Title: Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase
Author: Louise Walters
First published February 27, 2014
296 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781444777420 (ISBN10: 1444777424)
Rating: 3.61
Overview
Dear Dorothy, I cannot forget you, but I must. What you did was unforgivable, to that child and to her mother.
Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase tells the story of a young woman named Roberta, who loves collecting letters and postcards found in second-hand books.
When her grandfather’s suitcase is given to her by her father, she discovers a strange letter from her grandmother, dated after her grandfather’s supposed death in the war. Dorothy, her grandmother, is trapped in an unhappy marriage with her husband, Albert, who is fighting in the war.
When she meets Squadron Leader Jan Pietrykowski, her life takes a new turn, and they both start to fall in love. However, fate takes a tragic turn, and Dorothy is forced to keep a secret that will impact her granddaughter’s life many years later.
Join Roberta on a journey to uncover the truth behind her grandparents’ past and the shocking secret that has been kept hidden for years.
About the Author
I am an author who has written three novels including Mrs Sinclair’s Suitcase, A Life Between Us and The Road to California. Additionally, I work as a publisher at Louise Walters Books.
Editoral Review
Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase, by Louise Walters, is a poignant novel that explores the mysterious life of a woman named Roberta Sinclair, who spent her final days in a nursing home.
The story revolves around the unexpected discovery of a suitcase filled with Roberta’s personal belongings, which her granddaughter, Roberta, finds after her death. The book was first published on February 27, 2014, and it received critical acclaim for its insightful portrayal of family relationships, secrets, and the human condition.
Walters is a skilled author who has a talent for creating realistic characters and vivid settings. Her writing style is straightforward, yet lyrical, and she uses subtle hints and clues to draw the reader deeper into the story.
The novel is written in a dual narrative format, and the transitions between the past and present are seamless. The story is set in two different time periods- the 1980s and 2013.
In the 1980s, Roberta Sinclair, who later becomes known as Betty due to a marital mistake, is a young and ambitious woman who dreams of a brighter future. She starts working as a librarian, where she meets and falls in love with a man named George, who is married.
The sparks fly, and a torrid, clandestine affair ensues between the two. Meanwhile, in 2013, Roberta Sinclair, Betty’s granddaughter, discovers Betty’s suitcase, which leads her down a path of discovery, as she learns about her family’s past, secrets, and her grandparents’ love story.
The main characters in the book, Roberta, George, and Betty, are well-rounded, relatable, and multi-dimensional. Betty is an accomplished, intelligent, and beautiful woman who is caught between her loyalty to her lover and her moral compass.
Roberta, the granddaughter, is a timid and introverted woman, who finds solace in unraveling the mysteries of the past. George is a mysterious and enigmatic character with a tragic past.
The three characters’ lives intersect in unexpected and suspenseful ways as their secrets are gradually revealed. The novel’s themes include love, betrayal, family, secrets, and loss.
Walters explores these themes with a deft hand, weaving together a complex tapestry of emotions and events. The setting of the book, a small town in England, adds to the book’s charm and authenticity.
The book’s strengths lie in its masterful storytelling, character development, and pacing. Walters keeps the narrative moving along at a steady pace, never bogging it down with too much exposition.
She also succeeds in creating a nuanced portrayal of the characters’ emotions and motivations. Mrs.
Sinclair’s Suitcase is a highly recommendable book for anyone interested in family dramas or coming-of-age stories. The book is a classic example of how an author’s writing can evoke powerful emotions in the reader.
Overall, the book is a thought-provoking and poignant read that is well worth the time. It scores highly in terms of character development, writing style, and storytelling.
With this book, Louise Walters has established herself as a talent to watch in the years to come. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
