I found myself growing bored, waiting for a captivating moment that never came. The delicate romance was sweet and kept me hopeful, but nothing seemed to deliver on what felt promised. Anthony had made her tea at the interview. He had brought it into the garden room; teapot with cozy, milk jug, sugar bowl and tongs, cups and saucers, silver teaspoons, tea strainer and stand. Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles—Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September. Once in-awhile a book comes along that feels a little lacy, dressy, decorous, cultivated, rosy, sweet, courteous, cordial, romantic, a little mysterious, quirky, touching, sad, humorous, warm, cozy, and loving. AND YOU’RE UP FOR THE TASK! The house that Anthony leaves to Laura is named Padua and without a doubt, there is the supernatural presence of Anthony's late fiance in the house and garden. Sunshine. a lively, clever, serious, delightful nineteen year old woman with Downs Syndrome, has a supernatural connection with Therese, despite never meeting her when she was alive. In fact, Sunshine just seems to know a lot of things about Therese and also about the owners of the lost things. The narration of her character had me seeing her so vividly, making her one of my favorite characters in a book full of touching characters. Not to be forgotten, is Freddy, the hunky gardener who allows Laura to think of love again, and Carrot, the mistreated stray dog, who knows that he is loved and safe, in his new home.

I loved the characters in this, even the snooty Portia, and especially Sunshine, and Anthony’s story, wonderful, but heartbreaking. I loved the stories of the lost things. I loved these perfectly imperfect character’s stories. As a result, this book reads more like a collection of short stories, and I never felt invested in any of the characters.

Because the characters don't have to work for the information, the novel's progress doesn't feel satisfying. What I liked about this unique writing style was the several short stories that were attached to the list items. Each short story has its own unique moral and it’s woven into the main story effortlessly. I could see how it might be an issue for some as it took me the first two to get the hang of it, but then I really enjoyed it. I started to really worry about the book when it became clear that there would be no shift in the narrative voice whatsoever - and what I mean by that is that, when the little 'stories behind the items' were included, they were narrated in the exact same manner as the text that had come before it, with Laura in centre stage. Given that they were supposed to have been written by Anthony, this was a grievous mistake.

The blurb is longgggg....and explains the book. I'm just adding the first introductory paragraph here: There are two plot-timelines. Both were engaging—-but there was also a ‘third’ treat: stories within the storytelling. They were good! Afterall the Gentleman- Anthony Peardew, “Keeper of Lost Things”, was a writer! Whimsical. delightful, charming, comic, intelligent, magical, fantastical, lacy, decorous, cultivated, sweet, courteous, cordial, romantic, mysterious, quirky, touching, sad, humorous, warm, enchanting, lovely, cozy – these are all words that have been used to describe this story, and it is all that, and perhaps more. If you are a lover of wonderfully told stories where people truly love one another, then this book is ever so right for you. It is told with such tenderness of a love story immersed within two love stories. It is a story of requited love and love that was felt but never could be carried through. It was a story of people, a bit broken at times, but with the strength and love we all possess and probably should show more of. There is a compelling, magical appeal to this story, not in the literal sense, but it added a pleasant ambiance of imaginative goodness.

Now I'm no stranger to alliteration and similes and I understand the purpose that they serve. However, Hogan took this TOO FAR. Everything was an alliteration - Poisonous Portia, Slinked seductively into the salon (everything was alliterated, all the time!) and the clichés were never-ending. The dialogue was nothing short of embarrassing, 'Liar Liar Pants on Fire!' Etc etc. I don't think anyone speaks to friends and family like that. I’ll always wonder when I look down and see little lost objects that we sometimes run across, about the person who lost it . From about the 10% mark, I knew that this book was probably going to be a one star, and I couldn't wait for it to be over.

Hogan has seamlessly plotted two separate stories, each just as entertaining, while weaving the imagined stories of the lost items throughout. She then added more than a few eccentrics, a feisty spirit and a sweet innocent by the name of Sunshine whom you will come to love, and gave us a story brimming with wit, wisdom and charm galore. 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.The Keeper of Lost Things has an interesting premise, Mr. Anthony Peardew, has a collection of lost items. The narrative of Eunice and Bomber is woven between Laura and Anthony’s story. These two characters have a deep connection to the lost objects. The reader also gets to experience the stories behind the lost objects. While there are several pov’s, all are intertwined and have a unique connection to the lost objects. For instance, The Keeper of Lost Things turns out to be an old man who collects lost things he finds and then writes down where and when he found them. One thing I did like about this part, though, was that he’s a writer who writes cute and imaginative stories to go along with these lost things. Ha.... and that’s the way I prepare tea in my house every day, several times a day. Why don’t you believe me? I studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College which was brilliant, but then I came home and got a 'proper' job. I worked for ten years in a senior local government position (I was definitely a square peg in a round hole, but it paid the bills and mortgage) before a car accident left me unable to work full-time and convinced me to start writing seriously. It was going well, but then in 2012 I got cancer, which was bloody 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.

This was a feel good story, one that will propel you out of the doldrums and make you quite glad that you got to spend some time with Anthony, Laura, Sunshine, Freddy, Eunice, and Bomber and least I forget some lovely four legged friends. This novel was very unexpected- I not only mean the novel itself— but my enjoyment of absolutely EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. I consider myself to be a modern woman —- I rarely tap into an appreciation for people’s sentimental tchotchkes. I ‘did’ ......tap into my appreciation for the smallest ‘lost things’. Silly me! Darn....where is that hair clip I lost- which I use to love? Would one of you please return it to Westgate Ave. in San Jose? Thank you, kindly! Hogan also overly explains things. For example, the sister would act horribly and just to clarify, the author would further write something along the lines of, "the horrible sister."All set out on a tray with a tray cloth. Pure white, lace –edged linen. The tray cloth was definitive. Padua was clearly a house where all these things, including the tray cloth, were part of every day life”. The story about to begin, will lead us into an universe where characters are knots merged in a web -- people crossing at due timings, showing that nothing happens by chance in this mysterious whole where we all interact, complementing each other, towards an incognito purpose -- something undefined, we feel bigger then us, where all those crossing paths will hopefully gain a common sense!... That said, many of my book friends loved this one, and I can see why. I’d still recommend giving this a shot when you’re in the mood for a gentler read, if only to witness its generous amounts of creativity. Hope you enjoy! Normally, anything to do with ghosts sends me skittering away. But here, the “deceased diva” just adds a bit of humor and poignancy to the equation. A little context first: Laura was interviewing for the job as housekeeper/personal assistant. She fell in love with the house right away- the Padua. Anthony would later hire her. He became her employer and close friend for 40 years.