I absolutely loved Head Cases! John McMahon has crafted a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller with a unique and dynamic special team at its core. The way each member of the team contributes their own strengths makes the story feel authentic and layered. Camden, in particular, is a standout—his brilliance at puzzling through head cases is captivating, and following his thought process was a highlight of the book.

The characters and setting felt so real, as if I were right there in the middle of the action. The narrator added another layer to the experience, skillfully enhancing the suspense and keeping the pace perfectly balanced. Each moment felt urgent, drawing me deeper into the twists and turns of the story.

This book is a perfect blend of sharp writing, immersive storytelling, and nail-biting tension. I’m already looking forward to the next installment in this series. If you’re a fan of thrillers that keep you guessing until the end, Head Cases is a must-read!

He will be an author that I add to my list. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early copy of this book! I absolutely enjoyed it.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I love police procedurals and mysteries and mathematics and puzzles. In Head Cases, we get a special FBI team which has odd skills who are particularly skilled at puzzles and pattern recognition. The team is normally lead by Frank but now Gardner is having a chance to run the show since the case is very related to his prior case.

A serial killer is killing serial killers. It's not exactly a vigilante, it's more like they are finding those the FBI didn't or that the killer feels weren't punished sufficiently. In a way, the killer is also challenging them to be as smart as he is. Unfortunately, they also threaten Gardner's family and he has worries for them.

The pacing is good with lots of action. The team is smart and fast with strategies and knowledge. I really enjoyed the science and technology. They also have access to tools, and experts beyond the usual. There's also tricky politics as to whether the team will continue, who will run the team and where they will go if they are not on the PAR team.

I enjoyed the unique characters on the team and their skill sets. I definitely will want to read more as this becomes the PAR Unit series.

Narration:
I'm sure I've heard this narrator previously. The story is primarily in Gardner's head so it sounded realistic to me. When it wasn't, the voices were comfortable and distinct. I enjoyed the performance. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.

This was a well written and engaging police procedural. I always love the hunt for a serial killer. The characters were strong and they each brought their individual talents to the team. Moving across the country was an added twist and I liked seeing how the killer planned in advance. I can’t wait to see where the PAR unit heads next!

I do like crime fiction - a lot! So, I'm always on the lookout for a new series. I found that in Head Cases - the first in John McMahon's new series.

Did you see the tape on the cover? "Attention Sealed FBI". I was intrigued....

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is our lead character. He's described as a an "analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles." He's not so good with people though. The supporting cast each have a talent. They make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR), brought in for cases that no one else can solve. But what drives them all, is catching their quarry - a serial killer who is back after many year

The plotting is wonderful! The case is very different and I appreciated the fresh take on solving such a case. McMahon gives Camden a great back story, building the character(s) for the next time the unit is needed. I will be waiting for the next entry in this new series.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Sometimes I often feel more immersed in a story when I listen to it. That was absolutely the case with Head Games. The narrator was Will Damron and he did a fantastic job. His voice has a perfect gravelly tone that matched the images and characters I had created in my head. He speaks clearly and is easy to understand. He easily captures the tone, emotions and danger of McMahon's tale with his voice. He created different voices for all of the players that were easily identified.

An easy five star listen! 9 hours and 36 minutes

More than just the same old whodunit, Head Cases follows a trail of breadcrumbs with an exceptional investigator. Readers will enjoy getting to know Gardner and the other agents of PAR—and will be eager to follow them on more cases.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

This was my second audiobook recommendation, and I’m so glad I listened to it! The story had an eerie, suspenseful tone that made it perfect for an audiobook, with the narrator capturing the tension perfectly throughout.

The detective crew was essential to the investigation, each bringing their own strengths to the table. Their teamwork was key in tracking down the serial killer, and I was completely invested in watching them piece together the clues. Their efforts, as they worked through each new lead, created a constant sense of anticipation.

The plot was packed with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Every new clue added depth to the investigation, and the suspense built up perfectly as they got closer to uncovering the killer’s identity. The ending was a satisfying conclusion, tying up all the loose ends in a way that felt just right. This audiobook was an intense, thrilling experience,

Head Cases follows FBI Agent Gardner Camden and his quirky, brilliant team in the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit as they hunt down a serial killer who’s resurfaced after years of being presumed dead. As the killer leaves cryptic clues for Gardner, the team is thrust into the public eye while trying to solve the case and protect their own lives. With each team member utilizing their unique skills, they race against time to uncover the killer’s identity before it’s too late.

This is a gripping law enforcement thriller hooks you from the start with its relentless suspense and a cat-and-mouse game between a cunning serial killer and determined agents. Packed with twists and turns, the story builds momentum as the agents counter every move, leading to an action-packed, surprise-filled finale. The authentic procedural details and exploration of behind-the-scenes politics add depth and realism, immersing you in the high-stakes world of crime-solving. Will Damron did a great job at narrating the audiobook really bringing the characters to life. Overall it was a compelling, dynamic read that kept me captivated until the very end. I will pick up the next book in this series.
Special thanks to netgalley and macmillan.audio for the ALC.
4 stars!

This was my first book by the author and I loved the concept of this book. The audio was super well done as well.

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is a genius with puzzles and he’s on a special FBI unit called PAR - Patterns and Recognition. He gets called into a case of a serial killer being killed that he thought was dead 7 years ago. It makes him rethink everything he’s known in the past. When more serial killers start to show up, he had to figure out who is killing them.

There’s a lot of puzzles in this book and I loved following the team and trying to figure out who you could trust. Can’t wait for book 2!

This was book was fast-paced and so fun to listen to. Part Dexter/part police procedural if you like suspenseful crime thrillers, you will love this book.

This book follows FBI Gardner Camden who is an analytical genius and an affinity for puzzles. He is a part of a small group of misfit FBI agents called PAR: Patterns and Recognitions. This group is filled with puzzle solvers and math geeks, expert profilers and other brilliant agents. PAR is also know as the "HEAD CASES". PAR is typically tasked to solve cold cases, but there is a serial killer on the loose. This serial killer just so happens to be hunting other serial killers and one of Gardner's previous cases ends up murdered.

I loved Gardner's character. He was extremely lovable. I also loved his mother who was always in his ear and was full of wisdom in helping him solve his cases. The other characters on the team were brilliant and I just loved their development.

I felt that Will Damron did an amazing job as narrator and captured Camden's neurodivergence perfectly.

If you love a good cat-and-mouse, police procedural crime thriller this book is for you!

This book is first in a series and I cannot wait to see what PAR does next!


Thank you @macmillan.audio for the #gifted ALC and @netgalley and minotaur_books and @stmartinspress for the #gifted eARC.

Head Cases by John McMahon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Releases tomorrow, 1.28.2025!

A serial killer… killing serial killers. Was this book made for me? 😱

Come join Special Agent Gardner Camden and the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) FBI team as they hunt down this killer of killers! In this cat-and-mouse, there are puns, bagged organs, clues, and riddles, and of course your classic crime scene analysis. The storyline is complex, but captivating, and keeps your interest. I listened to this on audio, and the narrator perfectly captures Agent Camden’s dry, confident, and all business persona. Each member of the team has their own expertise, so all contribute in their own ways to solve the case. If you’re a #CriminalMinds lover like me, this book is totally up your alley!

Thank you @netgalley, @johnmcmahonbooks, and @macmillan.audio for an early copy of this book for an honest review!

I enjoyed this thriller. The novel followed Gardner Camden and the PAR unit of the FBI. They were chasing a vigilante who was killing serial killers. The story included Gardner's background and the creation of PAR. The story kept me thinking about all the clues. If you enjoy true crime, i would highly recommend this novel. I look forward to reading more of this series.

I enjoyed the narration. The flow of the narration worked well for me. Will Damron narrated the novel.

Head Cases by John McMahon was such a fun and exhilarating listen. Will Damron was the perfect narrator to capture the unique voice of Gardner Camden. I highly recommend Head Cases for fans of Kathy Reichs or the tv show Criminal Minds. Zero slow sections. Great plot progression. I look forward to more in the PAR series.

This was a solid good time. It was fast paced and easy to move through quickly. I didn’t find it to have anything super new to the genre but still fun!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 1/28
•
I love a good serial killer book, and this one checked all the boxes for me. I was getting some big time Criminal Minds vibes while reading.
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Gardner Camden and the entire crew at the Patterns and Recognitions unit (PAR) were so quirky and unique; so easy to love and you won't be able to help rooting for them. I love the dead-serial-killer-that-isn't-really-dead-que-the-cat-and-mouse trope so I was all for this plot.
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I felt that the pacing was spot on throughout the entire book. I was addicted to the characters and the story, I wanted to know what happened next and I felt like I just wanted to hang out with the members of PAR. There are perfectly placed twists and ending that will have you wanting more!! This is the start of a series and I already cannot wait to get my hands on book number two!!
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I listened to this via audiobook and Will Damron was perfect. I really enjoyed the voices he gave to the characters, and I really felt like he was able to bring this one alive for me. If you are thinking of reading this one - definitely check out the audiobook.
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To all my crime thriller friends - this is most definitely a must read. Be sure to check this one out! Huge thank you to NetGalley, John McMahon and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of the audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator. I really wanted to love this story, especially the idea “a serial killer killing serial killers,” sounded so freaking fascinating!! I’m also not the biggest fan of “crime mysteries” like this one, but it just sounded so good I had to give it a chance, because I have come across some like this that surprised me and I ended up loving them! Sadly, this one I just didn’t love. It started off so promising, but around the 40-60% it became a bit slow and lost my attention a little bit. If you love “crime mysteries” then you definitely need to listen to this one, it was good it just didn’t have enough going on for me and became a bit slow. I would recommend this to others who like crime mysteries or mysteries that aren’t super twisty and fast paced!

I would like to try some of these authors other books in the future to see if it was just this one that I just liked or maybe it’s just the writing style in general I’m not a huge fan of, either way I will give his other books a try!

Bestselling author John McMahon returns following his popular P.T. Marsh novels with a fascinating new series, PAR #1 HEAD CASES—a group of misfits, brilliant freaks (known by some), FBI agents that leave their desks and hit the road to track down a serial killer who murders serial killers— seeking his own justice in this dazzling and compelling new crime thriller debut series.

About...

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius and enjoys solving puzzles. He also has a blind spot on the human side of investigations, which often includes his beloved seven-year-old daughter Camila, who lives in Miami while he works in Jacksonville.

Gardner and his squad of brilliantly talented yet quirky agents make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit. Each member possesses unique skills that make them the hidden secret of the FBI. They tackle cases no one else can solve, making them a team to watch and a group of characters you'll be eager to learn more about.


THE ACE: Specializing in puzzles, patterns, and decoding enigmas.
THE BOSS: Old School FBI—plays his card close to the vest.
THE ANALYST: Creates crime scenes in her head.
THE SHOOTER: A born and raised hunter.
THE ROOKIE: A prodigy just out of the academy.


The team is assigned to a case when DNA links a murder victim to a serial killer who was long presumed dead. Ross Tignon, a man he had hunted years ago, stopped because he turned up dead.

Seven years earlier, he was the primary suspect in Florida for three women's murders, and then a fire broke out in his home. If this man had been killed yesterday in Texas, whose body was in the Florida fire?

A second victim follows, creating a pattern, and the murderer starts leaving a trail of sinister clues and riddles for Gardner.

They hit the road following the killer with Gardner, and each of them uses every skill possible to solve this complex mystery. Their determination to protect themselves, the team, and their family, even when the killer seems to be one step ahead.

As the case unfolds, Gardner's professional detachment is tested. He's a seasoned professional tasked with profiling crimes that others can't solve. But this case is different. It's personal. With the killer seemingly always one step ahead, Gardner's worry for his mother and daughter's safety grows. He must find a way to warn them before it's too late, and you'll feel the intensity of his struggle.

Gardner's mom relocated to Texas from South Carolina. She was a psychiatrist for twenty years before she retired and moved west; she was on retainer with the Charleston Police Department and consulted on numerous investigations. But now she is in a home. Garnder sends money to his mom and daughter even though he can't always be around.

Two people could make Gardner's heart sink: His mother and his seven-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who lives with her grandmother in Miami. He visits on the weekends. He must keep them safe before the serial killer gets to them.

The dangerous game of cat-and-mouse begins with a sinister killer with an agenda and a revenge plot!

My thoughts...

HEAD CASES is:
Brilliant.
Original.
Electrifying.
Clever.
Edgy.
Enigmatic
Action-packed.
Suspenseful.
Mysterious.
Cat-and-Mouse Twisty.
A STUNNER!

Move over: My new favorite FBI team (PAR) and crime series are in town—prime for the big screen. I love these characters. Bring on #2! I can't wait to see what's next for the PAR team, and I'm sure fans will share my excitement for the next installment.

🎬 I'm thrilled to hear that this series has been optioned for HBO Max. The thought of seeing these characters and their thrilling adventures on screen is truly exciting.

This is the author's fourth book, and as with the past series (I also enjoyed and need to catch up with the last one in the P.T. Marsh series), a well-written procedural, gripping plot, razor-sharp, witty, intelligent, and fast-paced—keeping you on the edge of your seat. Like Michae Connelly's Bosch, Gardner is a fantastic character who loves and protects his family.

Fans, get ready for more! Another book is on the way, and you'll be on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating the next thrilling adventure of this fun group in Miami! I love books set in my backyard.

Audiobook...

I read the book and listened to the audiobook narrated by one of my all-time favorites, Will Damron. The award-winning performance captured these quirky, intelligent FBI characters and secondary character voices—impressive — elevating the novel and making this a captivating listening experience. The characters came alive on the page, and I became hooked from beginning to end. His performance was superb. I highly recommend the audiobook and this series. I hope he will be narrating the next in the series!

Recs...

This book is a must-read for fans of the author and those who enjoy Criminal Minds, The Mentalist (my favorite- I love Patrick Jane), and Karin Slaughter's Will Trent series. It's a perfect blend of the best elements from all these works.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for an ALC and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
Jan 2025 Must-Read Books
Jan Newsletter

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for a #gifted ALC.

I love a good serial killer story and this one had my attention from the start. It's the first in a series and I will be definitely looking for more.

Gardner Camden is a unique man and not your typical FBI agent. He's very direct, a bit quirky, methodical, and sees life a little differently. He's a part of the PAR unit - Patterns and Recognition and his uniqueness fits right in here.

When a murder victim turns up and appears linked to a serial killer, there's just one problem. This particular serial killer was supposedly dead for years. The PAR Unit is called in to work the case, and we are along for the ride.

Will Damron did an amazing job with the narration. He really portray Agent Camden so well and loved hearing his thoughts and processes.

This FBI procedural is a nonstop search for the answer to a dilemma. Who is murdering serial killers?
There are a boatload of red herrings to distract the team. Good thing they are essentially a team of misfits. Their individual gifts complement each other and will help them achieve their objective. Now the question is whether or not the FBI really intends to keep the PAR Unit operational in the future.

This is my first time reading a John McMahon book. I was thoroughly invested in the team, especially leader Gardner Camden. His relationship with his mother was especially endearing. According to the author's note there will be at least one more PAR Unit book coming next year. I will be waiting. . .
Meanwhile I might try one of his earlier books.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed the first in what I hope will be many in the new PAR series -- even more than I expected. Police procedurals tend to be a bit hit or miss for me, but this one took hold. The pacing was fast and strong, the cast of characters was interesting and engaging without feeling forced, and the plot had a nice balance of intrigue and action for me. The "serial killer hunting serial killers" was a great hook, and it was executed well. Will be looking forward to book #2!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful series debut by John McMahon, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Will Damron. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

The Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit of the FBI is a team of five brilliant but misfit agents tasked with solving cold cases. Gardner Camden may have social issues, but he’s got an amazing analytical brain that excels in puzzles and codes. Work is a priority for him, along with visits to his young daughter and elderly mother. When a serial killer from one of Gardner’s solved cases, who has been presumed dead for over a decade, is found murdered, the hunt begins to find the killer who is murdering serial killers. Gardner and his team track him across the country, hoping they can solve the riddles before it’s too late.

This was such a fabulous book and audiobook! Think Slow Horses (which I also love), a group of intelligence agents who all made mistakes, but come together as a strong team. It also reminded me a bit of Mind Hunters, and I loved the peek into the mind of a serial killer and those who hunt for them. But the characters were where this book really shines – I loved all of them, but especially Gardner. They felt real, I felt for them, and I can’t wait for more books featuring this team. Highly recommended!