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The Keeper of Lost Things: the perfect uplifting read - winner of the Richard & Judy Readers' Award and Sunday Times bestseller Kindle Edition
*THE PERFECT COSY UP-LIT READ, RECOMMENDED BY THOUSANDS OF READERS*
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & WINNER OF THE RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB*
'One of the most charming novels either of us has read. Don't lose it. Keep it' Richard & Judy
Meet the 'Keeper of Lost Things'...
Once a celebrated author of short stories now in his twilight years, Anthony Peardew has spent half his life collecting lost objects, trying to atone for a promise broken many years before.
Realising he is running out of time, he leaves his house and all its lost treasures to his assistant Laura, the one person he can trust to fulfil his legacy and reunite the thousands of objects with their rightful owners.
But the final wishes of the 'Keeper of Lost Things' have unforeseen repercussions which trigger a most serendipitous series of encounters...
'Touching, funny and romantic' Daily Mail
'A charming read, perfect for the holidays' The Lady
'A warm and heartfelt debut' Prima
And if you loved The Keeper of Lost Things, don't miss Ruth Hogan's other novels, Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel, and The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes.
*The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan was chosen by followers as the winner of the Richard and Judy Autumn 2017 Book Club. It charted in the top ten for Sunday Times Paperback Fiction in weeks 48, 49 and 50 of 2017.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherTwo Roads
- Publication date26 Jan. 2017
- File size6.5 MB
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From the Publisher

Product description
Review
A charming story, warmly and wittily written with wonderful characters ― My Weekly
A lovely read - quirky, fun and plenty of gallows humour ― Bedfordshire on Sunday
Magical and moving ― Heat
Whimsical... characters have spunk and wit to spare, and [...] Hogan's writing has the soothing warmth of the cups of cocoa and tea her characters regularly dispense. Readers looking for some old-fashioned storytelling with a sprinkling of magic will find it here. ― Kirkus
A charming story of fresh starts and self-discovery that warms the cockles ― Woman & Home
Wonderful and heartwarming ― Nina Pottell aka Matinee Girl
In The Keeper of Lost Things, debut novelist Ruth Hogan ties together the lives of her characters and the objects they discover. It's a quiet but beautifully intricate novel that will remind readers that we are each other's points of connection. When life becomes confusing or sad, showing a bit of kindness and appreciation for each others' stories can lead to redemption ― BookPage
From the attention-grabbing opening paragraph, to the joyful conclusion, Ruth Hogan has stirred together a charming fairy tale in which the people may be more lost than the things; and generosity and compassion may be the key to finding a way home. Also there are dogs. Delightful. ― Helen Simonson, author of MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND
Interlacing plots join this cozy, clever, contemporary English story, unveiling the layers of four lives brought together by the discovery of a biscuit tin full of human ashes found on a train... Hogan's debut pulls in readers with each crafty chapter. Memorable minor characters add to the plot in this excellent selection for discussion groups. ― Library Journal
Psychological realism, whimsy and magic are a winning combination in this quirky, exquisitely crafted novel... It's a charming read, perfect for the holidays: you will want to share it when you get home ― The Lady
Ruth Hogan captures perfectly and heartbreakingly the small moments on which a life can turn. We can all recognise something of ourselves in these pages. ― Kirsty Wark, author of THE LEGACY OF ELIZABETH PRINGLE
Totally and completely gorgeous ― Lovereading
The back stories, real or imagined, of lost-and- found objects form the centrepiece of this exquisite, absorbing novel, a potent cocktail of insightful psychological realism, whimsy and glittering magic, where hopes and new beginnings glint off the sharp edges of grief and loss. It grabs you right from its intriguing opening scene... Hogan's prose is considered, expressive and vivid, but never overwritten. Her characters reveal themselves gradually, much as the found objects acquire layers of meaning as we become acquainted with their provenance and history. A charming read that seems bound to become a book club favourite. ― The Lady
When this book first appeared I said it was the perfect cure for the New Year blues. But it could apply just as well to any summer blues... This touching, funny and romantic debut is that rare and precious thing - a real story with brilliant characters ― Daily Mail - Best Summer Books 2017
This is the first book I read in 2017 - and if another as good comes along in the next 12 months, I'll eat my special gold reviewing spectacles... Wonderful stuff and the perfect cure for the New Year blues ― Daily Mail
A sometimes poignant, sometimes funny but always heartfelt page-turner, The Keeper of Lost Things turned out to be exactly the book I was looking for. ― Chrissie Manby, author of A PROPER FAMILY HOLIDAY
This mystical and spiritual tale is a joyous read that will broaden your imagination and warm your heart ― OK!
A really beautiful, tender book. Heartbreaking in parts, but lovely. I got sucked in and read the whole thing in one afternoon, unable to tear myself away. I sobbed for a good hour afterwards! ― The Londoner
A warm and heartfelt debut. ― Prima
The premise for this story is wonderful... The range of characters is handled beautifully, and they all feel like real individuals... It's a great bedtime read, though difficult to put down, so keep an eye on the clock!' ― Bookbag
A beautiful story of love, loss and the redemptive power of friendship ― Catherine Hall, author of DAYS OF GRACE
A charming novel ... It covers love and loss, friendship and pain through beautifully written prose -- Carol Sampson
A debut to watch for... I was hugely impressed by this flawlessly written, most humane novel. ― Ronald Frame, Sunday Herald (Books of the Year)
One is beguiled by its old-fashioned sweetness ― Mail on Sunday
A charming whimsical novel about holding on to what is precious ― Red
Warm and quirky characters and the mystery of each lost item impel the reader forward. In the end, Hogan's first novel reveals how even discarded items have significance and seemingly random objects, people, and places are all interconnected. ― Booklist
About the Author
Ruth Hogan is the author of The Keeper of Lost Things, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick and a WHSmith Travel 'Fresh Talent' selection. A #1 word-of-mouth hit and Sunday Times bestseller with more than half a million copies sold, the book is currently being published in 30 countries around the world.
Two Roads have recently published Ruth's second novel, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, available now.
She lives in a chaotic Victorian house with an assortment of rescue dogs and her long-suffering husband.
ruthhogan.co.uk
twitter | instagram | facebook > ruthmariehogan
Product details
- ASIN : B01D8ZE2C0
- Publisher : Two Roads
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : 26 Jan. 2017
- Edition : 1st
- Language : English
- File size : 6.5 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 292 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1473635494
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: 12,871 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 10 in Occult Magic
- 16 in Women's Popular Fiction
- 91 in Occult Horror (Kindle Store)
- Customer reviews:
About the author

My new novel - THE LIGHT A CANDLE SOCIETY - is out in June. It's about a man called George McGlory - recent widower, part-time librarian, pub quiz enthusiast and lover of loud shirts - who witnesses a public health funeral and is deeply moved by the sight of the lonely coffin with no flowers and no mourners in attendance. George believes that everyone deserves a decent send-off and decides to do something about what he calls these 'lonely funerals' - and so THE LIGHT A CANDLE SOCIETY is formed. The book contains a number of short stories which give a glimpse into the lives of those whom George and his friends take it upon themselves to honour and remember in their own unique way. Despite it being a story about funerals, it's full of life, love, humour, community and human connections. And, of course, there is a very special dog!
THE PHOENIX BALLROOM paperback edition is out on 13th March and MADAME BUROVA, THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS, THE WISDOM OF SALLY RED SHOES and QUEENIE MALONE'S PARADISE HOTEL - are out now in all formats.
I was brought up in a house full of books, and grew up with an unsurprising passion for reading and writing. I also loved (and still do) dogs and ponies, seaside piers (particularly the Palace Pier in Brighton) snow globes and cemeteries. And potatoes. So of course, I was going to be a vet, show jumper, or gravedigger. Or potato farmer.
Or maybe a writer...
I studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College, University of London where I hennaed my hair, wore dungarees, had aspirations to be the fourth member of Bananarama and generally had an amazing time. And then I got a proper job. For ten years I had a successful if uninspiring career in local government before a car accident left me unable to work full-time and was the kick up the butt I needed to start writing seriously.
It was all going well, but then in 2012 I got cancer, which was very inconvenient but precipitated an exciting hair journey from bald to a peroxide blonde Annie Lennox crop. When chemo kept me up all night I passed the time writing and the eventual result was THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS, my bestselling debut novel, which was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Since then I have had two further novels published, THE WISDOM OF SALLY RED SHOES and QUEENIE MALONE'S PARADISE HOTEL and for my fourth, MADAME BUROVA, I learnt to read Tarot cards and developed a hankering for a traditional vardo and pony. THE PHOENIX BALLROOM was inspired by my childhood ballroom dancing lessons and my love of old, abandoned buildings. It is also a love song to my hometown of Bedford and in particular its beautiful Victorian Embankment.
I live in a chaotic Victorian house with an assortment of rescue dogs and my long-suffering husband. I am a magpie; always collecting treasures (or 'junk' depending on your point of view), a huge John Betjeman fan and I would very much like a full-size galloping horses carousel in my back garden.
As a full-time author I am living the dream, and I'm so grateful to all my readers for making that possible. I love hearing from you, so please feel free to drop me a line on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Even after publishing five books, I've never come across a single person reading any of my books in public, but I live in hope...
i
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book a feel-good read that reignites their love for reading, with a cleverly interwoven story that writes backstories for each item. The book is beautifully written, making it an easy read, and features good humor that makes readers laugh and cry. Customers appreciate the gentle portrayal of human characteristics and the well-written romance that explores different forms of love. The book is heartwarming and emotional, with customers noting its balanced blend of sadness and hope.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a lovely and feel-good read that reignites their love for reading, particularly appealing to teenagers.
"...but once I adjusted to the structure, I found it to be a clever and touching way to show how small things can hold great significance...." Read more
"good read" Read more
"...‘heartwarming” I was pleasantly surprised by this quirky and mildly entertaining novel full of idiosyncratic turns of phrase and occasional moments..." Read more
"...The storyline was magical. High praise to Ruth Hogan for a fantastic read and brilliant imagination. I can't wait to read another of her books." Read more
Customers praise the book's cleverly interwoven narrative and interesting premise, with the author writing a backstory for each item.
"...by surprise, but once I adjusted to the structure, I found it to be a clever and touching way to show how small things can hold great..." Read more
"This was a lovely tale, it had heart and it touched me and this engaging story crept in crept up on me...." Read more
"...A dual narrative, one current and another beginning forty years earlier in 1974 follows, with the promise of seeing just how they marry up adding..." Read more
"...The characters are funny and realistic. The storyline was magical. High praise to Ruth Hogan for a fantastic read and brilliant imagination...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and beautifully written, with one customer noting how the story unfolds at a gentle pace.
"...by this quirky and mildly entertaining novel full of idiosyncratic turns of phrase and occasional moments of wisdom...." Read more
"...Mostly the simple writing is easy to read, although from time to time the author throws in cringeworthy sentences that she probably thinks are very..." Read more
"...Overall, the book was an easy read and I did enjoy it and the premise behind it but some of it felt a little too convenient and contrived." Read more
"...It's perfectly readable - if you're stuck with nothing else (and have a high enough threshold for what I mentioned above) you'll at least be..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as witty and lighthearted, with several mentioning they laugh and cry while reading.
"I loved The Keeper of Lost Things. Ruth Hogan’s writing is both engaging and deeply emotional, drawing the reader into a beautifully crafted story..." Read more
"...but there were other pleasant surprises such as some lyrical turns of phrase full of wit and occasional moments of insight on the defining moments..." Read more
"...mousy, boring and unlovable, but in fact she's physically attractive, lovable and perfectly normal...." Read more
"...you'll at least be entertained - but the book is ultimately disappointing." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them delightful and easy to tell apart, with one customer noting how they "glow off the pages."
"...book to fans of Jojo Moyes or anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven fiction...." Read more
"...I loved most of the characters and the story was weaved together so delicately...." Read more
"...I didn't expect the story to be as captivating at it was. The characters are funny and realistic. The storyline was magical...." Read more
"...finding the antic’s of Therese’s ghost bizarre, I thought the characters were all warm and interesting...." Read more
Customers find this book heartwarming and wonderfully inspiring, with stories that make them smile and touch their heartstrings.
"This was a lovely tale, it had heart and it touched me and this engaging story crept in crept up on me...." Read more
"...novel full of idiosyncratic turns of phrase and occasional moments of wisdom...." Read more
"...I also enjoyed - so I can see me looking out for more of these uplifting books from this author in the future." Read more
"...this book delighted me as it had a curious story-line that is both uplifting and thought-provoking...." Read more
Customers appreciate the romance in the book, describing it as a well-written gentle story of genuine love that is heart-warming and full of different forms of affection.
"...and deeply emotional, drawing the reader into a beautifully crafted story about love, loss, and redemption...." Read more
"This was a lovely tale, it had heart and it touched me and this engaging story crept in crept up on me...." Read more
"...truly original, this is a tame and gently moving take of friendships, love, loss and the path to redemption...." Read more
"...She is charming, thoughtful and loyal, with an element of psychic perception when it comes to the items which are lost...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's emotional content, describing it as heartbreaking and sad in its own way, with one customer noting how it balances sadness with hope.
"...Ruth Hogan’s writing is both engaging and deeply emotional, drawing the reader into a beautifully crafted story about love, loss, and..." Read more
"...entertaining, largely inoffensive and truly original, this is a tame and gently moving take of friendships, love, loss and the path to redemption...." Read more
"What a delightful read! I particularly enjoyed the caring and insightful portrayal of ‘dancing drome’...." Read more
"...It’s part love story, part reminiscence and is balanced with sadness and hope...." Read more
Reviews with images

One that will stay with you for a long time..
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2025Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseI loved The Keeper of Lost Things. Ruth Hogan’s writing is both engaging and deeply emotional, drawing the reader into a beautifully crafted story about love, loss, and redemption.
The novel’s themes resonated with me, particularly the way it explores loss—not just of objects, but of people, memories, and opportunities. The interwoven stories of lost items initially took me by surprise, but once I adjusted to the structure, I found it to be a clever and touching way to show how small things can hold great significance.
I connected most with Laura, but I also found the depiction of dementia especially poignant, as it captured the painful experience of watching a loved one fade from view. The book also made me reflect on unrequited love, as seen in Bomber and Eunice’s story, and the heartbreak of ignored wishes, particularly in the way Portia disregarded Bomber’s desires.
While I loved the ending, I found myself wishing for more—perhaps a sequel or a glimpse into the characters’ future. I would recommend this book to fans of Jojo Moyes or anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven fiction. As someone who primarily reads historical fiction, The Keeper of Lost Things was a bit of a departure for me, but I enjoyed it so much that I’m eager to explore more books in this style, including Ruth Hogan’s The Phoenix Ballroom.
A truly touching and memorable read.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 November 2024Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThis was a lovely tale, it had heart and it touched me and this engaging story crept in crept up on me.
We are introduced to an aging author Anthony Peardew. He collected lots of random objects, lost property. The things he collected all had a slight backstory and he labelled them lovingly. He has an assistant Laura who became a friend to him.
He had a wonderful marriage and missed his late wife tremendously. On realising he was running out of time he decides to put his affairs in order. unbeknownst to Laura she becomes the sole beneficiary of all he had including his home and vast collection of lost things. His wish is for left for Laura is to reunite all the lost to their rightful owners.
I loved most of the characters and the story was weaved together so delicately.
Laura’s task seemed like a bit of a minefield to her but help comes from an underestimated source. We are in then introduced to Sunshine who has Down’s Syndrome. She is a very dear and clever girl but is often overlooked.
The one sticking point is Anthony’s final wishes. This wish signals a series of unexplained going’s on in the house. Things being moved, doors being locked, music playing in the house. Instinctively Laura knows that In order to bring peace to the house she has to think outside the box. Will Laura be able to bring order into the house? Whilst at the same time navigate a possible romance and where it is headed.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2018Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseAs a reader who generally gives a wide berth to any novel described as ‘charming’ or ‘heartwarming” I was pleasantly surprised by this quirky and mildly entertaining novel full of idiosyncratic turns of phrase and occasional moments of wisdom. Although I was unsure what to expect the intriguing opening chapters captured my attention and together with the original premise compelled me to read further. A dual narrative, one current and another beginning forty years earlier in 1974 follows, with the promise of seeing just how they marry up adding an element of mystery to proceedings as despite both being connected to the literary world their connection is far from self-evident..
Since the demise of his much loved wife, Therese, short story novelist and panama wearing gent, Anthony Peardew, has spent his life seeking redemption for his broken promise when he lost the communion medallion that he promised his wife he would never be parted from. Since that day Anthony has gathered the lost things of others as a reminder and his only chance of atoning for his error. Home to his collection which has spanned forty years is a locked study where the items are labelled and stored within Padua, his splendid Victorian villa with a rose garden planted in memory of his wife. For Anthony, every object has a value far greater than money and that is a story and a memory and having parted from his publisher his short stories are woven from his collection of lost items and appear throughout the narrative. I was concerned that they might break up the overarching plot of the novel and make for disjointed reading however this proved unfounded as the pithy and increasing dark delights of just two to three pages were brilliant examples of flash fiction.
Knowing his own demise is in sight has, however, given Anthony a purpose and his thirty-five-year-old divorced housekeeper of nearly six years, Laura, is the woman he chooses to fulfil it. Laura is floundering and desperately miserable after her cocksure and flashy older husband’s affair and her unfulfilled desire to have a child. Riddled with self-doubt and burdened by the misery of having failed to live up to her parents expectations Anthony and Padua provide her with hope and a much needed reason to live. Whilst the fear of failure has crushed her spirit in the past Anthony is leaving her a legacy and a mission to reunite just one rightful owner with their lost treasure and in doing make someone very happy. Weighed down by the enormity of the task and feeling unworthy of even attempting to fulfil his final wish she is aided by a cheeky house gardener, Freddy, and a lonely and innocent young Down’s Syndrome neighbour, Sunshine, with a psychic talent for knowing just where the items originally belonged! Soon a virtual lost property department online is born... But can Laura, Freddy and Sunshine resolve Anthony’s own loss of the medallion and in doing so bring the eerie goings at Padua to an end?
In a second narrative beginning forty years previously, spirited and independent assistant to a movie obsessed and good-humoured publisher called Bomber follows twenty-one-year-old Eunice. As the course of their relationship progresses from employee and boss to an enduring friendship that each values immensely and survives the dire literary efforts of Bomber’s odious sister and the deaths of both his parents. Whilst Laura’s narrative and quest drive the story, the hijinks, warmth and mutual adoration of Eunice and Bomber means their story sits quietly in the background despite it often being the most droll and touching of the two strands.
Parts of the novel were hit and miss for me with the romantic involvement of Laura and Freddy an unnecessary dose of chick-lit but but there were other pleasant surprises such as some lyrical turns of phrase full of wit and occasional moments of insight on the defining moments in every individual’s life. Whilst the portrayal of Alzheimer’s disease in one narrative was sympathetically treated, I was far less in favour of how Ruth Hogan addressed that of Down’s Syndrome and the comic character of Sunshine left me cringing as I felt she was deliberately designed to amuse, particularly with her frequent malapropism’s such as “dancing drome”. Bomber’s sister, Portia, is a little offensively over the top too and it is the characters of Laura, Eunice and Bomber that make a meaningful impression and are fleshed out in more rewarding detail. I was also left rather unmoved by Bomber’s canine companions and their ability to understand human conversations, which added nothing to the overall story.
At three hundred pages The Keeper of Lost Things contains some moments of real predictability (Laura and Freddy’s romance and the happy ending), and so I was surprised that my attention never wandered despite the slow pace of the novel. Curiously entertaining, largely inoffensive and truly original, this is a tame and gently moving take of friendships, love, loss and the path to redemption. Whilst the lack of substance means I feel in no hurry to repeat the reading experience the novel stops short of becoming farcical and treads a fine line in an engaging and quirky story of relationships and a lifetime spent pondering on just what might have been.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 March 2025Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseNot my normal read but I absolutely loved reading this book. It pulls you in from the beginning and holds you until the end. I didn't expect the story to be as captivating at it was. The characters are funny and realistic. The storyline was magical. High praise to Ruth Hogan for a fantastic read and brilliant imagination. I can't wait to read another of her books.
Top reviews from other countries
- CatherineReviewed in Canada on 7 April 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Very, very good read!
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis was an intriguing and touching read - my whole book club loved it. And it doesn't exactly fit any particular fiction genre so any fiction reader can find something to like about it.
- Valerie M SchneiderReviewed in Mexico on 20 February 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, sad, mostly satisfying- just like life
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseI gave Keeper a 4 out of 5 because it was a wee bit too pedestrian to rate a 5. But then most days in one's life are pedestrian. However, I enjoyed so many things about the story because I have truly enjoyed my mostly pedestrian life.
- AvniReviewed in India on 27 January 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read to pass time in a reverie
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseYou would love to keep reading this book.
Its subtle, its romantic, its humorous.
A light read with great vocabulary.
- delboscoReviewed in the Netherlands on 17 July 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book about very special people who you are going to love. Great story , very well written. An absolutely feel good bo
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseWonderful book about very special people who you're going to love. Very well written for everyone who needs a cheering up
- raniaReviewed in Spain on 18 July 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written and great idea
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseAt first, you don't really know what and who you are reading about but then suddenly it all makes sense and you want to keep going to find out how it all is tied together. I really liked this novel and found it very well written. I'm happy to have found it on Amazon and I'm keen to read more from Ruth Hogan!