A Wrinkle in the Mind

The Mind Sleuth #5

by Bruce M. Perrin

When Violet Cruz accused U.S. Representative Alan Barclay of being “the spawn of a Martian whore” and took a shot at him, everyone agreed that she was delusional. It was just another conspiracy theory in Washington, DC, where such bizarre claims had become all too common.

Tiring of the media harassing the family, however, Cruz’s cousin brought the case to Private Investigator Rebecca Marte. She figured that the public was probably right. Rebecca was, however, willing to give the case another look as Cruz’s sudden, total break from reality without any apparent cause was almost as strange as her beliefs.

With his background in psychology, working with Sam “Doc” Price made sense to Rebecca and she welcomed him as a consultant. But soon, the two, who had worked so well in the past, found themselves at each other’s throats. She dropped him from the investigation, but with his “dog with a bone” determination, Doc went on alone.

Unfortunately, the now-divided team was going after an adversary more cunning and more ruthless than any they’ve faced before. If they’d realized the odds of their survival apart, they would have found a way to put their differences aside before it was too late.

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2022

About the author

Bruce Perrin has been writing for more than 20 years, although you will find most of that work only in professional technical journals or conference proceedings. But, after completing a PhD in Industrial Psychology and a career in psychological R&D, he is now applying his background and fascination with technology and the human mind to writing novels. Besides writing, Bruce likes to tinker with home automation and is an avid hiker, logging nearly 2,500 miles each year in the first two years of Fitbit ownership. When he is not on the trails, he lives with his wife in St. Louis, MO. For a closer look at his writing life, book reviews, and progress on his upcoming works, please join him at www.brucemperrin.blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Christine Weald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free from the author Bruce Perrin and Voracious Readers and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a different beginning to the usual mystery books. The first few pages made me wonder if the category should have been psychological. My mind was jumping all over the place along with the main characters such I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue. But I’m glad I did. It was fast paced, gripping and almost too realistic. His skilled writing weaves mystery with realistic technical and psychological information. It turned out to be a riveting read leaving questions such as could this actually happen?
I recommend this but warn readers that this is not the usual cosy mystery to be read and put down. It leaves questions of the future. Brain implants are not new as the author reveals at the end. This is one book in a series, which I will be pursuing.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a US representative is almost gunned down in Washington DC, Sam is brought in on the case and knowing she needs help she calls in dog. He is called that because everyone says he is like a dog with a bone. When more representatives are targetedSam think she knows who is doing it. Her suspicions are close, But when she herself gets kidnapped by the same man with a different personality. She may never get the chance to tell dog just how close she was. This book is so good! I didn’t know it was a cozy mystery in the beginning of a new Siri‘s, But I’m excited to read the next book in the collection. I think Bruce M Perrin did a great job I love his writing style and I thought the plot was so interesting. I love that Sam and dog got together and thought the ending was awesome. If you love mysteries that are not easy to figure out you really should read this book. I did and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was given this book by Net Gally and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Please forgive any grammar of punctuation errors as I am blind and dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own.

[Maggie Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly mind bending suspense/thriller exploring the use of mind control through realistic mind control techniques grounded in ongoing research, and the ability to then control serial killers as well as sexual predators.... This book will give you cold chills when you begin to realize it is no longer just groundless sci-fi but ongoing research. While the potential for many good usages are great, the potential for evil is also almost boundless....Mix in kidnapping, murders, PIs, the FBI, Martians and Nazis, and a flawed hero clawing his way back to a relationship and reality and this book is one well worth the read Enjoy!

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wrinkle in the Mind is aptly named, you have a psychologist and a PI working together mostly, but not always going in the same direction or for the same purposes. Doc and Rebecca make an excellent team when working for the same purposes. Having not read any of the previous books I initially felt a bit behind the power curve but once this story picked up that was no longer the case. Along with enough character background to begin to know Doc & Rebecca, this story took several twists and turns that kept me wondering why these women were turning into assassins, not to mention how it was occurring. This book lives up to the thriller genre in all aspects. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and chose to provide my review.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all honesty I wasn't quite sure what was going on in the very beginning of this novel-but after a few pages it all came together!

Try to imagine something that can alter your brain in such a way that someone's minds and actions can be controlled--frightening and I hope that it is never invented-but that is what happens in this book! Woman are being targeted to murder congress people-then programmed to commit suicide. And the guy doing it--well he enjoys killing women as well--a real psychopath. He is leading a double life and it was extremely difficult to figure out who it was. Rebecca Marte and one of her friends would not give up.

This is the 5th book in this series and I have read and reviewed each one in order! Now waiting for the 6th.

[Jacquelyn Schingeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for giving me the opportunity to read this fascinating novel.
This was a somewhat scary story insofar as what was being done to a human mind by someone else without their knowledge. Individuals were having stories or incidents planted in their minds along with an action to be taken as a result of this story. This did not have anything to do with hypnotism but it included the delusional person committing a murder and then committing suicide. How the man and woman team worked to figure this out was very clever and I found it most interesting to see how their minds worked as they were searching through any discovered information to determine how it fit into the puzzle. Most enjoyable read.

[Romaine Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through ongoing research a serial killer has obtained the ability to use mind control using nanabots. By doing this he's able to control the serial killers for his own purposes.
When bodies start dropping like flies Doc and Rebecca work together to find the evil mastermind behind the mind control putting themselves in danger.
A Wrinkle in the Mind is a unique story that will keep you intrigued.
I must have inhaled a few nanabots since the ending didn't quite make sense to me. I assumed she was dead. Guess I need to reread to find out what I missed.
Thank you Booksprout and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own..

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat! Rebecca (ex FBI turned PI) and Doc team up to bring closure to the family of a woman who apparently became delusional and shot a US representative although she had no history of instability. Their leads take them through many dangerous twists and turns with life threatening results. What they find is the stuff of horrific sci-fi movies and maniacal monsters. This book really gets you thinking about where science could be headed! I received this ARC copy and this is my review.

[DianaRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A WRINKLE IN THE MIND by Bruce M. Perrin is Book 5 in The Mind Sleuth Series. Not having read any other books in the series did not distract from this suspense-filled story with plenty of twists and turns to keep anyone reading on.

P.I. Rebecca Marte has again teamed up with psychologist consultant Sam "Doc" Price to figure out why a beautiful woman would suddenly try to assassinate a congressman as she spouts outlandish accusations about alien offspring. Soon, another political. assassination with the same strange accusations.

As they try to figure out why these women are acting out of character they stumble onto possible mind manipation and much more.

I did feel bogged down at times in the scene setting dialogue. Glad I kept with it and finished the story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a compelling read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Suspenseful and thrilling. I felt every emotion. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Simply a GREAT read!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fascinating. While the mind altering stuff is a bit disturbing in the way that all good thrillers are just close enough to reality to give you a shiver. The characters are flawed and draw you into a world of sick and twisted villain who hides in plain sight. It’s a fantastic story I absolutely recommend!!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting a series with book 5 is always a challenge. However, while the past clearly impacts and informs the character, it is covered such that I never felt lost due to missing back-story.

The story twists were well crafted and satisfying. There was always clues sprinkled alone the way which were obvious in hindsight but not foresight. An enjoyable suspense and now wanting to know both what happened before and after.

Note: Review copy provided via StoryOrigin.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as ARC. A bizarre beginning, when a woman with no prior history of violence, attempts to murder a member of Congress, while accusing him of being the son of a Martian whore. She is shot and killed by a secret service officer. Her cousin brings the case to PI, Rebecca Marte. As her investigation continues, She discovers other strange cases, similar to this one. Excellent story with great characters.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of eBook

When Veronica Cruz attempts to assassinate Alan Barclay, claiming the United States representative is “the spawn of a Martian whore,” she doesn’t care that everyone calls her delusional. Nor does she care that the case becomes simply another Washington, D. C. conspiracy theory.

But her cousin, Dani Gustafsson, does care. Veronica is dead, killed on the National Mall when she’d shot Barclay. But her family, weary of the media harassment, wants someone to look into the case. She approaches former FBI agent Rebecca Marte who now works as a private investigator. Rebecca is reasonably certain that the woman was delusional, but the suddenness of her breakdown seemed strange. So she agrees to look into the matter.

Initially, Rebecca plans to work with her friend, Sam “Doc” Price, as a consultant, but soon decides to go it alone, unaware that the adversary they face is both cunning and ruthless . . . and they both may be targets.

=========

Fifth in the author’s Mind Sleuth Series, the book works well as a standalone with sufficient backstory for those who have not read the earlier books.

Strong characters, an intriguing premise, and a thoroughly chilling set of circumstances work together to pull readers into the telling of the tale from the outset. The plot takes several twists and turns as the evolving story reveals the true nature of the case Rebecca and Doc are investigating.

In the hands of a manipulative sociopath, the near-future technology creates some harrowing moments in the unfolding narrative, but readers will find the gripping story both compelling and perplexing. As the story concludes, readers will find that the main plot is satisfactorily concluded, but they should be prepared for the denouement to leave them wondering what the next installment in this unputdownable series will reveal.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from the author

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senators are being killed and then the killers commit suicide. Clues are sparse and confusing, which only makes our heroine more determined then ever to get to the bottom of things.

This is part of a series, but the book is written as a standalone. No prior reading is required to enjoy this one.

This is a science fiction thriller with a serial killer on the loose. The story is well written and easy to read, although it takes a bit to wrap you head around it. The characters are well developed, particularly our heroine who is going to need all her street smarts to solve this one. Overall, this was a highly engaging story that definitely got my attention. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.

[Susan Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did find the concepts in this book intriguing, I'm afraid for me things didn't come together all that well. I had not read the first four books in the series, and found some gaps. While the author shouldn't reiterate all the details of previous books, there were things like descriptions of the main characters that should come early enough that new readers can visualize them. (I still don't have a clue about Doc's age, but I think he's younger than I thought for most of the book.) My biggest problem, though, was WAY too many questions about one character that persisted throughout, but made absolutely no sense in the end. (No spoilers.) So while I was vacillating between a 3 and a 4 for most of the book, in the end I had to give it 3 stars. What was good? Interesting concepts, good writing, and it made me want to go back and read the first four books. What didn't I like? Clearly, the lack of clarity about the aforementioned character. Also. sometimes the protagonists jumped to conclusions - correctly, but with little reason - and sometimes they missed something obvious. Minor inconsistencies (Susie vs. Susy. Randy's wife took the baby somewhere for a few days, not both kids. The baby is a girl, not "he".) There is something good here, and I will probably go back and read earlier books in the series. But as a standalone, I had to give it three stars.

I did receive an ARC, and I am providing my honest review.

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wrinkle in the Mind is the latest addition to the Mind Sleuth series. P.I. Rebecca Marte finds her latest case complicated by politics and a conspiracy theory that may be all too real. Violet Cruz is accused of shooting a U.S. representative while in a delusional state. But it so much more than that. This is a political thriller that will have you hanging on to the edge of your seat. You think that you have discovered the story line and than you find that a new twist is leading down yet another path. The story is captivating from the beginning and you just want to keep reading and reading and not stop. It is both descriptive and has wonderful world building. When I reached the end - I wanted more!! But the ending itself is amazing as is the rest of the novel. I received the novel from BookSprout. This is my true and honest review.

[Diane R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wrinkle in the Mind is a gripping and intricately plotted thriller that blends psychological insight with high-stakes investigation. Bruce M. Perrin skillfully navigates the chaos of conspiracy, delusion, and political tension in Washington, D.C., creating a story that feels both eerily familiar and deeply suspenseful.

The dynamic between Private Investigator Rebecca Marte and Sam “Doc” Price is particularly compelling. Their professional friction, combined with their complementary skills, adds depth and tension, keeping the reader fully engaged. Perrin’s attention to psychological realism, the pacing of investigations, and the escalation of threats all work together to create a page-turning experience that balances intellect with adrenaline-fueled suspense.

[NV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scary creative storyline

The storyline is both creative and scary.
I found the beginning of the book confusing because it was difficult to keep the characters straight because everyone had more than one name. It was also difficult to decide if they were male or female.
The concept is scary science fiction ( with not as much fiction as I would prefer). This kept me interested and is my first book by Bruce M. Perrin.
I won this book on Goodreads giveaway. I was not forced or paid to review the book.

[Kathy Dryden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book of Mr. Perrin's. I was given this as a Goodreads winner and have just had the chance to read it. At first, I had trouble because it was confusing to me. I am not usually into Science Fiction, but as it became clearer, the politics and conspiracy took on an edgy and unpredictable turn that was clever. It was also full of high-tech intrigue.
Thank you Mr. Perrin and Goodreads for the opportunity to read this book.

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone invented brain-to-brain communication and of course, someone else is using it for crime. It is up to Marta and Doc to prove that the women involved are victims not criminals themselves but no one wants to believe that the technology exists! Even when the evidence is right before their eyes.

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading of active shooter events, I've always assumed the shooter made the decision to take the shot. Now, after reading Bruce Perrin's A WRINKLE IN THE MIND, there are questions. Perrin has experience in the world of psychology, adding realistic actions to this fictional story of suseptible people being led to commit violent crimes.

[Patty Mele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book very much and I read it from the very beginning to the very end. I liked the story line was a very good read in my opinion. The characters were vital to this whole story in my opinion. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leelipscomb · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was awful. Period.