Gardner Camden has an analytical brain that is perfect for the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) unit of the FBI. With the threat of his unit disbanding, they are tasked with solving the murder of a serial killer they thought dead over a decade ago.

This debut novel from John McMahon is a binge worthy FBI procedural. He has developed a lovable misfit group of team members that have their own stories to tell. I appreciated Camden’s neurodivergent tendencies, challenges with social situations and his relationship with his elderly mom and daughter. This book kept me guessing all the way to the end. It does appear that this is set up to the be the beginning of a series and I look forward to spending more time with the PAR unit.

4 stars

I was thrilled to see that this is the start of a series because I really enjoyed this book, and more importantly, I can't wait to spend more time with the characters featured here. This one ticks a lot of boxes for thriller and mystery fans, those interested in the minds of serial killers, and folks fascinated by puzzles and logic games.

Gardner Camden and his team make up PAR, the Patterns and Recognition unit of the FBI, which I came to think of immediately as the FBI's island of misfit toys. These folks all have unique interests and skills that make them adept at solving complex situations but also somewhat challenged at social/human interactions in many cases. This combo makes for some awkward scenes and great reading. While the central crime and mystery are interesting to follow, it's really the characters, Gardner especially, who make this one most memorable.

The audiobook is well narrated, and I'll recommend this modality when and where accessible. I'm already looking forward to future installments in this series.

4 Stars
This was an exhilarating ride and was a lot of fun to follow (it was basically like listening to a super long criminal minds/Mindhunter episode which is right up my alley)! I really enjoyed this read that featured fun, interesting characters and a mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I loved getting to experience how Gardener's mind worked (it's obvious he's neurodivergent) and how he picked up on things that I would've missed to solve the mystery.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

This was a great, fast-paced thriller perfect for fans of Criminal Minds. It kept me engaged the whole way through, and the auxiliary characters were distinct and enjoyable.

Yes, please, more of this! "Head Cases" introduces a set of high-intelligence, high-quirk characters who run a specialized team within the FBI. The novel centers around Special Agent Gardner Camden, who has recently been put in charge of the division, which specializes in spotting patterns in cold criminal cases. The book starts off with a bang, when a serial killer — long thought of as dead — turns up murdered instead. Soon after, more criminals are killed off, revealing that there's a vigilante serial killer targeting bad men.

I really enjoyed the characters, especially Gardner, and would love to see them featured in future books as well. This is a well-executed cat-and-mouse thriller that only has a few small hiccups in pacing.

Will Damron did an excellent job on narration, and the audiobook was well produced without distractions. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and John McMahon for an advance copy of this book for honest review. This was the first time McMahon has been put on my radar, and I'll be back for more!

If you enjoy Criminal Minds, you'll like this one!

Head Cases follows FBI Special Agent Gardner Camden, a member of the FBI's PAR division which specializes in recognizing patterns in cold criminal cases, as he and his team track down a serial killer who has been killing other serial killers.

This one started off a little slow and was a little difficult for me to follow at times on audio (I think it would have been easier for me in print), but I really enjoyed the character development of Gardner Camden and the overall plot. Camden is a quirky character who is obviously on the autism spectrum (which the author made obvious and I appreciated that - when authors make their characters on the spectrum but don't ever acknowledge it, that dries me nuts!) and reminded me a lot of Criminal Minds's character Spencer Reid with his photographic memory and other unique characteristics. I really liked that this one ended with the perfect lead to make this book into a series and I really think it would make a great series!

The narrator was perfect for this story and did the voices of each character well.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. My review is honest and voluntary.

Phew! This suspenseful rollercoaster of a novel left me exhausted. A serial killer on the hunt for other serial killers you say? Sign me right up!

Camden is definitely neurodivergent and on the spectrum, but amazing at seeing relationships and connections, so it's no surprise he's a well-respected member of an elite FBI team named PAR (AKA Patterns and Recognitions) and in charge of this investigation

This perfectly narrated, fast-paced audiobook will keep you at the edge of your seat and makes you feel like you're actually investigating as well.

Thank you to McMillan Audio & NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A great thriller that will keep you turning pages or not pausing till the end - this needs to be a movie!

Gardener Camden and his quirky team in the FBI’s Patterns and Recognition (PAR) special division solve one of the division’s most intense cat-and-mouse chases, spanning the United States from Florida to Texas - State Prisions to the rugged terrain. This thrilling rollercoaster of a book is perfectly suited for audiobooks. The narrator’s voice hits spot on for Camden’s unconventional dry personality, holding the reader’s attention and making them root for Camden to capture the suspect. A Serial Killer of Serial Killers ?! Heck yes!! Crime junkies will love this read/listen. Cannot wait to see if the author brings us more of Gardener Camden’s story in the future.

Thank you to McMillan Audio & NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Head Cases by John McMahon
Narrated by Will Damron

When a killer targets a serial killer whose case FBI Agent Gardner Camden worked years ago, Camden takes the lead on this new case for the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) team. The thing is that this new victim, a serial killer that was supposed to have died in a fire years ago, shouldn't have been alive to have been murdered. Right on the heels of this murder is another murder and it's soon clear that whoever is killing these men now has an agenda and a message and they are not going to stop his murder spree.

The PAR team is made up of a wide range of specialized experts with Camden's analytical brain and eidetic memory making him seem to be a human computer of information and brain power. But along with his super brain power comes his inability to read people and social cues easily. The fact that Camden puts great effort in making up for this lack of social graces means that he usually will remember how he "should" act and is often able to cover blunders he might otherwise make in the course of everyday life and work. Despite not being like most other people in the social arena, Camden is a devoted son and father and he will do anything to protect his mother and daughter. It is actually his mother who has instilled the desire to understand who people are under their outer demeanor as she has always urged a sense of empathy in Camden that wouldn't have come naturally.

The rest of Camden's team have specific skills to go along with their overall ability to work the cases thrown their way. Each of them have some reason to have been sent to PAR, usually as a last ditch effort to stay employed with the FBI before being shoved out the door if PAR isn't a fit for them. They get left over cases, cold cases, cases that need a new way of looking at the evidence when what has been tried so far has finally stalled and is going nowhere.

Everything is seen from Camden's POV and I really liked experiencing the story from his viewpoint. We get all kinds of information, tidbits I would have never noticed but that are a part of Camden's mind taking in every little detail and recording it. You can feel his brain working and it's very understandable to me the way he processes information. I like hanging with this man who has to work so hard at the social part of life while other parts come so much easier for him. I can relate.

I've listened to Will Damron narrate at least ten books and he can be a reason I'll pick up an audiobook. He does his usual great job here and his voice, as Camden, will be in my head for the next week. Since I have both the audiobook and ebook, I was easily able to move from audiobook in the car to the ebook in a waiting room, always a bonus on days spent at a doctor's office.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

**Head Cases** by John McMahon feels like a love letter to fans of shows like *Criminal Minds*. The main character, Gardner Camden, gives major Dexter Morgan/Spencer Reid vibes, and the audiobook narrator’s cadence only adds to that connection.

The premise had me hooked, and the fast-paced, “crime of the week” energy made it fly by for a 9 hour audiobook—it’s the perfect binge-read (or listen)! The characters are sharp and the story doesn’t waste time. While I didn’t feel a deep connection to any one character, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

McMahon’s style totally worked for this kind of story, and if you’re into crime series with tight plots and solid pacing, *Head Cases* is definitely worth checking out!

I thought this was an enjoyable audiobook. As a lover of true crime and murder mysteries, this was right up my alley. As we work through the story it feels like you are working the investigation with them. Did I love or connect with any of the characters? No. But that didn’t impact my liking of the book. If you are a fan of investigationss or crime series I think this one would really work for you!

Head Cases by John McMahon is a gripping audiobook that seamlessly blends suspense, action, and emotional depth. McMahon’s sharp, engaging writing is brought to life by a stellar narrator who captures the tension and humanity of the story. The characters are complex and compelling, their personal struggles adding layers to the high-stakes plot. The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep listeners hooked, though a few minor subplots could have been explored further. Overall, this audiobook is a thrilling and immersive experience, perfect for fans of fast-paced, character-driven mysteries.

Gardner Camden is a member of an elite FBI team named PAR or Patterns and Recognitions. They are the nerds that no one seems to want or has caused trouble in their previous position. When a serial killer who was presumed dead a decade ago is found murdered, Gardner's team is called in. Within days another killer is murdered. It becomes a race to discover who is doing this and how it relates to Gardner. The killer continues to leave clues that immediately call to his brain. The team must walk a fine line and leave no stone unturned or make any errors, for if so the team may be disbanded. Desperation and fear run through the team as it starts to get very personal. The clock is ticking until someone else dies.

This was a fast paced, no stops story for fans of Criminal Minds. I immediately was obsessed by the main character and the other people who make up the team. Gardner is neurodivergent and extremely smart, but he's still human who has people to protect. The description of crime scenes and killers is well done. McMahon has built the foundation for a series if it continues. I truly hope to see more from this team in the future. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audiobook.

〰️ Read if you enjoy: Criminal Minds, serial killers, super smart characters
〰️ Don’t read if you loathe: investigations, series, fast pace

Gardner Camden, a genius with an eidetic memory, is called to a case he thought was closed 7 years ago. He now works for an analytical team (PARS) that’s often ridiculed due to the teams’ unique, and quirky skill set.

I love a quirky genius, so jumped at the chance to listen to this audiobook. The narrator does a great job portraying Gardner and his accents were on point.

I’m not typically a fan of procedurals, but found there was a great balance between the case and the team. Gardner’s mom was easily my favorite character and I loved the way she was introduced.

The case was pretty epic, with high stakes and a fast pace. It was addictive and constantly giving.

In terms of the outcome and where we’re going next (a series) I found it pretty predictable… but I was totally ok with that - in fact I’m delighted and can’t wait to read more from the PARS team.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Head Cases starts off with a captivating glimpse into a team of FBI agents chasing down a killer who has his own twisted sense of justice. Gardner Camden, a whiz at solving puzzles and cracking codes, plays a crucial role in the FBI's Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit. This quirky group of five is dedicated to solving cold cases, but with whispers of PAR potentially shutting down, they’re feeling the heat to deliver results. Things get even more intense when a serial killer from Gardner’s past, thought to be long gone, turns up dead, and shortly after, another victim with a similar backstory is discovered. The crafty killer has left behind a series of clues and riddles for Gardner and his unique team to unravel.
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
This crime fiction was awesome! I went through it entirely on audiobook and Will Damron did an amazing job narrating. The plot centers around a group of FBI agents on the trail of a murderer, and I found it fascinating how they connected the dots. The characters were fun and easy to relate to, which added to the enjoyment. The storyline was clever, with some witty bits that made me laugh. It was fast-paced and really engaging, and I appreciated how everything tied together without feeling rushed or leaving any loose ends. It was just really well done.

Thank You @NetGalley and @macmillan.audio for allowing me to review this audiobook

Excellent book and excellent narrator! The content of the book was fast paced and attention grabbing and the narrator only reinforced that. The analysis and investigative work felt like it reflected how it would happen in a real life scenario like this. And the fact that it revolves around serial killers definitely didn’t hurt!

Thank you to NetGalley, John McMahon, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!

Head cases for the PAR unit of the FBI, who are tracking s serial killer who is killing killers. This twisty mystery/thriller follows the detectives as they attempt to solve the crimes no one cares about. The twists and turns are fantastic. And the killer is connected to someone in the FBI in an interesting way.

I really like this book. The narrator was fantastic. If John McMahon writes another book and this becomes a series, I'm in. I especially liked that one of the main investigators in the case was on the spectrum and was portrayed so sympathetically and so effectively. This was such a good book. I really enjoyed it.

I took a bit of time getting into this one. I think this one was a miss by not having a separate female voice for the female character in the novel. That really threw me. I enjoyed the ride of the story, and this one read like a true crime, however I don't know if I'd pick up the next in the series.

A big thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook ARC. A brilliant FBI agent chasing a serial killer who is killing serial killers. This book checked all my favorite boxes. It was fast-paced, smart, and kept my attention from beginning to end. I felt the author did some extensive research into how the FBI works. The narrator did an amazing job of capturing the main character and his personality. I’d definitely recommend this one.