{"product_id":"9781035057757","title":"The Secret Collector","description":"Author: Abigail Johnson\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781035057757\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Pan Macmillan UK\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 28 Oct 2025\u003cbr\u003ePages: 304 \u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen 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?\u003c\/b\u003e 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. \u003cb\u003eAn 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 \u003ci\u003eThe Keeper of Stories\u003c\/i\u003e and Evie Woods's\u003ci\u003e The Lost Bookshop\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003e'A complete joy' - Alexandra Potter,\u003c\/b\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eConfessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cb\u003e'Full of compassion, warmth and insight' - Laura Barnett\u003c\/b\u003e, author of\u003ci\u003e The Versions of Us\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cb\u003e'Wonderfully drawn characters you really root for . . . a delightfully uplifting story' - Mike Gayle,\u003c\/b\u003e author of \u003ci\u003eAll the Lonely People\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cb\u003eReaders are loving \u003ci\u003eThe Secret Collector\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e '\u003cb\u003eMy favourite book\u003c\/b\u003e of the last few years' '\u003cb\u003eMade me so emotional\u003c\/b\u003e at times' 'I loved this book, it \u003cb\u003ereminded me of Sally Page\u003c\/b\u003e' 'Realistic people with relatable issues' \u003cb\u003e'Heartwarming'\u003c\/b\u003e 'Cried nearly every chapter,\u003cb\u003e so moving\u003c\/b\u003e' 'I really wanted to stay within the pages for longer' \u003cb\u003e'Charming!'\u003c\/b\u003e 'Wow did it blow me away' 'If there was a moral to this story I think it would be\u003cb\u003e, \"It only takes one person who believes in you to change your life\"'\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46524201042078,"sku":"TLD-9781035057757","price":22.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781035057757.jpg?v=1771390117","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781035057757","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}