*Supermind*, written by Mark Phillips—a pseudonym used by the writing duo of Randall Garrett and Laurence M. Janifer (sometimes mistakenly attributed to Larry M. Harris)—is the third and final installment in the witty and imaginative “Psi-Power” trilogy, following *Brain Twister* and *The Impossibles*. This series stands out in the golden age of science fiction for its clever blend of mystery, government bureaucracy, and psychic powers, all wrapped in sharp, satirical humor. In *Supermind*, the Bureau of Psi—the secret U.S. government agency that monitors and regulates people with psychic abilities—is again at the heart of the story. These “espers,” or psi-talents, include telepaths, telekinetics, teleporters, and more. The protagonist, FBI agent Kenneth J. Malone, finds himself in another bizarre investigation involving strange incidents that defy logic and natural law. But in this case, the challenge goes far beyond the usual telepaths or illusion-casters. He’s up against someone—or something—with the powers of a *Supermind*. The Supermind is a being whose mental capabilities are not just enhanced, but godlike. It can manipulate reality, erase memories, teleport effortlessly, and even predict complex chains of future events. Malone and the Bureau realize that this entity may not be a single person, but possibly an evolutionary leap: the next stage of human mental development. The question then becomes one of control—how do you contain something that’s smarter, faster, and vastly more powerful than the entire government? What makes *Supermind* especially entertaining is its tone. While many sci-fi stories of the era focused on grim futures or serious space exploration, this novel infuses the genre with a lively sense of humor and absurdity. Malone is a classic reluctant hero—cynical, resourceful, and constantly in over his head. His interactions with both government officials and psi-talented individuals are filled with dry wit and satirical commentary on red tape, bureaucracy, and institutional paranoia. Despite the humor, the book also explores some serious themes: the fear of the unknown, the limits of human evolution, and the tension between control and freedom. What happens when the people in power are no longer the most powerful? Can humanity adapt to beings who are so mentally advanced they seem almost divine? These questions drive the narrative tension and philosophical undercurrent of the story. The pacing is quick, the dialogue snappy, and the plot layered with twists and surprises. As Malone digs deeper into the mystery of the Supermind, he must question everything he knows about power, identity, and what it truly means to be human. In conclusion, *Supermind* is a brilliant, fast-paced science fiction tale that manages to be both thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny. It wraps up the Psi-Power trilogy with style, leaving readers entertained and intrigued by the possibilities of the human mind. For fans of vintage sci-fi with a twist of humor and sharp commentary, *Supermind* remains a classic worth rediscovering.
