The Girl with the Suitcase by Lesley Pearse

Bestselling author Lesley Pearse returns with The Girl with the Suitcase, a compelling wartime story of identity, reinvention and resilience.

During the chaos of World War II London, we are introduced to Mary, a woman who has endured a lifetime of hardship. By chance, she meets the glamorous Elizabeth, a stranger whose life couldn’t be more different from her own. She can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to live her life.

However, their lives become forever entwined one night during an air raid, which leaves Elizabeth dead and Mary injured. In the aftermath, a hospital mix-up results in Mary being given Elizabeth’s suitcase, containing money and tickets to Ireland. Facing a moral dilemma in a time of intense turmoil, Mary seizes the opportunity to escape her grim past and build a new life.

Lesley masterfully explores a range of difficult themes, including sexual abuse and addiction, with sensitivity, crafting a vivid portrait of wartime hopes, fears, and personal struggles. 

At the heart of the story is Mary’s transformation, from downtrodden, lonely outcast to the confident, reinvented Beth. Her journey from poverty and mistreatment to a place where she can finally thrive is both heartbreaking and uplifting. 

The story’s settings in London, Ireland and Bristol are brought to life with Lesley’s immersive storytelling. As the narrative moves between these places, we are drawn deeply into Mary’s world. 

The Girl with the Suitcase also delivers strong characters and a rewarding emotional journey about second chances. It’s a satisfying historical novel, brimming with empathy, moral complexity and hope. Lesley Pearse fans won’t be disappointed!

Read an extract here.

Reviewer: Andrea Molloy

Michael Joseph