The Secret Collector by Abigail Johnson, a book review

I found this glaring at me from my kindle and it was free to read. To be fair I’d have happily paid for it, I really enjoyed The Secret Collector. It is a truly heart warming tale of a match of the two most unlikely people in difficult positions.

The Secret Collector

The Blurb

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.

My Review of The Secret Collector

I needed something a little cosy to read and this book really drew me in. It’s not all cosy though, we have quite a bit of violence involved at times. Kian and Alfred the two main characters, a young lad and an old man, couldn’t be more different. But, having being forced to spend time together they begin to tolerate each other a little. They both face drastic consequences if the coupling doesn’t work out.

I loved that the book is set in my home City, Birmingham. Not only that, but Birmingham is a big city and this book is obviously set on my side as I could envision everywhere, I’ve even visited the pubs mentioned. And Kian even pays a visit to the Licky Hills and the Toposcope on the fort, which I’ve visited many times.

Alfred has become a hoarder and Kian is given the job of cleaning up his home. Alfred could end up in a home and Kian is looking at a prison sentence. Kian is only 17 and was abandoned by his mother and he and his younger brother separated. Kian only goal is to get to 18 and get custody of his brother. Life is never that simple though.

Alfred proves difficult. He doesn’t want to part with any of his collections even though they are taking over his home. All through the book we are kept on tenterhooks with plans that fail, relationships forged, new ideas emerging, old friendships failing and character’s changing.

In fact there is so much packed in this relatively short book that you can’t stop turning those pages to find out what is going to happen next.

It’s partly doom and gloom and then page turn and there is something heart warming. So much to figure out and good solutions. Loneliness and friendship. Old age and youth.

I really enjoyed this book, and I’m happy to see that Abigail Johnson has another book coming out in June.