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Bernadette's Problem: A Novel
Can Henry Lindon somehow juggle a runaway grand jury and a misconceived art forgery?
Law professor Henry Lindon is astonished to find himself as the foreman of a dysfunctional grand jury in Dallas, Texas. While his inappropriately selected fellow jurists behave erratically, Henry’s stress accelerates when he receives word from his alluring friend Bernadette that she is in dire need of his help in Holland.
During a break from the grand jury proceedings, Henry flies to Amsterdam with his well-to-do, ne’er-do-well brother and learns that Bernadette has expertly forged a seventeenth century painting. The painting was intended as an elaborate prank to humiliate a pompous art professor who misappropriated her literary work as his own. But Bernadette’s plan is waylaid by her sociopathic daughter and her intended lesson in feminism is in danger of becoming a criminal fraud. Can Henry help Bernadette avoid charges of forgery by retrieving the painting before it is sold? And when he returns to his grand jury duties, can he steer his rebellious fellow jurors back to their sworn duties?
Bernadette’s Problem is a fast-paced and frequently humorous novel weaving together fascinating insights into forgery, Holland, and the little understood United States grand jury system.
Law professor Henry Lindon is astonished to find himself as the foreman of a dysfunctional grand jury in Dallas, Texas. While his inappropriately selected fellow jurists behave erratically, Henry’s stress accelerates when he receives word from his alluring friend Bernadette that she is in dire need of his help in Holland.
During a break from the grand jury proceedings, Henry flies to Amsterdam with his well-to-do, ne’er-do-well brother and learns that Bernadette has expertly forged a seventeenth century painting. The painting was intended as an elaborate prank to humiliate a pompous art professor who misappropriated her literary work as his own. But Bernadette’s plan is waylaid by her sociopathic daughter and her intended lesson in feminism is in danger of becoming a criminal fraud. Can Henry help Bernadette avoid charges of forgery by retrieving the painting before it is sold? And when he returns to his grand jury duties, can he steer his rebellious fellow jurors back to their sworn duties?
Bernadette’s Problem is a fast-paced and frequently humorous novel weaving together fascinating insights into forgery, Holland, and the little understood United States grand jury system.
238 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2026
About the author
Clay G. Small
3 books52 followersDuring his thirty-year career at PepsiCo, Inc., Clay G. Small was General Counsel of nearly all of PepsiCo’s current and former divisions, including Frito-Lay, Pepsi-Cola, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and PepsiCo Wines & Spirits.
He worked as Senior Vice President – Managing Attorney, PepsiCo, Inc. In that position, he was responsible for all legal matters arising out of PepsiCo’s global operating divisions.
Clay received his JD from Southern Methodist University (member of Law Review and Barristers) in Dallas and received his BA in English from Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was a two-time all-American soccer player and drafted by The Dallas Tornado.
Clay is also a Fellow of the Dallas Bar Association.
He has come full circle returning to Southern Methodist University as a Professor in the Cox School of Business and is also a member of the Law School Executive Committee.
Informed by his experiences as a husband, father, professor, executive, and world traveler, Clay has shaped multidimensional characters and thrilling storylines in Heels over Head that bring readers to the front lines of human engagement.
He worked as Senior Vice President – Managing Attorney, PepsiCo, Inc. In that position, he was responsible for all legal matters arising out of PepsiCo’s global operating divisions.
Clay received his JD from Southern Methodist University (member of Law Review and Barristers) in Dallas and received his BA in English from Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was a two-time all-American soccer player and drafted by The Dallas Tornado.
Clay is also a Fellow of the Dallas Bar Association.
He has come full circle returning to Southern Methodist University as a Professor in the Cox School of Business and is also a member of the Law School Executive Committee.
Informed by his experiences as a husband, father, professor, executive, and world traveler, Clay has shaped multidimensional characters and thrilling storylines in Heels over Head that bring readers to the front lines of human engagement.
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