Book Review: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Blurb: 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?

Review: The Keeper of Lost Things is like nothing that I've read in a long time. It tells the story of Anthony Peardew, who after losing the love of his life and a very special pendant that connected them both on the same day, started collecting and cataloguing everything he found lost. When he passes away, his assistant Laura is left with the huge task of returning these objects to its owners. She is not alone in this quest though, the girl from the neighboring house is eager to help, and soon the gardener takes an interest too. 

The story not only focuses on Laura and her mission but we also get to know a couple of characters who are somehow linked to Anthony's story. While reading both stories, I felt a bit like a detective, gathering clues that the author left for us readers to try to figure out what was keeping Anthony and her love apart, even after both had passed but also what these other characters had to do with this fact.

During his life, Anthony also wrote short stories related to the objects he would find. Little by little we discover more and more of these stories and I have to say that they were a pleasure to read. Short but intense, with a bit of magic, each one made the object special and if Anthony Peardew was a real author, I would not doubt to get his short stories compilations.

During the whole story there was an air of magic that really got to me. I really cared for Laura and both her helpers and after finishing this book, I kind of felt happier inside, if you know what I mean. This is a very special and insightful story that will surprise you and will make you believe in the most unexpected ways. A highly recommended read from me.