Don't Say A Word

by Kate Marshall, Linda Watson-Brown

DON'T SAY A WORD is the empowering memoir of Kate Marshall, a mother-of-four from Manchester. Ripped from her many brothers and sisters at the age of eight, Kate's mother uproots her to a new life in which love and safety are not priorities. With little explanation, Kate is thrown into a world of chaos and neglect, a world which her Uncle Phil exploits through a campaign of shocking abuse over many years. The lessons Kate learns in those early years leave her extremely vulnerable and, while still a teenager, she marries an emotionally abusive, gaslighting fraudster, spending years in a controlled marriage punctuated by bulimia and a fierce desire to protect her beloved children. Finally finding the courage to leave, she seizes control of her own destiny by taking her paedophile uncle to court, where his guilt on all charges sees him finally brought to justice for what he has done. From that moment, Kate vows she will never again be the victim of those who chose to control and abuse her—that she will fight for herself and for others with every breath she has and will never be silenced again.

Genres: Biography

288 pages, Paperback

Published December 27, 2017

Reviews

[Madeleine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has endured so much in her life but this is no misery memoir; this is a story of hope and about how you can turn things around and live a good life. She was subjected to childhood abuse by an uncle, rejected and treated cruelly by her Mother, lived in poverty and experienced domestic abuse. The many side effects of trauma affected her confidence, trust and self belief, she also battled bulimia for years and later on developing ME.
However, finding her voice many years later has been what has saved her and she now shines her light bright for others showing them what healing looks like and that it is possible to have good life. Lief is not about where you start, but where you finish that matters. Thank you so much for writing your story, these stories need to be heard.

[Nikky · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely harrowing tale of abuse. From childhood to adulthood, Kate is used and abused by those closest to her. After testifying against the uncle who molested her as a child, she has finally found her voice and written a memoir whose details will search itself into your brain. Kate has endured so much, and come out so strong. Truly an inspirational tale of a woman who endured so much physical, emotional, and psychological abuse who ended up dedicating herself to advocating for those that couldn't themselves. Her dedication to one of the girls she encountered, as well as her tale of a hypersexual male teenager, hits home in a difficult way, and makes a poignant statement - we as a society are failing our most vulnerable.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book so true and the account of her story is so well written. She tells of how her childhood was stolen by her uncle on a regular basis and how she left those years and moved forward. She writes it so well and so pleased she won't be silenced again. She is a strong lady.

[sonia lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

But very sad , what an inspiration she is to come out the other side off all the horrible things that has happened to her .

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching memoir from mother of four Kate Marshall. The awful abuse she endured at the hands of her uncle, the neglect of her mother and further down the line - the gaslighting from her husband. Kate is strong and inspiring.

[meryl gormley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

A very interesting true story, Kate had to go through so much to get where she is today, very good read.

[Clare Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read difficult at times what she went through

[Rebecca Alvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is very important for people to understand how easily someone can manipulate and isolate you without you even knowing. I am very sorry you went through everything you did.

[Kirsty Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional and moving story

[Jacqueline Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Erica⭐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing account of a little girl growing up without the love of a mother, targeted more than once by abusers in different forms and how she has found meaning in her life and made sense of what she endured and her feelings about herself.
This is a beautifully written book that I couldn't put down, it's emotive and heartbreaking and gets to the core of how children are failed and let down.

[Anil Dhingra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching true account of a woman who was abused since the age of 8 years by her maternal uncle. She subsequently went through an abusive marriage in which she had 3 children.
She is now finally recovered, in a happy marriage and working as a mental health worker.