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Mental State
When conservative law professor Alex Johnson is found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at his house in Chicago, everyone thinks it is suicide. Everyone except his brother, Royce, an FBI agent.
Without jurisdiction or leads, Agent Johnson leaves his cases and family to find out who killed his brother. There are many the ex-wife, an ambitious doctor with expensive tastes and reasons to hate her ex; academic rivals on a faculty divided along political lines; an African-American student who failed the professor’s course.
As Agent Johnson peels back layers of mystery in his rogue investigation, the brother he never really knew emerges. Clues lead from the ivy-covered elite university and the halls of power in Washington to the gritty streets of Chicago and Lahore, Pakistan. Ultimately, Agent Johnson must face the question of how far he is willing to go to catch his brother’s killer.
Mental State is about two brothers learning about each other in death, and about the things people will do when convinced they are in the right.
Praise for MENTAL
“Perhaps the best-timed novel ever, Mental State deals with Supreme Court confirmations, FBI investigations, and the sleazy doings of political operatives, in a fast-paced, page-turning way. Highly recommended.” —Glenn Harlan Reynolds, Instapundit and Brogan Distinguished Professor of Law
“Exciting and compulsively readable, Mental State marks the entrance of a striking new talent on the thriller scene. Todd Henderson’s confident debut draws the reader into the unfamiliar worlds of academia, the law, and backroom politics, while providing a fresh take on more familiar thriller ground like the world of law enforcement. The Professor’s murder mystery delivers the rough and tumble goods, and it will leave readers wanting more.” —Kurt Schlichter, lawyer and bestselling author
“ Mental State is fascinating, detailed, and a pure page-turner. It's a must-read if you love the country, the Supreme Court, or just a book that will keep you up at night.” —Ben Shapiro, public intellectual, talk-show host, and bestselling author
“ Mental State is an impressive debut. Henderson renders the law world convincingly, constructs a deft plot—and then there is something more, a childhood memory that gives the entire novel real human depth and significance.” —Martha C. Nussbaum, winner of the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy, Don M. Randel Award for humanities and Berggruen Prize for philosophy
“Try as I might, I could not put Mental State down. It’s terrific. At times hilarious, always interesting, and in parts truly disturbing. I loved it.” —Michael Seidman, Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center
“John Grisham and James Patterson have had a love-child and his name is Todd Henderson. Even if you gave up biting your nails in 7th grade, Mental State will bring you back to your nubs. Henderson’s debut novel had me white-knuckling it from chapter to chapter in this heady, emotional, suspenseful and expertly-crafted page-turner. Royce Johnson is a man on a mission, filled with rage and a hunger for the truth—Ethan Hunt ain’t got nothing on him!” —Mark Feuerstein, film and television actor
“The must-read political thriller of the year” —Anthony Franze, author of The Outsider
“When his brother dies of an apparent suicide, FBI agent Royce Johnson is the only investigator who knows it’s murder. Thus begins a taught, spellbinding journey through the dark, dank corridors of his family’s past and a shocking criminal enterprise. A well-written, fast-paced, rollercoaster of a ride you won’t put down until the last paragraph.” —Jack Getze, author of the award-winning Austin Carr Mystery Series
Without jurisdiction or leads, Agent Johnson leaves his cases and family to find out who killed his brother. There are many the ex-wife, an ambitious doctor with expensive tastes and reasons to hate her ex; academic rivals on a faculty divided along political lines; an African-American student who failed the professor’s course.
As Agent Johnson peels back layers of mystery in his rogue investigation, the brother he never really knew emerges. Clues lead from the ivy-covered elite university and the halls of power in Washington to the gritty streets of Chicago and Lahore, Pakistan. Ultimately, Agent Johnson must face the question of how far he is willing to go to catch his brother’s killer.
Mental State is about two brothers learning about each other in death, and about the things people will do when convinced they are in the right.
Praise for MENTAL
“Perhaps the best-timed novel ever, Mental State deals with Supreme Court confirmations, FBI investigations, and the sleazy doings of political operatives, in a fast-paced, page-turning way. Highly recommended.” —Glenn Harlan Reynolds, Instapundit and Brogan Distinguished Professor of Law
“Exciting and compulsively readable, Mental State marks the entrance of a striking new talent on the thriller scene. Todd Henderson’s confident debut draws the reader into the unfamiliar worlds of academia, the law, and backroom politics, while providing a fresh take on more familiar thriller ground like the world of law enforcement. The Professor’s murder mystery delivers the rough and tumble goods, and it will leave readers wanting more.” —Kurt Schlichter, lawyer and bestselling author
“ Mental State is fascinating, detailed, and a pure page-turner. It's a must-read if you love the country, the Supreme Court, or just a book that will keep you up at night.” —Ben Shapiro, public intellectual, talk-show host, and bestselling author
“ Mental State is an impressive debut. Henderson renders the law world convincingly, constructs a deft plot—and then there is something more, a childhood memory that gives the entire novel real human depth and significance.” —Martha C. Nussbaum, winner of the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy, Don M. Randel Award for humanities and Berggruen Prize for philosophy
“Try as I might, I could not put Mental State down. It’s terrific. At times hilarious, always interesting, and in parts truly disturbing. I loved it.” —Michael Seidman, Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center
“John Grisham and James Patterson have had a love-child and his name is Todd Henderson. Even if you gave up biting your nails in 7th grade, Mental State will bring you back to your nubs. Henderson’s debut novel had me white-knuckling it from chapter to chapter in this heady, emotional, suspenseful and expertly-crafted page-turner. Royce Johnson is a man on a mission, filled with rage and a hunger for the truth—Ethan Hunt ain’t got nothing on him!” —Mark Feuerstein, film and television actor
“The must-read political thriller of the year” —Anthony Franze, author of The Outsider
“When his brother dies of an apparent suicide, FBI agent Royce Johnson is the only investigator who knows it’s murder. Thus begins a taught, spellbinding journey through the dark, dank corridors of his family’s past and a shocking criminal enterprise. A well-written, fast-paced, rollercoaster of a ride you won’t put down until the last paragraph.” —Jack Getze, author of the award-winning Austin Carr Mystery Series
- GenresThriller
282 pages, Paperback
Published May 23, 2018
57 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 15, 2018
3.5 Stars
Law Professor Alex Johnson is found dead of what looks like a suicide. But is it a suicide ..or just staged to look like one?
His brother, Royce, doesn't believe it's suicide .. and he's an FBI Agent.
Leaving his job and his family, he starts to investigate his brother's life .. and his death. What he finds leads him from a prestigious college to the powers-that- be in Washington, from his home on Chicago to Pakistan.
Royce has his hands full .. no leads, and no backing from the FBI. He's going to have sift through lies and coverups to uncover the truth about his brother's life.
Suspects are many .. including his ex-wife, disgruntled students, academic rivals, and members of the Supreme Court and the President, himself.
This is a heady mix of a legal thriller, crime fiction, and government corruption with many twists and turns. It's fast-paced with action-packed moments. The ending was a little soft for me, but still an entertaining read.
Law Professor Alex Johnson is found dead of what looks like a suicide. But is it a suicide ..or just staged to look like one?
His brother, Royce, doesn't believe it's suicide .. and he's an FBI Agent.
Leaving his job and his family, he starts to investigate his brother's life .. and his death. What he finds leads him from a prestigious college to the powers-that- be in Washington, from his home on Chicago to Pakistan.
Royce has his hands full .. no leads, and no backing from the FBI. He's going to have sift through lies and coverups to uncover the truth about his brother's life.
Suspects are many .. including his ex-wife, disgruntled students, academic rivals, and members of the Supreme Court and the President, himself.
This is a heady mix of a legal thriller, crime fiction, and government corruption with many twists and turns. It's fast-paced with action-packed moments. The ending was a little soft for me, but still an entertaining read.
October 15, 2018
Boy, do I love me an addictive conspiracy thriller! Mental State certainly fits the bill in that respect. Well written, action-packed and an easy, enjoyable read, this was a book I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. It does require quite a healthy suspension of disbelief, so if you appreciate books with plots that are believable and fairly realistic this may not be your cup of tea. However, as I read fiction to relax, I loved that everything flowed beautifully from page-to-page and was fun to read! What more could you ask for?!
The storyline is full of juicy tidbits to get your teeth into and encompasses a whole host of different topics which combine to create a compelling piece. Without giving anything away the plot covers - politics, corruption, crime, brotherly love, the things we will do when we feel we are right about something and need to bring the truth to light and legal ramifications of all of the crazy goings-on. Given the author is Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School, the legal aspects of the book felt authentic. I do believe that tighter editing could've improved the tautness of the story, and I found the ending rather disappointing and anti-climatic. I look forward to reading the work he publishes in the future and hope they will be as immersive as this was. Recommended.
Many thanks to Down & Out Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The storyline is full of juicy tidbits to get your teeth into and encompasses a whole host of different topics which combine to create a compelling piece. Without giving anything away the plot covers - politics, corruption, crime, brotherly love, the things we will do when we feel we are right about something and need to bring the truth to light and legal ramifications of all of the crazy goings-on. Given the author is Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School, the legal aspects of the book felt authentic. I do believe that tighter editing could've improved the tautness of the story, and I found the ending rather disappointing and anti-climatic. I look forward to reading the work he publishes in the future and hope they will be as immersive as this was. Recommended.
Many thanks to Down & Out Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
March 6, 2019
Conservative professor wish fulfillment. Weakly plotted, strange hang-ups. Read as though it were written quickly and not edited (I caught multiple typos w/o paying much attention).
October 19, 2018
Well this turned out to be a little different that maybe I was expecting... in a good way!
Prof. Alex Johnson has been found dead, the scene is initially ruled suicide but brother, FBI agent Royce doesn't believe he would end his own life. Problem is, he is on his own in this thinking so, he up sticks and starts to investigate solo. He appears to have figured it all out and a perp is caught and arrested. But are things really as they seemed, maybe it was a little too easy, could there have been too many clues, is there more, much more, to the whole situation? With his life threatened for his involvement. can Royce defy the odds and stay alive long enough to work it all out and get justice for his brother.
One of the things I loved about this book, story apart, was all the little sporting asides that peppered my way. Although a Brit, I am a big American sports fan and do love it when I read about that stuff in a book. Moreso than reading about "soccer" in a UK based book to be honest! But that has nothing whatsoever to do with the actual story which I also found quite intriguing from start to finish. It's hard to explain why without giving spoilers as to what actually transpired but I think I'm OK just saying that the topic in this book is quite reflective of what is happening in the real world these days and all too often too.
Another thing that I enjoyed was the descriptive writing style. I usually don;t get on with this style but here it seemed to fit very well with the story and characters and I found myself getting totally immersed in the world and story that were being so poetically described.
Yes I had to suspends a bit of belief along the way, yes I wasn't wholly satisfied at the ending, but I can live with that in comparison with the way the book held my attention nicely for the majority.
All in all, a nice solid read that I did enjoy. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Prof. Alex Johnson has been found dead, the scene is initially ruled suicide but brother, FBI agent Royce doesn't believe he would end his own life. Problem is, he is on his own in this thinking so, he up sticks and starts to investigate solo. He appears to have figured it all out and a perp is caught and arrested. But are things really as they seemed, maybe it was a little too easy, could there have been too many clues, is there more, much more, to the whole situation? With his life threatened for his involvement. can Royce defy the odds and stay alive long enough to work it all out and get justice for his brother.
One of the things I loved about this book, story apart, was all the little sporting asides that peppered my way. Although a Brit, I am a big American sports fan and do love it when I read about that stuff in a book. Moreso than reading about "soccer" in a UK based book to be honest! But that has nothing whatsoever to do with the actual story which I also found quite intriguing from start to finish. It's hard to explain why without giving spoilers as to what actually transpired but I think I'm OK just saying that the topic in this book is quite reflective of what is happening in the real world these days and all too often too.
Another thing that I enjoyed was the descriptive writing style. I usually don;t get on with this style but here it seemed to fit very well with the story and characters and I found myself getting totally immersed in the world and story that were being so poetically described.
Yes I had to suspends a bit of belief along the way, yes I wasn't wholly satisfied at the ending, but I can live with that in comparison with the way the book held my attention nicely for the majority.
All in all, a nice solid read that I did enjoy. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
October 31, 2018
I threw the switch, but just to be perfectly clear: SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!!!
This is not my genre. At all. I read this exclusively because a book group picked it and suspect it did largely because of Professor Henderson’s affiliation with the University of Chicago Law School.
With that said, it’s really good. Engrossing. Flies.
I’ve got to assume that Professor Henderson spent years writing this and that the synchronistic timing of its release was pure coincidence. Nonetheless, it’s remarkable to stumble into a new work focused on an investigation of decades-old allegations of sexual misconduct against a Supreme Court nominee just now. All the more so, to find one where all the biases and parties of the players (and a number of the genders) are reversed. That role reversal forces the reader to consider how they would respond and reconsider how they did respond when the inverse was alleged. For that reason alone, I’d recommend everyone read this.
But there’s a lot more going on here. The work is well written. The characters well developed. The side stories intriguing. I could nitpick perceived plot holes, but I won’t. At least in part, I won’t because I suspect that when I do with the group, they’ll be explained as truer-to-life than I believe.
I particularly enjoyed watching what details he took directly from life and which he’s “fictionalized.” That’s the U of C grad in me, but it’s fun and I heartily recommend reading to my classmates for that reason as well as others.
Seriously, on this topic at this time this should be a best-seller. So you know what to do: make it so.
This is not my genre. At all. I read this exclusively because a book group picked it and suspect it did largely because of Professor Henderson’s affiliation with the University of Chicago Law School.
With that said, it’s really good. Engrossing. Flies.
I’ve got to assume that Professor Henderson spent years writing this and that the synchronistic timing of its release was pure coincidence. Nonetheless, it’s remarkable to stumble into a new work focused on an investigation of decades-old allegations of sexual misconduct against a Supreme Court nominee just now. All the more so, to find one where all the biases and parties of the players (and a number of the genders) are reversed. That role reversal forces the reader to consider how they would respond and reconsider how they did respond when the inverse was alleged. For that reason alone, I’d recommend everyone read this.
But there’s a lot more going on here. The work is well written. The characters well developed. The side stories intriguing. I could nitpick perceived plot holes, but I won’t. At least in part, I won’t because I suspect that when I do with the group, they’ll be explained as truer-to-life than I believe.
I particularly enjoyed watching what details he took directly from life and which he’s “fictionalized.” That’s the U of C grad in me, but it’s fun and I heartily recommend reading to my classmates for that reason as well as others.
Seriously, on this topic at this time this should be a best-seller. So you know what to do: make it so.
March 25, 2019
Royce Anderson, rogue FBI agent is on a personal crusade. He’s trying to nail the man who killed his brother Alex, a prominent professor of law at a prestigious law school in Chicago. Local police have tentatively ruled Alex’s death as a suicide. Royce is unbelieving, unimpressed, sure his brother would never have done such a thing.
But if Alex’s death wasn’t suicide, what was it? With almost no additional help, except that he sometimes receives along his troubled, occasionally stumbling way, the narrative wanders across the Eastern Seaboard. Indeed, because part of the story involves prior activities by the law professor, there are some undeveloped international elements as well.
The story follows a conflicted and disturbed agent, Royce Anderson, as he uses all his considerable skills and experience to confront and best some very evil and very well-connected people. There are some serious problems, not the least of which are interesting elements of the story which are undeveloped and some major jumps in points of view which may unnerve readers. The occasional political asides add little to what could have been a serious gripping thriller.
Nevertheless, readers with patience will be drawn to Royce’s side as he struggles to avenge his brother and save an innocent man, although at the price of several other lives hugely disrupted.
But if Alex’s death wasn’t suicide, what was it? With almost no additional help, except that he sometimes receives along his troubled, occasionally stumbling way, the narrative wanders across the Eastern Seaboard. Indeed, because part of the story involves prior activities by the law professor, there are some undeveloped international elements as well.
The story follows a conflicted and disturbed agent, Royce Anderson, as he uses all his considerable skills and experience to confront and best some very evil and very well-connected people. There are some serious problems, not the least of which are interesting elements of the story which are undeveloped and some major jumps in points of view which may unnerve readers. The occasional political asides add little to what could have been a serious gripping thriller.
Nevertheless, readers with patience will be drawn to Royce’s side as he struggles to avenge his brother and save an innocent man, although at the price of several other lives hugely disrupted.
December 11, 2018
When law professor Alex is found dead of an apparent suicide, his skeptical FBI Agent brother, Royce investigates. Through many twists and turns that reach as high as the presidency and Supreme Court and into the past two decades, we find a conspiracy that the author tries to unravel for us. The lone wolf Royce could have used a partner, but he must jump from person to person finding clues by himself in a far-fetched journey for justice that leads to a weak ending. I received an advanced digital copy through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2019
Meh
Not great but I read through to the end. As a fellow academic who shares the author’s aspirations to write crime fiction, I’m glad I haven’t yet exercised those aspirations. This one is mediocre at best. Perhaps professors should stick to academic endeavors.
Not great but I read through to the end. As a fellow academic who shares the author’s aspirations to write crime fiction, I’m glad I haven’t yet exercised those aspirations. This one is mediocre at best. Perhaps professors should stick to academic endeavors.
April 25, 2024
Netflix should make this into an action movie or series, it reminds me of a Jack Ryan spy thriller.
Law students, especially those familiar with Hyde Park, will pick up on a lot of references. Most of The location details are highly accurate especially around Chicago.
Definitely a page turner you won’t want to put it down but the chapters go very quickly so it’s easy to find a place to take a break if needed.
Law students, especially those familiar with Hyde Park, will pick up on a lot of references. Most of The location details are highly accurate especially around Chicago.
Definitely a page turner you won’t want to put it down but the chapters go very quickly so it’s easy to find a place to take a break if needed.
October 18, 2018
Great book, a true page turner!
January 16, 2019
OK but didn't like the ending. Need a few more pages detailing the comeuppance of the villains.
November 30, 2020
Competent, high-stakes legal thriller; sort of a junior-varsity PELICAN BRIEF.
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September 9, 2018FBI agent, Royce Johnson, learns that his brother, Alex, has committed suicide but something doesn't seem quite right about that and Royce decides to investigate. What he finds is conspiracy upon conspiracy in which the treachery could lead all the way up the chain of command to the commander-in-chief. The cut and dried case is not what it seems and Royce digs in to discover the truth in order to protect the innocent and clear his brothers name. The more he investigates, the more he realizes that he didn't know his brother as well as he thought. As the case unravels, the danger increases and he puts his career on the line to find the truth. This story was suspenseful with lots of twists and turns. It is a believable tale of misuse and manipulation of power that hopefully is not business as usual in US politics but it is possible. There are quite a few tragedies here but I liked this story. However, some of the descriptive style of writing including imagery and metaphors were a bit strange to me, also, the ending was a bit anti-climatic. I think it could use a little more editing but I would recommend this book. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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December 7, 2018Out of nowhere, my colleague Todd Henderson published this magnetic thriller. A work of fiction laced with Law School and Hyde Park realism, it spins a brutal political murder plot in Todd’s spirited no-nonsense style. Great read! - Omri Ben-Shahar
Mental State is a legal thriller written by University of Chicago Law’s own Todd Henderson. The debut novel is a page-turner that draws on elements of Todd’s life. The action starts with the apartment murder of a conservative law professor, but quickly the professor’s brother (who happens to be an FBI agent) realizes the facts do not add up. The plot then twists and turns from Chicago’s South Side to Pakistan to Pittsburgh and even to the United States Supreme Court. The book combines car chases and shootouts with debates between characters of differing ideologies on issues like the appropriate role of the Supreme Court. If you’re unable to regularly debate these issues with Todd, reading his book is the next best thing. - Adam Chilton
Of course I am reading it! The book is prescient: it was written 4 years before the Kavanaugh hearings but tells the story of a murder surrounding a functional Supreme Court nomination battle that is eerily similar to the Kavanaugh controversy. Of course it’s Todd writing the book, so all the usual assumptions and intuitions about good and bad guys are turned upside down. If and when the emotions from the Kavanaugh hearings die down, this book will be perfect for a Greenberg seminar where we ask about the ethical obligations of a Supreme Court Justice. In the interim, this is the perfect page turner for the winter holidays. (No I do not get a commission from sales.) - Anup Malani
Mental State is a legal thriller written by University of Chicago Law’s own Todd Henderson. The debut novel is a page-turner that draws on elements of Todd’s life. The action starts with the apartment murder of a conservative law professor, but quickly the professor’s brother (who happens to be an FBI agent) realizes the facts do not add up. The plot then twists and turns from Chicago’s South Side to Pakistan to Pittsburgh and even to the United States Supreme Court. The book combines car chases and shootouts with debates between characters of differing ideologies on issues like the appropriate role of the Supreme Court. If you’re unable to regularly debate these issues with Todd, reading his book is the next best thing. - Adam Chilton
Of course I am reading it! The book is prescient: it was written 4 years before the Kavanaugh hearings but tells the story of a murder surrounding a functional Supreme Court nomination battle that is eerily similar to the Kavanaugh controversy. Of course it’s Todd writing the book, so all the usual assumptions and intuitions about good and bad guys are turned upside down. If and when the emotions from the Kavanaugh hearings die down, this book will be perfect for a Greenberg seminar where we ask about the ethical obligations of a Supreme Court Justice. In the interim, this is the perfect page turner for the winter holidays. (No I do not get a commission from sales.) - Anup Malani
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews