The Devil’s Grip : A True Story of Shame, Sheep and Shotguns, by Neall Drinan
The Devil’s Grip : A True Story of Shame, Sheep and Shotguns, by Neall Drinan
Planet Books Review:
Many recognised Darcy Wettenhall as the world’s leading expert on Corriedale sheep. Stanbury, the stud he owned and ran with his ageing cousin Janet and his son Guy, had earned a reputation for being one of the world’s most prestigious breeders.
On the 25 March 1992, the Wettenhall Corriedale dynasty came to an end when all three remaining family members were murdered as seven shots reverberated through the Barrabool Hills, west of Geelong.
Behind the rise of Stanbury and the multiple murders is the fascinating, sad and somewhat troubled life of Darcy. At nine years old Darcy was in and out of care, where he was abused: ‘He needed to strategise with whom sex would be less of a trauma, an adult guardian or a gang of teenagers.
At fourteen he was working at horse stables in Melbourne and due to his bad behaviour, Darcy’s father requested that a cousin, Rupert Wettenhall and his wife, Janet, take on young Darcy as a farmhand at Stanbury. During all this time Darcy was harbouring the secret that he was gay, but as with a lot of young gay men in the 1950s, the shame and fear of being found out was immense.
The Devil’s Grip differs from many other true crime book I’ve read. Neal Drinnan has fashioned a book that is part re-telling of the murders and part autobiography. The story diverges from time to time into Drinnan’s own life as a gay man living in rural Victoria with his partner, and into his friendship with Bob Perry, who is the story’s conduit.
As Darcy’s one-time employee, lover and confidant, Perry’s unique viewpoint and sharp memory of the Wettenhall family and the events that lead to their demise is at the heart of this tragic story.
There are so many layers to this book. From farming, sheep studs and even the somewhat bizarre preparation for major sheep shows through to the multiple murder mystery, told through the voice of both Bob Perry and author Neal Drinnan. The Devil’s Grip is a remarkable and somewhat unusual read, crossing genres, compelling you to turn the pages to the very end.
Review by Ian Williams
About the author:
Neal Drinnan was born in Melbourne. He has worked in publishing and journalism for many years. He is the author of six novels, Glove Puppet, Pussy’s Bow, Quill, the Lambda award-winning Izzy and Eve, Rare Bird of Truth and Rural Liberties, as well as a travel guide, The Rough Guide to Gay and Lesbian Australia. The Devil’s Grip is his first work of narrative non-fiction. He owns an independent bookshop called Cow Lick in Colac, Victoria.
Book Details:
ISBN: 9781760851187
Publication Date: 01/09/2019
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Binding: Trade Paperback
Genre: Biography / True Stories