodham Hall with her sister, Marie, brother-in-law Sir Robert Woodham and her niece Helene. Marie has bouts of depression as after 10 years of marriage, Helene is the only surviving child of the their marriage. Marie sadly has lost three other children at birth and her less than ideal husband, Sir Robert, has been having an affair with a neighbor Lady Lettice Faxfield. Lady Lettice has produced two illegitimate boys for Sir Robert and he has decided that he has had enough of Marie and her inability to produce a male heir. His solution? Send Marie and Jeanne to live out the rest of their days in a convent in France, marry Helene off to an old man, and install Lettice and his illegitimate children at Woodham Hall. Marie is devastated and vows revenge. She plots with La Voisin the famous Parisian poisoner to disatrous results. How do the actions taken in 1672 reverberate through the ages to the present Woodham family?
I really enjoyed this book. he 17th century story was intiguing and kept me on the edge as to what would happen in the very unhappy household. The modern story was a little bit lacking in character development, but I enjoyed investigating along with Paige.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.
2026, Paige flees her home in London after finding out that her husband is a bigamist. Fleeing to her father and her childhood home of Woodham Hall, Paige’s father convinces her to help him save the Hall and his wedding venue business. While researching an old painting that appears to show the death of 5 people in the Hall’s dining room, Paige investigates a long rumored murder that supposedly took place in the Hall in the 17th century. Maybe a historical murder story will make the Hall more enticing to visitors? As she investigates, she comes across the story of a young French woman who lived at Woodham Hall in the 17th century and was a painter, Did this young woman paint the portrait and if so why?
1672, Jeanne a young French woman lives at Woodham Hall with her sister, Marie, brother-in-law Sir Robert Woodham and her niece Helene. Marie has bouts of depression as after 10 years of marriage, Helene is the only surviving child of the their marriage. Marie sadly has lost three other children at birth and her less than ideal husband, Sir Robert, has been having an affair with a neighbor Lady Lettice Faxfield. Lady Lettice has produced two illegitimate boys for Sir Robert and he has decided that he has had enough of Marie and her inability to produce a male heir. His solution? Send Marie and Jeanne to live out the rest of their days in a convent in France, marry Helene off to an old man, and install Lettice and his illegitimate children at Woodham Hall. Marie is devastated and vows revenge. She plots with La Voisin the famous Parisian poisoner to disatrous results. How do the actions taken in 1672 reverberate through the ages to the present Woodham family?
I really enjoyed this book. he 17th century story was intiguing and kept me on the edge as to what would happen in the very unhappy household. The modern story was a little bit lacking in character development, but I enjoyed investigating along with Paige.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.
March 10, 2026
The Alchemist Secret, by Clare Marchant, is a historical fiction story built around a place that clearly has a long memory. It centers around Woodham Hall, an ancestral estate where the present and the past begin to overlap in unexpected ways once someone starts looking closely at its history. When Paige returns to the house after a painful betrayal that has left her life unsettled, she expects time and distance to help her regroup. Instead, she becomes fascinated by a disturbing painting that appears to depict a poisoning that may have taken place at the house centuries earlier. That discovery sends her searching through the history of the estate and the people who once lived there.
The story moves between Paige in the present and Jeanne in 1672, whose life unfolds at Woodham Hall generations earlier. Jeanne lives at the estate with her sister and young niece in a household filled with stressors. As tensions within the family grow, Jeanne finds herself facing choices that could change everything for the people she cares about. Her story becomes increasingly complicated as events begin to push the sisters away from the life they once knew. The consequences of those decisions eventually become the mystery Paige is trying to understand centuries later.
One of the strengths of the novel is the way the two timelines unfold together, with small pieces of Jeanne’s story appearing just as Paige begins to uncover fragments of the past. The shifting perspectives kept the story moving and made it easy to stay invested in both timelines. While reading, I often found myself looking forward to returning to Jeanne’s chapters to see how her situation would unfold.These sections carried the strongest emotional pull for me.
If you enjoy historical fiction with dual timelines, layered history, and a mystery tied to the past, add this to your reading list. The book will keep you curious, and questioning, about what really happened at Woodham Hall.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this ARC for my honest review.
Now I'm headed back to see what else the author has written so I can add to my shelf!
The story moves between Paige in the present and Jeanne in 1672, whose life unfolds at Woodham Hall generations earlier. Jeanne lives at the estate with her sister and young niece in a household filled with stressors. As tensions within the family grow, Jeanne finds herself facing choices that could change everything for the people she cares about. Her story becomes increasingly complicated as events begin to push the sisters away from the life they once knew. The consequences of those decisions eventually become the mystery Paige is trying to understand centuries later.
One of the strengths of the novel is the way the two timelines unfold together, with small pieces of Jeanne’s story appearing just as Paige begins to uncover fragments of the past. The shifting perspectives kept the story moving and made it easy to stay invested in both timelines. While reading, I often found myself looking forward to returning to Jeanne’s chapters to see how her situation would unfold.These sections carried the strongest emotional pull for me.
If you enjoy historical fiction with dual timelines, layered history, and a mystery tied to the past, add this to your reading list. The book will keep you curious, and questioning, about what really happened at Woodham Hall.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this ARC for my honest review.
Now I'm headed back to see what else the author has written so I can add to my shelf!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have read several books by Clare Marchant and I found this to be the least engaging. It took me about 50% of the book to begin to find the characters and what they were doing vaguely interesting. I found it hard to care about them in either period.
Added to this, I was expecting it to be about alchemy, considering The Alchemist’s Secret is the title of the book. But the author interprets the meaning as someone who makes poisons, which it is not. It is the ancient pursuit of transforming base materials into noble ones, finding cures for diseases, and achieving eternal life, but also metaphorically, transforming oneself or situations for the better. Historically, alchemists were precursors to modern chemists, developing crucial lab techniques while blending natural philosophy with spiritual quests for perfection. There are perhaps elements of the desire to create transformation that are present. But as someone who has had a lifelong interest in alchemy, I was disappointed to discover the author didn’t even appear to know what it was. Perhaps the secret is that it’s not alchemy.
It has her usual themes: Feminism, of a rather old fashioned nature, how men treat women and how powerless women can sometimes be. How they endeavour to gain control over their lives. Here there is also a concurrent theme of lesbian relationships, of being free to love who you wish, whoever they are.
Due to how unengaging I found it, and how the author seems to have misunderstood what alchemy is, which is a quite fundamental failure to do your research, had I not been invited to review it I would have given up fairly early on. As it was, I saw it through to the end, though I have to admit I did skim some of the descriptions, of which there are many. As with another one of her books, I found the historical characters a little more convincing, but not by a great deal. Her characters in the present always seem to be easily abused by men, and to need one to feel validated.
Added to this, I was expecting it to be about alchemy, considering The Alchemist’s Secret is the title of the book. But the author interprets the meaning as someone who makes poisons, which it is not. It is the ancient pursuit of transforming base materials into noble ones, finding cures for diseases, and achieving eternal life, but also metaphorically, transforming oneself or situations for the better. Historically, alchemists were precursors to modern chemists, developing crucial lab techniques while blending natural philosophy with spiritual quests for perfection. There are perhaps elements of the desire to create transformation that are present. But as someone who has had a lifelong interest in alchemy, I was disappointed to discover the author didn’t even appear to know what it was. Perhaps the secret is that it’s not alchemy.
It has her usual themes: Feminism, of a rather old fashioned nature, how men treat women and how powerless women can sometimes be. How they endeavour to gain control over their lives. Here there is also a concurrent theme of lesbian relationships, of being free to love who you wish, whoever they are.
Due to how unengaging I found it, and how the author seems to have misunderstood what alchemy is, which is a quite fundamental failure to do your research, had I not been invited to review it I would have given up fairly early on. As it was, I saw it through to the end, though I have to admit I did skim some of the descriptions, of which there are many. As with another one of her books, I found the historical characters a little more convincing, but not by a great deal. Her characters in the present always seem to be easily abused by men, and to need one to feel validated.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Clare Marchant has a gift for weaving dual timelines together in a way that feels both immersive and emotionally resonant, and The Alchemist’s Secret is no exception. From the very first pages, I was drawn into a story rich with mystery, history, and just a touch of danger.
The novel moves between past and present, gradually revealing secrets that have been buried for centuries. I especially loved how the historical timeline felt vivid and atmospheric—you can almost feel the weight of superstition, ambition, and fear surrounding the pursuit of alchemy. Marchant brings the past to life with careful detail, making the stakes feel real and urgent. The modern storyline complements it beautifully, creating a sense of discovery as pieces of the puzzle slowly fall into place.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of the characters. Their motivations felt authentic, and I found myself invested not just in uncovering the mystery, but in their personal journeys as well. There’s a strong sense of legacy running through the story—how choices made long ago ripple forward and shape lives in unexpected ways.
The pacing is steady and compelling, with enough twists to keep me guessing without ever feeling forced. I appreciated how the author balanced historical intrigue with emotional storytelling, making it more than just a mystery—it’s a story about courage, identity, and the search for truth.
Overall, The Alchemist’s Secret is a captivating blend of historical fiction and mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Clare Marchant once again proves she knows how to craft a story that feels both intimate and expansive. I’d highly recommend this to readers who enjoy dual timelines, historical secrets, and stories that slowly unravel to reveal something powerful and unforgettable.
The novel moves between past and present, gradually revealing secrets that have been buried for centuries. I especially loved how the historical timeline felt vivid and atmospheric—you can almost feel the weight of superstition, ambition, and fear surrounding the pursuit of alchemy. Marchant brings the past to life with careful detail, making the stakes feel real and urgent. The modern storyline complements it beautifully, creating a sense of discovery as pieces of the puzzle slowly fall into place.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth of the characters. Their motivations felt authentic, and I found myself invested not just in uncovering the mystery, but in their personal journeys as well. There’s a strong sense of legacy running through the story—how choices made long ago ripple forward and shape lives in unexpected ways.
The pacing is steady and compelling, with enough twists to keep me guessing without ever feeling forced. I appreciated how the author balanced historical intrigue with emotional storytelling, making it more than just a mystery—it’s a story about courage, identity, and the search for truth.
Overall, The Alchemist’s Secret is a captivating blend of historical fiction and mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Clare Marchant once again proves she knows how to craft a story that feels both intimate and expansive. I’d highly recommend this to readers who enjoy dual timelines, historical secrets, and stories that slowly unravel to reveal something powerful and unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Alchemist’s Secret is one of those historical novels that immediately sweeps you into its world—two worlds, in fact—and holds you there with its blend of romance, danger, and long‑buried secrets. Clare Marchant has such a gift for intertwining past and present, and this story is no exception.
In the modern timeline, Paige’s return to Woodham Hall is steeped in heartbreak and uncertainty. Her emotional fragility makes her instantly sympathetic, and the mysterious painting she discovers becomes the perfect thread to pull her into the house’s darker history. The atmosphere around the Hall—quiet, heavy with memory—sets the tone beautifully.
But it’s the 1672 storyline that truly shines. Jeanne is a wonderfully compelling heroine: loyal, passionate, and caught in a household simmering with tension. The arrival of Sir Robert’s mistress, the threat of banishment, and Jeanne’s forbidden love all build into a narrative that feels both intimate and epic. Marchant captures the era with elegance, from the glittering court of the Sun King to the shadowy corners of alchemy and desperation.
As the two timelines begin to echo one another, the mystery deepens in a way that feels organic and satisfying. The emotional stakes rise on both sides of history, and the final reveals tie everything together with a sense of inevitability and poignancy.
A spellbinding, atmospheric read filled with love, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect those they cherish. Fans of Kate Morton and Philippa Gregory will be utterly absorbed.
With thanks to Clare Marchant, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
In the modern timeline, Paige’s return to Woodham Hall is steeped in heartbreak and uncertainty. Her emotional fragility makes her instantly sympathetic, and the mysterious painting she discovers becomes the perfect thread to pull her into the house’s darker history. The atmosphere around the Hall—quiet, heavy with memory—sets the tone beautifully.
But it’s the 1672 storyline that truly shines. Jeanne is a wonderfully compelling heroine: loyal, passionate, and caught in a household simmering with tension. The arrival of Sir Robert’s mistress, the threat of banishment, and Jeanne’s forbidden love all build into a narrative that feels both intimate and epic. Marchant captures the era with elegance, from the glittering court of the Sun King to the shadowy corners of alchemy and desperation.
As the two timelines begin to echo one another, the mystery deepens in a way that feels organic and satisfying. The emotional stakes rise on both sides of history, and the final reveals tie everything together with a sense of inevitability and poignancy.
A spellbinding, atmospheric read filled with love, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect those they cherish. Fans of Kate Morton and Philippa Gregory will be utterly absorbed.
With thanks to Clare Marchant, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Alchemist's Secret is a dual timeline historical fiction about the Woodham estate. Paige and her family own it and her dad operates the home as a wedding venue, maintaining a set of family quarters within the historic estate. When Paige runs into some issues with her husband, she returns back to Woodham Hall for a while to heal. There's a painting in the hall that depicts a terrible poisoning which supposedly happened in the home and, while Paige is helping her dad, she decides to research and see if she can confirm the family lore. Cut to 1672, where Jeanne's sister is the lady of the house. Her husband wants her gone so he can set up his mistress in her place, so he ships off Jeanne and her sister Marie to France to an abbey (yawn, boring behavior). Marie is bound and determined to make it back to the house... by any cost.
I'll note that all of this information was available in the book description, but you can probably read between the lines about the general plot here and its interconnectedness. The "mystery" Paige is figuring out isn't much of one, to be honest. But the story was engaging and I enjoyed all of the history and the dual timeline as well. I would say, if you aren't a huge fan of dual timeline, this may not be your cup of tea. I enjoy it though so that didn't throw me off. Honestly though, I enjoyed the 1672 timeline a lot more than the modern day timeline, and I also felt that the ending was a bit abrupt (though all loose ends are tied up). I still liked the story quite a bit though and appreciated the atmosphere that the author created in both timelines.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
I'll note that all of this information was available in the book description, but you can probably read between the lines about the general plot here and its interconnectedness. The "mystery" Paige is figuring out isn't much of one, to be honest. But the story was engaging and I enjoyed all of the history and the dual timeline as well. I would say, if you aren't a huge fan of dual timeline, this may not be your cup of tea. I enjoy it though so that didn't throw me off. Honestly though, I enjoyed the 1672 timeline a lot more than the modern day timeline, and I also felt that the ending was a bit abrupt (though all loose ends are tied up). I still liked the story quite a bit though and appreciated the atmosphere that the author created in both timelines.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two stories, almost 400 years apart...what connection could there possibly be, besides the location, Woodham Hall?
Jeanne is an artist. She has a happy life, living with her sister and her family. Not everything is perfect; her brother in law is having an affair with another woman, and her sister Marie has been unable to give him a son, causing her great distress. When her brother in law decides to bring his mistress to live with him as wife, and has exiled Jeanne and Marie to a convent in France, Jeanne is determined to get back to Woodham Hall and the love she has found there.
Almost four hundred years later, Paige discovers that she has been betrayed by her husband in the most insidious way. She returns to the family home at Woodham Hall to recover and help her father with the family business. There is a painting at Woodham Hall which portrays a most horrifying murder. Who painted the picture, and why? The search for answers will take her to places she never dreamed of, and give her insight into her family that she never would have guessed.
Totally engrossing, The Alchemist's Secret is historical fiction (with the emphasis here on fiction) at its very best. There are many twists and turns, wonderfully flawed characters, just the right amount of romance, it's a terrific read.
Jeanne is an artist. She has a happy life, living with her sister and her family. Not everything is perfect; her brother in law is having an affair with another woman, and her sister Marie has been unable to give him a son, causing her great distress. When her brother in law decides to bring his mistress to live with him as wife, and has exiled Jeanne and Marie to a convent in France, Jeanne is determined to get back to Woodham Hall and the love she has found there.
Almost four hundred years later, Paige discovers that she has been betrayed by her husband in the most insidious way. She returns to the family home at Woodham Hall to recover and help her father with the family business. There is a painting at Woodham Hall which portrays a most horrifying murder. Who painted the picture, and why? The search for answers will take her to places she never dreamed of, and give her insight into her family that she never would have guessed.
Totally engrossing, The Alchemist's Secret is historical fiction (with the emphasis here on fiction) at its very best. There are many twists and turns, wonderfully flawed characters, just the right amount of romance, it's a terrific read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Clare and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Alchemist’s Secret prior to the publication date.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. It was an easy read and the author managed the time slip seamlessly.
In the present day, Paige discovers that her husband, Tyler, is a bigamist who is leading a double life. She seeks refuge at her family home, Woodham Hall, which her father Simon, is running as a wedding venue..
Simon is struggling to keep the venture afloat and asks for Paige’s help. As he shows her around the public rooms which are used for the events, Paige notices a dark, disturbing painting which is not in keeping.
She sets out to research the painting and the history of the Woodham Hall and its residents.
In the 17th century, Marie enters an arranged marriage with Sir Robert. Unable to produce a son and heir, she sinks into depression. Having sired 2 sons with his mistress, Sir Robert arranges for Marie and her sister, Jeanne to be transported to a monastery in France and to move his mistress and sons into Woodham Hall.
The sisters make plans to escape the monastery. However Jeanne goes a step further and plots on how to regain ownership of the Hall and to evict the usurper.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. It was an easy read and the author managed the time slip seamlessly.
In the present day, Paige discovers that her husband, Tyler, is a bigamist who is leading a double life. She seeks refuge at her family home, Woodham Hall, which her father Simon, is running as a wedding venue..
Simon is struggling to keep the venture afloat and asks for Paige’s help. As he shows her around the public rooms which are used for the events, Paige notices a dark, disturbing painting which is not in keeping.
She sets out to research the painting and the history of the Woodham Hall and its residents.
In the 17th century, Marie enters an arranged marriage with Sir Robert. Unable to produce a son and heir, she sinks into depression. Having sired 2 sons with his mistress, Sir Robert arranges for Marie and her sister, Jeanne to be transported to a monastery in France and to move his mistress and sons into Woodham Hall.
The sisters make plans to escape the monastery. However Jeanne goes a step further and plots on how to regain ownership of the Hall and to evict the usurper.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I can't believe I haven't read one of Clare Marchant's books before, because this was right up my street!
A dual-timeline mystery with two very strong female MCs, one in each era: the present and 1672.
Paige is back in her family home after a disastrous 'marriage' and busies herself with helping her father and investigating the provenance of a gruesome piece of art in their ancestral home.
Meanwhile, in 1672, we meet Jeanne and her sister Marie. Two French sisters were brought over with the marriage of one of them to the lord of the house, but their own situation is precarious.
I can't write much about the plot because that's not what a review is, but I will say I was fully invested in this story and in finding out the origins of the "Phaedra" painting and what it all meant.
I really felt for Jeanne, who, at a time of little understanding, was trying to deal with her own sexuality, as well as supporting a sister suffering huge mental health issues, and the upheaval they encountered when they were made to leave their home.
All I can say is 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
A dual-timeline mystery with two very strong female MCs, one in each era: the present and 1672.
Paige is back in her family home after a disastrous 'marriage' and busies herself with helping her father and investigating the provenance of a gruesome piece of art in their ancestral home.
Meanwhile, in 1672, we meet Jeanne and her sister Marie. Two French sisters were brought over with the marriage of one of them to the lord of the house, but their own situation is precarious.
I can't write much about the plot because that's not what a review is, but I will say I was fully invested in this story and in finding out the origins of the "Phaedra" painting and what it all meant.
I really felt for Jeanne, who, at a time of little understanding, was trying to deal with her own sexuality, as well as supporting a sister suffering huge mental health issues, and the upheaval they encountered when they were made to leave their home.
All I can say is 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
February 11, 2026
This is the second book I’ve read by Clare and I enjoy the way she weaves together history with mystic elements. Set in Woodham Hall, the story unfolds over a dual timeline with Paige arriving home after her marriage falls apart, she decides to stay and help her father with upkeep of the hall and help with their wedding business. Whilst renovating a small chapel on the property she discovers a painting that depicts a mass murder in the house.
In 1672, Jeanne and her sister Marie are sent back to Paris so that Marie’s husband can arrange a marriage for their daughter and move in his mistress and two small boys. The story moves seamlessly between the two different storylines. The historical elements were well researched and I loved their links to real events and the alchemy and poisons components. It was fun to see Paige put together all the different clues to find out what happened. I enjoyed Paige’s millinery background, the wedding business, her relationship with her Dad and seeing her stand her group with her estranged husband. An interesting historical mystery.
In 1672, Jeanne and her sister Marie are sent back to Paris so that Marie’s husband can arrange a marriage for their daughter and move in his mistress and two small boys. The story moves seamlessly between the two different storylines. The historical elements were well researched and I loved their links to real events and the alchemy and poisons components. It was fun to see Paige put together all the different clues to find out what happened. I enjoyed Paige’s millinery background, the wedding business, her relationship with her Dad and seeing her stand her group with her estranged husband. An interesting historical mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Alchemist's Secret - Claire Marchant
4.5💫 rated to 4.
The Alchemist's Secret is a timeslip between 1672 and 2026, uncovering a murder which happened at Woodham Hall.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I love the details that the author included, clearly showcasing the research that had been done prior to completing this. Not only research into poisons and fashion appropriate to the 17th century, but societal norms, events that occurred within the French court, gender norms and inheritance norms within both French and British households.
I loved how the story was told through the timeslip. How details were uncovered and explored in both current and historic time.
This is not my first novel I have read by this author, having also read The House of the Witch, however it is my favourite so far.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this ARC. I look forward to reading more by Claire Marchant in the future.
4.5💫 rated to 4.
The Alchemist's Secret is a timeslip between 1672 and 2026, uncovering a murder which happened at Woodham Hall.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I love the details that the author included, clearly showcasing the research that had been done prior to completing this. Not only research into poisons and fashion appropriate to the 17th century, but societal norms, events that occurred within the French court, gender norms and inheritance norms within both French and British households.
I loved how the story was told through the timeslip. How details were uncovered and explored in both current and historic time.
This is not my first novel I have read by this author, having also read The House of the Witch, however it is my favourite so far.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this ARC. I look forward to reading more by Claire Marchant in the future.
February 22, 2026
Well done Clare! You have written another brilliant story. The Alchemist’s Secret is the fourth book I have read by Clare Marchant, I have loved them all. This one is set in 1562 and 2026. The earlier timeline tells of two sisters who are banished to France to a nunnery, because the husband of the older one wants to move his mistress into the family home. The events which follow are described in such a way to keep the reader wanting more. The present day timeline follows Paige who arrives back to her ancestral home after a devastating romantic discovery. She becomes engrossed in a family painting and is determined to discover the history behind it.
Finally the puzzle is pieced together like a jigsaw. I felt connected to all the characters and lived their fear, grief, joy, romance, lies and traumatic events. An excellent story.
My thanks to NetGalley, Clare Marchant and the publishers, Boldwood Books for an arc of this enjoyable story.
Finally the puzzle is pieced together like a jigsaw. I felt connected to all the characters and lived their fear, grief, joy, romance, lies and traumatic events. An excellent story.
My thanks to NetGalley, Clare Marchant and the publishers, Boldwood Books for an arc of this enjoyable story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.
What a terrific read, I couldn't put it down, I loved it so much!
It's set in 2 timelines: the present and the 17th century.
The present finds Paige crying all the way home to her old home and her father. She's just found out her marriage was a sham ... her husband was already married!
In the 17th century, Jeanne and Marie live on Marie's husband's estate. Marie has a daughter, but had to bury 3 babies and because she can't produce a male heir, both of the women are sent back to France, to live out their lives in a convent.
Both stories are wonderful and so are Jeanne and Paige. I was rooting for them the whole time.
One thing I found fascinating was the bit about Queen
Christina of Sweden. I looked her up online, very interesting!
Highly recommended.
What a terrific read, I couldn't put it down, I loved it so much!
It's set in 2 timelines: the present and the 17th century.
The present finds Paige crying all the way home to her old home and her father. She's just found out her marriage was a sham ... her husband was already married!
In the 17th century, Jeanne and Marie live on Marie's husband's estate. Marie has a daughter, but had to bury 3 babies and because she can't produce a male heir, both of the women are sent back to France, to live out their lives in a convent.
Both stories are wonderful and so are Jeanne and Paige. I was rooting for them the whole time.
One thing I found fascinating was the bit about Queen
Christina of Sweden. I looked her up online, very interesting!
Highly recommended.
February 28, 2026
I just love Clare Marchant as an author and this book didn’t disappoint, I read it in 12 hrs and will suffer the consequences of tiredness 🙂
The duel time line just flows and the characters are so good they are nearly real. 2026 When Paige returns to her family home, Woodham Hall after finding out her husband is a bigamist she finds a painting that holds her attention and peaks her interest.. .
1672: Jeanne’s life at Woodham Hall is happy With her sister Marie and her niece Helene, but her brother-in-law is not a nice man and trouble is coming that will change the course of their lives. The forbidden love of someone close to her with a sad goodbye..
This is the story of love, loss and secrets and in 2026 Paige is left to work it all out.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and Publisher Boldwood Books for the chance of the early read.
The duel time line just flows and the characters are so good they are nearly real. 2026 When Paige returns to her family home, Woodham Hall after finding out her husband is a bigamist she finds a painting that holds her attention and peaks her interest.. .
1672: Jeanne’s life at Woodham Hall is happy With her sister Marie and her niece Helene, but her brother-in-law is not a nice man and trouble is coming that will change the course of their lives. The forbidden love of someone close to her with a sad goodbye..
This is the story of love, loss and secrets and in 2026 Paige is left to work it all out.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and Publisher Boldwood Books for the chance of the early read.
March 3, 2026
Clare Marchant has done it again with writing a book that kept me totally engaged from the very first page. The attention to detail in this dual timeline story along with such fascinating characters makes this a must read. In 1672 Jeanne is living at Woodham Hall with her sister and niece with the only issue being her brother in law. He is unfaithful to his wife Marie and things come to a head when he decides that he wants to move his mistress in. Jeanne and Marie are banished to an abbey in France but are determined not to just give up. In the present day Paige returns home to Woodham Hall with a broken heart. To keep herself occupied she starts to research the story behind a rather morbid picture that allegedly depicts a mass poisoning that occurred in the house. This has plenty of twists, turns, adventure, romance and kept me totally hooked until the very last page. Brilliant!
March 6, 2026
Thank you to LoveBooksTours and Clare Marchant for gifting me an ARC of this book in advance of its publication!
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this novel 🥳 The dual POV chapters, which switched between modern-day Paige and historical Jeanne, weaved together perfectly to create an air of mystery connecting the two perspectives from the same location, hundreds of years apart!
Clare’s writing style lends itself perfectly to the voice of Jeanne - these were definitely my favourite chapters (although I’m a lover of history, so this is also a reason why I loved these bits the best!).
If you love historical fiction with a contemporary edge, stories of forbidden love and difficult choices, and murders that completely change the course of time, I’d definitely recommend you pick this one up 👏🏼
We need a sequel! 🤣
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this novel 🥳 The dual POV chapters, which switched between modern-day Paige and historical Jeanne, weaved together perfectly to create an air of mystery connecting the two perspectives from the same location, hundreds of years apart!
Clare’s writing style lends itself perfectly to the voice of Jeanne - these were definitely my favourite chapters (although I’m a lover of history, so this is also a reason why I loved these bits the best!).
If you love historical fiction with a contemporary edge, stories of forbidden love and difficult choices, and murders that completely change the course of time, I’d definitely recommend you pick this one up 👏🏼
We need a sequel! 🤣
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Clare Marchant - The queen of dual timelines
Capturing 2 stories, one set in 1672 & one 2026, that echo eachother skillfully. How you can feel you are standing in both era's so well, shows the clever way Marchant worldbuilds.
The story has an air of mystery running throughout, which keeps you hooked until the end. You witness how far people will go to protect the most important and innocent people in their lives. In 1672, it can certainly get pretty dark!
I enjoyed the relationships and gentle love stories woven through plots and characters.
I am a fan of historical and Gothic fiction and have found both CM books I've read to be very hard to put down.
A spellbinding read!
***Thank you to Clare Marchant, Netgallery and Boldwood Books Publishing for the ARC in return for an honest review***
Capturing 2 stories, one set in 1672 & one 2026, that echo eachother skillfully. How you can feel you are standing in both era's so well, shows the clever way Marchant worldbuilds.
The story has an air of mystery running throughout, which keeps you hooked until the end. You witness how far people will go to protect the most important and innocent people in their lives. In 1672, it can certainly get pretty dark!
I enjoyed the relationships and gentle love stories woven through plots and characters.
I am a fan of historical and Gothic fiction and have found both CM books I've read to be very hard to put down.
A spellbinding read!
***Thank you to Clare Marchant, Netgallery and Boldwood Books Publishing for the ARC in return for an honest review***
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual timeline story. Present day Paige has returned home after a nasty relationship. She is trying to solve the mystery of what an old painting from 1672 means. The women of that time tell their story, Marie being cast aside by her husband and sent to a convent, along with her sister. Determined to have revenge, she seeks out a person who can provide poison. As things unfold, there is a lot of suspense until the final denouement, with unintended consequences. How it all fits together is quite clever, and I enjoyed the piecing together of the story in the present day, the story slipped easily from one time to the other. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read, enjoy and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My thanks to Net Galley, Boldwood, and the personal invitation I received to review this arc.
I really enjoyed this book.
2026: Paige comes back to her family estate saddened that her husband Tyler is a bigamist. She agrees to help her father at the estate for his wedding business. A painting from the 1600s fascinates her of a mass murder and she attempts to find out what happens back in 1672 which takes the reader to the other time line.
1672: Marie and her sister Jeanne are banished by Marie s husband Sir Robert to am abbey so he can move his mistress and 2 sons in. Marie leaves her daughter Helene with her father and the sisters make a plan to poison Sir Robert to move back in but tragedy strikes.
Very good book. Found the 1672 story more interesting.
I really enjoyed this book.
2026: Paige comes back to her family estate saddened that her husband Tyler is a bigamist. She agrees to help her father at the estate for his wedding business. A painting from the 1600s fascinates her of a mass murder and she attempts to find out what happens back in 1672 which takes the reader to the other time line.
1672: Marie and her sister Jeanne are banished by Marie s husband Sir Robert to am abbey so he can move his mistress and 2 sons in. Marie leaves her daughter Helene with her father and the sisters make a plan to poison Sir Robert to move back in but tragedy strikes.
Very good book. Found the 1672 story more interesting.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review — The Alchemist’s Secret by Clare Marchant
⭐️4.25 stars
This book surprised me in the best possible way. From the very first chapters I noticed how smooth it reads, before I knew it, I was already halfway through.
The dual timelines, 2026 and 1672, work incredibly well together. I never felt like I was waiting to get back to one or rushing through the other. The historical chapters are atmospheric and rich (loved them!), while the modern storyline keeps things moving with a lighter, curious energy.
This is one of those books where you tell yourself “just one more chapter” and suddenly an hour has passed. It’s not heavy, but it still gives you enough emotion, mystery, and tension to stay fully invested.
A must read for 2026!
⭐️4.25 stars
This book surprised me in the best possible way. From the very first chapters I noticed how smooth it reads, before I knew it, I was already halfway through.
The dual timelines, 2026 and 1672, work incredibly well together. I never felt like I was waiting to get back to one or rushing through the other. The historical chapters are atmospheric and rich (loved them!), while the modern storyline keeps things moving with a lighter, curious energy.
This is one of those books where you tell yourself “just one more chapter” and suddenly an hour has passed. It’s not heavy, but it still gives you enough emotion, mystery, and tension to stay fully invested.
A must read for 2026!
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