Oh absolutely. This is like the best of Criminal Minds, but with Spencer Ried as the main character. He and his genius/weirdo colleagues chase down a serial killer killer with a god complex and way too much information about our protagonist -- and of course, things get hairy.

These characters are fantastic and waste no time delivering nightmares and cracking clues. If you're as familiar with this particular genre as I am, don't dismiss this as been-there TBR fodder. It's what you want, yes, but it feels fresh and genuinely thrilling.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a sneak peek. These thoughts are my own.

WOW! THIS BOOK IS AWESOME! I am so glad to see that HEAD CASES by John McMahon is the beginning of a great new series. Move over Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sacks, Agent Gardner Camden and his Patterns and Recognition (PAR) Squad will surely give you a run for your title.

The PAR team usually works behind the scenes and below the radar on cold cases, but when DNA links a murder to a presumably long dead killer, they are thrust into the spotlight as they race against time to find the elusive killer as the bodies start to pile up. Gardner, an analytical genius, has always loved puzzles and he and the team, including a mathematician, a ‘shooter’, a coroner and a newby drag others along as they will need to combine all of their skills to piece this one together. But can they connect the whole picture while Gardner protects his seven year old daughter in Florida and his mother suffering dementia in S. Carolina?

I love when the clues seem so insignificant at the time but are later the piece that can only be placed in one position. This one just carried me right along with it an I was hunting down the clues and running the streets with them. And boy! Did they run the streets. But clear your calendar because once you get started on THIS one you just need to hold on because you are not going to be able to get off this ride until it’s over! My pulse was racing, my heart was in my throat and I was on the edge of my seat. I am SO excited to see where/what the PAR SQUAD gets tangled up with next. This is my first John McMahon novel and I have already purchased the first in two of his other series. I can’t wait to get to them. I cannot say enough just how much I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

In his acknowledgments, John McMahon lets you know that this is the first book of a two book deal. I can not wait to see FBI Agent Gardner Camden and his group return. McMahon sets a fast pace for his thriller with twists around every corner. Gardner works with PAR, Patterns and Recognition, a group of talented agents who each have a black mark on their records. They have been confined to working in an office until a puzzling murder is discovered. The victim is identified as a serial killer who supposedly died years ago in a fire. A second victim soon follows. This one had recently been paroled after serving his sentence. The murders are brutal and cryptic clues are left on the bodies. Gardner has a brilliant mind and specializes in puzzles and patterns. He is put in charge of the investigation to find a murderer that they have dubbed Mad Dog. He has an insider’s knowledge about the victim’s histories, making Gardner believe that he has a tie to the FBI. When Mad Dog contacts Gardner directly it becomes a game of cat and mouse. PAR is under threat of being disbanded and this case could be the one that saves them. Mad Dog is a trained hunter who rattles Gardner with threats against his family. Gardner is more determined than ever to catch him and it is a race to find him before he kills again. With wonderful characters and an edge of your seat story, Head Cases will have you hoping that Gardner and PAR are around for a long time. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book.

This book was wild and kept me on the edge of my seat! Very thrilling and full of suspense!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy

so thankful to the st. martin's press, minotaur books, netgalley, and the author for this e-galley.

i could not put this book down, it felt like i was reading an episode of criminal minds unfold. Agent Camden and the rest of PAR were so engaging to read about. i especially loved the idea of a team comprised of bureau problem children that are incredibly skilled. their banter, and backstories were really interesting and they all felt very fleshed out. i loved all the side characters that were introduced and cannot wait to see where book two goes.

i loved how it felt like we part of the team. we got information at the same time as the agents and it was oh so fun to try and solve the mystery. there were twists and turns but none of them felt unexpected and i enjoyed going back and seeing if i missed any clues. if you love criminal minds, you will adore this. if you want to get into the thriller/crime genre, look no further. i can't recommend this book enough.

This book would be perfect for anyone who is a fan of the Criminal Minds tv series. Exciting mystery, the narrator was an interesting character, the relationship among the team of agents was great. I can't wait for other books in this series and I'm going back to read this author's previous books.

The book was good, but a little far fetched in some of the themes. I did enjoy the characters and the writing style.

John McMahon’s Head Cases is exactly the book I’ve been searching for! It’s packed with mystery, suspense, FBI cases, and tons of murder. If you're a Criminal Minds fan, this book will definitely hit the spot. The story follows a group of talented agents who are experts at solving puzzles. Each agent has made career mistakes along the way, which landed them in a department called Patterns and Recognition (PAR). PAR is a team that’s pretty much looked down on within the Bureau. They’re only weeks away from being shut down when a shocking case drops in their laps: a murderer is murdering murderers!

The main character, Gardner Camden, is a single father and caretaker for his mother who has Alzheimer’s, which instantly gave me Spencer Reid vibes. He’s different from others, and his brain picks up on every little detail, making him an excellent detective. The level of detail in the book is impressive, but it never feels overwhelming.

The murderer is playing a twisted game with Gardner, leaving clues and pushing him to solve the mystery. They are even targeting his family. It reminded me of those Criminal Minds episodes where a main character is targeted, so we get a deep dive into their life. Gardner starts suspecting that the killer might actually be someone within the FBI itself, which I found absolutely thrilling!!

I blew through this book. The story kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. One of my favorite parts was the character Freddie Fanda, the bookstore employee. He felt like a nod to all of us internet sleuths who can’t get enough of true crime, thrillers, and solving cases haha!

Head Cases was a solid 5/5 for me, and I’m already excited to dive into McMahon’s other books. Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read it!

The title and subject matter definitely was an immediate draw for me!
The story is well paced and entertaining! It definitely keeps you on your toes! It gives Dexter vibes and has you kind of cheering on the suspect / killer but the team / Head Case people are so likable you ultimately want them to succeed!
I would say if you like mind hunter , Will Trent , and or Dexter you will likely enjoy this book!
I cant wait to see where the series goes, off to a great start!

As a member of the Pattern and Recognition Unit (PAR) FBI Agent Camden has a gift for finding complex clues & solving difficult cases. But when one of his previously solved cases pops back up in an unexpected way things start to unravel both personally and professionally.

Head Cases is a twisty journey to solve a case of the hunters being hunted. This novel was well paced and held my interest throughout. I enjoyed the cast of characters & the background they brought to the team. The plot kept me guessing until the very end. The interplay of agency politics into how the case was impacted was an interesting addition to the storyline.

This book would be great for fans of Criminal Minds or The Naturals series. I look forward to reading more about these characters in future installments of the series.

If CBS is looking for the next CSI, they should snap up Head Cases ASAP. This book is incredibly cinematic, packed with smart, socially awkward investigators who might struggle with small talk but can crack cases at lightning speed. Their nickname? The "Head Cases"—and their latest challenge is a serial killer who hunts other serial killers. Talk about high stakes!

John McMahon delivers a tight, gripping plot with well-developed characters that make it refreshing to see nerds taking center stage. If you're into fast-paced thrillers with brains and bite, Head Cases is a must-read. Here’s hoping Hollywood is paying attention!

A special FBI agency named Patterns and Recognition (PAR) are given cases that other units have been unable to solve. These agents, though brilliant in their unconventional ways of thinking and their sometimes difficult personalities, have all screwed up their careers and made mistakes landing them at PAR. They are known internally as the Head Cases. Gardner (Gardy) Camden is assigned lead investigator on the latest case assigned to the team. The case is to find a killer that has dismembered his victim. The victim was previously believed to be dead in a fire ten years prior. When a second victim is found it becomes apparent that the victims are not random, they are serial killers being targeted for their crimes against others. When the victims bodies are found there are clues left intentionally to outwit the FBI investigators. This is quite a ride with twists and turns that will make you think. If you love a good murder mystery and quirky misunderstood characters this one’s for you.
Garden Camden will be back in book #2.
This ARC was provided by St Martin’s Press publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Head Cases is the type of addictive mystery that is perfect for those who love a good detective thriller.
Gardner Camden is a brilliant agent with an eidetic memory. Gardner and his team are brought onto cases that no one else can solve. When their latest case becomes personal, the pressure is on to solve the identity of the killer.
With a quirky team of investigators and a captivating storyline, I was pulled into the plot right away. The writing was so well done and realistic that I almost felt as though I was watching a movie. Excellent novel that I hope has a part 2.

What an intriguing first-in-series! The focus of this novel is the work of the Patterns and Recognition Unit (PAR of the FBI), a quirky, nerdy band of misfits, all of whom have messed up in one way or another in the past and have been relegated as a group of outcasts to work on cold cases. Although other FBI agents refer to the group as “Head Cases,” each member is brilliant in one way or another. For example, Gardner Camden, the protagonist of the group, is a brilliant analytical thinker and master of puzzles who is able to decipher many things the average person would never be able to. As the story begins, this group is given a rather “hot” case and assigned to investigate the fact that an apparent serial killer is killing other serial killers. This novel is a well-written, well-plotted one with interesting characters and plenty of surprises. And, even though some of the happenings in it stretch credibility, it definitely kept me turning pages, and I look forward to the next in the series.

This thrilling Criminal Mindesque novel had an unforgettable cast of quirky characters—a mix of bold, funny, brainy investigators that make up the SAR unit of the FBI.
This group must catch a serial killer leaving puzzling clues playing cat and mouse. How are these kills connected and will solving it save the unit from eradication?
I thoroughly immersed myself in John McMahon’s to-the-point writing style and loved getting to know these characters as they struggled both personally and professionally. I look forward to reading their next case.

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!

Head Cases is leading a great new crime thriller series.
Criminal Minds fans, this is for you.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for ARC for review!
Meet the five agents of the FBI Patterns And Recognition (PAR) unit - Cassie Pardo, Joanne "Shooter" Harris, newcomer Richie Brancato, boss Frank Roberts, and the story told from POV of special agent Gardner Camden.
The team brings new theories and leads on cases where investigations have grown stale.
They are all specialized in their own rights, with Gardner being a genius with puzzles and not so much with human interaction.
The case that opens Head Cases is of a recently-deceased body found. But the man was on record of having died seven years prior.
The "world building" here is great, Camden being the central character and we know we will learn more of the others as the series progresses.
I'm looking forward to the next book, expected in 2026.
Released on Jan. 28.

Head Cases is a police procedural novel that follows Gardner Camden and his team at the FBI. Camdenis part of the Patterns and Recognition Unit, a team that is brought in on cases no one else can solve. The team gets called in to a murder where the victim has been identified as someone who was believed to already be dead, and it soon becomes clear they are hunting a killer who kills other serial killers. This killer decides to make it personal by targeting Camden, and the people he loves.

I had pretty high hopes for this novel, but it did fall a little flat for me. I thought the concept of this book was very interesting, it was very fast paced, and the resolution of what was actually going on was really well done, and took me by surprise. However, I found that all the other characters besides Camden felt very flat and two dimensional. It was hard to tell other characters apart, as they all felt the same. I also felt like the actual FBI unit itself wasn't really mentioned much; Camden is supposed to be part of a special unit, but they never really are seen doing anything that isn't routine investigative work. This was just fine, I enjoyed it well enough but I'm not sure I would continue on with the series.

Agents in the PAR division of the FBI all have one thing in common: they messed up in some way in their work with the bureau. When asked to review cases that involve the deaths of serial killers, they learn there are some deep connections to the FBI.

I enjoyed this book. While I thought there was going to be more of a connection to past serial killers, the book quickly turned when the motive of the killer became increasingly connected to individuals within the FBI itself. I found the main character interesting and liked the view from his brain. I appreciated that he was different and while this ultimately got him "in trouble" with the bureau, he was able to stay true to himself and open up the case. There were some things that were not explained, but without understanding the realities of an agent, I'm sure that these thin, but meaningful connections are made in real-life cases. The pace of the book felt good and I'm looking forward to the next installment!

I requested this book after reading an excerpt of it a little bit ago. There is always a special section of the FBI that does what no other department can do. Do you think they all feel like that? I bet they do. I can't imagine being in that one FBI office that just KNEW you were the worst of the best. You were the ones that didn't quite rise to expectations. The ones that the other agents felt bad for. It seems like there isn't much reason for you to be "special" but you were already there and you had your clearance and badge, so....

But this isn't that group. This is the one that is good at their job. This is the one with the odd and brilliant member that holds them all together. And it was a good story. Lot's of action. No easy answers or completely out there twist endings. This is just my way of saying that this was familiar in that way that basically all books about elite groups in already elite crime fighting agencies. I feel like it is just short of making itself distinct. Most first book in a series are. They want to feel familiar. Then you see the distinctions. I will read the second book that is sure to come. There is the hint of relationships in need of being explored and backstories to learn.