First half of the book is sluggish. Although writers must work up backstory, it’s always a mistake to just chuck it at the reader. Once the trial gets going, things pick up and the writing is enjoyable. Not entirely sure how much you could really get away with in court, even in Texas, but there’s enough verisimilitude of the process that I was willing to suspend disbelief. One thing I applaud heartily: the focus on the plight of the mentally ill in our society. My beloved daughter-in-law has a sister with paranoid schizophrenia, so we’ve had experience as a family dealing with this tragedy that afflicts young adults. The book presents a better eventual outcome than is usual, but the picture presented of the course of the illness is devastatingly accurate. The serial killer is also interesting in a chilling way. So, plod or skim through the parts that should have been trimmed, and enjoy the story. ( )

Dan Little is a paranoid schizophrenic living on the streets. He used to have a wonderful career as a lawyer, had a loving wife, and a supportive family. He's now divorced, homeless, self-medicates with alcohol, constantly hears voices, and no longer has any contact with his mother or brother. When Dan stumbles across a body on the seawall in Galveston and steals a bracelet from the body, he is arrested for the murder. His younger brother Wayne Little, an up-and-coming attorney in Houston hears the news he vows to remain dissociated with his brother until he discusses the issue with his friends, Duke, Claudia, and Rita. Once Wayne begins to look into the case, he realizes that his brother, if guilty, should not be held accountable due to his mental illness. With the help of Duke and Claudia, fellow attorneys, and computer investigator Rita, Wayne quickly comes to realize that the only hope for his brother is a plea of not guilty by reason of mental defect or the infamous insanity plea. What Wayne quickly finds out is the insanity plea in the state of Texas may not be a valid defense even with years of documentation proving mental illness. Will Wayne and his friends be able to research the senseless killing in Galveston and link it to other killings around the United States and Mexico before it's too late?

I found The Insanity Plea to be a quick and enjoyable read. Part legal thriller and part psychological thriller, this story spotlights the problem with the mental health system in our country as well as the lack of uniformity in the use of the insanity plea. Dan's mental illness is shown without any apologies. It shows how disturbing and destructive some mental illnesses can be on the friends and family as well as the individual. This isn't a mystery because you know who the murderer is throughout the book, but reading about the murders and the rationale for them by the murderer was just as interesting as reading about Dan's struggles with his disease. There are good guys and bad guys in this story (read the book to find out who the bad guy is . . . he wears the perfect disguise). All of the characters and scenarios I found to be wholly realistic. Mr. Thompson has crafted a story that kept me turning the page simply to find out what happens next (I love that in a thriller). Although there are obvious shades of grey in the legal system, The Insanity Plea, does an admirable job in showing that some of these gradations are insensible. If you enjoy reading legal thrillers, psychological thrillers, or just plan thrillers, you'll definitely want to add The Insanity Plea to your TBR list. The Insanity Plea is the latest thriller by Mr. Thompson; I look forward to reading his previous books and hope to see more from him in the future. ( )

Let me waste no time letting you know that I absolutely loved this book. The characters appealed to me, the plot was scary but fun, the settings were great, everything in short was to my liking.

The story is at the same time an intelligent discourse on the appropriateness and impossibilities of the insanity plea. A paranoid schizophrenic, not under treatment at the time, is arrested and charged with murder. The case against him is very strong, particularly since he found a diamond bracelet on the body and put it in his pocket. His name is Dan Little and he lives on the streets of Galveston where he was an outstanding quarterback in high school. He had gone on to become an attorney but then was struck down with his mental illness. He hears voices that tell him what to do.

Dan's brother, Wayne, is also a lawyer in Houston. His best friend Duke is a former NBA star and current criminal lawyer, and along with Duke's girlfriend Claudia plus Wayne's next door neighbor Rita, they call themselves the posse. Wayne takes his brother's case along with the posse and they take advantage of his mother's hospitality to set up shop in Galveston for the trial. I could almost hear the waves as they walked along the seawall there. You'll be very fond of Mrs. Little, as I was.

This story has one of the most frightening villains I've read about in a long time. He's brilliant and totally amoral so one can only hope he will be brought up short by his confidence that he's smarter than anyone else. A member of the posse finds herself one of his targets; that aspect of the book really had me in goosebumps.

Highly recommended
Source: Partners in Crime Book Tours ( )

This is the story of Dan, a paranoid schizophrenic accused of murdering a woman and his attorney brother, Wayne, who is determined to prove his innocence or if necessary to prove his insanity. This is a great story that I really didn't want to put down but due to things interfering such as earning a paycheck I had to stop and go with the book. It's an exciting story that tells us how difficult it is for an attorney to prove his client is insane at the time of the crime.

The characters are fantastic, especially loved the Judge. He is practical and realistic. Dan is also an interesting guy...did I mention he used to be a successful attorney? Mental illness is such a terrible thing, most people are afraid of anyone diagnosed with schizophrenia or other mental diseases. I hope books like this will inspire people to get involved in finding a cure. Well done Larry Thompson!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Every now and then a riveting legal thriller comes along that captivates my attention from beginning to end, The Insanity Plea by author Larry D. Thompson is that book. The author calls upon his extensive legal expertise to weave a thoroughly engrossing and bone chilling tale that takes the reader inside the cold and calculating mind of a serial killer, interweaving it within the world of the mentally ill.

Set in the Galveston / Houston area, a group of amateur sleuths led by Houston trial lawyer Wayne Little, doggedly tracks down a serial killer while trying to save Dan, his mentally ill paranoid schizophrenic brother from being framed with the murder of a young nurse who was brutally killed while jogging on Galveston's seawall. With an air tight prosecution case, can Wayne save his brother from prison, or will his best defense be an insanity pleas?

The author utilizes his legal experience to provide the reader with some serious courtroom drama that will keep the reader riveted, while also drawing them into the gripping search for the serial killer that will keep them sitting on the edge of their seats until the surprising conclusion. I could easily see The Insanity Plea being made into a television or big screen movie.

Author Larry D. Thompson is a fine legal thriller author who knows how to craft a well written and provocative story. His attention to detail easily draws the reader in and keeps them engaged and guessing what will happen next as the fast paced and heart pounding story unfolds with suspenseful twists and turns. I was intrigued by his in depth look into the issue of mental illness, it provides much food for thought on how the mentally ill are treated by the US legal system.

If you are looking for an exciting legal thriller that will easily transport you into the heart of this nail biting story, while keeping you turning the pages, then The Insanity Plea is the book for you. The author sure does know how to take his readers on one hell of a thrilling roller coaster ride!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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