Virginia Giuffre: Virginia Giuffre, Epstein's Masseuse who took down the Rich

by Nigel Cawthorne

Virginia Giuffre’s three nights in March 2001 have become well-trodden territory in the world media, but who really is the person who took on her previous billionaire employers and how was a girl from a broken home with not much education able to take down the rich and famous?  Her gripping story from her teenage years, when she started work at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in Florida at the age of fourteen, who thought she had won a ticket in the lottery with her new job, to becoming the nemesis of hallowed names among the rich and famous.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Biography, Biography Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2022

About the author

Nigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor. He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times. He has appeared on television and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".

One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.

Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).

Reviews

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I found out about this particular book from the Daily Mail Online app under the "Royals" section. They've been pedal to the metal lately in pounding the hell out of the Duke and Duchess of York in the press. I was initially under the impression that this was the memoir from the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre who commit suicide in recent months. It's not. That book is called Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice which was released on October 21, 2025. The accusations of underage sex-trafficking on three occasions in three different locations under the auspices of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell's direction with Virginia Roberts are the reason Prince Andrew of England's reputation has gone into a downward tailspin spiral.

This book was very concise and compact at 224 pages. It's called "forensic" on the bookcover, and I agree with that. It stuck to the facts without a lot of flowery psychobabble. I just wanted to know what happened to this woman, and that's what I got. There were graphic descriptions of the so called "massages" Epstein and Maxwell arranged with a stable of underage girls. There were also some photos in the book other than the usual one you see where Virginia's posing with Prince Andrew with Ghislane Maxwell in the background. This was a good, quick read about the topic. My only complaint was multiple grammatical and spelling errors throughout the book.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Direct, fact-filled, & to the point!

Virginia Giuffre
By Nigel Cawthorne
Wow, what a disastrous life this girl had! It starts when she's young and follows her to near the her end. She names her abuser's names. Of course, they deny it. It goes into detail but not too graphic. I felt for her all the way. This book just gets to the facts and doesn't mess around. That's what I wanted.

[Ginger Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

good compilation of facts and timeline; however, there weee so many grammatical typos it was distracting. Suggest better editing for enhanced flow.

Timeline was easy to follow. Good details not available in other accounts.
Editing was poor and could have been easily corrected.

[Kristina Voyna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seems very gossipy.

The author repeatedly makes grammatical errors. I can't even believe it got published with so many errors.

Don't bother with this book. Wait until the real Virginia book comes out in Oct 2025.

[Lee C. Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but awful grammar.

The information is great for parents of young kids and for young kids themselves. However, the grammar made me want to stop reading a few times. It was seriously that annoying.

[Dave B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brief but well investigated harrowing story of the life of the victim and the perpetrator. It leaves you astonished that in any civilised Western society these events can go on against the most vulnerable of girls. But of course they do, as we have seen with the grooming gangs in Rotherham, Leeds, Bradford etc.

[Bruce Bjorkquist · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where are the Editors?

This book is filled with countless grammatical errors. If the editors are human, they have done an extremely poor job. If they are A1 bots, the same can be said of them.

[Jessica Mixell]

So heartbreaking

[Emma Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

A confronting, challenging read that won’t be for everyone.
The abuse of power, manipulation and trauma endured are unbelievable.
Quite explicit in parts to capture the complex web that Giuffre was caught in. Many grammatical errors throughout this ebook but you can work them out and continue the story.
Failed on so many levels by those around her that it is difficult to read and even harder to fathom that this could happen to so many vulnerable girls so brazenly by high profile figures.

[angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting disgusting read about the corruption of the rich and famous

Good book. 4 stars because of the poor editing. Sometimes you have to guess at what they are meaning as the grammar is so bad.

[scifigirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good summary of the events and accounts Virginia has made over the years but whoever did the editing on this needs to be sacked. 'Sidney' instead of 'Sydney' and other such glaringly obvious examples that anyone can see.

[caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

disappointed

All this has already been online over the years. very disappointed in this book and waste of money. Very short aswell

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I was was reading the book that Virginia Giuffre had written. That book is called Nobody’s Girl. She committed suicide before its release.

This book has a lot of information. How much is true, I don’t really know.

There were many, many grammatical errors in this book and it seems almost like it was put together by someone who took a lot of footnotes and crammed them into a book.

I’m waiting for Giuffre’s book which I’m waiting for at my public library. I was told that one contains a lot more information straight from the source.

I’m very glad that Epstein can no longer harm any young girls or women. I’m glad Maxwell is in prison.

I have so many questions that will never be answered.

I’m sorry that Virginia Guiffre took her life. I’m sure the mental trauma never left her. And I also think she felt a lot of guilt in the roll she played by bringing more young girls to meet her own predator. I don’t believe she ever forgave herself for that, but after all she was put through I wish she had given herself grace.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very badly written with too many grammatical and spelling errors. I read it for the information within the book and to gauge how far and wide the sex-slave market has spread and grown in the USA and other Western countries and how intelligence agencies are using "honey traps" to blackmail politicians and entire governments. If even half of the stuff that this victim, Virginia Giuffre, who is just one of the several hundreds that were groomed by Maxwell and Epstein as sex slaves, is true, then the USA has very big problems.

[Maralyn Hauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story,but poorly written and edited.

I am eager to read Virginia Giuffre's own book that was published recently. I hope it is more carefully written. The story of abuse is heartbreaking. The story of immense wealth manipulating the whole world's justice system is appalling. The author was more than brave to expose the abuse these victims suffered.

[Danelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is so wild. It feels like something from a movie and to think these people actually exist!
Sadly, the writing has not been edited well, which undermines everything a bit. So many grammatical and spelling errors throughout.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

So incredibly sad and horrifying.

[Erin King · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story - writing leaves much to be desired

The storyline was interesting to read, however, the writing was not well done.
Aside from the awkward narration of the book, I noticed many grammar, spelling, and incorrect word choices throughout the book. In some places, the writing made the storyline confusing and contradictory.
It appeared to be quickly written, with little attention to detail. The editing, if any, was not done well.
If you are just interested in getting the gist of what Virginia endured, this book will give you the general idea, however, the writing was poorly done.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe the Victims

I believe the victims and the fact that Maxwell is serving her time in a “camp” is so offensive and appalling.

Those named in the book need to be prosecuted and sent to prison. How dare the justice department allow them to be protected by not releasing the files.

The editing of this book is atrocious, hence the 3 stars.

May all the victims one day see the justice that is due for the loss of their innocence, damage to the mental health, body and soul.

[Deon Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Breaking

A very well written book. My heart goes out to Virginia and all the beautiful young ladies that these POS victimized for so long. My hope and prayer is for everyone that was involved, received what they deserve. Long, long prison sentences. No matter who they are or how rich they are the Trump, and Clinton pedo need to pay for what they put these young ladies through.

[Janet Faulkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing account of the Epstein/Maxwell crimes

I applaud Virginia and the many other victims of these deplorable crimes for their courage in coming forward to seek justice for themselves and countless others. As for the writing of this account, it is mediocre at best. I was shocked by the numerous errors in word usage, spelling, and/or typos throughout the manuscript. Some editor/proofreader needs to be fired!

[Monique Bujold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and detailed. Finished reading on the day Virginia’s memoir came out. There was a few times had to reread the sentences because of the incorrect grammar which caused me some confusion.

The story flowed well. I didn’t have any issues understanding the story. Definitely will read her memoir.

[Becky Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

the truth needs to be told at all costs

The more information we have about abusers the better, so many many young people are abused, it passes all understanding, including myself. The strength it takes to stand up to your abusers cannot be underestimated. I was never strong enough. I am so proud of Virginia and all who stand with her

[Delcene Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very poor writing and nonexistent editing soured a recount of appalling abuse of power on so many vulnerable victims.

However, the harrowing story provides an insight into the horrors of international sex trafficking highlighting
the enculturation of privilege, arrogance and simply disgusting behaviour of the rich and powerful against the disadvantaged and poor.

[Maureen Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

ordinary

The content of the book was pretty much as I expected. What I didn’t expect was the poor grammar and punctuation. There were sentences which didn’t make sense. It’s like no one took the time to proofread the manuscript. A smart 6th grader could have done better in that regard.

[Kay Haraguchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative reading

Helped me understand what this case is all about. Would have liked to know more about her so ca?led suicide. Shocking the number of powerful public servants willing to engage in such heinous attacks with power?was adolescent e nuts and younger kids. Book could have been better proofread.

[Dara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virginia Giuffre: The Extraordinary Life Story , etc …

Very poorly edited, although well documented accounts of this horrific story. That the US government is so solidly committed to covering up this crime speaks loudly to the guilt of so called powerful men.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ordered Virginia Giuffre's book No Body's Girl but was sent this book by Nigel Cawthorne instead. It was a difficult read. There were passages that made no sense or rambled with no clear direction. Quotes with no sources.

[Jennifer Gerber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did an 8th grader write this?

Poorly written, horribly edited. I can’t believe I paid for this. I thought I was purchasing the best seller, which I’m sure was intentional by the author/publisher.

[Regina Ayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexual Abuse

Such a sad and horrific life Virginia lived. The psychological and physical damage to her was devastating. Her strength to endure reliving her life and fighting for other survivors was heartfelt.