Head Cases concerns a small group of FBI experts who also happen to be misfits. They usually work cold cases but are called into an active investigation.
Gardner Camden sees patterns and is considered brilliant but doesn’t have the best social skills.
Someone is killing serial killers by the same means they killed their victims. It makes the team wonder if the killer is in law enforcement or even the FBI. And the killings are happening one after the other. The team needs to solve this case to redeem themselves.
I enjoyed reading this book - it was fast paced and had interesting characters.

This was a great book. I appreciate the opportunity to read it. 10/10 recommend. The writer really had you guessing who it could be thru out the entirety of the book as if you were solving the case along with the other members of PAR

I am a SUCKER for any novel that centers around a gang of misfits who happen to be employed by some sort of police agency. That is exactly what we find in Head Cases by McMahon. We are following characters who work in a branch of the FBI called PAR (patterns and recognition), but around the office they are whispered about as the "Head Cases." The characters we are following all had different missteps in their career that led them to be hidden away or demoted down to PAR as a punishment. Despite this they are known to be a brilliant group that can solve the unsolvable. Which is exactly what the FBI needs when a serial killer who has a penchant for killing bad guys begins leaving a trail of bodies.

This is a great foundation for the continuation of the story and for a lot more character development. Our main character Gardner Camden is neurodivergent. He has a BRILLIANT mind, but lacks most social skills. The rest of the team were unique enough to stand out, but definitely need to be fleshed out more. The lead up and ending were superb, but the actual answer to what it was all for was just fell a little flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, John McMahon and St Martin’s Press for free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good start to a series that I think I’d like to continue. I loved the different type of team that mostly deals with puzzles and see things others don’t. It was fairly fast paced, great twists and wildly action packed.

Well written and engaging police procedural book, reminiscent of Criminal Minds and Slow Horses.

The PAR (Patterns and Recognition) unit of the FBI consists of a group of misfits tasked with helping to solve cold cases. Gardner Camden has a very analytical brain but does not excel with social cues and interaction. They have heard that PAR is likely to be disbanded, and the news they just received doesn't help. Many years previously, Gardner helped to identify a serial killer who was presumed dead in a house fire. But he turns up murdered with many of the similar elements from his own kills. Then another serial killer is found dead. Gardner and his team need to find this culprit--and fast--using the clues the killer leaves behind.

I enjoyed this intriguing mystery, and the characters make it more interesting. There are a lot of moving pieces, a large number of characters, clues, elements, and details to keep straight. I listened to this as an audiobook and I liked how the narrator portrayed Gardner, helping me root for his success throughout.

The mystery itself is surprising and clues are revealed at the right times to keep the reader invested in discovering the outcome along with the characters. It's fast paced, with a good balance of action and suspense. I really hope this is the start to a series, because there are so many different directions and storylines this group of agents can pursue.

What a wild ride!!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Wow!!!! This is seriously a debut? Incredible.

This grabbed me from the opening chapter and kept me on the edge of my seat! The novel follows the FBI's specialized Patterns and Recognition Unit (PAR) in St. Augustine, Florida. The story centers on a group of agents unflatteringly called "head cases" by their colleagues. They are a group of outcasts with genius abilities in puzzles, patterns, codes, etc., but have all messed up somewhere in their careers, and PAR is their last chance. They usually work cold cases but get called to help catch a serial killer who is killing other serial killers and leaving riddles behind.

Analytical puzzle genius Gardner Camden leads an ensemble cast of well-developed, quirky, and distinctive characters. Each team member has a unique skill set, and seeing how they worked together was interesting and fun. Gardner's interactions with his mother and daughter also added an emotional layer to the story. I enjoyed seeing both the professional and private sides of Gardner's life right from the start.

This was my first book by this author, and I enjoyed his writing style, the carefully constructed plot, and how he built suspense. The twists were well done, and I did not anticipate some places this went. The premise was unique, and the crime set up a morally complex chase as the killer targets other killers. So, that was an interesting angle.

I hope this becomes a series, as I'd be interested in more stories with this group. The whole time I was reading this, I thought it would make a great TV show, and then I found out it was optioned for an adaptation.
Very entertaining and one that fans of thrillers and procedurals will want to check out!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the gifted ARC!

Within the world of the FBI sits a special unit called PAR: Patterns and Recognition, which is dubbed Head Cases by those outside the unit. Meant to be derogatory because the team consists of members who have “messed up” at some point during their time in the Bureau and relocated to this team. Still, they are all brilliant individuals and together they usually work on cold cases but in this instance there’s an active case they’re called in to solve, and it’s a doozy!

I absolutely devoured this book. It was one of those rare instances where I couldn’t wait to be back in these pages and found myself shirking responsibilities just so I could keep reading and listening! Dark, twisty, and utterly addicting this clever story is one I won’t soon forget and I really REALLY hope this is the first in a series. I need more from these characters!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the alc and Minotaur Books for the arc via Netgalley!

Pub day: January 28, 2025
Rating: 5/5⭐️

I would like to start off by thanking Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book. WOW! Those three letters are how I feel about this book. Not only did I finish it in a day but I literally could not put it down. Set in a fictional FBI world where a team called PAR standing for Patterns and Recognition, is hunting for a murderer that is taking justice into their own hands.
Although this team is made up of a motley crew they are the best at what they do and the perfect person to solve this is our protagonist Gardner. Although he may lack social cues his intelligence makes up for it in spades. I was obsessed with all the twists and turns and needed to see what happened next. McMahon does such a brilliant job of describing everyone and everything in this book in the mind of Gardner that I felt as if I was in this world with them. Everything and everyone is connected and the farther you get into the book the more you learn how.
If you love criminal minds or mind hunter than you will love this book!
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would, but unfortunately I only got 5.

Head Cases was an enjoyable read. I thought the PAR department of the FBI was fascinating to read about. This story was winding, but not overly so. I thought Gardner Camden was a good main character, and there was enough background to keep him mysterious but still interesting, and you wanted to root for him. I definitely will pick up more books involving the PAR team.

This is the book you will read in two sittings because it grabs on and you
do not want to miss a minute. The inner workings of the FBI might seem
like a common thread for a thriller/suspense story but this is unlike
anything I have read. The best news is that I’m pretty sure there will
be a series with this starting out (and ending) the way it did ~it’s a rock
solid entry into a long running series. Here’s the sneak peek~
EVERYTHING works out just the way I was hoping for and there is
a, good setup for a sequel.
My thanks to Minotaur books via NetGalley for the download
copy of this book for review purposes.

Reminiscent of TV series criminal minds and Temperance Brennon series by Kathy Reichs this is another intriguing book that could be great book series or TV show with a neurodivergent main character. It felt like it was written to become a TV series. I would invest my time into a series with this character FBI Agent Gardner Camden who is neurodivergent and good with analytics and puzzles.

The mystery is a complex one and I loved guessing what was going to happen next and what the various clues might mean. The story is also faced paced due to the character rapport and dialogue / banter. Looking forward to more about from this author and main character.



Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC . This is my honest review.

Wow this is going to rank near the top for my favorite audiobooks of the year! First time author, Will Damron narrating, great title, and catchy cover all made this book one to be a highly recommended when it releases in January 2025. The plot was complex and detailed with unique and quirky characters. While this story was a lot of cat-and-mouse, it wasn’t my perfect type of chase.

I didn’t read the synopsis so while I am tempted to say what it’s about, I suggest you just skip it and read or listen to this page turning thriller!

I started the ebook and then switched to the audio once I saw Will Damron was narrating!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

*Thank you to Minitour Book, Josh McMahon and Netgalley for providing me with a E-ARC of "Head Cases" in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a very interesting mystery featuring a very paticular set of characters. I thought they they each had depth and I'm looking forward to reading more.

(4.25 stars)
Head Cases is the derogatory nickname other FBI folks give the members of a special unit called PAR: Patterns And Recognition. They are people who have messed up in some way in other FBI posts but they each are brilliant in their own way and seem to work really well together, usually working on cold cases.

This time, though, they are called in for a “hot” case. They are assigned to find a serial killer who is out there killing other serial killers! Gardner Camden leads the team for the first time, and he is grappling with this responsibility in addition to working the case. I loved his character; we get to know him professionally and personally. His love for his young daughter was palpable. The other members of the team were written as individuals so I had no trouble keeping track of who was who.

The mystery is a complex one and I loved guessing what was going to happen next and what the various clues might mean. The audiobook kept me and my husband entertained on a long road trip. The narrator did a fabulous job with all the voices. I’m going to look for more books narrated by Will Damron!

I sure hope there are going to be more books featuring these characters. The ending certainly hinted at it. In the meantime, I’m going to try to read his earlier books.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.25/5
Thank you @minotaur_books #partner for the gifted copy of this eARC!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…give me all the books that deal with puzzles, clues, codes, games and riddles! This one was such a blast to read! A unique and highly skilled team of people including a sniper, someone from the PAR (patterns and recognition) FBI group, a computer analyst and a mathematician all tracking a murder across the country! The best part is the crew hasn’t always made the best impression in their careers in the past but boy did they come out swinging with this task! Ahhh it was seriously such a great read! I think the author did a spectacular job creating every single character’s personality and skills! I literally did not want to put this book down until it was over. Plus it features a serial killer which is another favorite of thing of mine (of course only in books!) 😆 I really hope this becomes a series because I would love to follow this crew on another mission!

Read this if:

🧑‍🦱You like a unique cast of characters
🕵️‍♀️Like shows like criminal minds
🌪️Like when you can’t see the twists coming
🔪Enjoy tracking down serial killers

TLDR: perfect for fans of Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs, for fans of Criminal Minds and CSI. A strong well paced mystery with good reveals that also introduces engaging characters for what is likely the start of a new book series.

Thank you MacMilllan audio for the review copy of Head Cases. I really love a good procedural/serial killer story that blends the science/crime scene and profiler analysis themes many of us love from Patricia Cornwell books and shows like Criminal Minds, Bones, and CSI. This book hits the right notes with those themes and introduces what I presume/hope is a fun new series that delves into the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) team and Gardner as the team leader. The story was well paced, nicely narrated, and I thought the clues and reveals were satisfying and the introduction of a cast of characters was well done without sacrificing the pace of the story

I really got into the character development for Gardner, I thought it was great to read a character who is neurodiverse but not have it come across as overly stereotypical, a character with an interesting background story that I want more of; here is where I thought the narration was powerful as Will Damron managed to capture a tone and style that I would expect for someone who is neurodiverse while still imbuing the performance with charisma and style.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Jan. 28, 2025
John McMahon, author of the P.T Marsh detective series of novels, brings an underestimated group of FBI agents to the forefront as they investigate a serial killer who is murdering other serial killers in his first stand-alone novel, “Head Cases”.
Gardner Camden and his team, the FBI’s PAR (Patterns and Recognition), are an overlooked group of agents who have an exceptional talent at recognizing patterns, completing puzzles and viewing things through a logical lens. Now, Camden and his team of rejects are called in to help investigate a series of gruesome murders and it seems the killer is targeting other killers. However, the first victim is a killer that Camden thought had died in a house fire over a decade ago so now he must go back and search his brain (and his files) to figure out where he went wrong before another victim turns up. But does anyone really care when the victims are serial killers?
Fans of “Criminal Minds” (especially Spencer Reed), will be all about McMahon’s PAR unit. A group of outcast agents who form a team of rejects and misfits, work together to solve a killer who is murdering other killers. It’s an absolute must read for fans of behavioural profiling and FBI procedurals.
Camden is a neurodivergent protagonist (similar to Criminal Minds’ Reed), whose genius overpowers his ability to engage and interact with other people. All of the members of his team have some record of misbehaviour with the FBI, but they are all too smart and talented to completely fire them, so now they come together and stick it to the higher-ups who called them incompetent by solving their case for them, in record time. There is not a character in the bunch that I did not absolutely love- and I was turning the pages at a rapid pace to uncover their outcomes.
There are some delicious twists in this novel and I was on board for every one. The why? And the why now? Are the two big questions posed throughout the story and when we get the answers, there are still more surprises to come. The ending is action-packed and tense, and McMahon leaves just enough to assume a sequel (or more) are on the way. All I can say to that is—YES PLEASE!

Head Cases is the debut novel introducing a special unit in the FBI that uses unique skills to make up the Patterns and Recognition unit. Headed up by FBI Agent Gardner Camden who has unique behavior and challenges to overcome though never specifically delved into the reader could be lead to believe that Gardner may be on the spectrum. A vigilante killer is hunting down killers while Gardner and his agents are playing catch-up and drawing Gardner’s family into the mix. The case keeps twisting as the unit stays one step behind a killer until the satisfying conclusion. The characters are interesting but I feel like I want to know more about them and how they work. I hope the author takes a deeper dive into the characters personalities and background in the next book that I will definitely be reading. The novel shows great potential to turn into a thrilling series. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

✨️Review 3/5 🌙's✨️
Head cases by: John McMahon


Overview: Pars is a special unit that has been called to untie the knots of a more complicated case. Gardner has a brilliant mind. One that can figure out things and make leaps and bounds. He enjoys puzzles and feels called to solve the one PARS has been assigned to.

Thoughts: This book was a really good read in the sense that I flew through this novel, really enjoying some of the plot points and surprises. There were plenty of shocks and twists and turns. However, the main problem fell mostly on our main character. Although he was extremely smart and definitely fit the part of a strange minds agent, the connection to the reader is missed. I didn't feel much of a connection to the main character. I feel like if I cared more about Gardner, then some of the plot twists and effects of Gardners chase on other people in his life would have moved me. Instead, I had a bit of a disconnect and felt no emotional response.

I would definitely recommend this to lovers of cold cases, criminal minds, and other FBI/Police task force crime shows. It gave a lot of TV vibes, and I feel like this book would make a more incredible TV show.

Thanks for the ARC in extange for my honest review.
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