The Apothecary's Daughter — Jo Sutton

'Pure evil can come in many forms', and in the late 18th century it was in the form of magistrate Sir Daniel Haggleton. He sends Amos, an apothecary, and his young daughter Lucy to a workhouse where they are destined to stay for ever. Other inmates of the workhouse either mysteriously disappear, or die and become victims of body-snatchers. It's clear that Sir Daniel is hiding a dreadful secret.

Lucy is saved from a terrible fate when she's encouraged to escape to the West Country, helped by a masked highwayman known only as Noah. But as she bonds with fellow travellers, the sinister Sir Daniel becomes besotted with capturing young Lucy...

A gripping and intriguing plot, the author captures the realities of such harsh times, keeping a surprising twist right to the end when the masked man is unveiled!