Disordered Minds Book

* Recommended for 18+ Strong themes including sexual abuse, suicide and murder.

I am really enjoying Minette Walters novels, they all seem to have one thing in common; the strong taboo topics people dont like talking about even today and the differences in life/people/attitudes, etc between the 70's, 80's, 90s to now.
Walters knows how to deliver a story with a slow progression uphill, slowly attracting the reader deeper and deeper until they want exactly what the MC wants- justice,vengeance or revenge for whatever crime or injustice has been committed.
Although the start might not pull you in immediately, you will get hooked as the story unravels, as do the secrets and lies told leading to a outstanding ending, leaving the reader like "WOW".

In 1970 Howard Stump, a mentally ill young man was convicted of the brutal murder of his elderly grandmother in her home, on little to no evidence. 3 years later he is dead, committing suicide due to self-hatred and constant bullying whilst in prison.
Case Closed.. He did it. Or so everyone thought.
Nearly 30 years later, Anthropologist and author Jonathan Hughes re-examines the case whilst writing a book on injustice and comes to the conclusion that the evidence against Stump was merely circumstantial and coerced, therefore, he was wrongly convicted.
With his book getting the attention of many, including a young woman by the name of George Gardener, the battle is on to prove Stump's innocence going back on a case more than 25 years old, with most records being destroyed, lies being told about a young man who was disabled and many still believing he is guilty, this case will be difficult.
A gang rape, a missing girl, sexual abuse, a murder- but what do they all have in common, and how are they all connected to the conviction of Stump's conviction and the murder of his grandmother?

Where do i begin?
The characters in this novel are complex, not only in their personal life but the image they portray to others. Racism is a topic that is mentioned quite alot as the main character Jonathan Hughes, is a black man living in the world post 9/11, he is constantly questioned , detained and belittled by police officers and customs officers. Making him an angry educated man, trying to fight injustice when he feels injustice himself for being the skin colour he is. By wearing expensive suits and living out of his means, he tries to portray an imagine of wealth and knowledge trying to separate himself from the stereotype people believe him to be.

The topic of gang rape and sexual abuse is also present in this novel, as well as the stereotype that if a girl is dressed revealingly she deserves the rape, and should remain silent as she will be likely accused of provoking the abuse leading to gossip, hatred and her life turning upside down for simply being a victim of such a crime. (BULLSHIT!) Walters doesn't do this in a negative/biased way, she is only representing how the times were/and sometimes, still are to this day. I believe the deeper you look you can see that she is really trying to bring discussion to the subject and that rather than keeping quiet, stepping forward about such crimes can change how a person deals/overcomes, how it can affect their adult life, how people react to the victims, and that justice can be served to those guilty of committing such disgusting acts of inhumanity.
I wish we lived in a world where victims weren't belittled and told they are provoking their attackers, i dont believe anything excuses any sort of abuse at all, people who do abuse should be held accountable for their actions, and their life be turned to shit, because the victim will never feel 'whole' again and no one should be able to take that away from someone.

In all this was a thought provoking book, that had me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what really happened and who is really to blame. It touches on alot of social problems from the 70's and even today that haven't been properly addressed as well as they should of. I will be continuing with Minette Walters novels, and her amazing ability to build a story im not only fascinated in but touches on issues from different eras too. Well done Walters, great story telling.

Recommended for: Thriller/ Suspense / Fiction