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.

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.

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

- The Scent Keeper, Erica Bauermeister's first novel for adults since her trilogy, combines her signature poetic writing style with a deep exploration of the senses.
- The novel was inspired by Bauermeister's fascination with the science of scent and its ability to connect us to powerful memories and emotions.
- To create the captivating world of The Scent Keeper, Bauermeister spent years researching the intricacies of olfactory science, weaving these details into the narrative.

**Emmeline (Violet) Hartfell**  
A young woman with a deep sensitivity to scents, who was raised in isolation with her father on a remote island. Her journey explores themes of identity and independence as she navigates complex relationships and her own evolving understanding of family.

**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**  
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)**  
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.

Erica Bauermeister

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Scent Keeper reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Scent Keeper | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Scent Keeper and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Scent Keeper Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Page 62

The Scent Keeper Prologue-Page 62 Summary & Analysis

Pages 63-126

The Scent Keeper Pages 63-126 Summary & Analysis

Pages 127-194

The Scent Keeper Pages 127-194 Summary & Analysis

Pages 195-249

The Scent Keeper Pages 195-249 Summary & Analysis

Pages 250-Epilogue

The Scent Keeper Pages 250-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Scent Keeper Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Scent Keeper Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Scent Keeper Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Scent Keeper Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Scent Keeper Essay Topics

The Scent Keeper

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Scent Keeper?

Reading Age

Book Details