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The Secret Collector
- Author
- Abigail Johnson
- Narrator
- Tom Allenby
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 10 April 2025
- Run Time
- 8 hours 10 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Humorous fiction, Humour, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss
- Rating
- 5.0 (2 reviews)
What to expect
'Wonderfully drawn characters you really root for . . . a delightfully uplifting story' โ Mike Gayle, author of All the Lonely People
When an elderly eccentric collector and a troubled teen become each other's only hope of getting their lives back on track, what can possibly go wrong?
Alfred is an elderly widower who uses antiques and collectibles to fill the hole in his heart left by his late wife. Kian is a lost teen who has been let down by the care system and finds it difficult staying on the straight and narrow.
After Kian throws a brick through Alfred's window, the shock sends Alfred to hospital and a social worker to his home, where his hoarding becomes impossible to ignore.
Begrudgingly, and at the request of the authorities, they both agree to enrol Kian on a restorative justice programme, helping to make Alfredโs home liveable again. The only problem: Alfred doesn't want to throw any of his treasures away, and he certainly doesnโt want Kian for company.
What unfolds is a surprising and delightful journey of two characters who help each other more than they ever could have anticipated and, along the way, form the unlikeliest of friendships.
An uplifting and warm story about friendship across generations, the power of community and finding hope where it had been lost. Perfect for fans of Sally Pageโs The Keeper of Stories and Evie Woods's The Lost Bookshop.
'A complete joy' โ Alexandra Potter, bestselling author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up
'Full of compassion, warmth and insight' โ Laura Barnett, author of The Versions of Us
***
Readers LOVE The Secret Collector:
'If there was a moral to this story I think it would be, "It only takes one person who believes in you to change your life"'
'The characters appear so real, and the story with its ups and downs kept me riveted. I couldn't put the book down until the very last page. A book of hope in difficult times'
'My favourite book of the last few years'
'Made me so emotional at times'
'A great book club book'
'I loved this book, it reminded me of Sally Page'
'Heartwarming'
'Cried nearly every chapter, so moving'
'Charming!'
Critics Review
-
A very real and heartwarming story about the life-changing power of friendship and found family. A complete joy. I loved it
Alexandra Potter, bestselling author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up
-
A lovely, beautifully executed novel, full of compassion, warmth and insight. An immersive, uplifting read for these troubled times
Laura Barnett, author of The Versions of Us
-
With wonderfully drawn characters you really root for and plenty of twists and turns, The Secret Collector is a delightfully uplifting story about hope, redemption and the transforming power of friendship
Mike Gayle, author of All the Lonely People
-
A convincing case for how much we need friendship and community to sustain us
The Times
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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This is a treasure of a story. Told with humour and heart, the writing is so beautifully skilful that it appears effortless. I loved Alfred and Kian, loved their dynamic, and was genuinely moved by the growing bond between them. A must-read
Fiza Saeed McLynn, author of The Midnight Carousel
-
Emotional, tense and deeply moving. Abigail Johnson is able to bring both characters - and Alfred's chaotic home - to life in a wonderful way
WI Life Magazine
-
A touching story about grief . . . and the surprising way we can make connections
People's Friend
-
This uplifting story about friendship across generations is full of compassion and tenderness
Platinum Magazine
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With wonderfully relatable characters, Johnsonโs debut novel is a heartwarming and poignant story of loss, loneliness and finding friendship in unexpected places
Culturefly
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You won't want this touching story to end
Peterborough Telegraph
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
-
5.0 5.0
Sweet, feel good story. Thank you ๐
Kath Loyson 2026-02-02 -
5.0 5.0
An incredible story
ClareListens 2026-01-04
Details
- Author
- Abigail Johnson
- Narrator
- Tom Allenby
- Duration
- 8 hours 10 minutes
- Release Date
- 10 April 2025
- ISBN
- 9781035057771
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Humorous fiction, Humour, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss
- Rating
- 5.0(2 reviews)
- Narration
- 5.0(2 reviews)
Synopsis
'Wonderfully drawn characters you really root for . . . a delightfully uplifting story' – Mike Gayle, author of All the Lonely PeopleWhen an elderly eccentric collector and a troubled teen become each other's only hope of getting their lives back on track, what can possibly go wrong?Alfred is an elderly widower who uses antiques and collectibles to fill the hole in his heart left by his late wife. Kian is a lost teen who has been let down by the care system and finds it difficult staying on the straight and narrow.After Kian throws a brick through Alfred's window, the shock sends Alfred to hospital and a social worker to his home, where his hoarding becomes impossible to ignore.Begrudgingly, and at the request of the authorities, they both agree to enrol Kian on a restorative justice programme, helping to make Alfred’s home liveable again. The only problem: Alfred doesn't want to throw any of his treasures away, and he certainly doesn’t want Kian for company.What unfolds is a surprising and delightful journey of two characters who help each other more than they ever could have anticipated and, along the way, form the unlikeliest of friendships.An uplifting and warm story about friendship across generations, the power of community and finding hope where it had been lost. Perfect for fans of Sally Page’s The Keeper of Stories and Evie Woods's The Lost Bookshop.'A complete joy' – Alexandra Potter, bestselling author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up'Full of compassion, warmth and insight' – Laura Barnett, author of The Versions of Us***Readers LOVE The Secret Collector:'If there was a moral to this story I think it would be, "It only takes one person who believes in you to change your life"''The characters appear so real, and the story with its ups and downs kept me riveted. I couldn't put the book down until the very last page. A book of hope in difficult times''My favourite book of the last few years''Made me so emotional at times''A great book club book''I loved this book, it reminded me of Sally Page''Heartwarming''Cried nearly every chapter, so moving''Charming!'
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