The Devil At Home: The horrific true story of a woman held captive

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Sorokin, of course, was later convicted on multiple charges of grand larceny for defrauding numerous banks, hotels, and New York party people under the guise that she was a wealthy German heiress named Anna Delvey. Her rise and fall is documented in Netflix’s new scripted drama Inventing Anna, but it’s far from the first time Delvey’s story has been told. Williams, who’s played by Katie Lowes in the series, wrote about her encounters with Delvey in a 2018 essay for Vanity Fair, where she’d been working as a photo editor at the time. Williams filed a defamation suit against Netflix on Monday in a Delaware federal court, claiming that the streamer “made a deliberate decision for dramatic purposes” to “portray her as a greedy, snobbish, disloyal, dishonest, cowardly, manipulative and opportunistic person.” The suit argues that the show, which is up for three Emmys including outstanding limited series, depicts Williams as an opportunistic hanger-on who bums off Sorokin, leaves her in Morocco, and sells her out to authorities. (Rhimes and Shondaland aren’t named as defendants in the complaint. Vanity Fair has reached out to Netflix for comment.) After a brief moment, I remembered a conversation we'd had at the party. An ex of mine had been mentioned, completely innocently and in passing. He wasn't even really a proper boyfriend, just someone I'd been on a few nights out with. Rachel Williams was 21 years old and a single mum to her two-year-old son Josh when she said she met a “very charming” and “funny” man named Darren in March 1993, with whom she went on to get married and have a baby.

The thing that bothered me the most was in every chapter I got the impression that this wasn't meant to be an honest account of Rachel's story but rather the author attempting to paint herself in the best possible light in every situation, both big and small. It seemed that pieces of the story were glossed over or omitted to for this reason. And EVERYTHING was someone else's fault. Fault was placed at the hands of her husband, his family, the police, government agencies, etc and there was blame to go around for sure, but not once did she say "I could have done something differently." I would have liked this book much more and been able to empathize if the author would have taken just a little responsibility, for anything. And in case anyone is getting the wrong idea I'm not talking about her being abused obviously, but I can't go into details without spoiling some of the story.They will use the children, saying, ‘Daddy should be home with them for Christmas’, and if there are no children, then they will say things like, ‘We should be together for Christmas’ and ‘I don’t want to spend it on my own’ and ‘Show some compassion’.” The pandemic has only worsened matters, with Christmas last year seeing the number of domestic violence incidents nearly double nationally, from 200,000 reports in 2019 to 369,000 in 2020. All around us, nature is turning, growing…and working. Every day, hour by hour, magical transformations happen right in front of you. But it's not always easy to see them… Discover 50 nature stories, paused just long enough for you to watch them unfold. Then go outside and explore… and see what you find when you take the time to slow down.

To this, Allen said: “I still believe that the vast majority of police officers are dedicated individuals. We are working to rebuild trust and confidence.”

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Rachel tirelessly advocates for change in how society handles male violence against women and girls (Image: Rachel Williams)

Allen said: “We’re about raising awareness as otherwise people are suffering in silence. Awareness leads to greater reporting, which leads to greater offences being recorded - that is a positive.” Increased cases of domestic abuse are often reported during the Christmas period, due to factors like financial pressures, higher alcohol consumption and being cooped up together, according to Domestic Violence Assessment Consultancy and Training. The only sympathy I have after reading this book is for her sons and the animals Darren killed and tortured ( whilst Rachel stood by and watched and did nothing except go buy another dog)

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I think promoting this whole narrative and celebrating a sociopathic, narcissistic, proven criminal is wrong,” Williams told Vanity Fair in a recent interview. “Having had a front-row seat to [the Anna circus] for far too long, I’ve studied the way a con works more than anybody needs to. You watch the spectacle, but you’re not paying attention to what’s being marketed.” Rachel now campaigns tirelessly in her efforts to end domestic violence and abuse, partly via the organisation she founded Stand Up to Domestic Abuse. But she said: “Things are no better than they were 10 years ago. How many more have to die before lessons are actually learnt?” Anna Delvey (real name: Anna Sorokin) made the news after a 2018 Vanity Fair piece written by Rachel DeLoache Williams extensively detailed how Delvey conned wealthy New Yorkers out of their money. On the way home myself and Darren took a short cut through a park, his mood soon changed. "So what about you then, you little slag?" he spat.

I don’t want to litigate every [plot point]. But are we forgetting the fact that this person is a convicted felon and chronic hustler? How come every other character [in Anna’s circle] is completely enamored with Anna, and yet my character’s liking of Anna is the only one that people think must have been for reasons that are objectionable? Could it not have been that I, too, thought she was interesting and smart and funny? In your character’s scene on the witness stand, Anna’s lawyer accuses you, too, of profiting off of Anna because you sold a book—even though you sold a book, in part, to help recoup your losses from Anna. But there were other immeasurable negative effects of your relationship with Anna, I imagine. Rachel Williams: I was caught off guard when Netflix announced its description of the character Rachel. [Editor’s note: Netflix described Rachel as “a natural-born follower whose blind worship of Anna almost destroys her job, her credit, and her life. But while her relationship with Anna is her greatest regret, the woman she becomes because of Anna may be Anna’s greatest creation.”] Rachel Williams studied literature before becoming an editor and publisher of children's books. She is also the creator of best-selling natural history and adventure books, including The Atlas of Adventure series and Illuminature. She lives with her husband and two children in London.

Towards the end when she met another man who then said he was leaving her due to him wanting a more religious life, she suddenly then found god that night, I just thought really? This cosily illustrated volume wants us to take time to stand and stare, paying attention to everyday natural events, many of which can be appreciated in a garden or indoors through a window" — The Sunday Times If your crimes are splashy enough, a media company could snatch up the rights to your story pre-trial so that you’re able to afford the attorney of your choice, one skilled enough to minimize your penalty. You could be paid so much money that even after your funds are frozen and victims are repaid, you have cash left over. And, not only that, but if fame is what you’re after, you’ll have built yourself a “brand,” created a platform, and found an audience to leverage for future opportunities.