Head Cases by John McMahon was such a fun and exhilarating listen. Will Damron was the perfect narrator to capture the unique voice of Gardner Camden. I highly recommend Head Cases for fans of Kathy Reichs or the tv show Criminal Minds. Zero slow sections. Great plot progression. I look forward to more in the PAR series.

This was a solid good time. It was fast paced and easy to move through quickly. I didn’t find it to have anything super new to the genre but still fun!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 1/28
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I love a good serial killer book, and this one checked all the boxes for me. I was getting some big time Criminal Minds vibes while reading.
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Gardner Camden and the entire crew at the Patterns and Recognitions unit (PAR) were so quirky and unique; so easy to love and you won't be able to help rooting for them. I love the dead-serial-killer-that-isn't-really-dead-que-the-cat-and-mouse trope so I was all for this plot.
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I felt that the pacing was spot on throughout the entire book. I was addicted to the characters and the story, I wanted to know what happened next and I felt like I just wanted to hang out with the members of PAR. There are perfectly placed twists and ending that will have you wanting more!! This is the start of a series and I already cannot wait to get my hands on book number two!!
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I listened to this via audiobook and Will Damron was perfect. I really enjoyed the voices he gave to the characters, and I really felt like he was able to bring this one alive for me. If you are thinking of reading this one - definitely check out the audiobook.
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To all my crime thriller friends - this is most definitely a must read. Be sure to check this one out! Huge thank you to NetGalley, John McMahon and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of the audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator. I really wanted to love this story, especially the idea “a serial killer killing serial killers,” sounded so freaking fascinating!! I’m also not the biggest fan of “crime mysteries” like this one, but it just sounded so good I had to give it a chance, because I have come across some like this that surprised me and I ended up loving them! Sadly, this one I just didn’t love. It started off so promising, but around the 40-60% it became a bit slow and lost my attention a little bit. If you love “crime mysteries” then you definitely need to listen to this one, it was good it just didn’t have enough going on for me and became a bit slow. I would recommend this to others who like crime mysteries or mysteries that aren’t super twisty and fast paced!

I would like to try some of these authors other books in the future to see if it was just this one that I just liked or maybe it’s just the writing style in general I’m not a huge fan of, either way I will give his other books a try!

Bestselling author John McMahon returns following his popular P.T. Marsh novels with a fascinating new series, PAR #1 HEAD CASES—a group of misfits, brilliant freaks (known by some), FBI agents that leave their desks and hit the road to track down a serial killer who murders serial killers— seeking his own justice in this dazzling and compelling new crime thriller debut series.

About...

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius and enjoys solving puzzles. He also has a blind spot on the human side of investigations, which often includes his beloved seven-year-old daughter Camila, who lives in Miami while he works in Jacksonville.

Gardner and his squad of brilliantly talented yet quirky agents make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit. Each member possesses unique skills that make them the hidden secret of the FBI. They tackle cases no one else can solve, making them a team to watch and a group of characters you'll be eager to learn more about.


THE ACE: Specializing in puzzles, patterns, and decoding enigmas.
THE BOSS: Old School FBI—plays his card close to the vest.
THE ANALYST: Creates crime scenes in her head.
THE SHOOTER: A born and raised hunter.
THE ROOKIE: A prodigy just out of the academy.


The team is assigned to a case when DNA links a murder victim to a serial killer who was long presumed dead. Ross Tignon, a man he had hunted years ago, stopped because he turned up dead.

Seven years earlier, he was the primary suspect in Florida for three women's murders, and then a fire broke out in his home. If this man had been killed yesterday in Texas, whose body was in the Florida fire?

A second victim follows, creating a pattern, and the murderer starts leaving a trail of sinister clues and riddles for Gardner.

They hit the road following the killer with Gardner, and each of them uses every skill possible to solve this complex mystery. Their determination to protect themselves, the team, and their family, even when the killer seems to be one step ahead.

As the case unfolds, Gardner's professional detachment is tested. He's a seasoned professional tasked with profiling crimes that others can't solve. But this case is different. It's personal. With the killer seemingly always one step ahead, Gardner's worry for his mother and daughter's safety grows. He must find a way to warn them before it's too late, and you'll feel the intensity of his struggle.

Gardner's mom relocated to Texas from South Carolina. She was a psychiatrist for twenty years before she retired and moved west; she was on retainer with the Charleston Police Department and consulted on numerous investigations. But now she is in a home. Garnder sends money to his mom and daughter even though he can't always be around.

Two people could make Gardner's heart sink: His mother and his seven-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who lives with her grandmother in Miami. He visits on the weekends. He must keep them safe before the serial killer gets to them.

The dangerous game of cat-and-mouse begins with a sinister killer with an agenda and a revenge plot!

My thoughts...

HEAD CASES is:
Brilliant.
Original.
Electrifying.
Clever.
Edgy.
Enigmatic
Action-packed.
Suspenseful.
Mysterious.
Cat-and-Mouse Twisty.
A STUNNER!

Move over: My new favorite FBI team (PAR) and crime series are in town—prime for the big screen. I love these characters. Bring on #2! I can't wait to see what's next for the PAR team, and I'm sure fans will share my excitement for the next installment.

🎬 I'm thrilled to hear that this series has been optioned for HBO Max. The thought of seeing these characters and their thrilling adventures on screen is truly exciting.

This is the author's fourth book, and as with the past series (I also enjoyed and need to catch up with the last one in the P.T. Marsh series), a well-written procedural, gripping plot, razor-sharp, witty, intelligent, and fast-paced—keeping you on the edge of your seat. Like Michae Connelly's Bosch, Gardner is a fantastic character who loves and protects his family.

Fans, get ready for more! Another book is on the way, and you'll be on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating the next thrilling adventure of this fun group in Miami! I love books set in my backyard.

Audiobook...

I read the book and listened to the audiobook narrated by one of my all-time favorites, Will Damron. The award-winning performance captured these quirky, intelligent FBI characters and secondary character voices—impressive — elevating the novel and making this a captivating listening experience. The characters came alive on the page, and I became hooked from beginning to end. His performance was superb. I highly recommend the audiobook and this series. I hope he will be narrating the next in the series!

Recs...

This book is a must-read for fans of the author and those who enjoy Criminal Minds, The Mentalist (my favorite- I love Patrick Jane), and Karin Slaughter's Will Trent series. It's a perfect blend of the best elements from all these works.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for an ALC and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
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Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for a #gifted ALC.

I love a good serial killer story and this one had my attention from the start. It's the first in a series and I will be definitely looking for more.

Gardner Camden is a unique man and not your typical FBI agent. He's very direct, a bit quirky, methodical, and sees life a little differently. He's a part of the PAR unit - Patterns and Recognition and his uniqueness fits right in here.

When a murder victim turns up and appears linked to a serial killer, there's just one problem. This particular serial killer was supposedly dead for years. The PAR Unit is called in to work the case, and we are along for the ride.

Will Damron did an amazing job with the narration. He really portray Agent Camden so well and loved hearing his thoughts and processes.

This FBI procedural is a nonstop search for the answer to a dilemma. Who is murdering serial killers?
There are a boatload of red herrings to distract the team. Good thing they are essentially a team of misfits. Their individual gifts complement each other and will help them achieve their objective. Now the question is whether or not the FBI really intends to keep the PAR Unit operational in the future.

This is my first time reading a John McMahon book. I was thoroughly invested in the team, especially leader Gardner Camden. His relationship with his mother was especially endearing. According to the author's note there will be at least one more PAR Unit book coming next year. I will be waiting. . .
Meanwhile I might try one of his earlier books.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed the first in what I hope will be many in the new PAR series -- even more than I expected. Police procedurals tend to be a bit hit or miss for me, but this one took hold. The pacing was fast and strong, the cast of characters was interesting and engaging without feeling forced, and the plot had a nice balance of intrigue and action for me. The "serial killer hunting serial killers" was a great hook, and it was executed well. Will be looking forward to book #2!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful series debut by John McMahon, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Will Damron. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

The Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit of the FBI is a team of five brilliant but misfit agents tasked with solving cold cases. Gardner Camden may have social issues, but he’s got an amazing analytical brain that excels in puzzles and codes. Work is a priority for him, along with visits to his young daughter and elderly mother. When a serial killer from one of Gardner’s solved cases, who has been presumed dead for over a decade, is found murdered, the hunt begins to find the killer who is murdering serial killers. Gardner and his team track him across the country, hoping they can solve the riddles before it’s too late.

This was such a fabulous book and audiobook! Think Slow Horses (which I also love), a group of intelligence agents who all made mistakes, but come together as a strong team. It also reminded me a bit of Mind Hunters, and I loved the peek into the mind of a serial killer and those who hunt for them. But the characters were where this book really shines – I loved all of them, but especially Gardner. They felt real, I felt for them, and I can’t wait for more books featuring this team. Highly recommended!

A solid, well-written, and interesting gritty police procedural about the Patterns and Recognitions Unit (PAR) of the FBI, trying to solve a case of a particularly gruesome serial killer. As a lawyer myself, some of my pet peeves about police procedurals are inaccuracy about the process and fluffiness in avoiding the dark stuff - neither of which this book does. It's accurate, dark, humorous at times, and intriguing. The voice acting in the audiobook is particularly arresting - the narrator has a great voice and is an excellent actor, displaying a great range for a variety of characters. A great overall story with just the right mix of depth and darkness, allayed by a little gallows humor. And I love the pun in the title. A solid effort by a good writer I'll definitely check out again.

This is a solid middle of the road FBI thriller. There is a lot of representation which I loved, the story was intriguing, and the pacing tight.

I had a hard time connecting to the main character and was confused by the jumping around in locations—literally all over. The timing of it all just didn’t quite work for me.

But I will probably read the next in the series and thought the author did a solid job with a really interesting set of characters on the whole team.

𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑪𝑨𝑺𝑬𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒐𝒉𝒏 𝑴𝒄𝑴𝒂𝒉𝒐𝒏 will be out January 27th.

I couldn't help but feel like I was listening to a new season of Criminal Minds. I used to love that show back when I watched TV.

This story takes a heavily analytical thinker, Gardner Camden and his team of similar genius misfits in the FBI on a case that looks like a serial vengeance taker. As the bodies add up, it becomes clear this is personal toward Camden, and he has to solve this puzzle before this killer hits too close.

I really enjoyed this intense story! I felt like the audio took me into it so well and it feels made for screens, even if it's just the one in my head. Will Damron did a great job embodying this character with all his quirks and heart.

This is a series starter that has me on the hook. I am definitely interested in following Camden and his brilliant team!
4.5 Stars!

An FBI agent gets called to a murder, but when he gets there, the body turns out to be one who was already pronounced dead years ago. As he dives into the investigation, he uncovers more and more secrets. How close to him will it get? Who can he trust? What is really going on?
I enjoyed the audiobook version of Head Cases by John McMahon. This was easy to listen to and kept me interested throughout. Plenty of twists, although some I was able to figure out, while some threw me for a loop. Good character development, well written. This was my first by this author but I will definitely check out more of his work.
#NetGalley #HeadCases #JohnMcMahon #crimethriller

This gave some definite Criminal Minds vibes and I was so here for it. Gardner Camden reminded me a lot of Spencer Reid with his ability to see patterns and analyze situations. I love the eclectic cast and how larger than life they feel. Some elements felt predictable, but the overall plot was excellent. I cannot wait to see where this team goes next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for the ARC and ALC.

The narrator for Head Cases was fantastic, and legit could have been Gardner Camden, FBI agent. The story was exciting and even I didn’t know what was going to happen next. Every character in the Patterns and Recognitions unit (PAR) was unique, special and I could see them all working together in real life. A killer killing serial killers … sign me up! This was the first in the PAR series and I can’t wait for the next one!

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius with an affinity for puzzles. He and his squad of brilliant yet quirky agents make up the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, the FBI’s hidden edge, brought in for cases that no one else can solve. Think the BAU on the hit show Criminal Minds.
When DNA links a murder victim to a serial killer long presumed dead, the team springs into action. A second victim establishes a pattern, and the murderer begins leaving a trail of clues and riddles especially for Gardner. And while the PAR team is usually relegated to working cold cases from behind a desk, the investigation puts them on the road and into the public eye, following in the footsteps of a killer.

This story was a fast paced thriller, full of mysteries and puzzles. I was drawn in right away and found the story hard to put down. I loved Gardner and the rest of the team members too. This is a fantastic start to a series and cannot wait for the next one. If you loved Criminal Minds or just a great police/FBI procedural then this one is for you! The audio narration was really well done by Will Damron also.

Many thanks to @netgally and @macmillanaudio for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Pub date 01/28/25

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC audiobook for review. If you like Criminal Minds or CSI, you will like this book. Head Cases is the first book in a debut series about a group of FBI agents in the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit. They are brought in for cases when no other team can solve them. The team are super smart and a little weird. The main character is FBI agent Gardner Camden who loves puzzles and is an analytical genius, but can come off as socially awkward. The team is brought in on a new case and Camden being targeted by killer. This book is a good thriller and I’m interested to see where this FBI team goes next.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves all the things serial killers.

John McMahon hit this one right on the money!! It was just like watching my favorite crime show and kept me guessing. FBI Agent Gardner Camden is the perfect mix of Spencer Reid and Tim McGee somehow rolled into one. Intelligent and well written I was always wondering what was going to happen next. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Definitely a must read!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook.

**3.5 stars!**

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my honest feedback!

I can see where this series has potential. I wanted to like this more than I did. To be honest, I feel like I would have liked this better if I had physically read the book. The MMC is super intelligent and awkward which I loved because everyone loves and underdog. The team itself can be seen as outcasts, and you cannot help but fall in love with each of the characters in their own right.

My issue was that I had a hard time following the plot. I read for entertainment, and I do not usually look or even find the plot holes until it's pointed out. However, this book left me with more questions than answers.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters, and for that reason, I would read the second book in this series and recommend to readers!

Because I feel confident in my book selection abilities (I have vast reading experience, I know what I like, and I know how picky I'm feeling/how open I am to trying something new-to-me at any given time) I try to restrict my pre-reading information exposure to the most basic of plot summaries—and little, if any, of others' opinions. I often make notes while I'm reading. This time, post-reading review and research of these notes yielded super-satisfying results. Here are a couple:

Note to self: Excellent narrator. Have I heard him before?
Research results: Without reviewing even half of Will Damron's considerable number of credits, I was able to confirm that I have heard him before, including reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt, and A Matter of Will, by Adam Mitzner.

Note to self: Hope there will be more.
Research results: Great news—Head Cases is a series debut! As far as I can tell, this is only McMahon's fourth novel—the first three forming a different series.

The story is reminiscent of the television versions of Dexter, Slow Horses (of which I have also read two installments), and Psych (the third for the keen powers of observation/eidetic memory only—Gardner Camden is a more serious character than Shawn Spencer).

It's pretty gory, and no one (e.g. children and women) is exempt from threats of harm. There is precious little comic relief, but one such instance actually made me snort.

I stubbornly stayed up way past my bedtime—I just couldn't stop reading. Not only will I welcome sequels, I am open to reading McMahon's first series as well.

If you like police procedurals, thrillers, smart/clever/talented outcast characters (some differently abled), or logic puzzles—and have at least a moderately high gore tolerance—I'd recommend Head Cases for you.