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The Old Curiosity Shop #2
The Last Letter
Time changes everything, even history
After disappearing amidst a spray of bullets, antiques dealer Sarah Lester leaves behind no body, only questions. Sarah’s friends are left dealing with the aftermath of her disappearance, including an investigation into the provenance of her antiques, which threatens to crush The Old Curiosity Shop.
As Sarah struggles to reunite with her father, she continues the search for her mother, unaware the violent colonial past has followed her home, putting herself, and those she loves in danger.
From the remote shores of New Zealand, through India’s hill country stations and onto the streets of Victorian London, Sarah must decide whether family bonds are strong enough to stretch through time.
The Last Letter is the second book The Old Curiosity Shop trilogy.458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
722 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten McKenzie
17 books276 followersKirsten McKenzie fought international crime for fourteen years as a Customs Officer in both England and New Zealand, before leaving to work in the family antique store. Now a full time author, she lives in New Zealand with her family and alternates between writing time travel trilogies and polishing her next thriller. Her spare time is spent organising author events and appearing on literary panels at festivals around the world.
Her work has appeared in anthologies in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including the NHS fundraiser - Noir From The Bar. She has had non-fiction pieces appear in The Spinoff, and in other New Zealand publications.
In 2024, her short story "The Watchman," part of the anthology Remains To Be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa, was shortlisted for the 2024 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Short Story. Remains To Be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa won the 2024 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Collected Work. Kirsten’s time travel novel, Ithaca Bound, was shortlisted for the 2023 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel. In 2021, her historical thriller, The Forger and the Thief, was longlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel. Her short story "Paperwork," part of the anthology Noir From The Bar, was also longlisted that same year for the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Short Story. Her paranormal thriller, Painted, was longlisted for the 2018 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel.
Kirsten’s current project is a collaboration with best selling time travel author Shawn Inmon, where she is writing time travel stories in his Middle Falls world, but shifting the story over the pond to Northumberland, to the fictional town of Cheviot Hills. The first book in the series is The Deadly Life of Diana Penn, with the second book in the collaboration due February 2026.
You can sign up for her sporadic newsletter at: https://www.kirstenmckenzie.com/newsl...
You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.
Her work has appeared in anthologies in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including the NHS fundraiser - Noir From The Bar. She has had non-fiction pieces appear in The Spinoff, and in other New Zealand publications.
In 2024, her short story "The Watchman," part of the anthology Remains To Be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa, was shortlisted for the 2024 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Short Story. Remains To Be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa won the 2024 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Collected Work. Kirsten’s time travel novel, Ithaca Bound, was shortlisted for the 2023 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel. In 2021, her historical thriller, The Forger and the Thief, was longlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel. Her short story "Paperwork," part of the anthology Noir From The Bar, was also longlisted that same year for the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Short Story. Her paranormal thriller, Painted, was longlisted for the 2018 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel.
Kirsten’s current project is a collaboration with best selling time travel author Shawn Inmon, where she is writing time travel stories in his Middle Falls world, but shifting the story over the pond to Northumberland, to the fictional town of Cheviot Hills. The first book in the series is The Deadly Life of Diana Penn, with the second book in the collaboration due February 2026.
You can sign up for her sporadic newsletter at: https://www.kirstenmckenzie.com/newsl...
You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 24, 2022
This story is fascinating and the story incredibly well researched. The trilogy is not comprised of standalone books; they must be read together. I'm so excited to see how this ends.
The narrator, Tracey Llewelyn, does a fantastic job with all the many accents. Her performance is truly remarkable.
The narrator, Tracey Llewelyn, does a fantastic job with all the many accents. Her performance is truly remarkable.
May 4, 2020
Mixed at Best
Kirsten McKenzie creates interesting characters, and makes you want to care about them and their story. She writes with interesting turns of phrase, although the editing of her books leaves a lot of incomplete sentences and typos in place. The biggest problem with these books is the inconsistency in her theory of time travel. First the main character arrives in someone else'a body, where did her own go? Then she seems to go as herself, with the person she had replaced previously in a different part of the world, but people think she's that person. She travels readily and frequently back and forth, but her parents both disappeared into the padt and never returned. It's inconsistent and not well thought out. If you don't think too hard, it's a fun read. Not great, but fun.
Kirsten McKenzie creates interesting characters, and makes you want to care about them and their story. She writes with interesting turns of phrase, although the editing of her books leaves a lot of incomplete sentences and typos in place. The biggest problem with these books is the inconsistency in her theory of time travel. First the main character arrives in someone else'a body, where did her own go? Then she seems to go as herself, with the person she had replaced previously in a different part of the world, but people think she's that person. She travels readily and frequently back and forth, but her parents both disappeared into the padt and never returned. It's inconsistent and not well thought out. If you don't think too hard, it's a fun read. Not great, but fun.
June 23, 2017
I really like reading this author, her books are very enjoyable reading. Fast paced with great character development and interesting plots. She doesn't wrap things up! There are so many unfinished stories and situations that it seems like the book isn't actually finished.
This hasn't been presented as one of a series which means that we may or may not ever get closure on some of these interlinking stories. I hope she has another book in the works because her characters are too interesting to just be left dangling. I also hope at some point she wraps some of these plot lines. I REALLY want to know what happens!
This hasn't been presented as one of a series which means that we may or may not ever get closure on some of these interlinking stories. I hope she has another book in the works because her characters are too interesting to just be left dangling. I also hope at some point she wraps some of these plot lines. I REALLY want to know what happens!
August 16, 2017
Caution : Oh Come ON ! No, it doesn't finish in 2 books. I don't really mind but if I had been told I would have waited till I had (all 3 ?) books. It will be a mark of the book's quality if I remember the storylines when book 3 (the final part ??) is published (written ?). I do not enjoy reading cliffhanger-ending books and they always leave me unsatisfied. Love the antiquey bits, love New Zealand, Not so keen on India (...the history of the Brits in India can never be good!), Love the war bits. Will the books stand up to re-reading ? Definitive review postponed. To be continued.... see = irritating isn't it ?!
April 8, 2017
A fast paced read with lots of characters, lots of settings, and lots of intrigue and adventure. The main character Sarah appears to be the only connecting thread between the changing settings as she appears, disappears and reappears in various places. If you want all the loose ends tied up, then you are going to have to wait for Book 3 - there must be another book coming, Kirsten McKenzie has left far too many ends dangling otherwise. Wonderful historic settings and descriptions.
November 12, 2017
This book concluded most abruptly, leaving many loose ends and expecting
Further explanation. I did enjoy reading this book but the ending was most disappointing and seemed incomplete. I,all try another by this author some time
Further explanation. I did enjoy reading this book but the ending was most disappointing and seemed incomplete. I,all try another by this author some time
May 2, 2022
Sarah Lester's challenges with her small antique store "The Old Curiosity Shop" and her problems with unexpected time travel continue in Book 2 of the series. Barely keeping her head above water with her shop is hard enough-but never knowing when an old object she touches will transport her immediately to the mid 1800s in England, India, or New Zealand, is a definite drawback to a girl's peace of mind.
With both parents having already disappeared into the past, Sarah has little guidance when it happens to her. This time Sarah's gone much longer than usual, and is dismayed to find upon her return that her best friend Patricia has had to hire a girl to run the Curiosity Shop during her long absence. Patricia usually pitches in, but this time she simply can't keep both businesses going alone.
This time around, Sarah's latest surprise voyages into the past involve other travelers who are caught in her trips with her! Can't wait to see what happens in Book 3!
With both parents having already disappeared into the past, Sarah has little guidance when it happens to her. This time Sarah's gone much longer than usual, and is dismayed to find upon her return that her best friend Patricia has had to hire a girl to run the Curiosity Shop during her long absence. Patricia usually pitches in, but this time she simply can't keep both businesses going alone.
This time around, Sarah's latest surprise voyages into the past involve other travelers who are caught in her trips with her! Can't wait to see what happens in Book 3!
March 23, 2025
3.75⭐️
Time travelling historical fiction ending on a cliffhanger.
If you haven’t already, start with book one, Fifteen Postcards, as these are not standalone.
The consequences of Sarah’s time travelling adventures form the basis of book two. The people she has inhabited, met and touched, only for Sarah to suddenly disappear, have been left baffled. At this stage, she appears naive to the effects of her time jumping and not only seems to be changing the course of history but also putting her loved ones in danger.
A gripping tale ending with more to come.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
Time travelling historical fiction ending on a cliffhanger.
If you haven’t already, start with book one, Fifteen Postcards, as these are not standalone.
The consequences of Sarah’s time travelling adventures form the basis of book two. The people she has inhabited, met and touched, only for Sarah to suddenly disappear, have been left baffled. At this stage, she appears naive to the effects of her time jumping and not only seems to be changing the course of history but also putting her loved ones in danger.
A gripping tale ending with more to come.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
March 19, 2017
A worthy successor to 'Fifteen Postcards'
The author has once again intertwined history with the present day artfully. Just as riveting as the first book in the series, the only problem is another cliffhanger ending! Where is the next volume? :)
The author has once again intertwined history with the present day artfully. Just as riveting as the first book in the series, the only problem is another cliffhanger ending! Where is the next volume? :)
July 31, 2019
Loved it. The story just got better and better but when is the new book due. It appears to be overdue. Hopefully soon.
November 2, 2016
The Last Letter is the sequel to Fifteen Postcards and continues the story of a time traveling Sarah Lester, the proprietor of the Old Curiosity Shop, which was previously owned by her parents and who have vanished without a trace. Sarah discovers that certain items, which she purchased from a house clearance after the death of the owner, have the abilities to send back in time to a variety of places across the globe and now has reason to believe that this is what has happened to her parents.
The Last Letter continues telling the stories of the people Sarah has previously encountered, whilst introducing new ones who all have a part to play. Either because they meet Sarah, or because they have had contact with the items that move Sarah through time.
Sarah has now been missing for many months and her best friend Patricia Bolton has been trying to run two shops on her own. With no sign of Sarah returning Patricia decides to hire an assistant for the The Old Curiosity Shop and it is the assistant, Nicole, that Sarah first encounters on her return. Naturally upset that there is an interloper in her domain, and after an argument with Patricia, who is both relieved and angered by her friend's return Sarah manages to also upset Nicole who leaves Sarah to help Patricia set up her show. Little does Nicole realise that both her employers are about to disappear into the mists of time, leaving her not to just run the shop but to deal with the Police and others who are very interested in how Sarah has come into items that appear to have disappeared in the distant past without a trace until now.
Like Fifteen Postcards, there are many characters to follow as well a quite a few time changes, so you need to keep concentrating to ensure you haven't missed an important part of the plot. My mistake, I think, was not to re-read Fifteen Postcards before starting on the Last Letter as there were a few plot lines I had forgotten and needed to refresh my memory before staring on the continuation. The descriptions of the eras and places that are visited are immaculate and Kirsten has very obviously done her homework into historical events and items. Her descriptions are so vivid you can see them in your minds eye. The new book. as with the old one, leaves you with many unanswered questions and hankering for more. Will the various players ever get back to their own times? Will some of the nastier ones ever get their comeuppance? Will Sarah's father and mother ever re-unite having been transplanted not just back to the past but to 2 different countries, India and New Zealand? All I can say is roll on book 3!
The Last Letter continues telling the stories of the people Sarah has previously encountered, whilst introducing new ones who all have a part to play. Either because they meet Sarah, or because they have had contact with the items that move Sarah through time.
Sarah has now been missing for many months and her best friend Patricia Bolton has been trying to run two shops on her own. With no sign of Sarah returning Patricia decides to hire an assistant for the The Old Curiosity Shop and it is the assistant, Nicole, that Sarah first encounters on her return. Naturally upset that there is an interloper in her domain, and after an argument with Patricia, who is both relieved and angered by her friend's return Sarah manages to also upset Nicole who leaves Sarah to help Patricia set up her show. Little does Nicole realise that both her employers are about to disappear into the mists of time, leaving her not to just run the shop but to deal with the Police and others who are very interested in how Sarah has come into items that appear to have disappeared in the distant past without a trace until now.
Like Fifteen Postcards, there are many characters to follow as well a quite a few time changes, so you need to keep concentrating to ensure you haven't missed an important part of the plot. My mistake, I think, was not to re-read Fifteen Postcards before starting on the Last Letter as there were a few plot lines I had forgotten and needed to refresh my memory before staring on the continuation. The descriptions of the eras and places that are visited are immaculate and Kirsten has very obviously done her homework into historical events and items. Her descriptions are so vivid you can see them in your minds eye. The new book. as with the old one, leaves you with many unanswered questions and hankering for more. Will the various players ever get back to their own times? Will some of the nastier ones ever get their comeuppance? Will Sarah's father and mother ever re-unite having been transplanted not just back to the past but to 2 different countries, India and New Zealand? All I can say is roll on book 3!
April 15, 2017
Really enjoyed this book and really getting into the characters and the unfolding stories.
So wanted to find out what was going to happen.....so many open ends.....
I hope there will be more?
So wanted to find out what was going to happen.....so many open ends.....
I hope there will be more?
August 27, 2022
UNSATISFACTORY AND A JARRING STOP
I enjoyed the first book, and was glad to see there was a sequel. But honestly, I could overlook the plethora of plot holes (I mean, time travel, it’s unavoidable), but this book just went all over the place. There were so many branches, too many characters I couldn’t care less about, and Sarah hardly featured.
I really did try to not be annoyed by the totally unrealistic behaviour of the characters, but it was ridiculous: forgetting or not caring where/when they were, not worrying about lost time-travelling friends, Sarah’s father’s behaviour with no (or weak) motivation… some of it would have been OK (I mean, it is fantasy, so whatever), but it just got more and more till the last straw broke this camel’s back.
And the ending? Again, seriously, despite there being another book to follow, it literally felt as if it ended mid-sentence. I wondered whether the author was still writing when the publisher decided they’d had enough, ripped the manuscript from her hands, and ran off with it, while she yelled after them, “but I just started a new chapter!” A new chapter off on yet another incomprehensible detour with more silly characters that don’t contribute anything and that I don’t care about. I was almost relieved that it just ended.
The narrator of the audiobook was, however, excellent yet again.
Unfortunately I do wonder how this will wrap up (even though I suspect it will be messy and unsatisfactory), so I will probably continue with the next audiobook. Though probably on 1.5x speed this time…
I enjoyed the first book, and was glad to see there was a sequel. But honestly, I could overlook the plethora of plot holes (I mean, time travel, it’s unavoidable), but this book just went all over the place. There were so many branches, too many characters I couldn’t care less about, and Sarah hardly featured.
I really did try to not be annoyed by the totally unrealistic behaviour of the characters, but it was ridiculous: forgetting or not caring where/when they were, not worrying about lost time-travelling friends, Sarah’s father’s behaviour with no (or weak) motivation… some of it would have been OK (I mean, it is fantasy, so whatever), but it just got more and more till the last straw broke this camel’s back.
And the ending? Again, seriously, despite there being another book to follow, it literally felt as if it ended mid-sentence. I wondered whether the author was still writing when the publisher decided they’d had enough, ripped the manuscript from her hands, and ran off with it, while she yelled after them, “but I just started a new chapter!” A new chapter off on yet another incomprehensible detour with more silly characters that don’t contribute anything and that I don’t care about. I was almost relieved that it just ended.
The narrator of the audiobook was, however, excellent yet again.
Unfortunately I do wonder how this will wrap up (even though I suspect it will be messy and unsatisfactory), so I will probably continue with the next audiobook. Though probably on 1.5x speed this time…
August 9, 2023
I forced myself to get at least halfway through and then had to stop when I began dreading reading another chapter. So disappointing. McKenzie's first book, "Fifteen Postcards" was entertaining, and the series seemed to be off to a good start. However, the constant, inexplicable time jumps, new storylines, and characters in "The Last Letter" were becoming too convoluted and were not interesting enough to engage the reader. It is as if the author has ADD and cannot stick to one story thread for any length of time - the short chapters attest to that. I agree with other reviews that Sarah's interloping in the past should have changed the future but so far, the time continuum is untouched. Adding to the drudgery of plowing through this book was the poor editing. The frequent typos were distracting. I do not recommend this book and will not read the third installment.
December 1, 2019
Not as great as the first book in this trilogy
But still a fun ride through time, places, and dusty antiques. Looking forward to the third book to bring everyone home.
This book as well as the first book needs a good editor and proofreader. Not sure why, but the grammar takes a tumble here and there. Kirsten has a wonderful command of the English language and knows how to put thoughts and descriptions to paper; but I think sentences may have been moved leaving prepositions dangling or doubled.
Wonderful story, well told!
But still a fun ride through time, places, and dusty antiques. Looking forward to the third book to bring everyone home.
This book as well as the first book needs a good editor and proofreader. Not sure why, but the grammar takes a tumble here and there. Kirsten has a wonderful command of the English language and knows how to put thoughts and descriptions to paper; but I think sentences may have been moved leaving prepositions dangling or doubled.
Wonderful story, well told!
February 16, 2024
I was so disappointed with this book. It was slow and I found it a slog. I tried to like it as I am interested in what happens in the end but at 46 % I gave up. I rarely give up on a book and one day I may go back to it but at this time I feel life is too short to read something I am not enjoying. Part of the problem is that there were too many characters that I didn't care about, part of it is knowing that I
have to read another book after this one to get the conclusions I am interested in.
This one was not for me
have to read another book after this one to get the conclusions I am interested in.
This one was not for me
January 24, 2019
I loved the first book so much so I immediately bought the second. But this second book took me months to get through I felt it just dragged on and almost all the characters were getting really annoying and didn’t seem to grasping the realities of their situations. It pick up a bit in the last quarter and I’ll probably still read the third one just because this ended in such a cliff hanger, but it was disappointing when I enjoyed the first book so much.
September 5, 2023
This was the most frustrating book I’ve ready in a while. The author rambles. We can’t keep track of the story line, the timelines, or the (way too many, seemingly unnecessary and unrelated) characters. Why are there so many subplots that last so long, only for everyone in that thread of thought to disappear without adding anything to the main thread of the book. I wanted to scream so many times. The idea was brilliant, the resulting book is anticlimactic
September 29, 2019
Fascinating trilogy or series, cannot be read singly, have to read all three to get the full story of the 5 Post Cards that takes the reader through time and space and a number of interesting characters and many adventures involving valuable art objects from England, New Zealand, and India, all tied together by the daughter who runs The Old Curiosity Shop.
September 2, 2024
I enjoyed the first book so much that I immediately jumped to this one, but it was like the publisher and author did a rush job. The author has interesting material and ideas. But I think the editor was on vacation for this one... It reads like a first draft. Also there is no ending to this book, no turning point, cliff hanger, or transition point. It just abruptly ends.
January 11, 2020
Charmingly Good
I very much enjoyed this book, the second in The Old Curiosity Shop series. I am well invested in the characters who have or still are caring for the shop and those touched by them in the past. Onto the last of this trilogy!
I very much enjoyed this book, the second in The Old Curiosity Shop series. I am well invested in the characters who have or still are caring for the shop and those touched by them in the past. Onto the last of this trilogy!
August 18, 2020
Not as good as book one for me. Too many seemingly unrelated characters. The author is taking a long time to bring the story lines together so it seems that a lot of the people in this book have zero connection to present day Sarah (or history Sarah).
September 15, 2020
I just could not finish this book, even skimming it. I was hopeful it would be better than the first one, but I was wrong. It's not bad enough there are far too many characters, too many of them die.
December 28, 2024
Extremely convoluted. Every time I got to a new chapter there was a new character introduced and each chapter chopped and changed you never knew who you were reading about. I struggled so much with this one I do not think I will be reading the third.
November 7, 2016
Great, but
I am sorry it's over. I hope Ms. macKenzie surprises all fans and keeps on with the story. Great characters and story.
I am sorry it's over. I hope Ms. macKenzie surprises all fans and keeps on with the story. Great characters and story.
August 25, 2018
Waiting
OMG! Now I have to wait until November 2018 for the next installment. Better beware of what I touch incase I disappear!
OMG! Now I have to wait until November 2018 for the next installment. Better beware of what I touch incase I disappear!
December 15, 2019
It’s a great story that keeps you interested but there are many typos, missing words and added wrong words in many places.
November 30, 2021
Had a hard time keeping interest, though the underlying premise is interesting
May 25, 2025
the story continues (confusingly)
Sarah is back, but not for long. Anything she touches could be the thing taking her back to the past. Edwardian or Victorian times, England, New Zealand or India. The only connection the estate of Elizabeth Williams.
In the second book in the series, it gets a bit frustrating at times. There are a lot of different characters having their own storylines, and although you know it will all slide together at some point it is a lot to get your head around.
It’s also frustrating that when Sarah and Patricia both disappear, it takes an awfully long time before the book returns to them and you find out what happened.
Hopefully the third book will wrap it up and bring it all together.
Sarah is back, but not for long. Anything she touches could be the thing taking her back to the past. Edwardian or Victorian times, England, New Zealand or India. The only connection the estate of Elizabeth Williams.
In the second book in the series, it gets a bit frustrating at times. There are a lot of different characters having their own storylines, and although you know it will all slide together at some point it is a lot to get your head around.
It’s also frustrating that when Sarah and Patricia both disappear, it takes an awfully long time before the book returns to them and you find out what happened.
Hopefully the third book will wrap it up and bring it all together.
March 15, 2021
This is book 2 of this series and Sarah continues to travel to the past and back (very haphazardly) based on what she unknowingly touches. Each trip causing more confusion to the people in her time (as she vanishes) leaving so many unanswered questions of origins of items she has acquired in the past. She inadvertently takes and brings others with her in her travels. What a tangled mess book 2 leaves us in. With all the traveling, she has had to mess with and affect the future. Somehow this is all going to converge in her timeline and hopefully the pieces will fall into place. On to book 3 to see how this tangled web that Sarah has created ends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews