THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

With exceptionally vivid writing THE DEVIL YOU KNOW takes us inside the mind and under the skin of a troubled boy, drawing us to a point where new truths are uncovered, and make possible a new start between 88 and Damien and his mum.

On his way home from school, Damien can't help worrying that his loose-cannon dad (known to his motorcycling mates as 88) might come back. What if he's there already, at home with Mum? Him or one of his mates? What if he's just rung up to check if Mum was still living here? What if he's sent one of his mates up, to sort them out because Mum screamed at him, 'Get out of my life, you mongrel dog!'? He could have Mum tied up and be there, waiting, with a semi-automatic... And in his mind, Damien sees himself walking down the road out in the open, kicking stones, a perfect target. The man lifts his gun. Damien sees himself in the sights - the round circle with the line at the centre moves till it's right over his chest. 'Run! You idiot! Run!' Leonie Norrington grew up in the Barunga community in southern Arnhem Land, running around in the bush, riding horses and enjoying freedom, sunburn and danger. Being brought up within a mixed culture environment, Leonie has always been very much a part of the Aboriginal stories and issues that surround her. She writes in a mix of English, Kriol and Language and her stories are a beautifully conceived reflection of the life she lives. Black and white characters merge, lives are entwined and for her there is no racial issue, merely a different way of looking. Leonie works fulltime as a journalist and writer and started writing for children after the birth of her grandson.