The Secret Collector
The Most Heartwarming Book of 2025 about Friendship and Hope
$21.34
- Paperback
304 pages
- Release Date
28 October 2025
Summary
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 …
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781035057757 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1035057751 |
| Author: | Abigail Johnson |
| Publisher: | Pan Macmillan |
| Imprint: | Pan Books |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 304 |
| Release Date: | 28 October 2025 |
| Weight: | 212g |
| Dimensions: | 19mm x 129mm x 198mm |
| Audience Age: | 18 |
You Can Find This Book In
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 *
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 *
With wonderfully relatable characters, Johnson’s debut novel is a heartwarming and poignant story of loss, loneliness and finding friendship in unexpected places * Culturefly *
You won’t want this touching story to end * Peterborough Telegraph *
Abigail Johnson
Abigail Johnson wrote this novel while completing the Curtis Brown Creative three-month novel writing course, where she was tutored by author Laura Barnett. It was longlisted for the 2021 and 2022 Bath Novel Award. Her writing has also been longlisted for the Exeter Novel Award and shortlisted for the 2021 Edinburgh Flash Fiction Award, and she was a Friday Night Live finalist at the Festival of Writing in 2017. She lives in Birmingham.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.