THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS

Writer Anthony Peardew carelessly lost a keepsake from his fiancée on the very day that she died. For 40 years, Peardew makes it his life's work to collect the items people lose, catalogue them, and create stories around them. Jane Collingwood offers a strong, believable performance as Laura, who answers Peardew's ad for an assistant. When Peardew dies, he leaves Laura his villa, Padua, and his collection, with the proviso that she locate the owners and return their lost things. Flashback to the '70s and Eunice, who answers a similar ad. Sandra Duncan gives Eunice a warm, mature timbre. As Eunice's life nears its end, fascinating connections are revealed. Collingwood and Duncan make Ruth Hogan's imaginative, sometimes magical debut novel a listening joy. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2017]