Summary
The FBI formed a task force with agents who are gifted with patterns and recognition. This group is referred to as PAR, at least to their faces, but behind their backs, they’re called the “head cases”. Each agent in this unit has a questionable background with bureau politics and has essentially been deemed unfit to be in the public eye. However, their knack for analysis and pattern recognition makes them a perfect fit to investigate cold cases.

But, when a suspected serial killer turns up dead, PAR is thrust into an active investigation. The deceased man was previously tracked down by PAR’s Agent Gardner Camden, but when they attempted to make the arrest, the suspect’s home was ablaze, and his body was identified with dental records. So, how is it now, that more than a decade later, the man has turned up murdered?

And when the body of another serial killer drops in short succession, it becomes evident to the team that they have a serial killer than is picking off other serial killers. PAR must race to solve the clues left behind, or risk being too late.

Review
This book gave me call backs to some of my favorite things. A little bit of Criminal Minds (Agent Gardner Camden reminds me of Agent Reid), and a dash of Dexter (serial killer vigilante justice).

Agent Camden was the perfect narrator for the story, he was likable and quirky with her neurodivergent nature. I loved the explanation as his mind teased out the solutions to various clues / riddles, but also understanding the inner dialogue of his perception of social situations.

Only thing I wished had been better was the development of the remainder of the PAR team. I felt like Agent Camden’s character was so well done, but then the other characters fell flat to a point where I wasn’t sure I really remembered any of them.

Great read though! I would definitely read more books in this series!

Head Cases
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If you’re a fan of Criminal Minds or similar FBI shows, you’ll be a fan of this one, it reads just like an episode! This is a cat and mouse type thriller, with quick chapters it’s a fast paced book you’ll probably want to binge. There were a lot of elements to keep track of, we’re solving right along side Gardner and his team so there are definitely a lot of information…names, dates, locations, etc, but I think the author did a good job of going over the information throughout the book, but not in an annoying repetitive way. It could be a little graphic at times, but nothing crazy (at least not for me lol). I will say that the ending, once we found out the reason behind everything, felt a little underwhelming, but overall I thought it was a good read! And I like the cover! If you love Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds or Brennan from Bones you’ll like our main character! I’m interested to see if this turns into a series? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you NetGalley, John McMahon, and Minotaur Books for this e-ARC. Head Cases comes out January 28th!

When I first starting reading, I wasn't too sure I was going to finish it. I had a hard time connecting to the characters. I continued on and I am glad I did. I actually found myself hoping this was going to be a series and not a stand-alone. Spoiler alert - there is going to be another book!

Fast paced. Totally unexpected. Not having read this author before I didn’t know what to expect. I was surprised and excited by the writing and totally pulled into the plot of the story. My favorite show is Criminal Minds and so this was totally up my alley.

When I first starting reading, I wasn't too sure I was going to finish it. I had a hard time connecting to the characters. I continued on and I am glad I did. I actually found myself hoping this was going to be a series and not a stand-alone. Spoiler alert - there is going to be a 2nd one!!

A very different take on an FBI murder mystery but I enjoyed it. Very excited to see what the author does with the characters in book 2.

Thank you #stmartinspress and #minotaur for the eARC.

This was an interesting take on a mystery but one I enjoyed. I liked this eccentric bunch of characters and fel the book kep you engaged throughout
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

I’m continuing my obsession with serial killers. Let me clarify… reading about them!‍💁🏼‍♀️

Introducing the unsung heroes of the FBI. The team that everyone snickers at. The members who all botched up their careers somewhere along the way. After which, were assembled to be part of a group known as PAR (Patterns and Recognition). Not surprisingly, they are misunderstood and relegated to dealing with cold cases. But make no mistake…these aren’t ordinary FBI agents. This unique group holds some of the most brilliant minds!

Until now.
The team now finds themselves front and center, assigned to find and capture one of the country's most dangerous serial-killer who ironically is now hunting other serial killers! (Nice twist, eh?!)😜

The lead from the PAR team is Agent Gardner Camden. It’s his first opportunity to act as lead investigator for his team and he is ready to dive in!

Oh my gosh, I just loved this book!
This specialized team of investigators were amazing. The author brought distinct and vivid life to each member, making them absolutely real to me from start to finish. Of course Agent Camden was my favorite. We got to know him both personally and professionally. Between his love for his daughter and mother I was absolutely book crushing on him!😍

Is this the start to a new series? I hope so! Please John McMahon bring the team back!

Thank you Tracy for recommending this book that I would have otherwise overlooked.
And now I'm paying it forward and recommending this book to everyone who enjoys all things FBI and serial killer themed.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press

Head Cases reads like a poor man's Amos Decker mystery. The protagonist, Gardner Camden, is on the spectrum, and is eidetic - so not only does he notice details insignificant to others, he remembers them. It also means that McMahon's written the story from the perspective of someone who doesn't really process emotions. This can be done well, where the reader understands the narrator and can find empathy for them when they struggle or don't process their own position. But here it just reads as flat, despite moments where he gets angry or concerned for loved ones. The concept itself also starts off as interesting. Someone who seems to be in law enforcement, or part of the FBI, is killing off serial killers, with details not known to the public. But then McMahon has Gardner running around all over the country unraveling details at a pace that feels unrealistic even for someone that has genius instincts and taking the hunt for a killer into a storyline that's much more mundane. It feels like the whole purpose of the killer does a complete 180 about halfway through the book, and there's details, events and backstory that seems unnecessary and thrown in as red herrings for Gardner. I suspect, much like Amos Decker, that this is intended to be the first in a series, but without Baldacci's careful plotting and suspense building, I don't see it being one that I plan to continue. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Netgalley! Thank you so much for this ARC! It was twisty in all the best ways and John can right a really good story. This is deff going on my shelf in January,

McMahon’s first novel of a new series featuring a group of brilliant eccentric FBI agents that have been formed into an elite force because they have each screwed up in previous roles. Great twisting plot line, lots of action, and nice villains both external in internal. Well worth the read of this crime thriller. It’ll be a best seller for sure.

FBI Agent Gardner Camden isn’t your typical agent. His analytical ability to solve complex puzzles makes him a unique member of the FBI's Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, which specializes in solving cold cases.
When the unit is faced with two recent murder victims with DNA linked to a serial killer who is no longer living, Gardner and his team are faced with their most complex puzzle yet. The team must hit the road and seek whatever help they can from the public.
As the team moves ahead in the investigation, they face more riddles and stumbling blocks. Their search for the killer becomes more desperate when they learn that the perpetrator has inside access to PAR, and now their families may also be in danger.
It is an edge-of-the-seat thriller with twists and turns until the last chapter.

Head Cases by John McMahon

This was an interesting thriller following FBI agents trying to take down a killer who targets serial killers. This was a look into the FBI and was uniquely written to follow the procedural tasks following the research of grisly murders!

I enjoyed this book but found I was bored with the characters, I feel like crime thriller readers would find this exceptionally intriguing and would enjoy this thoroughly.

Thank you Netgalley and ST Martins press for this ARC.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Working in the Patterns and Recognition [PAR] group, FBI Agent Gardner Camden and his partner, Cassie Pardo, investigate when a serial killer is found murdered. Since he’d supposedly be killed more than a decade ago, everything the agents believed they knew was now suspect.

And then there’s another body. And the murderer has left riddles behind, taunting the agents.

Can Gardner with his eidetic memory untangle the clues and track down the mastermind behind the murders?

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This fast-paced crime thriller pulls readers into the telling of the tale from the outset. Strong, interesting characters, an intriguing case, and unexpected twists and turns all work together to keep those pages turning as fast as possible.

Since all four of the agents in the PAR group were sent there after making what might be career-ending mistakes, it’s easy for readers to root for the “misfit underdogs” trying to solve the case and perhaps salvage careers. As for the mastermind criminal, intent on dishing out his own form of “justice,” he always seems to be one step ahead, learning more and more about the team, adding a layer of uncertainty and apprehension to the investigation.

Readers who enjoy crime thrillers will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley
#HeadCases #NetGalley

Wow; this book was great.

This is my first book by this author, but it will not be my last. I was pulled into the story immediately, and I didn't want to put it down. There were so many twists and turns, some more shocking than others.

I really liked the entire PAR team, and all of the characters seemed well developed. I also liked the backstory of the antagonist(s).

This was a very satisfying story, and Gardner was a great mind to experience the FBI through.

Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.

This was a really great find, and I’ll be going back to find the author’s other books. Gardner Camden is part of an investigative group within the FBI, all part-brilliant, part-screwups. I liked the multi-layered case and the personalities of the agents.

(4.5) Wow!! This was such a good page turner. I got an email promoting this book with a link to download and was sold immediately. It's like criminal minds in written form with a character that reminded me a lot of Reid, which is just amazing. I absolutely loved this and I am so glad to see it's going to be a series. Agent Camden is such a fresh, unique character in a world with lots of fictional cop and agent main characters. He is wicked smart, with an insane amount of knowledge with so many different challenges and things to balance. Because we read from his POV, it made for a really interesting written voice. I can’t wait to get to know more about him and read more about the PAR team.

Thank you so much Minotaur for the early access.

I really enjoyed this book. Very fast paced and it draws you in from the beginning. The characters are "misfits" that are extremely likeable, and have you cheering for them. Very well thought out with twists and turns, and a good puzzle to try and solve. The author did a great job with a neurodivergent character, with explaining the thought processes, and the wonderful things his mother did to help raise him. I will definitely be checking out the other books my this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

This was my first book by John McMahon, and I’m so glad to have discovered him. I loved this book and flew through it. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, and I couldn’t put the book down. Although I’m not always thrilled to read about serial killers, I liked watching how the cases were investigated and solved. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read an advance copy of the book. I plan to read his previous books and look forward to more. Highly recommended!

This is a really fun police/FBI procedural. Think Criminal Minds with a touch of Monk mixed in for some humor. While it doesn’t re-write the genre, the clever hook of a group of misfit puzzle solvers who take the cases no one else can crack is quite refreshing and makes for a great read.

I don't usually read political or military thrillers but this one was exceptional as it's fast-paced and allows the reader to see into the world of espionage and the FBI. Gardner Camden is an agent in Texas who begins investigating a "serial killer murdering serial killers." But there are so many odd things about these cases: none of them are killed in "traditional" ways, odd things are found in the dead bodies, and none of the victims seem to be related to each other. But Camden is a smart one as he pieces together all of the crazy clues that make no sense, traversing the states to pursue a man--or men--who use poisoned arrows--and leave no other trace!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!