"This is a hauntingly beautiful depiction of the madness of grief and the frustration of seeking the truth for things we cannot understand."
Available in Kindle and Paperback from Amazon.
Alison Connaught, a singer-songwriter, releases a self-produced piano and vocals album 3 and a half years after her daughter Ria has died. Alison has had an illustrious career for over 30 years, writing for other artists and this the first of her own works. Ria, an aspiring actress and Oscar winner, died from drowning in her bath following an overdose of opiates. The novel follows Alison as she tries to come to terms with her grief while trying to uncover the events leading to Ria's death, and the impact of all of this on her marriage to Harvey. In a search for peace, Alison spends time with a shaman, and in search of the truth, she meets with Ria's friends, colleagues and doctors in Hollywood. Alison writes the songs for the album as an outlet for her grief.
This is a hauntingly beautiful depiction of the madness of grief and the frustration of seeking the truth for things we cannot understand.
Nicola Kingswell, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Recommendations: |
Win a Copy of The Sisters of Hope Square by Faith Hogan and a Bucket List Scratch Book
Closing date: 04/07/2026
Available in Kindle and Paperback from Amazon.
Talented composer Alison Connaught has spent her career writing music for big names, but when her actress daughter, Ria, dies from an overdose, Alison is numb and can no longer compose.
Haunted by the feeling that she has somehow let Ria down, Alison searches for answers, first during an intense stay with a Hopi shaman and then by travelling to Hollywood to try to piece together the many parts of Ria’s life that have so far eluded her.
As she meets her daughter’s friends, colleagues and therapists, Alison finally begins to understand the realities of Ria’s life, opening the door to self expression and a different kind of music, inspired by stirred/raw feelings and the spirit of Ria.
Michelle Shine’s skill as a storyteller brings Alison’s thoughts and actions to life in this visceral and deeply moving tale of grief, regret and ultimately, hope.
Song for Ria features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Indie Author Books, Indie Books We Love, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
Song for Ria is available in Paperback
Song for Ria was written by Michelle Shine and published by RedDoor Press
Song for Ria has 352 pages
£8.09
