45 pages • 1 hour read
The Scent Keeper
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Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Remote Island • Contemporary
2019
St. Martin's Press
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister chronicles Emmeline Hartfell, who is raised on a remote island by her enigmatic father, a scientist obsessed with preserving scents. After her father's death, Emmeline must navigate life in a nearby town, where she experiences first love and confronts her mysterious past, eventually reuniting with her estranged mother, now a perfume mogul. The book examines the power of memory and scent while blending elements of fairy tale and gritty realism.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
76,403 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister is lauded for its evocative writing and imaginative blending of scents with memory and emotion. While praised for its lyrical prose and rich sensory details, some critics find the plot predictable and secondary to its descriptive style. Overall, it offers a sensory-rich narrative that may captivate fans of character-driven stories.
Who Should Read The Scent Keeper?
A reader who enjoys The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister would likely appreciate immersive, sensory-rich storytelling and coming-of-age narratives. Fans of novels like Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern would find similar enchantment and emotional depth.
76,403 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Fisher
Fisher
A character shaped by a difficult upbringing, who finds solace and connection with Emmeline. His resilience and compassionate nature are crucial as he attempts to overcome the challenges of his past.
John Hartfell
John Hartfell
Emmeline's father, a scientist consumed by his research on scents, who withdrew from society to live in isolation with his daughter. His complex motivations and actions significantly impact Emmeline's perception of truth and family.
Victoria Wingate (Hartfell)
Victoria Wingate (Hartfell)
Emmeline's mother, who is ambitious and calculating, using her daughter's extraordinary ability to benefit her business. Her interactions with Emmeline are layered with manipulation and hidden agendas.
320
Novel • Fiction
Remote Island • Contemporary
2019
St. Martin's Press
YA
18+ years
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