The Devil’s Grip is based on a true story; shocking in parts that one almost struggles to continue. The tale spans four continents. It is fast-paced, breathtaking and painfully heartbreaking. Those who were closest to him were the ones who betrayed him the most. There are many tragic tales ‘out there’ of abusive parents and innocent children who somehow, manage to survive inconceivable years of ‘behind closed doors’ violence. The Devil’s Grip has something ‘special’ weaving its way through the pages of extraordinary obstacles, the horrors this young boy had to endure and how quickly he lost his innocence and childhood – the intangible thread of hope. A fundamentally good-hearted human being, JR, as a young man, had no choice but to enter the world of crime. Existing on a day-by-day basis, JR never once gave up on trying to find his way to conform to what most would regard as an ‘ordinary’ life. It is impossible to put down. JR Rothwell’s debut novel is gripping beyond belief.