The Little Shop of Found Things: A Novel

Paula Brackston

Oct 2018 · Found Things Book 1 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance guaranteed to enchant in The Little Shop of Found Things, the first book in a new continuing series.

An antique shop haunted by a ghost.
A silver treasure with an injustice in its story.
An adventure to the past she’ll never forget.

Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. When she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.

It is while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century where it has its origins. She discovers there is an injustice in its history. The spirit that inhabits her new home confronts her and charges her with saving her daughter’s life, threatening to take Flora’s if she fails.

While Xanthe fights to save the girl amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.

The story continues in October 2019 with book two in the Found Things series, Secrets of the Chocolate House.

Ratings and reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It flowed so well and it was hard for me to put down. I just purchased book 2 in the series because I definitely had lingering questions.

The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston has an intriguing premise. Xanthe Westlake can get memories from antique items that call to her. She always gets a feeling when near a special object. After finding a silver chatelaine at an estate sale, Xanthe finds herself in the past to correct an injustice. I liked the idea of a woman with psychometry ability delving into the past. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time wading through The Little Shop of Found Things. I struggled to get through the story. I kept hoping it was just a slow starter and that I would soon be completely engrossed. That did not happen. The pacing is sluggish and certain details are repeated often. The author has an old fashioned writing style and there are overly detailed descriptions. I was astonished that Xanthe would travel back wearing Doc Martens and no one notices the odd shoes (really). I could not connect with Xanthe and I did try. It took me several attempts, but I did finish the story. I was just not the right audience for The Little Shop of Found Things. I wanted to like this book because it is the type of story that appeals to me. While The Little Shop of Found Things was not right for me, it did appeal to many readers. I suggest you read a sample of the book and judge it for yourself. I failed to find the magic in The Little Shop of Found Things.

About the author

PAULA BRACKSTON is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter and The Little Shop of Found Things, among others. Paula lives with her family in the historical border city of Hereford in the beautiful Wye valley. When not at her desk in her writing room, she enjoys long walks with the dog in a sublime landscape filled with the imprints of past lives and ancient times.