Thank you to Minotaur Books via Netgalley for an early electronic copy. All opinions are my own.

For fans of Criminal Minds, Head Cases is the book/new series for you. Filled with quirky and fringe law enforcement characters in their own division of the FBI, Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit.

On a case in the field for the first time, Gardner Camden has left the office and is traveling from Florida through to the Southwest as it becomes evident a serial killer is at work. During the very graphic investigation, personal tidbits about Camden are dropped along with the threatened longevity of PAR going forward. The characters are inclusive and interesting with, of course, a set of skills that set them apart from the regular investigators. This series screams adaptation - and that is supposed to be happening with MAX streaming.

The graphic crime scenes were more than I'm comfortable with, and I did skim through those. On the other hand, effort was made to develop the PAR team members, especially Camden. Head Cases will definitely appeal to those that enjoy crime and police police procedurals with a variety of recurring characters.

“Head Cases” by John McMahon is about a search for a serial killer who is out to killing other serial killers. To find the killer, a specialized unit is brought in to solve the case. Gardner Camden has the ability to see strange patterns and numbers unlike anyone else (think Sheldon Cooper - Big Bang Theory). Along with other unique agents on his team we follow them across country as the victims add up and clues start coming fast and furious. I have seen this book compared to Criminal Minds and I would agree. If you are looking for a smart thriller I would definitely try this one!

I really enjoyed this one. I love serial killer stories! The characters felt like real life people. I felt like I was reading a real crime story. And didn’t end in a cliff hangers or is that just me. Because wouldn’t be mad for more!

I would have never known this was a debut author by the excellent detail and engaging, on edge twists and turns, it’s an FBI/detective oriented book, which was a first for me, but I loved every moment of it and found myself unable to put it down, always in wonder of what was happening next. Definitely looking forward to future releases from this author, I truly think he could be one of the next best sellers!

An FBI team of agents, led by Gardner Camden, tracks down a serial killer determined to give his brand of justice. With the Patterns and Recognition team (PAR) on the verge of disbandment, Gardner and the rest of his team must solve riddles and clues left behind by the killer before the killer finds more victims.

I was hooked on this book from the beginning. McMahon provides some likable and well-developed characters in Gardner Camden and his team. They are easy to like and root for. Their thoughts and struggles add to the depth of the story. I enjoyed the investigation and the twists throughout the story. I give it 4.5/5 stars.

FBI Agent Camden is part of a unit that helps solves problems others cannot handle. When he is placed as the head of a team covering the murder of a serial killer who he thought died seven years prior. This leads to other vigilante killings and taunting by the murderer. Camden and his team must stop the killer before he strikes again.

This was a well-told thriller of a vigilante that hunts serial killers. The main character, and his eccentricities, remind me of Spencer from Criminal Minds. He was able to see patters in the crimes and remember things as they actually occurred. The story kept me interested. The ending was well-done and did not end as I thought it would.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed Head Cases, a fast paced FBI procedural read ! Gardner Camden is a member of the FBI unit PAR ( Patterns and Recognition) which is a group of four agents. PAR is used when other law enforcement groups haven’t been able to solve a case and they’re brought in to see the case from possible different angles. Agent Camden is certainly a different individual, considered neurodivergent, seeing numbers and patterns like nobody else can. He’s extremely likable as a character and you can instantly connect with him and cheer him on when he gets into an iffy situation. The group get along well despite their differences in personalities and they appear to be more than just coworkers.
The story revolves around a case that PAR is brought into about the murder of a serial killer thought to have died seven years before. The killer leaves clues that seem to be directed only at Camden himself. And then…. the killer kills again?!
The story heads off cross country from Florida to Texas to California and back again, gaining pieces to the puzzle as they go. And the suspense begins! Throw in some personal life for Camden and it’s a great mix.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I found myself reading frantically as the suspense carried on. Highly recommend Head Cases to those who love a great FBI/police procedural. I’ll definitely read more of John McMahon!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martens Press for my eARC.

I certainly hope we get another installment of this story, it was very good. The Patterns and Recognition group (PAR) operate under the FBI, they look at anything where there may be a pattern and try to solve it. They are also rumored to be disbanding soon, the group is made up of FBI agents that have had issues with their career for some reason, not that they aren't good agents, just that they don't always get along with others. Gardner Camden is the lead on a case where a serial killer long thought deceased is found deceased, and the team has to figure out where he was for the past several years. Not long after another person is found deceased, who also happens to be a serial killer recently released from prison. Gardner starts to receive personal contact with the killer, taunting him about being slow and not smart enough to figure out who's behind the killings. Things really pick up about half way when the team literally starts criss crossing the country trying to stay ahead of the bad guy. It becomes a race to track him down before he takes down an even bigger target. A great story very faced paced and engaging, I would highly recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Minotaur books for the ARC.

4.5 stars which I will gladly round up to 5 because honestly I could not put Head Cases down and when I wasn't reading I was plotting on how to get back to the book,

We meet Gardner Camden an FBI agent that has been put in the basement so to speak with the rest of the PAR team.

All at some point have been demoted to this elite team of puzzle solvers that recognize patterns and they all have a brilliant mind.

A serial killer is hunting and killing other serial killers.

Think Dexter but this one makes Dexter look tame.

Camden will steal your heart with his faults, his uniqueness and his ability to think outside the box.

Twists and turns, action plus and the bodies are piling up quickly.

My only complaint is I did not want the book to end but I will wait patiently for Book 2.

This was my first but certainly not my last John McMahon book . I definitely will read his other available books.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the privilege of reading and reviewing Head Cases

Gardner Camden leads an elite FBI task force that finds themselves hunting down a serial killer.

A classic FBI procedural thriller! Here's what I liked:

The characters: You can tell this is a potential start to a series. There are some really interesting and layered characters that are introduced. Gardner is of course at the center of the story and he is a fascinating character. I loved his backstory and really how his brain works. He's not an approachable guy, but he is brilliant at what he does.

The mystery: This has a lot of different layers to it. There are so many twists, but it all connects really well. I love that this is an FBI story. It reminded me of Silence of the Lambs and other books from the 90's.



All in all, this was a great FBI thriller!

This was such a fun, entertaining and thrilling read. The storyline unfolded perfectly, it kept me on my toes and continuously surprised me. For a debut the writing was fantastic and I will be looking out for more from this author.

[arc review]
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Head Cases releases January 28, 2025

2.5

This new series from McMahon features an FBI unit that specializes in patterns and recognition, who’ve just been assigned to a case involving a serial killer murdering other serial killers.

The premise and character archetypes presented are reminiscent of some of my favourite police procedural and crime tv shows, so it’s no surprise why this appealed to me. However, the characters themselves weren’t compelling enough to stand out from the many other series I love that are of a similar nature.

Most notably was the fact that Camden had a young daughter, which threw me off as it was an unconventional addition and didn’t really fit the ideal characterizations of someone in his professional position.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having just watched Criminal Minds and Mind Hunter, this book was the perfect followup. I loved the ensemble characters and the different crimes the book went into.

FBI Agent Gardner Camden (always with the names that could be two last names, these people) is an “analytical genius” which probably just means he’s boring as hell, right? Oh, and he loves puzzles. He’s not so great with people, though, and that includes his 7 year old, Camila. We are told this, but really don’t see that much evidence of it because he is THE STAR OF THE BOOK. Gardner, THE STAR, and his team, a mathematician, a weapons expert and a computer expert are the Patterns and Recognition unit, specializing in difficult to solve cases. They never go anywhere except for this case where they seemingly have an unlimited budget for air travel. Elon Musk will put a quick stop to this nonsense, you can just bet! :)

Here, DNA links a murder victim to a serial killer believed to be dead. When a second victim appears the murderer starts leaving clues and riddles especially for Gardner. Car the PaR team catch the killer? Spoiler alert 1: I’ll bet they can. Spoiler alert 2: I’ll bet this is going to become a series.

I actually liked this book OK, except for a late stage reveal about one of the characters which seemed unnecessary and a HUGE missed clue by all investigators which would have lost everyone their jobs, and rightfully so. So, so dumb.

Hoping this novel, about a "puzzle solving" PAR unit in the FBI, becomes a series. Centered on Gardner Camden, an agent with a unique and difficult personality perhaps on "the spectrum" When DNA links a recent murder victim to a serial killer who died 7 years ago in a house fire, Camden and his mathematician partner, Cassie, are sent to the scene. As it becomes apparent that someone is killing serial killers, specifically to get the attention of Camden and the PAR unit. As the agents travel the country tracing their killer, they rely on their individual skills and personalities to solve the case, and find links to even older cases. Fast paced, well written, I enjoyed every page!

👀 T R A C K E R T U E S D A Y review 👀 featuring “Head Cases” by John McMahon!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

This book follows a group of FBI “misfit agents” called PAR (Patterns and Recognitions), who get called in to find a serial killer that is hunting OTHER serial killers 🔪!

A decade ago a notorious serial killer was presumed dead … or so the FBI thought … until he was found brutally murdered in the present day. As the bodies of other serial killers start to pile up, the team continues to be taunted by a mastermind vigilante who sends them on a wild goose chase consisting of riddles and clues. This killer of serial killers is CALCULATED, deranged, has no filter and is out for VENGEANCE!

“Head Cases” is the perfect crime thriller for fans of Criminal Minds and Mind Hunter! Thank you kindly to @johnmcmahonbooks @minotaur_books @stmartinspress @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on January 28, 2025!

Head Cases is a gripping and electrifying series debut that follows an enigmatic group of FBI agents as they hunt down a murderer seeking his own justice . The novel's greatest strength lies in its ability to balance intricate plotting with compelling character development. McMahon's unique premise and sharp prose make Head Cases a standout in the crime genre. While some readers may find the pacing a bit uneven at times, the book's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.

Overall, Head Cases is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and those looking for a fresh voice in the genre. With its captivating plot, memorable characters, and McMahon's polished writing, this novel sets the bar high for future releases from this talented new author. Mark your calendars for its release on January 28, 2025

I’m not usually a fan of law enforcement themed books but this one was really good! I loved following Camden and the rest of PAR across the US to find the serial killer. I loved Camden as a character and I really hope the author decides to make a sequel!

In “Head Cases”, the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit and its brilliant but quirky members is an obvious knock-off of (or to be more generous, an homage to) the TV show “Criminal Minds.” Camden Gardner = Agent Reid; even has a mentally ill mother (dementia instead of schizophrenia). That being said, the plot is a good one, and the book very enjoyable. There appears to be a serial killer killing other serial killers, with the first victim being someone the FBI thought was already dead. The killer knows things he or she should not know. And the killer has set up an intricate game, leaving clues (some more obvious than others) for Agent Gardner and his colleagues to find, and manipulating their actions and responses. The story has a cast of interesting and amusing characters, as well as lots of surprises that will keep the reader guessing.

This is a fun book that reminded me of some tv shows I enjoy. Primarily FBI but also Criminal Minds a little bit. It was fun though I struggled in the beginning. I found it a little hard to get into with the dialogue a little choppy. However, I was invested and needed to know how things worked out, so I kept reading and I am glad that I did. I really ended up enjoying this one in the end. This was a fast-paced story and after the initial hump, very engaging. I loved all the twists that this book had. They were delicately done, and revealed in a natural way that helped propel the plot along. I loved the main character, he was quirky and smart, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed the side characters and feel they added to the plot nicely.

I do hope that this is the first book in a new series. There is a lot of promise with where this book could go and I am excited for it. There was the perfect amount of build up and introduction to the characters in this book that it would be the perfect springboard.