The Girl with the Suitcase - Lesley Pearse

'Captivating' Woman & Home

'A gripping story of reinvention, deception, and the weight of choices made under pressure' 5* Reader Review

'Once you pick this book up, you won't want to put it down!' 5* Reader Review

'Pearce never disappoints' 5* Reader Review

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London, 1941

When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn't be more different.

Elizabeth is beautiful and charming, about to set off on a dazzling adventure to Ireland where she's inherited a grand house.

Mary, shy and meek, has nothing to look forward to but the dreary life of a maid in Hampstead.

But when an air raid forces them to take shelter underground Mary's life is suddenly changed forever.

After waking up in hospital, injured but alive, the nurse mistakes her for Elizabeth and hands over her suitcase with Elizabeth's money and tickets to Ireland inside.

This is Mary's chance to escape the hardship of her life and start afresh.

Will she take it and what could go wrong?

--

PRAISE FOR LESLEY PEARSE:

'Storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail

'Gripping and suspenseful' Daily Express

'A twisting and intense read' Woman's Own

***** 5 STAR READER REVIEWS *****

'I absolutely devoured the book' Reader Review, Netgalley

'I read this in a couple of days as I just couldn't put it down!' Reader Review, Netgalley

'I was hooked from the start and couldn't stop turning pages long into the night. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me holding on... truly wonderful' Reader Review, Netgalley

'Absolutely beautiful" Reader Review, Netgalley

'Lesley Pearse has a real gift for bringing historical settings to life, and I found myself completely immersed in Mary's journey. A heartfelt and inspiring read?I couldn't put it down!' Reader Review, Netgalley
Publisher: Penguin Books, Limited
Published: 2026-02-26
Pages: 400
Language: en
Categories: Fiction, Historical, 20th Century, World War II, Mystery & Detective, Women, Crime