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The Last Tea Bowl Thief

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The Last Tea Bowl Thief

By: Jonelle Patrick
Narrated by: Cindy Kay
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About this listen

For 300 years, a stolen relic passes from one fortune-seeker to the next, indelibly altering the lives of those who possess it.

In modern-day Tokyo, Robin Swann's life has sputtered to a stop. She's stuck in a dead-end job testing antiquities for an auction house, but her true love is poetry, not pottery. Her stalled dissertation sits on her laptop, unopened in months, and she has no one to confide in but her goldfish.

On the other side of town, Nori Okuda sells rice bowls and tea cups to Tokyo restaurants, as her family has done for generations. But with her grandmother in the hospital, the family business is foundering. Nori knows if her luck doesn't change soon, she'll lose what little she has left.

With nothing in common, Nori and Robin suddenly find their futures linked to an ancient, elusive tea bowl. Glimpses of the past set the stage as they hunt for the lost masterpiece, uncovering long-buried secrets in their wake. As they get closer to the truth - and the tea bowl - the women must choose between seizing their dreams or righting the terrible wrong that has poisoned its legacy for centuries.

©2020 Jonelle Patrick (P)2021 Tantor International Mystery & Crime Mystery United States World Literature Fiction Suspense
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Loved it! Enjoyable, easy listen. Interesting and unique story line. Felt like I was time travelling Japan, a place I love. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Recommend ✨

Cultural time travel and immersion

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The Last Tea Bowl Thief is a beautifully crafted novel that transports readers into the heart of modern and historical Japan through an enthralling mystery centered around a priceless piece of tea ceremony pottery. Jonelle Patrick masterfully weaves together two timelines — the present-day journeys of an American antiques appraiser and a disillusioned Japanese salaryman, and the centuries-old tale of a female artisan in Edo-period Japan.

The writing is immersive, evocative, and rich with cultural detail. Patrick brings to life the spirit of wabi-sabi — the beauty of imperfection and impermanence — not just in the tea bowl itself, but in the lives of her characters. Each protagonist is layered, relatable, and deeply human, with personal struggles that feel authentic and moving.

What sets this novel apart is its seamless fusion of suspense with deep reverence for Japanese art, tradition, and history. It’s a literary treasure hunt that not only keeps you guessing but also makes you reflect on value — of objects, memories, and identity.

Whether you’re a lover of Japanese culture, a mystery aficionado, or simply a reader looking for a thoughtful, page-turning read, The Last Tea Bowl Thief is a rare gem. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after the final page.

A Mesmerizing Blend of Mystery, History, and Japanese Aesthetics

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Really enjoyed this story. The narration was sensational. Her fluent pronunciation of Japanese names and places along with the subtle nuances of the characters voices and intentions made a wonderful story even better.

Layers and side stories

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The story was intriguing and enlightening to the ways of Japanese culture. I very much enjoyed it. The narration was perfectly fine however I would have preferred a less American voice.

Interesting story well told

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