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Lost Property: An uplifting, joyful book about hope, kindness and finding where you belong Kindle Edition

4.2 out of 5 stars 2,723 ratings

Readers have fallen in love with Lost Property:

***** 'A beautiful book and one of my
best reads this year'
***** '
An emotional journey that had me hooked'
***** 'A
wonderful, uplifting debut novel'
***** '
Dot is an inspiration'
***** '
Full of sorrow, love and a light humour'
***** '
I am so pleased to have found Dot'

----------------

The Lost Property eBook contains an exclusive extract of Helen's new novel, The Invisible Women's Club -
an uplifting novel about friendship, community spirit and the power of connection. Available to pre-order now.

----------------


One lost purse. One lost woman.
A chance encounter that changes everything.

Dot Watson has lost her way. Wracked with guilt and struggling with grief, she has tucked herself away in the London Transport Lost Property office, finding solace in the process of cataloguing misplaced things. It's not glamorous or exciting, but it's solitary - just the way Dot likes it.

That is, until elderly Mr Appleby walks through the door in search of his late wife's purse and Dot immediately feels a connection to him. Determined to help, she sets off on an extraordinary journey, one that could lead Dot to reclaim her life and find where she truly belongs...

Perfect for fans of Matt Haig, Rachel Joyce and AJ Pearce, this is a moving and uplifting novel about finding your place in the world.

----------------

'
An enthralling read, full of rich descriptions and characters you can't help but love' Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins

'A lovely novel about loss and reconnection...both
satisfying and joyful' Lissa Evans


From the Publisher

Lost Property - Helen Paris
Lost Property - Helen Paris

Lost Property - Helen Paris

Lost Property - Helen Paris

Lost Property - Helen Bain

Product description

Review

An enthralling read, full of rich descriptions and characters you can't help but love ― Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins

A wonderfully rich, funny book. Shades of Eleanor Oliphant and
Dear Mrs Bird, but also entirely its own. Dot is a treasure waiting to be found ― Beth Morrey

A deeply moving and richly detailed story that genuinely tugs at the heartstrings ―
CultureFly

A lovely novel about loss and reconnection...both satisfying and joyful ―
Lissa Evans

Emotionally rich and character-led, Lost Property is a sharply funny, wise and warming story
Anne Cater, The Daily Express

Gentle and warm ―
Magic Book Club

A beautifully written book ... a truly uplifting read ―
NB Magazine

Filled with beautiful prose, this is a life-affirming novel ―
My Weekly

From the Back Cover

A story of hope, forgiveness and kindness, Lost Property reminds us to keep our loved ones (along with our bags and umbrellas) close...

'An enthralling read, full of rich descriptions and characters you can't help but love' Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins
'A lovely novel about loss and reconnection...both satisfying and joyful' Lissa Evans

----------------

One lost purse. One lost woman.
A chance encounter that changes everything.

Dot Watson has lost her way. Wracked with guilt and struggling with grief, she has tucked herself away in the London Transport Lost Property office, finding solace in the process of cataloguing misplaced things. It's not glamorous or exciting, but it's solitary - just the way Dot likes it.

That is, until elderly Mr Appleby walks through the door in search of his late wife's purse and Dot immediately feels a connection to him. Determined to help, she sets off on an extraordinary journey, one that could lead Dot to reclaim her life and find where she truly belongs...

Perfect for fans of Matt Haig, Rachel Joyce and AJ Pearce, this is a moving and uplifting novel about finding your place in the world.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07YY42LRX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Transworld Digital
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 15 April 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 355 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1473578531
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: 51,443 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 2,723 ratings

About the author

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Helen Paris
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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Helen Paris worked in the performing arts for 25 years, touring internationally with her London-based company Curious. She lived in San Francisco, working as a Theatre Professor at Stanford University and is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Grenoble, Alps, France

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,723 global ratings

Review this product

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful read with a heart-warming story about memories and loss. The writing is well-executed and easy to read, with excellent character development. They appreciate the pacing, with one customer noting how it addresses challenging topics sensitively, while another describes it as healing and life-affirming.

35 customers mention ‘Story quality’35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a really lovely novel with a good storyline, and one customer notes its poignant subplots.

"Such a lovely book . Beautifully written with real pathos and emotion . I didn’t want it to end" Read more

"...An easy read , a lovely story, well told. I really enjoyed it." Read more

"A pleasant read..." Read more

"Lovely book..." Read more

22 customers mention ‘Heartwarming’19 positive3 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, describing it as a moving read about memories and loss with good emotional balance. One customer mentions experiencing both tears and laughter throughout the story.

"I found Lost Property a very moving read. There’s a sadness pervading the story, emanating from Dot, the main character...." Read more

"Such a great journey through love and loss that ultimately brings restoration, joy and hope. Cleverly composed and beautifully written- superb!" Read more

"...but I really enjoyed the final few chapters, which were beautifully written, particularly the..." Read more

"...wonderful language that draws pictures in your mind or creates feelings you can almost touch...." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Writing quality’15 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well composed and an easy read, with one customer noting that each word feels especially chosen.

"...Beautifully written and thought provoking." Read more

"I loved this book. So well written and each word feels especially chosen. A great story and a great writer." Read more

"...and loss that ultimately brings restoration, joy and hope. Cleverly composed and beautifully written- superb!" Read more

"...but I really enjoyed the final few chapters, which were beautifully written, particularly the relationships that were explored here - if the whole..." Read more

12 customers mention ‘Pacing’9 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with reviews noting its thought-provoking content and sensitive handling of challenging topics. One customer describes it as a sometimes heartbreaking story that ultimately brings restoration.

"Such a great journey through love and loss that ultimately brings restoration, joy and hope. Cleverly composed and beautifully written- superb!" Read more

"Enjoyed this book, easy to read and challenging topics addressed sensitively. Would recommend the author and the book...." Read more

"This story was nicely written but took to long to get going. But should I ever need a job in lost property in set. DNF" Read more

"...Beautifully written and thought provoking." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Character development’11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning how the mother character unfolds beautifully.

"...Lost Property is a book filled with warmth, humour and some unforgettable characters...." Read more

"...This well written and a very original story I really like it and good characters. If you like Jo Jo Moyes you will like this I would recommend." Read more

"...Some excellent characters, good emotional balance to offset Dot and her demons. A perfect ending." Read more

"...Definitely worth reading. Such excellent characters. Thank you" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Family dynamics’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the family dynamics portrayed in the book.

"...The family dynamics ,the misunderstanding between them and how things came to light." Read more

"A beautifully written story of love, loss, family, despair and mental health. Sounds depressing?..." Read more

"...Family intricacy and intrigue which swept me along, loved every minute" Read more

This is Going to Be A CLASSIC...
5 out of 5 stars
This is Going to Be A CLASSIC...
You know when you read a book and realise it is something incredibly special? Not another book you read, then forget in six months. No, a really special, wonderful, unique, heart-warming book you love and adore. Lost Property is one of those. I was hooked from the first page and it just got better and better. Dot Watson works at the Transport for London Lost Property Office, hoping she will be able to reunite owners with their lost items. But that’s about all I’m going to tell you about the plot, because I really want you to read it and discover its treasures for yourself. Dot, a bit like the wonderful Eleanor Oliphant, isn’t your average Joe. She describes herself as “anomalous, perspicacious and sagacious” but her sister calls her “odd.” Dot sees the world in her own unique and beautiful way. She is an amazing character, truly wounded and rounded and brave and ordinary and extraordinary. I love her father too, another character I will remember for a long time. The book is also beautifully written. Parts of it made me laugh out loud, others brought a lump to my throat and an audible gasp. Helen Paris’s writing is almost poetic in its beauty; it pulls the reader one way and the other, yet we’re always firmly on Team Dot. 9.5 out of 10
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 February 2025
    I loved this book. So well written and each word feels especially chosen. A great story and a great writer.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 August 2022
    I found Lost Property a very moving read. There’s a sadness pervading the story, emanating from Dot, the main character. Her father has died and she is really struggling with his death with feelings of guilt and, of course, of grief. Her mother has early onset dementia and is in a care home, not recognising her daughter at all.

    There are many different kinds of loss in the book, beginning with the obvious: items lost on the various modes of Transport for London. Dot works in the Lost Property office and takes great pleasure in reuniting lost items with their owners. She went to great lengths to reunite one particular item with elderly gent Mr Appleby as she could really understand just how important his lost item was to him and why. I enjoyed reading about all the items which were lost and the little happy endings as they were reclaimed.

    As well as the lost property of the title, there is the loss of Dot’s father and to a certain extent her mother is lost to her too. She faces the loss of her home too and really feels lost in herself, not sure of what her life should be. I liked the inclusion of the lost property tags at the beginning of each chapter, some detailing actual things which had been lost and which featured in the chapter. But others were quirkier such as “Lost: inhibitions. Details: line dancing” after Dot had gone to a dancing class with a colleague and much to her surprise, really enjoyed herself. Yet others were poignant such as the label describing the loss of her mother’s memories.

    Lost Property is a book filled with warmth, humour and some unforgettable characters. One character who really stood out for me was Dot’s father, even though he had already been dead for some years. The connection and memories between him and Dot were so lovely to read about and his story was particularly poignant. Lost Property is a heart-warming read about memories and loss, about finding your way in life and finding hope.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2025
    Such a great journey through love and loss that ultimately brings restoration, joy and hope.
    Cleverly composed and beautifully written- superb!
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 June 2025
    This story was nicely written but took to long to get going. But should I ever need a job in lost property in set. DNF
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2023
    This book is a beautiful story, I found myself trying to rush through it a bit so I could start another book as at the start its maybe not as enjoyable, I think that may have been a personal thing as the narrator is not my kind of person (I found her a little annoying - too self righteous) but I really enjoyed the final few chapters, which were beautifully written, particularly the relationships that were explored here - if the whole book had been like the last few chapters I'd have given 5 stars! But I struggled with it at times, overall I would recommend this book and sticking with it for the end
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2024
    Dot is the main character and we go on her journey of self discovery with her. This well written and a very original story I really like it and good characters. If you like Jo Jo Moyes you will like this I would recommend.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2024
    The most touching of stories beautifully told. Such wonderful language that draws pictures in your mind or creates feelings you can almost touch. Perhaps the most wonderful part of it is the pace, it gently flows and ebbs perfectly.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2022
    Unfortunately I cannot agree with the blurb stating" uplifting and joyful".
    Much of the book is sad and indeed at times pretty depressing but this is all to illustrate the despair of the lead character.
    The behaviour patterns and inner turmoil were very convincing. They were painful.
    The concerns and love each family member revealed was mixed with misunderstandings, secrets and well meaning cover ups. Pretty standard family type behaviour if not exactly the issues shared by all!
    The incident with the sisters in the field was totally credible, hilarious and rather wonderful.
    Some excellent characters, good emotional balance to offset Dot and her demons.
    A perfect ending.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Natalia R.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
    Reviewed in Germany on 23 October 2024
    Was a bit like two books put together,a bit weird in the middle but a tear jearker towards the end and very cleverly turned into a nice ending

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