Inside Man
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 13
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 15
Head Cases #2
By: John McMahon
Narrator: Will Damron
ISBN: 9781250348326
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 01/13/2026
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC) (ALC)
In this sequel to McMahon's electrifying series debut, Head Cases, Gardner Camden and the PAR team return to investigate potentially connected cases.
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.
PAR’s latest case involves a militia group stockpiling weapons. When their confidential informant in the case is killed, it quickly becomes clear that the militia did not kill him.
As the squad looks into the evidence surrounding his murder, an unidentified man is caught on camera with their informant. This mystery man’s picture is connected to another case at the FBI, an unsolved series of murdered women, buried in the ground in north Florida. Could they have uncovered a serial killer? And if so, what is his connection to their C.I.?
As PAR juggles an investigation into both the dead women and the militia, they enroll a new informant, only to find the case escalating in dangerous ways. How will PAR handle a case that increasingly looks like a terrorist plot? And in the serial case, with no puzzles or witnesses, and few leads, how will a group set up to decode riddles be successful?
Head Cases (PAR Unit)
HEAD CASES #1
INSIDE MAN #2
About the Author
The New York Times called John McMahon’s debut novel, THE GOOD DETECTIVE “pretty much perfect” and listed it among their “Top Ten Crime Novels of 2019.” The book was a finalist for the 2020 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
His follow up, THE EVIL MEN DO, was also a New York Times “Top Ten Crime Novel” for 2020. The third book in his P.T. Marsh series, A GOOD KILL, came out in 2021 and was an Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery.
John’s newest book, HEAD CASES, came out January 2025 and INSIDE MAN Jan 2026 from Minotaur/St. Martin’s Press.
HEAD CASES was part of a six-way auction in Hollywood and is in preproduction at HBO MAX as a TV series.
John lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids and his rescue dog Tessie. In his day job, he’s an advertising creative director and is in search of the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.
My Review
Bestselling author and reader favorite John McMahon returns to enchant his audience with his latest offering, INSIDE MAN, the much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Head Cases, which was celebrated among the top books and audio of 2025.
In this thrilling new installment, readers are drawn into a captivating narrative that follows the enigmatic FBI Agent Gardner Camden and his elite Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Florida (my backyard), the story intricately weaves together two overlapping investigations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they uncover secrets and solve crimes.
McMahon’s masterful storytelling and rich character development ensure that audiences will be irresistibly glued to the pages, eager to unravel the mysteries that lie within.
About...
Gardner Camden is now officially leading the PAR unit but remains uncomfortable with the bureaucratic demands of the position.
The PAR unit is tasked with investigating a Florida-based militia group that is stockpiling weapons. The team’s confidential informant (CI) within the militia is murdered. Evidence quickly suggests that the militia itself was not responsible for the killing.
Surveillance footage shows an unidentified man with the informant before his death. This individual is eventually linked to an unsolved serial murder case involving women buried in north Florida.
As PAR juggles an investigation into both the dead women and the militia, they enroll a new informant, only to find the case escalating in dangerous ways.
The team must balance tracking a potential terrorist plot by the militia while simultaneously hunting a serial killer who seemingly leaves no patterns or witnesses.
Despite the seemingly random nature of the crimes, Gardner Camden's analytical skills lead the team to a hidden connection between the serial killer and the deceased informant.
On another team note, Gardner distances himself from mathematician Cassie Pardo (could a romance be stirring) by assigning her to mentor Richie Brancato, a newcomer and grandson of a law enforcement legend.
In the meantime, on a personal side, Gardner grapples with complex personal issues involving his mother and his daughter, Camilla. She is in Miami, and his work is taking him to North Florida, feeling pressure from both sides.
The team continues to face pressures, politics, bureaucracy, and fluctuating support from FBI Director Craig Paulson.
My thoughts...
I was delighted to catch up with my favorite team, members of the FBI's Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit, a specialized group of quirky "genius misfits" who use non-traditional methods to solve complex puzzling cases in INSIDE MAN.
I would highly recommend reading/listening to the first book in the series to get to know the team. The team consists of:
~Gardner Camden: The unit's lead agent and an analytical prodigy. Neurodivergent and possesses a sharp memory for details and puzzles, though he often struggles with social nuances.
~Cassie Pardo: A brilliant mathematician known as "The Analyst". She has a unique way of speaking and can mentally recreate complex crime scenes based on numerical data.
~Joanne "Shooter" Harris: A former ATF agent and member of the 2012 Olympic shooting team. She serves as the unit's tactical specialist and expert sniper.
~Richie Brancato: A data analyst and rookie prodigy from the FBI Academy. In Inside Man, he is mentored by Cassie Pardo and is noted for his skills in computer analytics.
~Frank Roberts: The veteran FBI agent who originally founded the unit. Although he was transferred to Texas in a previous installment, he returns in Inside Man as a consultant to assist the team.
There is much to uncover in this installment. The serial killer murders the informant, primarily as a calculated move to protect his own anonymity. As Gardner Camden and the PAR unit investigated the militia, they inadvertently drew closer to the killer’s operational area in North Florida. The murder was an effort to derail the FBI's focus and hide his unrelated series of crimes.
The Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit utilizes specialized, often non-traditional techniques to solve cases that have stalled or gone cold. Their methodology is built around the "genius-misfit" archetypes of its members, emphasizing analytical depth over standard bureau procedure.
The team specializes in identifying "peculiarities" or anomalies in cold cases that other investigators have missed. They look for behavioral patterns, numerical consistencies, and environmental clues. The unit treats investigations like a "psychological chess match," exploring motives and trauma to understand the "why" behind a criminal’s actions
~Analytical Genius (Gardner Camden)
~Mathematical Modeling (Cassie Pardo)
~Computer & Forensic Analytics (Richie Brancato):
~Tactical "Shooter" Support (Joanne Harris)
Despite being branded as "Head Cases" by colleagues for their eccentricities, the unit's ability to decode cryptic clues allows them to solve cases significantly faster than average FBI agents.
Gardner Camden’s personal struggles stem from the friction between his high-functioning, analytical mind and his "blind spots" in emotional and social situations.
His primary personal conflicts include:
~Relationship with His Daughter, Camila.
Gardner is deeply devoted to his seven-year-old daughter, but he struggles to connect with her on an emotional level.
~His Mother's Declining Health
Gardner is grappling with his mother’s health issues, specifically her descent into dementia.
~Improving Ties with His Ex-Mother-in-Law
Despite his social awkwardness, Gardner makes conscious efforts to improve his relationship with Rosa, his ex-mother-in-law, who serves as a stabilizing force in his and Camila's lives.
~Emotional Distance and Isolation
Gardner is naturally a loner who avoids close friendships, which often causes others to perceive him as arrogant or cold. Throughout the book, he must confront the reality that his intellect alone is insufficient for a meaningful life, forcing him to be more vulnerable with his team and family.
~The "Dorky" Side of Office Politics
While brilliant at solving crimes, Gardner is described as "dorky" and out of his depth when dealing with the bureaucratic and political shenanigans of the FBI, which adds a layer of professional stress to his personal life.
Takeaway Message...
The takeaway message of INSIDE MAN centers on the intersection of specialized intellect and human fallibility. The novel reinforces several core themes:
~The Power of Unconventional Thinking
~Balance of Intellect and Empathy
~The Necessity of Team Dynamics
~Resilience Against Institutional Pressure
~Growth Through Struggle
Title Significance...
The title carries multiple layers of significance that relate to both the criminal plot and the internal struggles of the protagonist, Gardner Camden.
~The Infiltrated Informant:
On the surface, the "inside man" refers to Freddie Pecos, the confidential informant (CI) placed by the FBI inside a Florida militia. His murder is the catalyst for the novel's primary investigation.
~The Killer’s Advantage:
As the plot develops, "inside man" takes on a more sinister meaning as it is revealed that the serial killer has access to internal FBI files. This allows the predator to stay one step ahead of Gardner’s team by literally seeing the investigation from the "inside".
~Gardner Camden's Internal State:
The title also reflects the protagonist's struggle with his own mind. Gardner is an "inside man" in the sense that he often lives almost entirely within his own head, processing the world through complex patterns and data while struggling to maintain an "outside" connection to the real world and his family.
~A "Misfit" on the Inside:
It signifies the PAR unit’s precarious position as a group of eccentric outsiders working within a rigid institution (the FBI). They are the "inside men" of the Bureau who don't follow its standard rules but are essential for solving its most difficult cases.
The Audiobook...
I had the delightful opportunity to both read the book and listen to the audiobook, and I must say, it was an incredible experience! The first book captivated me entirely, leaving me eager to dive into its sequel. I was thrilled to discover that Will Damron, one of my favorite narrators, was also lending his voice to the second installment in the series. Damron's narration is nothing short of enchanting; he breathes life into each character with distinct and memorable tones, making the story come alive in a way that truly elevates the suspense. His performance transforms the experience into a fully immersive journey, allowing listeners to feel every twist and turn of this compelling thriller.
I sincerely hope this captivating series continues, as my anticipation grows to witness the thrilling adventures that await the team in their next escapade.
In summary, I have a deep appreciation for the captivating writing style of John McMahon, whose storytelling draws readers in with its intricate details and vivid imagery. Coupled with this, Will Damron's narration is a perfect complement, as his voice effortlessly brings the characters and scenes to life, creating an immersive experience that enhances the overall enjoyment of the work.
Recs...
Readers who enjoyed John McMahon's INSIDE MAN often like other fast-paced FBI procedural and serial killer thrillers, as well as books with an analytical, puzzle-solving protagonist.
For more of the same FBI Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit action, start with the first book in the series, Head Cases.
Authors and Series with a Similar Vibe
Other authors and series that feature FBI investigations, serial killers, and detective work, which I recommend if you enjoy McMahon's work.
~Lisa Gardner's Detective D.D. Warren and FBI Profilers series
~Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series
~Greg Hurwitz's Orphan X series
~Willow Rose's Detective Billie Ann Wilde Series (Florida)
~Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn series
Special thanks to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 13, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars+
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