John McMahon (4)

This is less a standard procedural and more a study of unique characters operating in a sort of shadow unit to solve a mystifying string of murders.

The FBIs Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit is a task for of intellectual misfits or genius outcasts who are assigned unusual cases because of their unusual approach. FBI Agent Gardner Camden, an analytical savant with an eidetic memory and a talent for puzzles and patterns, leads the team. He often has difficulty with human empathy, emotions show more and social graces. Other team members have their own skills and abilities.

In this book, the unit, which is usually relegated to solving cold cases, is thrust tiny the field when a notorious serial killer, long presumed dead, is found murder in a particularly horrendous manner. It seems that there is a vigilante who is targeting other serial killers and who is leaving behind clues and riddles meant for Gardner and his team.

I enjoyed the way that the author rose above the trope of damaged geniuses and introduces a PAR team that is authentic and quirky without just a bunch of eccentrically skilled law enforcement agents. Yes, Camden is clearly neurodivergent even though his analytical prowess is both a professional superpower and a personal disability. He does have emotional struggles as he deals with his beloved mother, his daughter and an exwife in prison. Two other characters, Casssie Pardo (a mathematician) and the weapons expert and sharpshooter, Joanne Harris, add intriguing depth to the team.

Good, complicated plot and a somewhat slow pacing as the killer leads the team with increasing challenges. Then the adrenaline infused action sequences when the reader is reminded that the agents aren’t just cerebral. This is the start of a new series and perfect for fans of character driven crime thrillers who appreciate a complex hero. I look forward to the next book.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-ebook provided by the publisher. The narrator, Will Damron, excelled at portraying the main character as well as being able to give distinct voices to the other characters in the book. His timing and intonation do well to build the suspense and definitely creates an atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged. I really like his voice and this production enhanced my enjoyment of the book. show less

Gardner Camden is back!! I didn’t think it was possible for the sequel to be even better than the first book, but it is. It most definitely is. More stunning, thrilling, exciting, entertaining. Maybe it’s because the PAR team and others we met in Head Cases is back and now that we know a little bit about them - their traits, their strengths, their quirks – they’re familiar in a good way and unpredictable in a fascinating way. We know some of their backstories and what led them to be show more on the PAR team, but we still have no idea how they’ll approach each case, only that the chances of them solving it are high, very high indeed.

Or maybe Inside Man is even better simply because John McMahon is that talented an author; he seamlessly begins Inside Man right where Head Cases left off. Sure, time has passed and things have happened, but it’s like one continuous story, the characters are vibrant as ever, the plot as compelling. You feel like you put Head Cases down the day before you picked Inside Man up.

And then there’s the action. Non-stop fast-paced doesn’t begin to describe it. Crisscrossing the state of Florida, the entire country, flying, riding, running, fighting, shooting, barely escaping – and always thinking. Gardner is front and center, but the entire team is brilliant with a wide variety of skills, talents and insight. And bravery. And loyalty. Gardner always relates everything to numbers: how tall, how much it weighs, how many there are, how many seconds passed, how much her pupils shrank . . . but the entire team has oddities. In fact, everyone they interact with is unique in their own way. Which only adds to the fullness of the story.

Gardner’s oddities are the most visible of them all. In Inside Man author McMahon does an amazing job of displaying Gardner’s peculiarities, his detachment, his lack of social skills and ability to pick up on cues while humanizing him, making him softer, even likeable, and often unintentionally humorous. He loves and hurts and gets angry, and makes a tremendous effort to be what is needed at the time and in the moment, to learn. When his bluntness is pointed out to him as something he always exhibits because he’s . . . him, he says, “When it comes to Camila, I try not to be me.” His relationship with his little girl is something he values and does not take for granted.

In Inside Man the PAR team is working two cases simultaneously. Cases that are possibly – probably – connected but time constraints, directives from above and politics have them rushing to solve the first case before they are turned off and directed to focus solely on the other. If there are connections, and bigger dangers than originally thought, they need to discover all of it and fast.

There is a lot going on within the story in Inside Man and a lot to keep track of, but author McMahon presents it all logically, smoothly and believably, perfectly blending the people activity with the case action. Thrills, danger, betrayal, attacks, life-threatening injury with maybe-clues sprinkled in that put you on a track that may or may not be the right one, and several surprises dumped in to make you step back and rethink – and wish you had the puzzle-solving skills of the PAR team.

I received an advance copy of Inside Man from St. Martin’s Publishing Group/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. I can’t express how happy I was when I received this book and how satisfied when I finished reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, recommend it without any hesitation, and hope, hope, hope there are many more Head Cases stories to come. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

John McMahon’s “Inside Man” is pure suspense magic. This is book two in the Head Cases series, and McMahon just keeps serving up characters I’d love to grab coffee with, or maybe just follow around while they solve crimes. At a safe distance!

Thanks to the author and Minotaur/Macmillan Audio for these gifted ARCs provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I started with the book, but I’m an audiobook addict, so I switched as soon as I got the chance. The narrator absolutely show more nails it, especially when it comes to Garner Camden. Picture a socially awkward FBI agent with a brain wired for puzzles and a rare, quirky sense of humor. On the page, he’s interesting, but in your ears, he’s unforgettable. I found myself grinning at his odd logic and rooting for his unique, wonderful brain. His mother is another memorable character!

The PAR Unit starts out chasing a militia with way too many weapons, but you know how thrillers love a twisty detour. Suddenly, we’re knee-deep in serial killer clues and whispers of something even bigger. McMahon keeps the tension cranked, but it’s Garner’s offbeat genius that steals the show.

Garner’s personality is captured perfectly. He’s officially on my list of fictional folks I’d invite to dinner. All his quirks and brainy brilliance come wrapped in so much charm, you can’t help but love him.

Read it or listen to it. “Inside Man” is a standout thriller. Garner Camden’s voice is worth hearing.

#InsideMan #JohnMcMahon #MinotaurBooks #MacmillanAudio #StMartinsPress

Book Series - Head Cases - Serial Killer - Cold Cases - NetGalley - CapCut - Canva - Audiobook Review show less

McMahon's writing style is engaging, and his narrative technique keeps you on the edge. I don't read many police or FBI procedurals, but I have to rave about how much I loved "Head Cases!" It felt tailor-made for me. Typically, I shy away from book series because waiting for the next release is challenging. Yet, here I am, dying to get my hands on the next book in this exciting series!

PAR (Patterns and Recognition) is an incredible little unit of brilliant and enigmatic members working as show more hidden assets within the FBI, tackling cases others can't crack.

The standout for me is Agent Gardner Camden. He's a delightful blend of socially awkward whiz and quirky charm that I can't get enough of. I got a Spencer-vibe (Criminal Minds) from him! It's a shame that his uniqueness leads to some bumps along the way, both in his personal life and career. While the rest of his team is fantastic, Gardner truly steals the show. I can't wait for future books to peel back the layers of his complicated backstory!

In this first thrilling installment, an old case resurfaces: a vigilante has taken it upon himself to eliminate serial killers. A serial killer hunting other serial killers—how mind-boggling is that? It's a concept that really makes you think—almost like he's assisting the PAC Unit. I mean, don't they have more pressing matters to attend to? show less