Why a Booktrail?
2026: Sometimes ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference . . .
The Memory Keeper
What you need to know before your trail
Meet Gracie. At mid-life, she’s fed up with her unhappy marriage and humdrum career. So when a new housing estate threatens to sever her last connection to her late father – the oak tree he planted as a child – she decides to take a stand. Only Gracie has never stood up to anyone.
When Gracie’s five-year-old neighbour, Tilly, unexpectedly bounds into her life, she shows Gracie that you shouldn’t always take no for an answer. Despite long-buried family secrets being revealed and conflicts taking root, Gracie begins to think that this could be the beginning of a new chapter – one in which she finally discovers her inner strength and realizes that even in the face of loss, there is hope.
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
Mini Author trail
Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa
Although you can see the site of the Midland Oak in Leamington Spa, if you do visit you must wander through the beautiful Jephson Gardens, where I imagined Gracie would often walk when not in her favourite spot in the fictional Embley Fields. An oak tree here was shortlisted as ‘Tree of the Year’ in the annual Woodland Trust competition.
Whenever I visit the Gardens, I come away feeling relaxed and happy. It’s such a nice place to walk around and indulge in pastries from the onsite bakery! In the summer, there are concerts on the Bandstand and it’s the perfect place for a picnic.
The Sycamore Gap, Northumberland
You can visit the largest section of the Sycamore Gap tree at The Sill, a visitor centre which houses the ‘Coming Home’ exhibition. From here you can take a circular walk to visit the tree stump, where new green shoots from the original tree are growing.
The Louvre (Paris, France)
The Louvre is the first art gallery Gracie visits when she goes to Paris. It’s an opportunity for her to see in real life some of the paintings she has long admired. I like to imagine her taking her time as she walks through the galleries, feeling like she has finally achieved her dream.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Memory Keeper
Destination/Location: England, Paris Author: Abigail Johnson Departure: 2026
Back to ResultsWhere Next?
