The beginning of this book felt a bit too cliche. I kind of feel like the FBI agent with a touch of autism, OCD, ADHD, overly analytical, lacking social cues, etc. 'thing' is overdone. I don't personally love that portrayal and feel like it's out of some textbook that is outdated, inaccurate, and negatively stereotypical. That is pretty much how the descriptions started out and I felt myself brace for not enjoying the book and getting hung up...

HOWEVER, I'm so glad that I continued on to give it a shot to see how the book developed. Because, it rounded out really well. It didn't feel rushed, there weren't plot holes, or loose ends. It was really well written and thought out. There were interesting pieces that really felt like John McMahon did research to back up his information throughout, which I found clever and something I appreciated. I liked the slight political undertones that often happen in FBI/crime shows. The twists weren't predictable and I found myself very intrigued as the mystery developed. All around, 'Head Cases' was on par with what it said it would be and for lovers of Criminal Minds or any FBI drama show, this will be a well enjoyed book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
If you like watching the show Criminal Minds, you’ll love this. It flows very similarly to the show and features similar character personalities (in my opinion).

What to expect: a special group of the FBI is looking for a serial killer who kills serial killers. Is he a vigilante? Is he a civilian? A police officer? An FBI agent? Who is killing all of these horrible murderers??

I actually could have handled the story being a little longer, honestly. It was an enjoyable audiobook for sure.

The narrator also did a great job with the voice and inflection of the character.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio for the preview of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

(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.

Head Cases - John McMahon
352 pages
Pub Date - Jan. 28, 2025
Audiobook
Setting - Texas
Rating - 4/5

Summary - The story centers around Gardner Camden, an FBI Agent with a knack for analytics and puzzles, who works in the PAR (Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit. A serial killer from one of Gardner’s solved cases, presumed to be dead for over a decade, is found murdered and soon another is found with the same pattern. The killer leaves behind clues for Gardner and his team to find and has them circling multiple cities to find him.

Thoughts - Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book! The narration was very well done. I was completely immersed in the story and finished the book in two days! I loved the plot, the story, and especially the writing. Also, the setting being in Texas was really fun since I knew a ton of the places the main character visited. I hope that this becomes a series -- I'm a big fan of Detective/FBI stories, so definitely can't wait for the next one!

I loved the premise but didn't think the dialogue and characters flowed the best. Good concept though! I think fans of the shows Dexter or Criminal Minds may enjoy this. The narrator was good!

The best crime fiction debut I have read this year. Excellent character work in the mind of an autistic FBI agent trying his best to fit even with some extreme behavioral tendencies. Great backstory that I am eager to learn more about. The book ends with a clear setup for a book two. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an audiobook arc for this title.

4/5
The perfect book for fans of criminals minds and similar crime tv shows. Fast paced.
Narration was great.

"Head Cases" by John McMahon is a fresh and exhilarating take on the police procedural genre, and the audiobook format brings this story to life with an unmatched intensity. McMahon masterfully crafts a plot that’s both fast-paced and full of unexpected twists, making it difficult to press pause. The characters are rich and multidimensional, drawing listeners in as they navigate the complexities of their cases and their personal lives. The pacing is spot-on, keeping the energy high and the suspense palpable, while McMahon's unique perspective on crime and justice adds depth to the story. "Head Cases" is a must-listen for fans of gripping thrillers and well-executed crime fiction.

If I could choose one superpower, it would be an eidetic (photographic) memory. As my Wordle buddies know, I also like puzzles. Both are in good supply in this detective book. The main character is eidetic and neurodivergent. He is employed in a special division of the FBI that is focused on solving cases by thinking more laterally or looking at the math and statistics underlying behavior.
He and his team race around the country to solve a series of linked murders while he also worries about his young daughter and aging mother. There’s a lot going on but it is handled well and kept my interest. It is well narrated. I look forward to more in the series!
My thanks to the author, publisher, #MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: Jan 28, 2025.

I loved John McMahon's Head Cases, so much so that I didn't want it to end, BUT when I heard there's another book coming with these incredibly compelling characters, my literary hangover got just a little bit less. This book has it all, not only the interesting and a little bit quirky characters, but a serial killer (maybe more than one). Add in the fact that the FBI thought he was dead, and I was frantically binge listening, because I just had to know. Cat and mouse thrillers are some of my favs, and this is one of the best I've heard recently.

I loved every word of this new title. The characters are awesome and there are a few scenarios (the molars) I've not run across before. It was a great read and I look forward to more by this author!