Top Girl

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But her bright future fades when, betrayed by the police after a brutal assault, she finds the protection she needs under the wing of organised criminals. Her bravery in getting out of drug dealing, rebuilding her life and in telling her story needs to be applauded.

Danielle grew up in London with first generation immigrant parents, attending a nearby grammar school. Danielle has a safe, happy childhood growing up in West London, but her bright future fades as she turns her back on school for gang life and crime. I think that makes it even more raw and intense as you quickly realise that the Danielle's coping mechanism is to shut off from her emotions and feelings. She has since advocated within the criminal justice system for many women: ‘the hidden victims and participants of organised crime’ – and began her Masters in September 2021. This was curious and got me thinking about the criminalisation and stigmatisation of certain groups – yes this group were absolutely breaking the law, but for Danielle they were also looking out for each other, affording her some protection and earning a living.

My children have been the 'token poor kids' for parents in the school yard, teachers who pay little to no attention to those who are living in an area of socio-economic deprivation, and you can see how easily you become angry at the stereotypes forced upon you because of your post code. There are considerable trigger warnings for this book including severe violence, guns, weapons, prison, drugs, rapes, sexual assault, statutory rape and police misconduct but it is a searing, eye opening, hard hitting and vividly insightful story that I simply couldn’t put down. Through him she meets others and gradually becomes embroiled into a normality involving drugs and ganglife. I couldn’t put it down, I was eager to get through my jobs so that I could carry on, I was in awe of the sheer honesty of this woman! What should have been an opportunity for intervention instead ostracises Danielle from the very people that should have been responsible for helping her and leaves her deeply traumatised.

I did at times find Danielle very hard to empathise with but I haven’t gone through what she has, so it’s probably not right for me to say that. She was accepted into a grammar school, however her life changed completely after a brutal attack led her to involvement with ‘gangs’ and drug crime. and tried to engage with social services, but if she did do anything like this she didn’t mention it in the book.The ending brought tears to my eyes as it shows what support of people who have been through similar things as you can do to a person. She grew up in a city , but this lifestyle, these situations are transferable across the UK, and are becoming even more prevalent in rural areas.