The Keeper of Lost Things Book Review

The Keeper of Lost things

A Novel

By: Ruth Hogan

Publisher: William Morrow and Custom House, William Morrow

Publish Date: 21 February 2017

General Fiction (Adult)/ Literary Fiction/ Women’s Fiction

#TheKeeperofLostThings#NetGalley

I would like to first thank both NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

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 accidentally 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 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?

Book Review:

I gave this book 4 stars. I will be honest that at first, I wasn’t sure if I would like the story. As the story progressed it got better, and I was invested in the characters. As the synopsis says Laura is recovering from a bad marriage and has no skills to make a living but Andrew hires her as his assistant and takes her under his wing. As he gets older and really doesn’t want to continue with his life, he makes plans to make sure Laura has a place and means to take care of herself. He leaves he a letter with instructions.

Eunice is in love with her boss who happens to be gay. She has nowhere else to go and really doesn’t want to. She has made Bomber (her boss) promises that she intended to keep but something happens along the way that has postponed that promise.

As I was reading this story, I wasn’t sure why there were two main characters, but as you read you realize that they will come together at some point. I really enjoyed the stories that Andrew (Laura’s boss) wrote about the lost items. I like the friendships that happened between the bosses and their employees. They were one big happy family. I cried near the end as the story was coming to an end. I am glad that things worked out the way they did.

I recommend this book, but realize it is slow at the beginning and a little confusing.