A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel 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. Broken-hearted, 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 neighbour'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?
***
[Charles Bramwell Brockley was traveling alone and without a ticket on the 14:42 from London Bridge to Brighton]***
(William Morrow, 21 February 2017, copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed)
***
***
The Keeper of Lost Things is hugely enjoyable, heart-warming and the kind of book that tugs at your heart-strings. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I loved the concept behind the novel. It has huge potential.
I liked the characters, they are all made of flesh and blood and very sympathetic. I could get behind them.
The Keeper of Lost Things tells two different storylines, that of Laura and Anthony particularly after Anthony dies and that of Eunice and her boss Bomber, owners of one of Anthony's many lost things. I loved how both stories gradually come together.
Only two things failed to satisfy me: I would have loved to see Laura reunite some of the lost things with their owners and learn their real stories. This is what Anthony wanted but it never really comes into fusion. Also, no explanation is given as to why Anthony's stories suddenly turn quite dark and sinister. I thought this was odd and would like this to have been explored.
The two points above aside, The Keeper of Lost Things is very good.
