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Book Review of Disordered Minds

Disordered Minds
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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.