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Disordered Minds
Disordered Minds
Author: Minette Walters
In 1970, Howard Stamp -- a mentally retarded twenty-year-old -- was charged with the brutal murder of his grandmother. The evidence was controversial, but Stamp was convicted. He committed suicide three years later. — After trying to bring Stamp's case to public attention for years, local Bournemouth councilwoman George Gardener teams up with...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780330420020
ISBN-10: 033042002X
Publication Date: 8/6/2004
Pages: 593
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 13

3.5 stars, based on 13 ratings
Publisher: Pan MacMillan
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

tracey13 avatar reviewed Disordered Minds on + 310 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Another excellent thriller from the British writer. Seemingly unconnected stories come together under investigation many years later and the reality of the tragic past is finally unveiled.
reviewed Disordered Minds on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Twisting and turning, the plot kept me guessing (mostly wrong guesses) the whole way through. Another winner from Minette Walters.
reviewed Disordered Minds on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
In 1970 Howard Stamp-a mentally retarded twenty-two-year-old, was charged with brutally murdering his grandmother. The evidence was controversial but Stamp was convicted. Three years later, he committed suicide.

After tyring to bring Stamp's case to public attention for years, George Gardener teams up with anthropolostist Dr Jonathan Hughes, who has reexamined Stamp's case for a book on injustice. The more George learns about Jonathan, the more similarities she discovers between scientist and subject. And-if a dangerous kiler is still at large-she must help Jonathan defest his own demons.
...taken from the back cover of the book
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reviewed Disordered Minds on + 42 more book reviews
This was the first book by this author that I have read and enjoyed it immensely.
reviewed Disordered Minds on + 170 more book reviews
This is a very different "twisted" who done it... very suspenseful!!!
quilty45 avatar reviewed Disordered Minds on + 100 more book reviews
Good mystery. George Gardener teams up with anthropologist Jonathan Hughes to reexamine a case from 1970 where a retarded 20 year old was convicted of murder. The more they study, the more they begin to think the murderer is among them.
jlautner avatar reviewed Disordered Minds on + 105 more book reviews
A twisty story for sure. Walters is adept at creating characters with many dimensions, which is a primary reason I like her books.

In this one we have George Gardener, councilor of a certain age, and younger anthropologist Jonathan Hughes, working together to find out the truth about a long-ago murder. Howard Stamp was convicted of the killing of his grandmother in 1970, and committed suicide three years later. George is convinced that Howard did not commit the murder even though he confessed to it. Jonathan studies certain types of personalities and wants to learn more about Howard.

The two start off antagonistically but George presses on because she wants Jonathan's help. In time they do find a way to work together. George does not fret about appearances and Jonathan finds her, at their first meeting, the ugliest person he's ever met. She does have a way of twisting her face, creating bizarre expressions. Jonathan is the opposite and concerned about looking the part at all times.

The investigation involves digging deeply back in time and getting to know persons who were present when Grace, the grandmother, was killed. It turns out that a young girl disappeared only days before the death, and the two amateur sleuths think there may be a connection.

What a complicated way around it turns out to be. Much of the time we are treated to the conversations between George and Jon as they assess what they know and don't know and what to do next. At times, honestly, it made my head ache. In the end, though, I was glad to have gotten to know them and to find out the truth about the murder.


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