Not Above the Law - the Tragic Story of Joann Wilson and Colin Thatcher

by Heather Bird

It was a story book marriage. When lovely JoAnn Geiger married handsome, charming Colin Thatcher, they seemed the classic beautiful Couple. They had everything - attractive children, wealth, political and social prominence and led a charmed life, or so everyone thought.

But on January 21, 1983, it happened. Joanne was brutally attacked and murdered in her garage. Sixteen months later, Colin, a member of the Saskatchewan Legislature and son of former Premier Ross Thatcher, was arrested for her murder. This is the true story of a shocking Canadian tragedy.

Librarian's note #1: the Goodreads characters and other details have been done. The list contains almost all real people; their roles cover the 1978-1984 period as outlined in the book. No effort has been made to bring the entries up to date.

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. The true story of Colin Thatcher and the murder of his former wife Joanne, his trial and conviction. A sensation in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Joanne Wilson was brutally slain in the garage of her Regina home on January 23rd, 1983. From the start, the finger pointed at Thatcher, the provincial Minister of Energy until a few days earlier and son of Ross Thatcher, Premier from 1964 to 1971. A huge scandal. Colin's the centre-piece of this addictive little book, his wealth, privilege and arrogance, his temper, his stalking and wife-beating, the amazing hold he had over many, and his charisma. The husband is usually the prime suspect, and Joanne's new husband, Tony, was soon dismissed. The killing had been an emotional one; Joanne had been attacked repeatedly with a cleaver or something similar before being shot - what about the former husband? Hadn't the two been involved in bitter divorce and child-custody cases? One of the most famous lines in Canadian history comes out of a sting on Thatcher; he said, 'Deny, deny, deny' to a wired informant, someone he thought was on his side. His other characteristic? Underestimating the police. (De2024/Oc2025)

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay story. The information was detailed, but it was all over the map. Could have been written better.

[Trevor Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic story.