The Art of Getting Lost and Found

by Glenna Turnbull

267 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Kharah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe Goodreads dropped the ball and doesn't have a description for this excellent book. Fixing that here:

"Two women. One week in August. One hundred and thirty years apart.
2017 Shortly after Maggie Breen loses custody of her children in an ugly divorce, her mother passes away. The double loss leaves Maggie reeling and desperate to escape everyday life. Maggie’s never been east of Toronto, but she offers to return her parents’ ashes to their hearts’ home—Newfoundland—and opts to leave her meds behind when she does. As she sets out across the rugged landscape where her parents’ roots run deep, the act of bringing them home is complicated by family secrets and the consequences of Maggie’s decisions catch up with her. 
1887 For Susan Short, better known as Shorty, life in Newfoundland’s harsh Great Northern Peninsula runs a lot smoother for her and the children when her husband Lorne is away. A good novel provides the escape she longs for, but reading is something Lorne has forbidden her and their children to do. When Lorne returns home and learns his rules have been broken, Shorty’s life is upended and she is forced into action to keep her children safe. Fiction collides with Newfoundland legend in The Art of Getting Lost and Found, as we follow two mothers in search of better lives—one trying to get lost, the other found, both on separate journeys that lead to the shores of Sally’s Cove." - from the book jacket

Wonderful book, completely recommend!!

The cover for this book is really pretty, too - I can only assume that Amazon (who owns Goodreads) did this book dirty because its published by a little independent Canadian publisher (not one affiliated with them) and so didn't bother to include a cover picture or description.

[Ellen Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book comes with some hefty trigger warnings (self-harm, abuse, domestic violence, death, etc.) that I do wish were outlined at the beginning.

Absolutely beautiful book. The dual storyline is done really well and are equally captivating stories. Growth and hope for each of these women, a century apart. And a sad reminder of how cyclical violence is.

Really looking forward to reading more from her!

[Elaine Brewer-white · Rating 5 out of 5]

The masterful way this author dovetails two stories of women 150 years apart. How they found their strength to leave abuse -- beautiful, heartbreaking, a page turner that I did not want to have end.
I also live in the Okanagan and identified with all the Kelowna landmarks and current smoke issues.
A very Canadian book about very universal problems. Can't wait for her next book!

[Shirley Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Getting Lost and Found is a haunting story of love and loss, following two women 130 years apart. Although the lives of Maggie (set in 2017) and Shorty (set in 1887) are, on the outside, extremely different, the parallels quickly become apparent. Whether facing issues of mental illness or domestic violence, grief and loss resound from each of them, followed by a profound desire for something better. Turnbull’s prose are both beautiful and poetic, and at times, harshly realistic, painting striking pictures of the lives of these women.

[Zilla Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely readable novel with two equally compelling main characters: Shorty, living in 1880s Newfoundland and Maggie, living in 2017 BC who visits her parents’ home in Newfoundland to spread their ashes. Shorty and Maggie are linked by the experience of domestic violence, and this can be heavy at times, but there’s also lots of humour and hope. Glenna Turnbull’s writing has just the right balance of light and warmth.

[Chapter Next · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glenna Turnbull crafts a haunting, beautifully evocative dual-timeline novel with The Art of Getting Lost and Found. Rooted in the stark, breathtaking landscape of Sally's Cove, Newfoundland, Turnbull captures the emotional weight of maternal love, trauma, and place-based identity with striking sensitivity. Maggie and Shorty are exceptional leads, bound together by shared strength despite the century separating their lives. Turnbull contrasts the harsh realities of 19th-century survival with modern emotional isolation, creating a seamless narrative flow where both eras feel rich, authentic, and high-stakes. It is an extraordinary, emotionally resonant read ideal for fans of historical regional fiction, dual-timeline sagas, and stories of quiet female resilience.

[Frances Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Art of Getting Lost and Found was an immersive experience for me. I smelled the salt air; heard the lilting dialogue; felt the fear, anger and hopes of the characters; and rode every up and down of the two main characters, Maggie and Shorty. There’s a strong storyline here, an important and topical theme (domestic violence) and memorable characters. The novel is recommended reading for those elements alone. But there's also so much to savour at the level of structure and style. The book is artful without being remotely pretentious; it's spare and full at the same time. And it's deeply satisfying, in the end, the way the two storylines braid together. A very worthwhile read.

[BoundByBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Getting Lost and Found by Glenna Turnbull is a heartfelt story about loss, courage, family, and finding hope. I enjoyed how Maggie’s modern-day journey connects with Susan “Shorty” Short’s life in 1887 Newfoundland. Both women face painful circumstances that test their strength and resilience. The dual timelines kept me engaged and curious about how their stories would unfold. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, emotional family stories, strong female characters, and stories about healing, hope, and discovering strength through difficult times.

[Karen Waldal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous read! Turnbull's beautifully descriptive writing takes the reader on a journey from the Okanagan to Newfoundland, allowing you to see, hear, smell and feel the rugged beauty of the land. The stories of Maggie and Shorty are poignant and hopeful at the same time, interwoven in such a way that it keeps the reader engaged until the very end. This was a "couldn't put it down" read, worthy of a second reading. Brilliant!

[Maggie Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that stayed with me long after I’d finished it. It’s a deceptively easy read for a book that packs such a powerful emotional punch. I found myself very invested in what happened to Maggie and Shorty.

[Enid Wray]

My e-book expired before I could finish this one.

While I was enjoying it well enough it just wasn’t calling out to me to pick it up and get it read before the due date.

Perhaps I’ll circle back to it at a later date when my TBR pile isn’t as pressing?

DNF (for now)

[Jamie McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy stories that take place in two different time eras and Turnbull has done this well. I loved both female characters, particularly Shorty. I highly recommend this book.