From Rags with Brains

Learn to deal with honour. Act with courage. And try to act with humility. England, 1968: Sixteen-year-old Scott Measures flees his abusive orphanage with nothing but the clothes on his back and a secret his tormentors never discovered – a brilliant mathematical mind that sees patterns where others see only chaos. Still suffering from his ordeal in the orphanage, Scott soon learns that freedom comes with its own cruelty and injustice. But just when it seems the world is determined to break him, a few acts of kindness offer him hope. Now, armed with his extraordinary gift for numbers and an unbreakable will to survive, Scott begins to turn the tables on a system rigged against him, seeing a way to forge a new identity and change his life for the better.

Robin Wells started his working life as a plumber, after some 40 years including many different aspects of the plumbing world; finishing his career over the next 10 years as a lecturer in plumbing at both Worcester and Hereford colleges of technology. He has three children and five grandchildren. Robin started writing a historical novel over 30 years ago and has written five more stand-alone novels since. From Rags with Brains is his first published work. He now lives with his wife in Shropshire and still writing.

Customer Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

Gerald Smith

An outstanding title, which makes your mind think of the possible developing subject in the book. I think the silhouette form of the head with the orphanage in the background was a great idea. Also the playing cards conjure up many ideas of what might happen in the future. A very interesting and impressive front cover. Great to have an explanatory forward. After having read the first paragraph you feel compelled to continue with the fine storyline. The following few chapters managed to show both the depravity and gentle care that can be found among mankind as a whole. Both the worst and best of humanity. We see the low life who are trying to financially rip people off and the mathematical prowess of Robbie shining through for the good. The highs and lows, twists and turns kept coming all the time. It is amazing the so many narrow escapes from disaster that Robbie manages to avoid. He has rare ability to make money from casinos locally and around both London and Las Vegas. What an astute young man Robbie is turning into. He rescues Paige and the dog Bruce from the evil Allcott. They change their names to Scott and Robbie. The trials and tribulations Scott went through beggar belief but there were good people on Scott and Robbies side. An astute Police Inspector notices something is not right abouy the answers Alcott gives. Alcott lost it and shot the solicitor and Allcott got his just deserts. Lovely story of good overcoming evil. After reading the book it is possible to see how apt the front cover is to the whole storyline. A well thought out story and a shame the book was let down by not having been edited properly. I look forward to reading the new fully edited version soon.
Roy

Robin kindly gave me this book to read and asked if I could provide a review. I am not an avid reader and I do not tend to write reviews but I found it an excellent read. Sadly work around the house had to stop as I couldn't put it down wondering what would happen next. It had more twists than a length of rope and was very pleased he gave me the opportunity of this damn good read.
Enid

I Found this story a very interesting read, couldn't put it down. An excellent first novel, couldn't wait to find out the ending of the book. I would recommend this book.