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The Scent Keeper  By  cover art

The Scent Keeper

By: Erica Bauermeister
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
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Publisher's summary

"Woven through [Emmeline's] life's journey is a multi-layered story of fragrance and its evocative power, as strong and tenacious as this sensuous novel's plucky heroine." (Shelf Awareness)

Erica Bauermeister, the author of the February Reese's Book Club pick The Scent Keeper, presents a moving and evocative novel about childhood stories, families lost and found, and how a fragrance conjures memories capable of shaping the course of our lives.

Emmeline lives on a remote island with her father, who teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won’t explain are the mysterious scents stored in glass bottles that line the walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them. As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world—a place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the limits of her heart and imagination.

Captivating and emotional, The Scent Keeper explores the provocative beauty of scent, the way it can reveal hidden truths, lead us to the person we seek, and even help us find our way back home.

©2019 Erica Bauermeister (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

2020, Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine: Long-listed

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What listeners say about The Scent Keeper

Average customer ratings
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it was ok

it was not the best or worst I have read. the story was a bit out there.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A story line with pleasant aromas.

What I liked about the Scent Keeper is it conjured up my personal memories of my life: The cool clean clear air of the high desert in the morning before the sun rises in the sky; scent of the classroom with hidden bagged lunches; The fragrance of my newly born children; and the magnificent complementary smells of forest life after a storm.
Gabra Zackman allowed her voice to lead you through the story with an inquisitive mind, a feeling heart, and gentle surprises as the story unfolded.
Erica Bauermeister what is creative to the point of where I am reminded of my own interest in creating different scents from essential oils. I have never enjoyed store bought perfume. There was always something to chemical about it. So off into the kitchen I go to blend the different notes and see what I can create. I will also have fun with my grandkids ...making sure that they get to experience the wonderful smells of the kitchen, the forest and family!😊

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Best book I have read in a very long time

I was swept away and completely immersed in the story, the characters, the rich environments And of course the scents . From the first paragraph to the last. This is one of those books that can change your perspective on life and what’s real and leave you with a new view of things if you let it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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calming and yet mysterious

The books starts out a bit confusing but the pieces fall into place and unfolds throughout the book it’s wonderfully suspenseful. The writing is so beautiful and anyone who loves nature described will love this book - the narration pairs nicely with this calming flow of falling in love with nature and self-discovery.

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Poetry like no other

The words flow from the page like revisiting your own special memories. It was a breath of fresh air and takes the reader on a journey through time and adventure. She does a great job developing the characters and stories of them. Wonderful book thank you❤️

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wonderful story and performance!

loved it! I really enjoyed this book! xx oo xx po xx po xx oo

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fasinating

This is very new to me something I have not contemplated it all. Sad but hopeful story. it has caused me to become more aware of scents around me.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Along the the lines of Where the Crawdads Sing

Scent Keeper held my attention but it didn't have the depth that will make me want to come back to it. It was a good story but the narrator was distracting with her hissing s's.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Story of Emmaline, a child of scent-keepers

Enraptured from her first awareness, secure on island,
she grew through unfolding truths. From first years on tiny island off Maine coast, reachable only once a month. So many wonders and scents there, taught to know each one, by her scientific dad. this story takes an angry and violent turn (Not by her father!) then rescue a d harboring her own secret until learning to trust.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

magical! this story has all the ingredients.

An innocent, naive protagonist, lies, deception, love, tragedy, guilt and it is beautifully performed with consideration of each of the characters.

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