Lesley Pearse

To have both, she must battle against the legacy these two women have left her, the deep prejudices and dangers of Whitechapel in the 1960s - with its gang leaders, rogues, market traders and dolly birds - and the passionate love she has had since girlhood for the charming wideboy and villain, Harry Collins.

Ellie is a sweet-natured brunette, generous of heart with a sparkling smile and an accent which reveals her East End background. Bonny is beautiful and spoilt, with cascades of blonde hair, the brightest pair of blue eyes and a mouth like Cupid's bow. The two girls meet in London at the end of the war when, seduced by two American airmen, they pool their wits and resources and set off to make a living on the stage. Set against the hardship and austerity of post-war Britain, and the glamour and ruthlessness of life in variety theatre, their story is one of sacrifice and burning ambition. But most of all of a powerful friendship that lasts against all odds.

Rosie is a compelling novel by the bestselling author Lesley Pearse.Her brutal, violent family will be the death of her . . .Without a mother, Rosie is at the mercy of her father and thuggish brothers. Then one day a friend comes to the farm in the form of cockney housekeeper Heather Farley. But soon enough Heather vanishes, abandoning Rosie to her fate. Only when Thomas Farley comes to find his sister several years later, does Rosie learn the terrible truth about Heather - and her family.Running away from home, she finds herself pursued by the man who brought ruin on her family. Is he out to get her too? Or could he have some other reason for chasing her?Lesley Pearse, author of the UK and international best-sellers Stolen and Belle, tells a captivating and powerful story of family and secrets in her compelling novel Rosie. If you like Susan Lewis, you'll love Lesley Pearse. Praise for Lesley Pearse:'With characters it is impossible not to care about ... this is storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail'Lose yourself in this epic saga' Bella'An emotional and moving epic you won't forget in a hurry' Woman's Weekly

_______________________________When nine-year-old orphan Georgia James is unexpectedly fostered by the kindly Celia and her bank manager husband she can hardly believe her luck.

From the bestselling author of You'll Never See Me Again comes a compelling story about an old scandal and its consequences . . .Her existence would be the ruin of her mother.Baby Hope was the unfortunate proof of Lady Harvey's adultery.Smuggled out of a privileged aristocratic household to a nearby village, her true identity is kept secret as she grows up in the arms of the poor, but loving, Renton family.When the day comes for Hope to pay her way, what could be more natural than being taken into service by the Harveys?However, when she sees something she should not, she is blackmailed into leaving her beloved Rentons forever . . .Destitute and on the streets of an unfriendly city, Hope's courage and kindness sees her become a nurse destined for the horrific battlefields of the Crimea.But will Hope ever come home and uncover the true story of her birth?Praise for Lesley Pearse'With characters it is impossible not to care about . . . this is storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail'Lose yourself in this epic saga' Bella'Glorious, heartwarming' Woman & Home'An emotional and moving epic you won't forget in a hurry' Woman's Weekly

*AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW*London, 1941When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn’t be more different. Elizbeth 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?

PRE-ORDER THE SPELLBINDING MEMOIR NOWOne of the world’s bestselling storytellers, Lesley Pearse writes brilliantly about survivors. Why? Because she is one herself . . .Born during the Second World War, Lesley’s innocence came to an abrupt end when a neighbour found her, aged 3, coatless in the snow. The mother she’d been unable to wake had been dead for days. Sent to an orphanage, Lesley soon learned adults couldn’t always be trusted.As a teenager in the swinging sixties, she took herself to London. Here, the second great tragedy of her life occurred. Falling pregnant, she was sent to a mother and baby home, and watched helplessly as her newborn was taken from her.But like so many of her generation, Lesley had to carry on. She was, after all, a true survivor. Marriage and children followed – and all the while she nurtured a dream: to be a writer. Yet it wasn’t until at the age of 48 that her stories – of women struggling in a difficult world – found a publisher, and the bestseller lists beckoned.As heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, Lesley’s story really is A Long and Winding Road with surprises and uplifting hope around every corner . . .

The enthralling new novel from the 10-million-copy, No. 1 bestselling author is available to PRE-ORDER now!London, 1941When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn’t be more different. Elizbeth 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“A gripping story of reinvention, deception, and the weight of choices made under pressure” 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. Once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down!” 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“This author never disappoints” Reader Review, Netgalley

One of the world’s bestselling storytellers, Lesley Pearse writes brilliantly about survivors. Why? Because she is one herself . . .‘This inspiring, heart-warming, extraordinary memoir will have you captivated’ Woman's Weekly–Born during the Second World War, Lesley’s innocence came to an abrupt end when a neighbour found her, aged 3, coatless in the snow. The mother she’d been unable to wake had been dead for days. Sent to an orphanage, Lesley soon learned adults couldn’t always be trusted.As a teenager in the swinging sixties, she took herself to London. Here, the second great tragedy of her life occurred. Falling pregnant, she was sent to a mother and baby home, and watched helplessly as her newborn was taken from her.But like so many of her generation, Lesley had to carry on. She was, after all, a true survivor. Marriage and children followed – and all the while she nurtured a dream: to be a writer. Yet it wasn’t until at the age of 48 that her stories – of women struggling in a difficult world – found a publisher, and the bestseller lists beckoned.As heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, Lesley’s story really is A Long and Winding Road with surprises and uplifting hope around every corner . . .–PRAISE FOR THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD ‘[Lesley] is a great storyteller, and like all good stories The Long and Winding Road concludes with one terrific twist’ Daily Mail‘I couldn’t put this book down. Although harrowing at times, Lesley’s indomitable spirit shines through. What an inspiration, what a book!’ ? Katie Fforde‘Searingly honest, and fabulously entertaining, Lesley's life story is a poignant and powerful story that is truly unputdownable’ ? Milly Johnson‘A totally gripping read, by turns tragic, mad-cap, heartbreaking and mind-blowing. And anyone who can read that final chapter without bursting into happy tears has to have a heart of stone’ ? Jill Mansell‘An incredible life story from a literary icon, Lesley Pearse’s truth is even more gripping than her fiction’ ? Veronica Henry‘I was so gripped I read it twice’ ? Kate Furnivall‘Lesley is a survivor, you'll certainly want to read the extraordinary story of her life. Inspiring and hopeful, this heartwarming memoir will have you captivated’ ? Woman‘An incredible memoir’ ? Sun

She committed the ultimate betrayal. Now someone knows the truth . . .Discover the gripping and page-turning new novel from Sunday Times bestseller Lesley Pearse'An engrossing read' WOMAN'S WEEKLY___________Eve should never have married Don Hathaway. Yes, he gave her two beautiful children - Olly and Tabitha - but he is a bully. Worse than that, he hurts her.But, after one drunken rage too many, she has the courage to leave him. Eve is warned that it's a difficult path, yet she needs to give her children hope for the future.Don, however, is bitter. And getting away from him entirely proves impossible.Until the day Eve tries to teach him a lesson - and it all goes horribly wrong . . .Eve loves her children, but now she carries a terrible burden that she dares not share.Can she protect her family from the truth? Or has she betrayed their trust forever?___________PRAISE FOR LESLEY PEARSE:'Storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail'Gripping and suspenseful' Daily Express'A twisting and intense read' Woman's Own

THE GRIPPING SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERWhat happens when the person closest to you has led a life of deception?'Full of suspense and intriguing characters' MY WEEKLY'A gritty, gripping drama' WOMAN'S WEEKLY _______After the funeral of her mother, Sally, Alice Kent is approached by a man named Angus Tweedy. He claims to be her father and tells her that he served time in prison for marrying Sally bigamously.What does he hope to gain by telling her this now, thirty years on?How can her adored dad Ralph not be her true father?And why did her mother betray her so badly?She had accepted Sally's many faults, and her reluctance to ever speak of the past. But faced with this staggering deception, Alice knows she must uncover the whole truth about her mother.Whatever the cost.As Alice journeys into the past she discovers her mother may never have been the woman she claimed to be . . ._______'Brilliantly builds intrigue' WOMAN & HOME'A raw, truthful and moving account, building intrigue as Alice gradually uncovers her mother's life of deception, lies - and love' WOMAN'S WEEKLY'Written with Pearse's typically engaging and effortless style of storytelling, Deception is an intriguing book of highs, lows, struggles and perseverance' CULTUREFLYPraise for Lesley Pearse'Storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail'Gripping and suspenseful' Daily Express 'A twisting and intense read' Woman's Own

What do you do when your dream home becomes your worst nightmare? . . . THE GRIPPING SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM LESLEY PEARSE'A riveting page-turner' Woman's Weekly'A real page turner from beginning to end' 5***** Reader Review'Sensational storytelling' My Weekly________In Willow Close, everyone is a suspect . . .Nina and Conrad thought they'd discovered their dream home.But on the day they move in, a body is found - the victim attacked and killed in the woods.As police interview witnesses, they soon discover each resident hiding their own secrets. Because few in the Close are exactly who they seem . . .Nina and Conrad thought they'd found their dream home.Now, it might just be their worst nightmare . . .________READERS ARE GRIPPED BY SUSPECTS:'Kept me reading late in to the night . . . a great story with twists and turns' 5***** Reader Review'Gripping with lots of twists' 5***** Reader Review'Lesley Pearse knows how to bring her characters alive' 5***** Reader Review'A gripping storyline. Lesley at her best' 5***** Reader Review'A master storyteller' 5***** Reader Review'A suspenseful domestic drama' 5***** Reader Review

The enthralling new Sunday Times bestselling story of a young female journalist exposing murder and lies in her search for the truth, from the international bestseller Lesley PearseTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 5 BESTSELLER AND WINNER OF THE WOMAN & HOME BOOK CHOICE AWARD 2020'A compelling page-turner' DAILY MAILFind the liar. Find the killer . . . Amelia White didn't expect her career as a reporter to start like this: by finding a young woman's body, just around the corner from her Shepherd's Bush bedsit. With rumours already spreading about this poor murder victim, she seizes her chance to write the true story. But when more bodies are found, the police are baffled. Reporting on the story, Amelia meets witnesses as well as suspects. If she can only work out who the liar among them is, she may be able to stop the murders. Or might she turn herself into the next victim? . . . Gripping, suspenseful and completely unputdownable, Liar will have you on the very edge of your seat.'Gripping and suspenseful, a fast-paced murder mystery, love story and a young woman's journey of self-discovery' Daily Express 'This latest book from master storyteller Lesley Pearse is gripping and full of twists. With an addictive and pacy plot, this will keep you guessing until the end' My Weekly 'A page turner full of suspense, compelling and heartwarming, Liar is a brilliant read. I couldn't put it down' Woman's Way Praise for Lesley Pearse 'Storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail 'Evocative, compelling, told from the heart' Sunday Express 'Intriguing, heart-tugging, beautifully written' Closer

Betty is running for her Life.When Betty's husband returns from the war broken and haunted, she knows her marriage is doomed.Taking a fleeting chance to escape, she goes on the run armed with a new identity. Yet penniless and alone, Betty quickly finds that starting again is much harder than she thought.And she never imagined it could end in murder . . .But sometimes you have to keep running if you want to survive.

DISCOVER THE CAPTIVATING SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF YOU'LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN, LESLEY PEARSEIs there a murderer across the street?1964.Twenty-three-year-old Katy Speed is fascinated by glamorous Gloria and the goings-on at her house over the road.Who are the mysterious women that keep coming and going in the strange black car?Then one night, Gloria's house burns to the ground. Bodies are found in the wreckage.And Katy's horror turns to disbelief when her own father is arrested and charged with murder.Determined to prove his innocence, Katy sets out to uncover the truth about the mysterious house across the street and find the real murderer.But that means risking her own life . . ._________* * * * * - Heat'Must read' Saturday Express'Heart-warming and evocative, a real delight to read' Sun'A narrative that gallops along, this is quintessential Pearse that will delight her army of readers' Daily Mail'Glorious, heartwarming' Woman & Home'Evocative, compelling, told from the heart' Sunday Express'Gripping' Hello

Discover the addictive and gripping novel from the bestselling author of You'll Never See Me Again, Lesley Pearse'A gripping novel' HELLO! Magazine_______________London, 1960.The lives of teenage twins Maisy and Duncan change forever the night their mother is taken to an asylum.Sent to live in the New Forest with their cold-hearted grandmother, Mrs Mitcham, they feel unloved and abandoned.And when one day Duncan doesn't come home from exploring in the forest, no one - least of all his grandmother - appears to care about his disappearance. The police, who've found the bodies of other missing boys, offer little hope of finding Duncan alive.Yet Maisy refuses to give up.Though she doesn't know the woods well, she knows someone who does. The strange old woman who lives at their heart . . .Dare Maisy enlist the help of the woman in the wood?And what will she find if she does?_______________'A real page-turner, a family story that is multi-layered just as you'd expect from Lesley Pearse, who is deservedly one of the world's favourite story tellers' My Weekly'Characters it is impossible not to care about . . . this is storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail