📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Head Cases (PAR Unit, Book 1) by John McMahon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 352 / Genre: Police Procedural
Audiobook Narrator: Will Damron
Duration: 9 hours 36 minutes
Release Date: January 28, 2025

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius when it comes to solving crimes and puzzles but a complete noob when it comes to interacting with people. He’s part of the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, which also includes a mathematician, a weapons expert, and a computer analyst. In this first book of the series, DNA of a dead serial killer turns up at a murder scene, which then leads to more clues specifically made for Gardner. Can he figure out who’s responsible before it’s too late?

I enjoyed this thriller and the characters in it. I know I’d hate dealing with someone like Gardner in real life, but for some reason I really like reading about them. I’ll be keeping an eye out for this series.

Will Damron did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you, @JohnMcMahonBooks, @Macmillan.Audio, and @NetGalley for my gifted copy. #MacAudio2024

This was such an intriguing story and definitely put me back in my true crime era! The details of the case were absolutely superb and I really liked how everything unfolded. My issue with the story was that I didn’t really connect with any of the characters and the one core female character was framed in a weird goofy light so that wasn’t super appealing but overall, the plot itself made up for the lack of love for the cast.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book would be perfect for fans of Criminal Minds or Mindhunter. I will say that I believe the audio version for me was ideal, as at times there are a lot of little details that o think would have bogged me down if reading in print. I was engaged with the story though, and the ending 20% or so had me at the edge of my seat. I see that this is listed as the first book in a series, and I definitely will be picking up the next one once it’s available.

There have been books I've read because they were advertised as "for fans of Criminal Minds" and after reading them, I felt solidly meh. Head Cases is not that book. I really loved this book and couldn't put it down because of the suspense of catching this serial killer. If you like procedural crime, and can stand a few gory descriptions, I highly recommend Head Cases.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my copy of HEAD CASES. This one is out Jan 28.

I really wanted to like this one but it was just so sterile and not at all interesting. I didn't really care about any of the characters and it was hard to stay connected to this story. I don't recommend this one.

This book took me on a thrilling ride! It was fast paced and I finished listening to this within a day. I really liked all of the characters. They seemed to stand on their own and had great personalities. The antagonist was perfect and well written.

Also, the narration was spot on! It was like listening to my favorite crime show. I can't wait to see what else is in store for this series!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook!

Pleasantly surprised by this one. I will definitely continue the series. This was smart and the characters were interesting.

Head Cases is a police procedural that follows Gardner Camden and his agents who are a part of the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) unit. I thought the story was well written, and the plot was engaging. I really liked the quirkiness of the characters. This book was intense! I found it to be fast paced, and I wasn't able to pick up on the twists. This all worked really well in this series debut. I look forward to reading the next books in the series!
I was provided this on audio, and Will Damron knocked it out of the park! I enjoy him as a narrator, and he did a great job with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen and review.

The narrator’s portrayal of the neurodivergent lead was well-intentioned but the slow pacing of their delivery was a bit distracting. While the voice characterization aimed for authenticity, it occasionally hindered the flow of the story. However, the book itself was a standout. Its well-paced narrative avoided the common pitfall of law enforcement characters making consistently bad decisions, adding to its believability. Overall, a solid listen for its content, though the narration could have been more balanced.

I’m usually not one to listen to male narrators, but this book was fantastic. The story line kept me guessing, which is rare. Following the story across the country, in different states, this was very well written.

John McMahon’s Head Cases is a brilliant start to what I hope will be a long-running series featuring the FBI’s Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit. With its razor-sharp puzzles, dynamic team dynamics, and heart-pounding suspense, this book is impossible to put down. I devoured it in record time and am already eagerly awaiting the next installment—though I’m almost sad I read this one so early, knowing the wait for the sequel may be long.

At the center of the story is Gardner Camden, a genius investigator with a remarkable talent for solving puzzles, but a frustrating inability to connect with people, including his young daughter, Camila. As part of the quirky and highly specialized PAR team, Gardner dives into an investigation that’s as chilling as it is intricate. DNA evidence linking a murder victim to a long-presumed-dead serial killer sets off a series of twists, turning the hunt for the killer into a deadly game of cat and mouse.

McMahon excels at creating complex characters, and the PAR team is no exception. Each member, from the mathematician to the computer analyst to their no-nonsense leader, adds depth and personality to the story, making the team feel like a family of misfits with unparalleled talent. The riddles and patterns the team deciphers are not only intellectually satisfying but also integral to the emotional stakes of the plot.

The audiobook, courtesy of Macmillan Audio, takes the experience to another level. The narrator perfectly captures the nuances of Gardner’s analytical mind, the banter between the team members, and the tension of their race against time. Each character is distinct, making it easy to follow the ensemble cast, and the narration brings the book’s puzzles and high-stakes action to life.

I’m deeply grateful to St. Martin’s Press for granting me access to the book via NetGalley and to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook. Both formats are phenomenal and equally engaging, and I highly recommend them to fans of intricate, character-driven mysteries.

Head Cases is a triumph of intellect, suspense, and heart. McMahon has crafted a series debut that feels fresh and engaging, with a case that is as clever as it is thrilling. If you’re a fan of ensemble casts, intricate puzzles, and high-stakes thrillers, don’t miss this one. And like me, be prepared to count down the days until the next book in the series!

This story dives right in and starts off pretty fast-paced. The second half takes a turn and doesn't follow that same energy, and slows down. The story itself was interesting, however there wasn't enough back story to the main characters. Without their back stories, it's difficult to get invested or care much about whether they succeed or not. The narrator, Will Damron, did a great job. The accents and personality her gave to the characters was perfect! This is the first to a series. I haven't fully decided whether or not I'll continue on with it.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and Libro.fm. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this arc! While I did enjoy this read, as a police procedural it wasn’t one that involved anything entirely unique or memorable for me.
Par for course with this genre, there were several characters and in this case, I had trouble remembering them all and keeping them straight in my head.
In way of writing, this is a quality read but I think it may just not be the book for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had mixed feelings about this book. Most of it was slow, and I struggled to stay engaged for the first two-thirds. However, the pace picked up at the end, going fast and furious, which I enjoyed. The ending was good, though not surprising.

I’ve heard people compare this book to Criminal Minds, but I didn’t get that vibe. Maybe I’m an outlier, but it lacked the emotional depth and team dynamics I expected.

Gardner Camden is an interesting lead—analytical and focused—but felt a bit one-dimensional. The PAR team had potential, but I wish they were explored more. The riddles and puzzles were a nice touch, but not as impactful as I’d hoped.

It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t grab me until the end. Fans of procedural thrillers with lots of logic might enjoy it more than I did.

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press, for the e-ARC and audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

I found the book to be fun and exciting and I was hooked right from the start. FBI Agent Gardner Camden got a call that changed everything. A known serial killer who was long presumed dead, turns up as a murder victim. While trying to solve the case and follow the clues and puzzles, Gardner finds himself trying to protect his team and his family as the killer is learning more about Gardner. I found this to be a thrilling adventure that kept me wanting more. In my opinion, the writing was great and the plot was fast paced and action packed. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series!

The book is narrated by Will Damron and I think he did a fantastic job. I found it very easy to distinguish between the different characters and the pace of the narration was really great, which keeps the focus on the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7237449367

Loved it!! It was like being in an episode of Criminal Minds but with a bit of family dynamics included. I am so excited that it is going to be a series. I’m usually not a huge series reader, but I can definitely get behind a crime series!! When I saw @chase raving about it, I knew I had to check it out! It’s definitely a winner in my book!!

Thriller • Mystery • Suspense • Crime Fiction
Expected Pub • 28 January 2025

🎧 Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the ALC and @minotaur_books for the e-book!

➷➷➷•·.·’’·.· A serial killer is on the loose. Plot twist: the serial killer is hunting serial killers in this cat-and-mouse chase...

But this case has been assigned to a special unit in the FBI called PAR: Patterns and Recognitions. They’re a group of puzzle solvers, brainiacs, math geeks, expert profilers, and other such brilliant misfits. Also known affectionately as the “Head Cases”.

I binged this book in a single day. Not only because it was Dec 30th and I was getting one last book in for 2024, but also because it was fast paced and legitimately one of those ‘once you start you can’t stop’ kinds of books.

I love books with nerdy awkward types; neurodivergent Gardner Camden was loveable in his quirks and faux pas. However, he is smart enough to compensate and cover most of the time, adapting himself to what is expected of normal polite society.

Not just Gardner — his entire team is pure brilliance combined with their faults and humanity. I also loved Gardner’s mother, whose wisdom is always with him in his head, and his daughter. Character development was on point and I stayed at the edge of my seat as the targets become more personally linked to the agents’ past cases.

🎧 Will Damron captures Gardner Camden’s neurodivergent characteristics perfectly on audio.

This book is the start of a series that I hope gets a screen adaptation because I would definitely watch it! Highly recommend if you are looking for a fast paced suspenseful crime thriller with a law enforcement spin.

➶➶➶ This book releases on January 28! ➷➷➷

*Head Cases* by John McMahon is a thrilling, high-stakes debut that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. The novel introduces an unforgettable cast of characters, led by FBI Agent Gardner Camden, whose exceptional analytical mind is perfectly matched by his team of quirky, skilled agents. The intricate, puzzle-like investigation into a serial killer’s cryptic clues offers a gripping narrative that keeps readers on edge throughout. McMahon masterfully blends mystery, suspense, and character-driven drama, crafting a story that’s both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. *Head Cases* is a captivating ride that promises even more excitement in future installments. Highly recommended for fans of intricate crime thrillers with a dash of heart.

We have all watched crime shows that follow behavior analysis. This book was better than the crimes shows I usually watch. The narrator switched through characters flawlessly, and gave them each their own feel. The story line had me chasing my tail the whole time. Every time I thought I had it figured out, my theory got blown out of the water. My favorite part of the Book is the main Character. Gardener Camden was fascinating to me. His intellect and focus, along with his uncanny way to analyze the evidence was pure magic. I also loved how his fellow agents respected his quirks, and never failed to back him up. Loved this as an audiobook, but will read the hard copy as well.

Intense, shocking gripping, and hard to put down, Head Cases is an awesome book! I was instantly hooked and on the edge of my seat as I listened to the wonderfully narrated audiobook version of this riveting book! This is the first book in a new series, and I am already hoping with fingers crossed that John McMahon is already working on the next book!!!!!!

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is not like other FBI agents. He has a penchant for solving puzzles as do the other members of the PAR unit - Patterns and Recognition. They are a quirky, intelligent, and unusual group of agents who look at cases differently. They are called in to investigate when a murder victim is linked to a serial killer, they believed has been dead for some time. They will utilize all their unique skills to not only uncover the killer's identity but to bring the killer to justice!

This book was excellent. Gardner was a great fully fleshed out character. I enjoyed his thoughts, his determination, his approach to the case, and his courage. I also enjoyed his mother as well. I loved the interactions between the team members and how they worked together. They are an interesting bunch, and I enjoyed how they contributed to the investigation. I also loved the tension, the dread, the mystery, the sense of danger, and the taunting of the killer throughout the book. Fans of Criminal Minds or similar programs will love this book! What am I saying, readers who like gripping, shocking, well thought out, wonderfully written mysteries, and intelligent books will love Head Cases.