A Song For the Stolen
(2026)(The fourth book in the Every Family series)
A novel by Joanna Warrington
One girl's voice. One man's shadow. A journey from the darkness of the Magdalene laundry to the gold of the desert.
For twenty-year old Kathleen O'Brien, singing isn't just a talent––it's a lifeline.After escaping her suffocating life with boyfriend, Kenny in Cornwall, she arrives in Weymouth with nothing but a bruised spirit and a voice that carries the weight of her secrets. She hopes to lose herself in the seaside town, far from the scars of the past and the reaching shadows of the Church.
Her luck changes when she meets Mick who offers her an opportunity she can't refuse. But the reach of Father Joseph––the man who stole her innocence under the guise of holy guidance––is long, and the "good people" of the parish are always watching.
Just as the past threatens to drag her back, a flamboyant, Noel Coward-esque talent scout named Julian Vane hears her sing. He offers her the ultimate exit strategy: the Dubai International Hotel. It is a world of burgeoning oil wealth, ancient Bedouin sands and shimmering desert heat. Her mentor? The legendary Cilla Black, a fellow girl from the docks who proved that a Scouse heart can conquer the world.
From the rhythmic metallic clatter of kitchen-table concerts on Scottie Road to the high-stakes gala stages of the desert, Kathleen must find the courage to turn her trauma into song.
"Song For The Stolen" is a powerful story of resilience, the catharsis of music, and the defiant strength of a young woman who refuses to be a victim. Part of a series which includes: 'The Baby Hunters,', 'Every Family Has One' and 'The Catholic Woman's Dying Wish.'
The past maybe a ghost, but Kathleen is finally ready to sing it into the light. Will she be encouraged at every step of her journey, or are there those lurking in the shadows who will stop at nothing to crush her spirit?
Genre: General Fiction