Reminiscent of TV series criminal minds and Temperance Brennon series by Kathy Reichs this is another intriguing book that could be great book series or TV show with a neurodivergent main character. It felt like it was written to become a TV series. I would invest my time into a series with this character FBI Agent Gardner Camden who is neurodivergent and good with analytics and puzzles.

The mystery is a complex one and I loved guessing what was going to happen next and what the various clues might mean. The story is also faced paced due to the character rapport and dialogue / banter. Looking forward to more about from this author and main character.


I read the ebook and the audiobook in tandem - the narrator Will Damron of the book was really good and did an excellent job portraying the main character and the other minor characters voicing. The book was entertaining and kept be wanting more.


Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC/ LRC . This is my honest review.

Wow this is going to rank near the top for my favorite audiobooks of the year! First time author, Will Damron narrating, great title, and catchy cover all made this book one to be a highly recommended when it releases in January 2025. The plot was complex and detailed with unique and quirky characters. While this story was a lot of cat-and-mouse, it wasn’t my perfect type of chase.

I didn’t read the synopsis so while I am tempted to say what it’s about, I suggest you just skip it and read or listen to this page turning thriller!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

FBI agents trying to find a serial killer (a Dexter or sorts) who is killing serial killers (or at least bad people). There is a leak in the agency. Who can FBI Agent Gardner Camden trust? He is an atypical thinking who sees strictly in right/wrong, which has hurt him in the past.

Enjoyable read. Kept me guessing. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was well done.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio & NatGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really interested in the premise for this book - it sounded great, but it seems to be lacking in execution to me. I guess it's not *that* original - Slow Horses meets Criminal Minds - but brilliant + quirky + puzzles is catnip to me. Our MC is Gardner Camden, one of the more ridiculous names I've encountered; he is brilliant, quirky, and fond of puzzles, and he and his colleagues comprise the FBI's PAR Team (Patterns & Recognition). PAR is staffed with talented agents who have fucked up in the past, but we only get the full breakdown of Gardner's own transgression, which is that he turned in his wife, who is also the daughter of his longtime partner, for cooking the books of a business with her boss. This causes her to go to prison, and Gardner's partner, Saul, to have a fatal heart attack, and causes Gardner to be relegated to desk jockey rather than field agent, before being recruited to PAR.

PAR's role seems conflicted, as we are frequently told it's an amazing, super-effective unit that tackles hard cases and succeeds, yet its existence is always in jeopardy. It's a small detail, but it annoyed me.

PAR is called in to investigate the murder of a murderer who was thought to have died in a fire 7 years previous. Apparently he faked his death at that time, extracting two of his own molars and putting them in the sacrificial corpse's mouth (HOW did no one notice this?); the current dead body is missing those molars. Mutilations to his corpse are the same as in his MO for the murders of young women he was suspected of committing, leading the team to deduce it's a vigilante killing, a real life Dexter (although Miami's favorite son is not mentioned - darn!). Later, the presumed killer calls Gardner to taunt him (but does he also feel a kinship with the FBI?). Thus begins a cross-country chase as the killer targets additional murderers in various circumstances; one is killed in an FBI safe house, leading the team to suspect someone with ties to the Bureau.

The plot is fine, the action is good; the flying back and forth across the country is a little much and seems near to physically impossible for even the most energetic of psychopathic killers. Where things fall apart is Gardner's inner workings: we are clearly meant to feel a kinship with him, and feel for his personal troubles. Unfortunately, he is coded as high-functioning autistic, and his ability to process emotions in a way that is relatable is ... not great. At least as written by this author (I can think of plenty of autistic characters who have moved me emotionally; Christopher Boone from <i>The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time</i> comes to mind, but Gardner is tough to connect to).

I can see where this would be an entertaining teleplay, and I read that it has been optioned for HBO, so there's that.

Will Damron does a fine enough job with the voice acting. I was mostly able to differentiate between characters. He's got a little bit of a radio announcer thing going on, but it was fine.

3 stars

I really enjoyed this and that has been rare for me this year. This was an intricately plotted story about how the FBI catches a serial killer. Specifically part of the FBI called PAR, where problematic and aging agents are placed. The team is assigned to capture a serial killer that hunts other killers, leading to a decades long mystery.

This is a really good thriller that I hope more people check out. I was absolutely enraptured by the audiobook. It also featured in large part my city which was awesome.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and netgalley for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the narration in this book.

I don't usually love police procedurals, but this had more of a feel of a full TV that I would follow. It has the great makings to be a series.

You really felt connected to the characters and the FBI agent that was investigating the case.

I loved this book! it was clever, it was dark and highly addictive. And come on serial killers, it had me there to be fair!! I really do hope this is the start of a new series, I want more of these characters, they were so interesting and have so much more to tell us .

The Patterns and Recognition team at the FBI are hunting a killer, a killer who is killing serial killers, it is pretty graphic at times, as you would expect from this storyline. The team are all super intelligent and I loved every bit of it. Getting inside the killers head through the team putting all the puzzle pieces together was very satisfying

The narrator, Will Damron was fantastic as always. He always brings the story to life.

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my early copy of the audiobook to listen to . Out on January 28th, a must read for crime enthusiasts.

(4.25 stars)
Head Cases is the derogatory nickname other FBI folks give the members of a special unit called PAR: Patterns And Recognition. They are people who have messed up in some way in other FBI posts but they each are brilliant in their own way and seem to work really well together, usually working on cold cases.

This time, though, they are called in for a “hot” case. They are assigned to find a serial killer who is out there killing other serial killers! Gardner Camden leads the team for the first time, and he is grappling with this responsibility in addition to working the case. I loved his character; we get to know him professionally and personally. His love for his young daughter was palpable. The other members of the team were written as individuals so I had no trouble keeping track of who was who.

The mystery is a complex one and I loved guessing what was going to happen next and what the various clues might mean. The audiobook kept me and my husband entertained on a long road trip. The narrator did a fabulous job with all the voices. I’m going to look for more books narrated by Will Damron!

I sure hope there are going to be more books featuring these characters. The ending certainly hinted at it. In the meantime, I’m going to try to read his earlier books.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Real talk, I have severe insomnia (ugh, fun times), and this book was totally my overnight BFF. I binged it hard in one sitting, and let me just say, it was a wild ride. Think puzzles, FBI drama, and a whole lot of mind games that kept me turning pages like my life depended on it.

The characters? Oh, they were quirky for sure, and I low-key loved the whole misfit team vibe. The stakes felt real, like the team genuinely couldn’t afford to mess up. Also, the lead agent, is a brilliant mess—just the kind of character I love. His mind works in a way that made me want to keep reading more and more to see how he'd piece things together. The clues and riddles kept me on my toes, wondering what would happen next.

But, of course, not gonna lie, some parts had me squinting like, “Wait, what?” but overall, the twists were solid, and the story kept me hooked. It felt like an intense mix of smarts and chaos, and honestly, I was here for it.

This hit differently, maybe because I was so in the mood for a binge-worthy escape. If you're into thrillers with brainy, flawed characters and just a sprinkle of dark justice, give this one a go.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"Head Cases" is an exhilarating debut novel that follows a team of FBI agents, led by Gardner Camden, as they pursue a serial killer determined to impose his own brand of justice. With the team on the brink of disbandment, Camden and his colleagues must decipher a trail of cryptic riddles and clues left by the killer, racing against time to prevent further victims. The novel delves into themes of justice, vengeance, and the complexities of morality as the team faces an increasingly twisted and personal plot.

From the start, I was completely hooked, and it was hard to believe this was a debut. The author’s ability to blend suspense with intricate character development made the story even more compelling. Gardner Camden, the protagonist, is a well-rounded character—intelligent, complex, and haunted by personal struggles that add significant depth to the narrative.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is its realistic portrayal of an ongoing investigation. The meticulous attention to detail allows the reader to feel as if they’re part of the case. Every clue, every twist, contributes to the sense that the serial killer is always one step ahead, but the team's intelligence and determination keep them on track toward solving the mystery.

Overall, "Head Cases" is a fast-paced, thrilling read that skillfully balances suspense with emotional depth. I’m eager to see what the author has in store for future books, as this debut shows immense promise.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!

4.5 stars rounded up.

This book was a lot of fun, and I am super excited that it's the start of the series. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that each book is told from a different perspective for each member of the PAR team.

If you are a fan of Dr. Spencer Reid and Criminal Minds, I can guarantee you will enjoy this book too. The whole book reads like an episode told from Reid's perspective.

Highly recommend this one and I can't wait to see where the series goes next. Head Cases pub date is January 28.

I haven’t read a good police procedural in a while, so this was a refreshing one to read/listen to. I think eidetic memory is so fascinating, so I loved that the MMC had that. And the whole “PAR” team, made up of “quirky” agents was also fun. (I feel like that can be overdone, but as it’s been a while since I’ve read that, it felt fresh again to me.)

The case and plot of the story was interesting, and what I really like about crime novels and police procedurals is that it keeps me guessing. Which this one did just that. This one looks like it might be the start of a new series, so I will definitely be returning to this if a second book comes out!

𝘼 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: I really liked the narrator choice for this book. I can’t describe how exactly but he sounded like the brainy, anti-social character I’d picture the MMC to be.

3.5 stars

Gardner Camden is an FBI agent with the Patterns and Recognitions Unit (PAR) located in St. Augustine, Florida. Most agents in the PAR have two characteristics: they made a mistake and were subsequently transferred to the PAR; and they're brainiacs with unique abilities, like eidetic memory, math expertise, etc. Up until now, the PAR agents have been confined to office work, studying the evidence and files from unsolved cases, to look for new clues.

Camden, who's always been socially awkward, observes: "Riddles. Those are my specialty. That is, when I am not studying patterns. Or decoding enigmas. Some might say that solving puzzles is all I'm good for. That leaving my desk in the Jacksonville office of the FBI to interact with real people is not the best use of my time or talent. And I would agree with them."

Now, however, the PAR investigators have been sent to Texas to view a body. Camden recognizes the murdered man as serial killer Ross Tignon. Camden's shocked, and observes 'Tignon is a man I had hunted years ago. I had only stopped hunting him because he supposedly died in a house fire six years ago.' At that time, Tignon's incinerated body was identified by two molars, and the current corpse is missing two molars. Tignon apparently yanked out his teeth to fool the authorities. In addition to missing teeth, Tignon's body has been defaced by the killer, who cut Tignon open and carved the numbers 5 and 0 into his torso. In addition, it's later discovered the murderer left a clue INSIDE the body as well.

A few hours after viewing Tignon, the PAR agents are re-routed to New Mexico to observe another body. This victim is Barry Fisher, a serial killer who was JUST paroled for 'old age' after serving 31 years in the penitentiary. Fisher's body is terribly mutilated, with his organs excised and placed in plastic bags in the refrigerator and freezer. As is the case with Tignon, the murderer also left a clue inside a body part.

The PAR concludes A SERIAL KILLER IS TARGETING SERIAL KILLERS.

Camden is assigned to lead this multi-case investigation, a first for him at the PAR. Before long, Gardner starts to get phone calls from the killer, who says to call him God. The PAR agents, however, elect to call the murderer Mad Dog, and Mad Dog's conversation shows he has inside information about the investigation. The murderer must have a source in the FBI, and Camden takes steps to expose the mole while proceeding with the inquiries.

Mad Dog's phone calls, and the clues he leaves behind, demonstrate that he thinks of himself as a partner who's aiding the PAR. When Mad Dog is disabused of this notion, he makes threats.....and takes steps to carry them out.

As the inquiries proceed, several possible suspects are identified, the current murders are linked to past homicides, and the PAR agents must use all their skills to solve the cases.

The novel is a page-turner, with plenty of action. My major criticism is that the brilliant PAR investigators sometimes miss information they should winkle out right away. Author John McMahon probably uses this technique to prolong the suspense, but it's not credible (to me) In any case, this is a good thriller, recommended to fans of the genre.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Will Damron, who does an excellent job.

Thanks to Netgalley, John McMahon, and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the book.

Head Cases by @johnmcmahonbooks is a thrill seeking 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ audiobook. Thank you @johnmcmahonbooks and @netgalley for this ARC. In this read, Garner Camden is a walking analytical brain in the elite FBI group of problem solving agents specializing in codes, puzzles and cases where other agents are stumped. But even those agents have a past. He is leading his agents as they try to track down a serial killer of past serial killers. There is lots of technical crime investigation details that develop a pattern that will evaluate FBI and its structure as the killer is hunted. This is fast paced with building tension and horror in this wild read. Grab this adrenaline filled thriller/mystery! #peachypages

The narrator does a fantastic job, and the audiobook flows nicely with great clarity. However, this book just didn't resonate with me. I found the main character to be a bit of a copycat, and each scene felt too predictable, like a less engaging version of stories I've encountered before. The writing and characters failed to capture my interest.

"The Head Cases. We’d been called this moniker a lot, but rarely to our faces. Like most FBI nicknames, it was half insult, half compliment. After all, we did have good “heads for a case.” We had the ability to synthesize. To see things others couldn’t. To connect disparate elements into one unified story. But the name meant other things, too. That we were oddballs. Rejects. Nutsos. Not my words. But words I'd heard used to describe us."

Head Cases is a fantastic novel that delves into the mind of one of the smartest FBI agents there is, Gardner Camden. Gardner works for the PAR (Patterns and Recognitions) unit, along with other FBI "misfits". The author doesn't explicitly state it, but Gardner is neurodivergent. He has an amazing memory and an uncanny ability to make connections that others cannot, however, he is like a fish out of water in social situations. Poor Gardner stays true to his moral compass which causes him a lot of heartache (i.e. sending his wife to prison for money laundering).

Gardner has just been sent to the scene of a murder. The strange part? The man that was murdered was a serial killer Gardner has found many years ago... who died in a house fire with dental records to prove it. Not 48 hours later, Gardner is called to the murder of another serial killer who was just released from prison that same day. What is going on? Is there a connection or is it a strange coincidence? Gardner and his team of misfits must work together to find the killer who is targeting serial killers before time runs out- for the bad guys and for PAR themselves, who just discovered their unit is on the chopping block. There is a definite cat and mouse game at play and it's a race to see who comes out on top.

I absolutely loved this novel. The audio was fantastic! I certainly hope that this becomes a series. 5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

Head Cases is one of my favorite books this year and it is coming out in January 2025. I read the audio version with excellent narrator Will Damon presenting.Gardner Camden and his colleagues in the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit are FBI agents who each have committed some petty faux pas that landed them in a lousy geographic location. They get called in when brilliant but not conventional minds are needed. Gardner's lives in his head and is very poor at recognizing social and emotional cues from others. His psychiatrist mother raised her "different" boy with love, allowing him to explore the many things that profoundly interested him. The head of the unit is Frank. Then, there is Shooter, whose nickname speaks for itself. Having listened to audio, I'm suddenly blank on the mathematician's name. She definitely flirts a bit with Gardner and her math skillls make them somewhat alike, although her social skills are just fine. I also forget the name of the weapons buy. But there are an amazing ensemble cast and a lot of fun. Rounding out their group is Richie, first in his class at Quantico, who unaccountably wants to be assigned to PAR. Most newbies want to be in a high crime area performing high profile work. Not in the backwoods with a bunch of disgraced agents who are called on for only the most confusing of cases. One could say that the unit's nickname, the "Head Cases" has many layers: a bit "off"; each brilliant; each clever...

When the novel opens, there is a death out west. The body is identified as that of a serial killer who Gardner chased after with his former partner until the man died in a house fire. Oops. He did not die. PAR is assigned to field work! As they begin to investigate the morbid scene and to get their arms around the dead guy having been alive, more murders that seem to be related crop up. How were these people connected and what is the killer's reason for obviously involving PAR? Is the killer too a head case? Will he keep ahead of the unit to their end? They are definitively at their last stop in the FBI. This is a police procedural, a special unit story and a thriller at times. It is fascinating in its construction, the weaving of the characters, the perfect red herrings to the end and entertaining the whole time. I am seriously interested in this stand alone novel becoming a series. It is set up to win! I highly recommend Head Cases.

I don't read a lot of crime fiction so I was very happy when I venturing out of my comfort zone paid off. The stakes were high, the chapters were short and I was gripped very quickly. I blew through this book in a day I was so invested. The narrator was lovely to listen to and kept me even more engaged as the investigation took it's twists and turns. I loved getting to know everyone on the PAR team and I'm very excited to see where this series goes!

A perfectly fine police procedural. I had hoped the main character would be a bit quirkier based on the description. There were moments of tension and excitement, plus a few surprises along the way. Anyone who is a fan of this type of book would like enjoy the overall plot.

The audiobook narrated by Will Damron was likely the ideal way to read this book. He provided a voice that I expect to hear in police/FBI drama. He was also easily understood at faster speeds.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St Martin’s Press, and author John McMahon for the ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Although off to a slow start, the story quickly ramped up and omg I could not stop listening! The story was compelling, the narrator was terrific, the characters were believable and well fleshed out. And when you think you have it figured out, you find out you don't. This was a well thought out plot, a well written book and I am hoping there's a next volume in the works - I would hate to lose Gardner Camden and the Patterns and Recognition Unit so quickly after meeting them.. Serial killers must be a thing right now - I'm reading another ARC right now about .... a serial killer killing serial killers. It's a good time to be alive for us serial killer story lovers. There was a lot of action in this book, including movements of the main characters from place to place. It did get a bit difficult to keep up with who was going where, and that is the only downside, in my opinion, to this book.

My audiobook ARC was provided by NetGalley, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.