I was sold with Head Cases as soon as I saw people saying it's a good read for fans of Criminal Minds. I'm glad I listened because this was SO good! Serial k*ller / FBI cat and mouse stories are one of my absolute favorite types of crime fiction reads.

Great story. Great characters. Great narration. 4 stars!

5/5 stars

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

I loved this book from the start! Total true crime vibes, and it almost read like a documentary. Listening to this on audio only enhanced that; Will Damron did a great job encapsulating our MC, quirky, lovable and brilliant Gardner Camden. I loved Gardner's character and following his thought process was extremely fascinating. This book kind of reminded me of UNMASKED by Paul Holes or BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN by Jessica Knoll -- so if you liked either of these, you'll love this one. I found HEAD CASES to be even more interesting than either of those others -- both of which I loved -- and thought it wrapped up really nicely. Any serial killer story is going to be naturally interesting, but this one took a number of unique twists and turns that kept me so hooked from the beginning. Great way to end 2024's reading list!

Gardner Camden leads the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) Unit of the FBI, a cast of quirky characters with unique skills to solve crimes. The team has been called in to investigate the death of a serial killer they thought dead many years ago. Through the investigation we learn about the history of the team and their backgrounds. It was an interesting mystery with good pacing and enjoyable characters.

I enjoyed this first in a new series and look forward to future installments. The narration was good as well

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for a free copy of #HeadCases by John McMahon. All opinions are my own.

Gardner Camden and his team make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit of the FBI. This 5-member team consists of agents who are considered "misfits" - in one way or another they've messed up in the past and have been shuffled off to anonymity. They're a quirky bunch but brilliant in one way or another. A serial killer from one of Gardner’s solved cases, presumed to be dead for over a decade, is found murdered and another body with a similar story soon after. The murderer has left clues and riddles for Gardner and his team as they track him across the country. With the threat of PAR being disbanded, Gardner must work to solve the riddles before it’s too late.

I really enjoyed this story and these characters and will continue to follow the series when other books are available. I was exhausted following Camden back and forth between Texas and Florida and points between. He seemed to be constantly on a jet going somewhere. He is really "special" as his mother will tell you. This is the second book recently where prime numbers played a big role in a character's thought processes. I enjoyed the flashes of humour from some of the characters, even Gardner although he had to explain it was a joke. There was plenty of tension and "oh no" moments to keep the suspense ratcheted up and I was happy with the ending.

This is my first experience of an audiobook narrated by Will Damron (I wonder how often he gets called Damon?!) and he did an outstanding job voicing the different characters. I kind of wished there had been a female narrator as well since there were quite a few female characters including a young girl but Mr. Damron did a fine job with their voices.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for granting my request to listen to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: January 28, 2025

This cat and mouse game between a serial killer and a group of FBI misfits was such an enjoyable read! Each of the FBI agents have their own special gifts to provide to the case which makes the chase all the more fun to watch play out. Will Damron does a wonderful job narrating, boosting the quirky personalities of each character with his voices and overall charm.

This is another book I had the pleasure of reading with my booksta besties and we all enjoyed it so much! Again, we spaced it out over five days but this one is entirely bingeable and you’re not going to want to put it down!

I loved Head Cases! The story is gripping, emotional, and thought-provoking. The writing pulled me in, and I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a powerful and engaging read.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Publishers for the ARC in exchange for a review.

This book was absolutely fantastic. Anything that comps Criminal Minds is a winner in my book. The story was really interesting, but what made it for me was the main character, Agent Camden. He was similar to Dr. Spencer Reid (from Criminal Minds, of course) but more awkward. I genuinely enjoyed the perspective of an ND character that was realistic and easy to get attached to. The way his mind worked was so intriguing. And I’ve always been interested in the phenomenon of an eidetic memory. The way the author incorporated Agent Camden’s traits worked so seamlessly, but also the way the other characters interacted with him and reacted to him. It was very realistic from an ND point of view. I genuinely enjoyed the case itself and am looking forward to more from this series!

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

I am a huge fan of McMahon's first series about P.T. Marsh and so approached this new series with a bit of trepidation. I needn't have worried. While quite different, this is the start of another great series. The "Head Cases" refers to the members of the FBI team, each eccentric in their own way, while being quite brilliant at their specialty. The main protagonist is Gardner Camden, firmly on the spectrum, who ha a talent for patterns and puzzles. PAR's target is a serial killer who is klling....serial killers. While the book does occasionally skate close to the line of going OTT, it is thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

I want more!

I loved Gardner Camden, our main character. He’s smart, quirky, and stands out as unique in this oversaturated thriller genre.

The murder mystery is complex and keeps a steady pace throughout. The story is well plotted and easy to follow, but there are lots of pieces and you need to pay attention in order to put together the clues.

I alternated between listening to the audiobook and reading my Kindle copy. Will Damron does a fantastic job with the narration. He fully inhabited Camden’s character in a way that felt honest and real.

I’m so excited that HEAD CASES is the first in a series!

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download, and to Minotaur books for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley!*

Gardner Camden, a genius with an eidetic memory, is pulled back into a case he thought was closed 7 years ago. Now part of the quirky and often ridiculed PARS team, Gardner brings his sharp mind to a high-stakes, fast-paced investigation.

I love a quirky genius, so I jumped at the chance to listen to this audiobook. The narrator absolutely nailed Gardner’s personality and accents, which added so much to the experience.

I’m not usually into procedurals, but this one struck a great balance between the case and the team dynamics. Gardner’s mom was my favorite character—her introduction was just perfect.

The case itself was intense and addictive, constantly throwing twists at me. Sure, the outcome and setup for the next book were a little predictable, but honestly, I didn’t mind. I’m thrilled this is a series and can’t wait to see more from the PARS team.

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

A book about serial killers with a main character who has difficulty with social situations and an eidetic memory? Sign me up! I started out listening to this book but then wanted to finish it sooner so got out my kindle and finished it up in a couple hours.
This book follows the PAR team at the FBI. A rag tag group of misfits as they race to solve a case that they can’t get ahead on.
I honestly loved every minute of it! Can’t wait to read the next one.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

The head cases are a group of FBI agents that specialize in Patterns and Recognition (PAR)
When Gardner Camden, one of the PAR unit, is called to a crime scene, he finds out that the deceased man is a serial killer that he found at a crime scene seven years ago. Now he’s on the hunt for the serial killer that kills serial killers.

This book was narrated by Will Damron who did so well 👏🏻 the story immediately sucked me in, and I had a great time listening / picking up my e-arc at times I couldn’t listen.

This one is for fans of David Ellis and James Patterson! I love a good police procedural with quirky characters and this one delivered.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press for my ARC and Macmillan Audio for my ALC.

Pub date 01.28.25

Head Cases, written by John McMahon and narrated by Will Damon is a fictional book written about PAR, the Patters and Recognition Unit of the FBI. Gardner Camden is our main character, and a member of the unit. He has a great mind for puzzles, riddles, and codes, but still struggles with some of his social skills. He is part of a great team, where they can work together and help each other, which he comes to really appreciate and count on in this book! This is especially important when a serial killer from one of Gardner’s solved cases, who has been thought to be deceased, is found murdered . And when Gardener starts getting messages from the unknown killer, he knows he needs to find some patterns before it is too late!
I did not know much about this book going into it, but I really enjoyed it! The main character reminded me a lot of Will Trent, a special agent from another book/television series that I like. I appreciated that the team members were able to work together and recognize the strengths that the different individuals had, and I also enjoyed the presence of Gardeners daughter and mother in the story. I definitely recommend this book to crime and mystery readers, and I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, publisher, and narrator of this book for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
Well written serial killer mystery. It kept me guessing up until the last. I enjoyed the quirkiness of the the characters, especially the main character that was borderline autistic. He has special deductive skills but social skills, not so much. But he knows it and he works on it
My only complaint was keeping track of all the characters and suspects. I finally just relaxed and didn't try. I loved the ending...the way the killer was treated. (I don't want to say too much)
I'm assuming there will be more stories coming about this "PAR" Dept. I will be looking forward to them.
I listened to the audio version. The narrator was very good.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

WOW!!!
This is more of a head game than head cases!!

So, Gardner Camden is an FBI Agent for an elite group named PAR (Patterns and Recognition Unit). They are all Brilliant FBI People, but also some kind of a misfit out in the world. In Gardner's case, he has an eidetic mind, where he can remember every minute detail...and sometimes, it drives his partners crazy... But, at other times, it just might be what saves the day!!

He is thrown into a case where a serial murderer, who has been dead for several years, now shows up NEWLY dead! How can this be??

And, he's not the only one. It seems like someone is cleaning house!!

As he and his comrades explore what the heck is going on, you find yourself down a rabbit hole... and at the same time, holding your breath, hanging on every word, and gritting your teeth!!

This apparently is book #1 of a new series, so I am looking forward to what comes next!!

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 5!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released... **** IN ABOUT A MONTH FROM NOW, ON 1/28/24!! SO, LOOK 👀 FOR IT THEN!! ****

#HeadCases by #JohnMcMahon and narrated beautifully by #WillDamron.

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Thank you to MacMillan Audio (#MacAudio2924) for the ALC and Minotaur and Netgalley for the ARC!

I love police procedural type books, particularly when it involves a specialized unit. PAR (Patterns and Recognition department) was a unique department that I was quite intrigued by. Our MMC was the perfect person to lead it, as he is great with codes, puzzles and riddles. His no-nonsense approach to dealing with everything (except his seven year old daughter), made him, at times, feel like others didn’t know how to take him. But when serial killer from his past is found murdered, Gardner finds himself taking the lead on this case. With the killer leaving clues and puzzles, it’s a race against the clock to figure out who the killer could be.

Hearing Gardner’s perspective as he pondered everyday things - like if he should make a comment out loud or not - was truly eye opening as well and I love that the author included this! I really appreciated his character and how his mind worked. This appears to be the start of a series and I can’t wait to see what adventures are next.

“Headcases” releases January 28, 2025. This review will be shared to my onstage blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

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.