L.A. Mental — Neil McMahon

Critically acclaimed writer Neil McMahon firmly establishes himself as one of today's top thriller writers with this dark and mesmerizing story that weaves together Hollywood and a cult, old money and futuristic technologies -- a powerful tale of suspense sure to catapult him to bestsellerdom.

A respected judge goes berserk, destroying his home. . . .

A wealthy celebrity widow is found floating unconscious in her pool. . . .

A brilliant young astrophysicist is killed when he runs onto a busy freeway. . . .

To psychologist Tom Crandall, the residents of Los Angeles seem to be going insane. Over the past few months, people have randomly become unhinged, exploding in violent, self-destructive rampages. Now Tom's younger brother Nick is lying in a hospital bed after narrowly surviving a fall off a Malibu cliff. But, as Tom soon finds out, the accident is only the latest in a string of alarming events involving his troubled sibling. Nick has been blackmailing members of his wealthy family, including his brother Paul -- a would-be Hollywood mogul whose latest project involves a film-production company headed by a charismatic scientist who holds some disturbing theories about power and human behavior.

Concerned about Paul's dealings, Tom heads to the film set, where he meets a physicist turned filmmaker, the brilliant and enigmatic Swede named Gunnar Kelso. Soon Tom is caught in a terrifying scheme that threatens his sanity and his very life, and he must race to uncover the truth before it's too late.

A tightly plotted tale of twisting suspense and paranoia, of cutting-edge science, a diabolical conspiracy, and family betrayal, L.A. Mental is a roller-coaster ride from the first page to the last.