The Perfume Collector Audiobook By Kathleen Tessaro cover art

The Perfume Collector

A Novel

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The Perfume Collector

By: Kathleen Tessaro
Narrated by: Heather Wilds
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About this listen

An inheritance from a mysterious stranger...< /p>

An abandoned perfume shop on the Left Bank of Paris...

And three exquisite perfumes that hold a memory...and a secret.

London, 1955: Grace Monroe is a fortunate young woman. Despite her sheltered upbringing in Oxford, her recent marriage has thrust her into the heart of London's most refined and ambitious social circles. However, playing the role of the sophisticated socialite her husband would like her to be doesn't come easily to her; and perhaps never will.

Then one evening a letter arrives from France that will change everything. Grace has received an inheritance. There's only one problem: she has never heard of her benefactor, the mysterious Eva d'Orsey.

So begins a journey that takes Grace to Paris in search of Eva. There, in a long-abandoned perfume shop on the Left Bank, she discovers the seductive world of perfumers and their muses, and a surprising, complex love story. Told by invoking the three distinctive perfumes she inspired, Eva d'Orsey's story weaves through the decades, from 1920s New York to Monte Carlo, Paris, and London.

But these three perfumes hold secrets. And as Eva's past and Grace's future intersect, Grace realizes she must choose between the life she thinks she should live and the person she is truly meant to be.

Illuminating the lives and challenging times of two fascinating women, The Perfume Collector weaves a haunting, imaginative, and beautifully written tale filled with passion and possibility, heartbreak and hope.

©2013 Kathleen Tessaro (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers
20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Marriage Heartfelt England
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Critic reviews

"[L]ush, descriptive imagery and admirable authenticity.... [A] bewitching, compelling novel, full of dark desires, long-buried secrets, revisited memories, and new opportunities." ( Booklist)
"A colorful, stimulating journey through time." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Dazzles the senses." ( Publishers Weekly)
Intriguing Mystery • Vivid Descriptions • Excellent Character Voices • Historical Backdrop • Sensory Storytelling
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I loved this fascinating story with its unfamiliarities but characters that felt completely real, impossible that anyone could have just invented them. I didn't want it to end so I will have to read it for the fourth time this week, and then again some day; old friendships to experience again; remembered events to relive.

A whole world to discover

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The story started off slow, but once it picked up, I couldn't stop listening. The characters were intriguing and the storyline took several interesting twists. The narrator was fabulous; you truly forget that it is one person speaking the whole time.

Captivating story, skilled narrator

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This is a book that I'd love to see made into a movie. Rich characters and locations would translate well to the screen.

Loved it!

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Thought this was fantastic. Looking for more books by this author. Have a whole new appreciation for perfume and the secret lives some live.

Tantalizing tale of the senses

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Great! Intriguing! It’s predictibe but so exciting to follow Ms Tessaro weave! Well worth reading!

You can guess end, but you can’t stop listening

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The perfume collector was a polished, well laid out story. beautiful narrative, the characters came alive. recommended.

Lovely book, excellent performance.

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Maybe a book for women. Does good characters voices are well done, quite original and distinct. I want make my own perfume now.

Very good

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I enjoyed the story, but was disappointed at the ending. It felt rushed and incomplete with a lot of loose ends not tied up. Main character was growing but what came next?

Ending was weak

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A wonderful little gem. Such a sad story - but so powerful. Loved the detailed descriptions of places, people and the perfumes!

Excellent story

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If you enjoy the beauty of literary fiction and a nuanced, meaningful story shrouded in mystery, then I believe you will enjoy this novel. The narration was exquisite.

My cup of tea . . .

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