FBI agent Gardner Camden belongs to the PAR squad. specializing in unique skills in patterns and recognition, Usually tracking criminals from behind their desks, they find themselves in pursuit of a seriel killer believed to be long dead. The chase is action packed and a step above the standard police procedural with the intelligence of the agents and their investigation. I found the story to be riviting and smart. The characters are multilayered and believable. Head Cases was a riviting and fast read for me and I am hoping that this is the start of a long series. This one hit the bulls eye. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this very appreciated read in exchange for my honest review.

An agent that has his own personal challenges. An FBI group with troubled careers. A killer who might be cheered by the masses. Let the games begin. 
If you like Criminal Minds, I think you'll really like this book. Each character has their own unique personality that might not allow them to interact with the rest of the world too smoothly. They all have their hang-ups along with their expertise. An imposing team that solves cold cases. But they are drawn into a "hot" case connected to killers who have already met justice. Who is the guy killing killers yet makes it a game directly tied to the main PAR agent? As it gets personal, the tensions rise. 
My main goal in reading stories like this is to figure out the killer before the characters do. I couldn't do it, and that's a good thing. I was along on the ride as the main character analyzed the data and fought with his own internal struggles. I couldn't put the book down. I had to keep reading and see what clue the agent would come up with next and if he could arrive in time to save lives. When a book has me hooked that hard, it's a great read. 
The plot is well planned, but I honestly think it is the main character that had me hooked. He is a serious version of many on TV with their social challenges and brains that aren't wired like the rest of us. I thought that would hinder my enjoyment as I could not relate to them. But the author had a way of not letting this be the focus of the story but an important element. I don't know if I could have worked with the guy, but I really liked him. 
This is a very good read but not for the feint of heart. Body parts will be described as well as some of the actions of the killers. Will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what they'll do next to bring down evil.

I thought this book was good, but unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had expected to. I love police procedurals, especially when they involve serial killers, but this one just wasn't as dark as I would have liked, and I had trouble keeping up with the characters at times. I found the pacing in the first half to be slow as well. I did like Gardner and agree with the reviews I've seen comparing him to Reid from Criminal Minds. I would like to learn more background on his character and how he came to work for the FBI.

This is book one in a new series, and I do plan on giving the second book a try when it comes out.

"Our job is to identify peculiarities in cases that have stalled. To solve puzzles and highlight new theories."

An FBI team hunting a serial killer? Yes. I’m ALL in! I love group dynamics with each member bringing their unique skills to the table and HEAD CASES nailed it! Rather than focusing on profiling, this team excels at pattern recognition. No one more so than the team’s quirky yet highly intelligent leader, Gardner Camden. Told entirely from his point of view, John McMahon beautifully and accurately showcases a neurodivergent character that I couldn’t have loved more. He’s diligent, honest and holds a myriad of miscellaneous facts in his head, which he thinks about at random intervals that had me chuckling!

The investigation progressed at a steady pace that increased in tension and sped up to the point where I couldn’t put it down! I became ENTIRELY invested in the characters and particularly attached to Gardner who is resolute in his beliefs of right and wrong and tries his best to navigate relationships based on advice he calls to mind from his beloved mother.

Will Damron is a SUPERB narrator and is now one of my favorites! Not ONE single character sounded the same with voices so distinct (some with accents), that I knew who was speaking immediately. His inflection and delivery of the killer was simultaneously chilling and charismatic. Yet as Gardner’s mother, his tone had a sweet and maternal calming effect. You simply MUST grab the audiobook along with the physical book for the complete experience. One of THE. BEST. audio productions I’ve listened to!

HEAD CASES hit ALL the marks with a diabolical antagonist, a fully fleshed out ensemble cast and an investigation that barreled full steam ahead to an action packed conclusion! I couldn’t get enough of this intense crime thriller with heart and will be first in line for the next installment. In fact, I’m ready for book two. NOW!
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FAVORITE QUOTES:

"He reached out his hand. I stared at it. Over two hundred bacteria thrive on each square inch of our palms. 'Gardner Camden,' I said, shaking. I'm not OCD. I just know things like this."

"I remembered a piece of advice that my mother taught me years ago. To add bits of information at the starts of conversations. To be perceived as more likable. Emotional."

"I nodded, thinking about the two men. They had operated in different decades and in different states. Ages apart, really.
But even though they were unrelated to each other, there was a pattern.
A serial killer was murdering serial killers."
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Potential spoiler content warnings below.


































⚠️Content Warnings: language, dementia, poisoning, mild gore, violence, gun violence, Mention of: gruesome crimes

John McMahon’s Head Cases is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully blends cerebral puzzles with high-stakes action. Featuring FBI Agent Gardner Camden and his elite Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, the novel delves into a chilling murder mystery that resurrects the shadow of a presumed-dead serial killer. As the case unfolds, Camden—a brilliant but socially detached investigator—finds himself in a deadly game of wits, forced to decipher cryptic clues left specifically for him.

McMahon excels at crafting a layered mystery, balancing methodical detective work with moments of nerve-wracking tension. The ensemble cast, from the mathematician to the weapons expert, adds depth and variety to the investigation, making the story feel like a fusion of Mindhunter and Criminal Minds. The team dynamic is a highlight, offering both sharp dialogue and emotional resonance—especially as the case encroaches on their personal lives.

What sets Head Cases apart is McMahon’s ability to intertwine complex psychological profiling with pulse-pounding suspense. The riddles and patterns at the heart of the case aren’t just plot devices; they feel integral to the novel’s DNA, challenging both the characters and the reader. At its core, the book explores the limits of analytical genius when confronted with raw human emotion—a struggle embodied in Gardner’s strained relationship with his young daughter.

With its razor-sharp writing, compelling characters, and relentless pacing, Head Cases is a must-read for fans of cerebral thrillers. McMahon delivers a story that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally charged, proving once again why he’s a standout in the genre.

This was a great cat and mouse thriller. I loved the main character and how his differences were highlighted. I loved the “Criminal Minds” ish way this team worked together. I listened to this as I drove on a long car trip and it kept my attention the whole time. It was intense! Can’t wait to see the next adventure for the PAR team!

What a fun ride this book is! I think that this author is new to me and did not disappoint!
The story centers around a group of misfits within the FBI. They are each uniquely qualified to contribute to this special operations group called PAR whose job it is to solve unusual cases. This particular case is being led by Agent Gardner, Gardy, for his first time as lead in a case. He is brilliant and has amazing recall for details and solving puzzles. The perp in this case is playing a game with the FBI that PAR is called in to help solve.
This story is engaging throughout. It has twists and turns from start to finish as they try to piece together the overall puzzle as well as predict where the killer is going next and intervene.
Well written and entertaining. Highly recommend to all the thriller lovers.
#HeadCases #NetGalley #StMartinsPress

Head Cases is a police procedural thriller that felt like a mix between Criminal Minds and The Good Doctor. It’s the first book in a new series that I cannot wait to continue.

This follows Gardner Camden who is an FBI agent on a special team nicknamed the Head Cases by other departments. Everyone in the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit are brilliant misfits. Their task is typically solving cold cases but when a serial killer from one of Gardner’s past cases is found murdered and soon after another body is discovered with similarities to the first, Gardner and his team are tasked with finding the killer. There’s intricate puzzles to solve to track the killer across the country and each member of the team plays a vital role.

I couldn’t put this book down and at the same time I didn’t want it to end. There was a lot going on with building the cast of characters but it was written in a way that wasn’t overwhelming and kept me engaged the whole time. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

This had all the Criminal Minds vibes, I had forgotten I loved. I'm so excited for more to come from this series.

So, you know that feeling when FOMO completely takes over, and you have to read the latest hyped book, even though you weren’t planning to—only to end up wishing you hadn’t? Yeah. That was me with Head Cases.

I had such high expectations, I was ready to be completely wowed from page one, but quickly, I started to wonder if I was missing out on something everyone else was getting. I found the characters interesting and sometimes that’s enough to keep me hooked, but the plot has to, you know, pull some of the weight. Instead, it was just page after page of analyzing clues and endless theorizing, until it all blurred together and I wasn’t even paying attention anymore. I wanted more—more action, more suspense, and higher stakes—but instead, I got a lot of talking and not enough happening, and yeah…

In the end, I was left wanting more—and not in a good way.

I enjoyed reading Head Cases by John McMahon and I thank netgalley and St Martins Press for an arc for my review.

I really enjoyed the cat and mouse chase vibe that I got from this book. It’s a great read for anyone who like criminal minds myself included.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I really hope this becomes a series! A great suspenseful read for lovers of many genres. Will be sure to recommend it many of our customers. Can't wait for the PAR unit to get involved with more cases!

Description
Head Cases follows an enigmatic group of FBI agents as they hunt down a murderer seeking his own justice in this electrifying—and commercial—series debut.

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles. He also has a blind spot on the human side of investigations, a blindness that sometimes even includes people in his own life, like his beloved seven-year-old daughter Camila. Gardner and his squad of brilliant yet quirky agents make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, the FBI’s hidden edge, brought in for cases that no one else can solve.

When DNA links a murder victim to a serial killer long presumed dead, the team springs into action. A second victim establishes a pattern, and the murderer begins leaving a trail of clues and riddles especially for Gardner. And while the PAR team is usually relegated to working cold cases from behind a desk, the investigation puts them on the road and into the public eye, following in the footsteps of a killer.

Along with Gardner, PAR consists of a mathematician, a weapons expert, a computer analyst, and their leader, a career agent. Each of them must use every skill they have to solve the riddle of the killer’s identity. But with the perpetrator somehow learning more and more about the team at PAR, can they protect themselves and their families…before it’s too late?

With an enigmatic case that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and a thoroughly engaging ensemble cast, John McMahon’s Head Cases is a triumph.

FBI procedural with a cat and mouse pursuit of a serial killer killing other killers.

I LOVE a procedural and really enjoyed the "Slow Horses" element of the ragtag Scooby team of FBI agents who had been sidelined for various reasons.

This took a turn I wasn't initially happy with, but I really enjoyed it overall!

This is such a fun time and definitely for fans of Criminal Minds. It read like a true crime story and I honestly had to remind myself a couple of times that it was not. I can't wait for more in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press Early Readers for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Most books that I have seen marketed as “for fans of the tv show Criminal Minds” don’t live up to the hype. However, this one did and I want 500 more books from the PAR Unit!!! I took my time reading it because I didn’t want it to be over. The plot and the crimes were clever and unique - it didn’t feel formulaic. I felt like I knew all of these characters personally and was right next to them solving the case. Also, the way the FBI procedures were explained and played out was very unique. I didn't feel like I was reading a textbook, but I felt like I was learning the procedures as we went through the case. My only complaint is now I have to wait for the next book in the series! In the meantime, I have John’s backlog to keep me busy since this was my first novel by him, but will definitely be checking the rest out. Also, this book is in development for streaming on Max and I think it is going to translate so well to television. Highly recommend - for fans of Criminal Minds and the like 😜




📖 Huge thank you to @minotaur & @netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review 📖

This was a fast moving, emotional ride of a thriller. I loved the team, and the main guy Gardner. He is something special. This reminded me so much of Criminal Minds. FBI and serial killers, a hunt all over US to find someone who seems smarter than the smartest department in the Federal Government. There's just so much to like about this series, I can't wait for the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is not your typical FBI agent. And the Patterns & Recognition (PAR) squad he is a part of is not the usual group of agents. They have all, for one reason or another, gotten in hot water in their previous assignments and have been sent to be a part of the Head Cases, which is the nickname given to this group of misfits.

But their ability to see things other agents miss is their strong suit, and they are very good. But the latest case is a real puzzle, because the murder victim is identified as a serial killer that Gardner saw die in a house fire several years previously. The body was burned beyond recognition, but a few teeth found in its mouth had DNA linking it to their quarry. But now he has died again? And been murdered in a grisly way?

When a second serial killer is soon also murdered, the case gets even more puzzling. This man was recently released from prison after serving 31 years, and he was killed within a few days of his release. A third murder is even stranger, because the victim has not been convicted of his murders, but is currently standing trial, and it looks like he might get away, until he is murdered in an FBI safe house!

These victims have nothing in common on paper, but the crimes do look as though someone has inside information - from the FBI.

The action moves all around the US and it really takes the genius of this group to put it all together. It was fun watching them do it.

The PAR (patterns and recognition) unit of the FBI is made up of some brilliant, but quirky agents. Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with his strong suit being puzzles. That being said, the human side of the investigation isn’t quite as easy for him. When a murder victim is recognized as a serial killer that has long been assumed dead, the PAR team is called in. When other serial killers are soon targeted, the team must delve in to figure out the new killer. With their unit on the line, the group is working harder than ever to both find the killer and save their unit, but do they even have a chance? With a great cast of eclectic characters and a strong plot, this was a great first book in what I hope to be a new series. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This story was an thrilling story from an author I don’t know or haven’t read before! Will look at finding other things by this author. I am grateful for the early access, thank you to those that allowed it!

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Minotaur and SMP for the gifted digital copy.

Head Cases
John McMahon
Publishing Date: January 28, 2025

I read this book after a friend raved about it, and I’m so glad I did!! This book felt so different than anything I’ve read lately. I find that the more I read, the more I struggle to find thrillers that don’t make me roll my eyes with the amount of suspension of disbelief they require. There was no eye rolling here!

I would say this is a police procedural with thriller elements. Gardner Camden is a member of the Patterns and Recognition unit. A group of “misfits” dubbed the Head Cases due to their puzzle solving, brainiac, math nerd level of intelligence. Their current case? A serial killer targeting serial killers.

What made this book so excellent for me is the characters. They were all so human and flawed and relatable. One could say most are morally gray but in the most realistic of ways. I loved Gardners relationship with his mom. He was just such a multidimensional MMC and you couldn’t help but be invested in the case and in him.

This is the first book of a series and I can’t wait for the next installments. This feels reminiscent of the Will Trent series, which is the highest of compliments.