The Girl with Special Knees
A child who doesn’t want to live.
A mother in distress.
A father who needs to keep on keeping on, and avoid the fragrant Shirley Lovett at all costs.
A beautiful sister who feels invisible.
The Redmond family is in trouble.
One day, a mysterious African doll arrives in the post, and something magical happens.
This is a poignant story about family relationships, about courage, hope, and renewal . . . and the power of dreams to heal the human heart.
Paperback:
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
It’s her First Holy Communion Day and eleven-year-old Doll Redmond has one special wish: to escape her joyless life. What she doesn’t realise, is that her wish is about to come true.
Her mother Sally knows one thing for sure: her husband, Dan has been lying to her. But before she gets to confront him, the unthinkable happens.
Sixteen-year-old Andi is madly in love with Steve. She doesn’t realise it yet, but he’s going to rock her entire world.
Dan has been hiding a secret. He knows that it’s time to tell Sally the truth . . . even if it costs him his marriage.
The Redmond family is facing into a storm.
This is a life affirming story about the fragility of family relationships, about love, hope and uncertainty and about how, when the heart dreams deeply, magic happens.
Paperback:
What Readers Say:
It is a most wonderful book, so engaging on all levels, and you certainly feel yourself travelling in the skins of each member of the family whilst reading each chapter. It is written so, so well.”
—- Léonie Smith
‘This is an amazing novel and such a joy to read. Eleanor writes with such passion and clarity that you feel part of the family and can understand their pain and hopes. Cannot wait for the next novel.’
— Goodreads
‘There’s plenty of humour and imagination woven in amongst the heartbreak and it’s beautifully written. I would say it’s a cross between the emotional truth of Kit de Waal and the alternate world building of Margaret Atwood.’
— Goodreads
‘The book is a joy. It’s also clever, powerful and beautifully written and will resonate with
many people. I’m thrilled there’s a sequel to follow.’
—- Patricia Messenger Cork Today on Cork’s 103fm
‘When I read chapter two it hit me like a punch to the gut. A magnificent piece of work…I
hope it sells in truckloads.”
— “PJ Coogan, Cork 96fm Opinion Line
“This is such a moving story…a book about a heroine’s journey towards transformation.
Such a story with so much heart and courage and it takes you on your own journey to
reframe obstacles and ‘stuck’ places. I couldn’t put it down, and amidst the grief and the
challenges, so much humour.’ LOVE, LOVE it.”
— Anne Rath – Facebook
Eleanor O’Kelly Lynch
© 2025 Eleanor O’Kelly Lynch
eleanorokellylynch.ie 