This is Louise Walters debut novel.The story is told over a dual timeline. We are introduced to present day Roberta who is given a suitcase containing books and letters belonging to her grandmother. We are then taken back in time to Word War Two and the life of Dorothea, Roberta's Grandmother "Babunia".The story begins with a letter to Dorothea from her beloved Jan. We gradually learn the history leading up to why this particular letter was written. This is the letter that Roberta finds on opening her Grandmother's suitcase which poses some big questions about Dorothy's past.As stated above the story is told in dual narrative and in this case it works well. I liked the lyrical writing and the story unfolded beautifully. All the characters were well rounded and drew me into their world. A story of love, loss, tragedy and friendship, even from the most unexpected corner. A great debut novel. I look forward to Ms Walters next book. You know the old saying never judge a book by its cover. How true this old saying is. However this story is about books. Mrs Sinclair's suitcase is a superb mothers day gift. I would urge readers and book clubs to order this wonderful breathtaking novel.I loved this story from page one and found myself not being able to close it to put it down. The story is full of wonderful interesting characters from all different back grounds. Two stories feature in this impressive novel Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase. Dorothy Sinclair is married to Albert but she had found life after he abandoned her for over a year to go into the army without even writing to his wife. This makes Dorothy feel that she is only his wife by name only. While Albert is in the army Dorothy sees a stricken hurricane that lurched towards her and her house. The hurricane crashes and Dorothy marches towards it. Jan Pietrykowski a Polish squadron leader in the Air Force makes a visit to Dorothy's home to thank her for helping the pilot. A relationship sparkles through letters while Jan Pietrykowski is sent away to fly everyday to fight the Germans. The other credible twist from the other part of Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase is that while Roberta has the love for books she boosts herself a job in the Old and New Bookshop. Philip the boss of the Old and New Book shop gains himself two more assistants one is the beautiful Jenna and the other assistant is Sophie. Jenna shares a very big secret with Roberta and Roberta is devoted to help Jenna as much as she can. While Roberta is sorting through a pile of books that her father brought into The Old and New book shop that belonged to Roberta's grandmother she finds some letters to Dorothy from Jan Pietrykowski and a suitcase.A lot of things happen as the story unfolds. Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase centres around family secrets, soul mates and missed opportunities. I hope that many readers will read Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase and enjoy it as much as I have.
Excellent book. Hard to believe it is a debut novel, I hope this author continues to write.
—Ace_Robot
Bra tänkt men berättelsen tar alldrig fart. Personlig tycker jag att boken blir tråkig.
—Mags
3.5 stars. Review to come.
—dvanheck76
Wonderful! I loved it.
—boyslikeqaaro9
