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A review by nzlisam
Head Cases by John McMahon
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A serial killer is exterminating serial killers!
There is a unit of five FBI agents dedicated to identifying and unraveling unusual puzzling crimes known as Patterns and Recognition (PAR). Internally nicknamed ‘The Head Cases’because of their unique crime-solving techniques, the unit is considered the ‘bottom of the barrel’ within the FBI.
PAR agent Gardner Camden (our sole narrator) and his partner Cassie Pardo are dispatched to a crime scene in Dallas, Texas. A vicious killer of women has been found dead – murdered. When a second body turns up in another state – also a mass murderer – the PAR team conclude that that a vigilante killer is going after bad people. Who and why? Given their detailed knowledge of the past crimes committed all avenues lead to someone in law enforcement, potentially even the FBI.
Head Cases (the first in a series) began with a hiss and a roar, I was glued to the pages for the first intense 30%. But tracking leads, analysing clues, the investigation process, and internal politics within the FBI soon grew stale and long-winded. I craved more excitement, suspense, and shocks. Even when the stakes were personal for the agents the threat wasn’t high enough. I do understand though that a certain amount of info dump was needed to establish and set up the series.
The characters were the stand-out. Each had their own unique personality quirks and strengths, that contributed to the team, and the investigation. There were hints and reveals of compelling backstories, and each character complimented, and cared about, one another. The PAR unit definitely contained both a found family vibe, and outsiders finding a place where they fit and belonged.
Even though the crime plot in Head Cases wasn’t my favourite the characters were intriguing enough, and the note it ended on has left me keen enough to discover where this is going and continue the series.
There is a unit of five FBI agents dedicated to identifying and unraveling unusual puzzling crimes known as Patterns and Recognition (PAR). Internally nicknamed ‘The Head Cases’because of their unique crime-solving techniques, the unit is considered the ‘bottom of the barrel’ within the FBI.
PAR agent Gardner Camden (our sole narrator) and his partner Cassie Pardo are dispatched to a crime scene in Dallas, Texas. A vicious killer of women has been found dead – murdered. When a second body turns up in another state – also a mass murderer – the PAR team conclude that that a vigilante killer is going after bad people. Who and why? Given their detailed knowledge of the past crimes committed all avenues lead to someone in law enforcement, potentially even the FBI.
Head Cases (the first in a series) began with a hiss and a roar, I was glued to the pages for the first intense 30%. But tracking leads, analysing clues, the investigation process, and internal politics within the FBI soon grew stale and long-winded. I craved more excitement, suspense, and shocks. Even when the stakes were personal for the agents the threat wasn’t high enough. I do understand though that a certain amount of info dump was needed to establish and set up the series.
The characters were the stand-out. Each had their own unique personality quirks and strengths, that contributed to the team, and the investigation. There were hints and reveals of compelling backstories, and each character complimented, and cared about, one another. The PAR unit definitely contained both a found family vibe, and outsiders finding a place where they fit and belonged.
Even though the crime plot in Head Cases wasn’t my favourite the characters were intriguing enough, and the note it ended on has left me keen enough to discover where this is going and continue the series.