The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel

Name: The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
Price: 11.6 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.2 (15600 reviews)
Author: Ruth Hogan

by Ruth Hogan

4.2

About this book

Anthony Peardew has spent forty years haunted by a single lost keepsake and the tragic death of the fiancée who gave it to him. To atone for his guilt, he has dedicated his life to collecting and cataloging the misplaced objects of the world, weaving elaborate stories for the items he finds. As he nears the end of his life, he entrusts this unusual legacy to his assistant, Laura, a woman currently adrift after a painful divorce.

Inheriting Anthony’s sprawling estate, his collection of treasures, and a surprisingly irritable ghost, Laura finds herself tasked with a final, daunting mission: to reunite these lost items with their rightful owners. Alongside a quirky young neighbor and a rugged, enigmatic gardener, Laura steps out of her isolation to unravel the histories tethered to these objects. As she breathes life into the stories of the abandoned, she begins to find the missing pieces of herself.

Parallel to her journey, an elderly woman named Eunice confronts a long-held secret that threatens to unravel the past. In this blend of magical realism and human connection, Laura must navigate the delicate boundary between memory and reality to grant peace to those who can no longer hold onto what they have lost.

Available Formats

Paperback: $11.60 Audiobook: $0.00

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What readers are saying

Brenda Medvid

Settle in with the "lovely cup of tea" and enjoy a great read!

"“Anthony saw all of this in Laura and knew that he had chosen well. She understood that everything had a value greater than money; it had a story, a memory, and most importantly a unique place in the life of Padua.” Short story writer, Anthony Peardew, tragically lost the love of his life too early. As a result, he spent the remainder of his life lovingly collecting and cataloging lost items (such as buttons, puzzle pieces, and cremated ashes). He did this with the hope of bringing joy to people by reuniting them with their special lost items. As the novel begins, Anthony is near the end of his life and decides to leave his sanctuary-like house, named Padua, to his housekeeper Laura with the request that she continues his work of trying to reunite the lost items with their owners. Thus begins Laura’s story as she works through this request, comes to know Anthony’s full story, makes Padua her home, heals her own wounds, and steps out into “real life”. I finished this book and immediately thought – what a sweet book! Not sweet in the saccharine sense, but in a charming, feel-good way. To me, this book was reminiscent of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Hogan masterfully wove stories within stories. As Laura’s story progressed, Anthony’s story unfolded and the stories behind many of the lost items were revealed. The characters in each of the narratives danced around one other – sometimes coming together and interacting, and other times only being in each other’s orbit. I found it refreshing that the author did not feel the need to connect everyone in the end. Hogan’s novel was imbued with British humor that had me laughing out loud throughout the book. There was also a touch of the mystical as the ghost of Anthony’s fiancée, Therese, made her restless presence known by haunting Padua. I also appreciated many of the author’s references like naming Anthony after Saint Anthony of Padua (the patron saint of lost things) and his last name Peardew was suggestive of the French word “perdu” meaning lost. Obviously, the theme of loss played a major role in this novel. Even the characters that were drawn to Padua (Laura, Freddy the gardener, Sunshine the neighbor, and Sunshine’s parents) were lost people who found solace, sanctuary, and healing in the house. Other themes included grief, reunion, love, and how seemingly insignificant things/moments/people can have powerful meanings. I loved this book. Ruth Hogan presents a cleverly imaginative and whimsical novel. After I finished reading it and understood the arc of the story, I wanted to go back and reread it immediately to find and appreciate more of the author’s nuisances. I highly recommend this book – settle in with “the lovely cup of tea” and enjoy! ["

March 27, 2019 Verified Purchase

Bette

The Keeper of Lost Things

"I had a little trouble at first that I’m not sure of. I struggled in my reading not really getting in too deep but the writing and characters were so interesting I buckled down and really enjoyed it. The idea of lost things and how they can make such a difference in your life was very interesting. The love stories, the sadness, and anger was very well written. By the end of the book, I was all involved in everyone’s story. Loved it definitely worth the read. ["

August 5, 2025 Verified Purchase

Allyson

A must read!

"This captivating audiobook has left an indelible mark on my heart, and its themes will linger in my mind for a while. The narrative elicited a wide range of emotions, including anger, frustration, sadness, love, loss, adoration, happiness, fear, and admiration. Despite initially experiencing the story through audiobook format, I intend to purchase a hard copy. The vignettes woven throughout the narrative were poignant and relatable, resonating deeply with me. The plot was equally engaging, and I admired the strong bond formed by the characters, which resembled a makeshift family unit. As someone who enjoys “people watching,” I found this book to be a unique opportunity to do so through the lens of a story. Ultimately, the story serves as a reminder that even the smallest items (or actions) can hold significant meaning for others. ["

April 13, 2025 Verified Purchase

Stella

Very Slow

"It was a very good story, but at the same time really slow for me. I struggled to finish it when usually a book this size I would finish it within a day. The story was original though so it was worth it to read. ["

April 27, 2025 Verified Purchase