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    The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
    The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
    The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel

    Written by Ruth Hogan

    Narrated by Jane Collingwood and Sandra Duncan

    4/5

    ()

    • Friendship

    • Grief & Loss

    • Family

    • Self-Discovery

    • Music

    • Power of Memory

    • Fish Out of Water

    • Found Family

    • Haunted House

    • Power of Love

    • Friends to Lovers

    • Star-Crossed Lovers

    • Opposites Attract

    • Love Triangle

    • Forbidden Love

    • Family Relationships

    • Personal Growth

    • Love & Relationships

    • Relationships

    • Family Dynamics

    About this audiobook

    A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us.

    Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles—Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

    Bone china cup and saucer—

    Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.

    Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

    Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

    Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

    As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

    Full of character, wit, and wisdom, The Keeper of Lost Things is heartwarming tale that will enchant fans of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Garden Spells, Mrs Queen Takes the Train, and The Silver Linings Playbook.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateFeb 21, 2017
    ISBN9780062660541
    The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
    Author

    Ruth Hogan

    Ruth Hogan is the author of several bestselling novels, including The Keeper of Lost Things. She lives north of London in a chaotic Victorian house with her husband and a much-loved pack of rescue dogs.

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    Reviews for The Keeper of Lost Things

    4/5

    1,558 ratings127 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a lovely tale, creative, inspiring, smart, and witty. The story is beautifully written and the characters are charming. The book seamlessly interweaves multiple stories and keeps readers engaged. It has drama, romance, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural. The premise of lost items and their significance is thought-provoking. Overall, it is a delightful, heartwarming, and emotional read that exceeds expectations. The narration is outstanding and the book leaves a lasting impression. It is a unique and cleverly written story that is highly recommended.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Anthony has long collected 'lost' things, carefully labelled with where and when they were found. Laura becomes his assistant, but doesn't discover the lost things until after his death. It becomes her responsibility to try to reunite them with their owner - ably assisted by Sunshine and Freddy.Interwoven with this, rather confusingly and tenuously, is the story of Eunice and Bomber.This is an OK story, but with a strange premise, and even stranger development of the story and an obvious ending.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      A curious story that presents flawed characters trying to find their path and a unique connection to lost items. Each found item has a storyline. Bittersweet and kept me wondering how the threads would come together. Well done!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5

      Oct 5, 2024

      Cute story. A little confusing to get into at first with all the different stories being told, but once you realize what's going on, it's delightful. ?
    • 5/5

      Oct 1, 2024

      Absolutely fantastic! Anyone who reads this story will not be disappointed although you will be disappointed that it ends because you will feel like a window has been closed on characters you’ve throughly enjoyed getting to know.
    • 5/5

      Sep 19, 2024

      Super cute! Great story, great characters - heart warming! Nice read
    • 5/5

      Sep 12, 2024

      It has all the emotions - sad, tragic, drama, funny and my favourite, hopeful.
    • 5/5

      Aug 17, 2024

      This is the third book by Ruth Hogan that I have listened to, and so far, it is my favorite. Heartwarming, interesting characters, engaging story line, and very well narrated.
    • 4/5

      Mar 14, 2024

      Gosh. 4 stars, bc it's a very good, very well-written, version of the type of book it is.... But honestly, i don't know how to express the two competing reviews that i feel for this story. It's exactly like the dispute between the two publishing houses in the book itself. (How meta!) Part of me was hooked, engaged, and listened right thru to the very end. On the team of Bruce, who says that readers don't want to have to think complicated thoughts... the clever tale with its creative, well-crafted plot and mostly endearing characters was like the lovely cup of tea. Lots of fun film references and rescued dogs. Clearly this author loves dogs. Sweet and satisfying. andddd
      On the team of B&E, who relished complexity and truth- telling, the other part of me rolled my eyes quite frequently at the bright primary colors of the palette of rather clichéd story lines, including the soupy romantic "lost love" at the heart of the book (the film "Love Story" from the 70s comes to mind... i cried buckets over it *when i was 13*) -- and surfacey, almost blithe, side treatment of quite a few actually horrifiying situations. It's really a mixed bag. I think it's very British pop lit in a way that i didn't quite jive with. I lost my dad to dementia too, and wasnt allowed to speak at the funeral either... and it feels cheap to find that subject matter as an emo wrenching, but somehow humorous, plot turn in a book that's mostly young adult fluff. So I guess this just isn't a good *genre* fit for me... really more of a cat person! I still very much prefer Virginia Woolf &c, though this book was like a perfectly lovely date I'll remember fondly, with someone who's clearly really nice and smart and engagingly fun, and "it could never work for us" because of an impossible cultural divide.
    • 5/5

      Dec 31, 2023

      This mysterious story captivated my attention with its colorful descriptive words and its excellently woven tale, which brought everything to a climax in a very unexpected way. If you like beginnings and endings that bring new beginnings, you will enjoy this tale of lost, found, death, life, faith, redemption, and love.
    • 4/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      I loved the idea of this book. It was slow at times, but it really made me think about random things I’ve found or seen. I love the idea that everything, no matter how small has a story. I think that’s such an important thing to know.
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Fantastic story. Many little stories come together in a very charming manner.
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      I loved this from the first page to the last. It exceeded all my expectations and is a lovely read.
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      beautiful absolutely stunning has got to be one of the best books on my shelf
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Sweet book, an easy listen and felt like a little time machine. Great narrator.
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      This book absolutely spoke to my soul I love it!
    • 4/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Adorable , quirky and fun novel with the right amount of “spirit” that kept me entertained throughout!
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Delightful,romantic,funny, intriguing and beautifully written.I highly recommended this book. Now I will listen to another by Ms.Hogan!
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Loved this book..and the narration was absolutely outstanding great book
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Excellent story!! Unique and cleverly written. I enjoyed every bit of it and will be recommending it to friends and my book clubs.
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      What a great story and storytelling. The characters were great and the premise unique. It was good beginning to end.
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      I was a bit confused at first but now I love it, it did the thing where it comes around back at the end and had a incredible ending. A truly good story
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Without a doubt the most charming and daffy book I've ever read. It has very British humour so maybe not for everyone, but it had me guffawing out loud on trains and in other public places. It's also a ghost story and a romance set in the past and the present, all woven together with a hefty dose of imagination. I miss the characters already.
    • 4/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      I really enjoyed this book. It was very interesting and hard to stop listening to. The reader of the book did a very good job. Enjoyed bothe very much
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Everything! A lovely tale! Creative, inspiring, smart, and witty!


    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Beautifully written and read! I‘m only sorry I‘ve already finished it!
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      The reading was beautifully executed and the story was charming!
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      What a story. Witty funny and genuine drama of so many lives
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Beautiful writing. Beautiful story. Loved every minute. Very heartwarming. If you need a pick me up, read this book.
    • 5/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      Absolutely lovely!!!!!! It makes you laugh, cry, sight in melancholy and hope. This book is definitely one TO KEEP!
    • 3/5

      Sep 8, 2023

      I enjoyed the characters and how they intertwined. Also makes me think a little more about “lost things”. Even a lost puzzle piece might mean something to someone.