The Elixir

With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention in this high-stakes story from Lindsay Galvin.

Will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for a talented young healer?

Ann Storer has inherited her grandmother's mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family's apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of a young Isaac Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers.

But seventeenth-century England is a dangerous place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder Abel Geach arrives in town.

So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

The Elixir is a top pick for young adult and juvenile readers, offering a unique blend of historical fiction and adventure. The story explores the themes of friendship, science, and the power of nature in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

For fans of Katherine Rundell (The Explorer), Matt Goodfellow (Tomorrow We Begin), Robin Stevens (Death Sets Sail), Rhian Tracey (Wink, Murder), and Lindsay Littleson (The Titanic Detective Agency).

HarperCollins 2025