This past week I read Head Cases by John McMahon. It is the first book in a new series that follows a group of FBI agents working on cold cases and the first book I’ve ever read of his. I was excited to go into a fresh novel by a new-to-me author. This was massively interrupted by a cold my dear middle schooler brought home. He lounged about enjoying endless hours of Roblox and making his way through a Costco-sized pallet of Kleenex while I tried to be productive. It was touch and go. Once my head cleared enough to understand the floating letters on the page, I realized that yes; he was writing in English. I just wasn’t able to read it.
Head Cases primarily follows FBI agent Gardner Camden. A name I could never say without absolutely butchering it. It seriously took me about four tries every time and I do not know why. It isn’t even that unusual. I think it’s the ‘rd’ or lingering illness. Regardless, let’s just call him G.
G and his group work for PAR, Patterns and Recognition Unit. They specialize in using data to solve complex cases. G is incredibly analytical and struggles with human interactions. He works to have interactions that are normal. I spout random, unnecessary, unasked for, often uncomfortable facts when nervous. I understand this problem. G and team are called out to a fresh murder, of a murderer, who was already murdered. DUN, DUN, DUN!!! Okay not that last part. He died in a fire the first time. But this time, he was murdered. So obviously, the first dead guy wasn’t him. But this dead guy is.
Odd to find someone that you thought was dead, murdered. Now this man, Tignon, was actually a serial killer, so it’s a little hard to find the empathy for his brutal murder, but crimes must be solved. Especially of long dead people no one knew were alive. As the PAR unit is investigating Tignon’s murder, another serial killer turns up dead. This one, just released from prison. Few knew where he was staying. The mystery deepens. Now we seem to have a serial killer on our hands who is killing serial killers even the FBI couldn’t find. They say (or maybe just I am saying) it takes 3 to make a pattern and; you guessed it. Another serial murderer turns up dead. And you might be thinking. Maybe we should just let this one get along with his work. It’s almost a public service. First, bad you, we can’t just have vigilantes running around getting off murdering people. They will run out of serial killers and start picking off jaywalkers, and don’t act like you haven’t done that too. Second, our killer decided to play a little cat and mouse with the PAR unit. Threatening their families and G’s own daughter. Can the team solve the crime and keep their families safe?
To the review: I haven’t read a good detective story in a while. Agent story in this case. I really enjoyed it. I think some people may find G’s interpersonal challenges difficult to relate to, but I see that as an interesting side plot as the series progresses. We can see him work through things in his own way while finding out how best to relate to the general population. This was a breezy read. Some might even consider it a beach read for how fast-paced and quick of a read it is. I bumped this one out in about 2 sessions, each maybe an hour and a half. And I only didn’t read it in one because I start work painfully early (8am) and have to set strict bedtimes or I become a monster.
This is not a cozy type mystery and reminded me more of something from Law and Order than Murder She Wrote. Both excellent genres just laying the groundwork so everyone knows what we are dealing with. Head Cases is story focused with enough character to make you care about what happens to the team. I can see being quite attached to them after a few books. Hear me, John, don’t kill Cassie. Please. Three books from now I will have a parasocial relationship with her. Also, don’t kill any beloved pets. That’s just good writing.
This one is a solid four stars. I look forward to the next set in the series.
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If this is your jam, you’ll love The Butcher Game.
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