Red paperback Great Gatsby with shell bookmark found
Description
Found a red paperback copy of The Great Gatsby this morning around 9:15am on a bench outside Coligny Plaza, near the Pope Avenue entrance on Hilton Head Island. It's a standard 5x8 inch paperback with a few creases on the spine and a bright blue seashell bookmark sticking out from page 78. There's a light coffee stain on the back cover and a tiny grocery-store receipt tucked inside the front cover, suggesting it's been read many times this summer. It clearly belongs to someone who loves the book and I’d love to see it back with its owner; if the finder recognizes this, reach me here in the app or at [email protected].
Approximate found location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely return this item
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the owner before handing it back
- Ask the claimant for a specific identifying detail before confirming.
- If valuable, ask for a photo with matching ID, receipt, or original packaging.
- Never post the precise location publicly. Share it only with a verified owner.
- Do not accept payment to return it. That is a red flag for a scam claim.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.