Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is the sequel to the book Head Cases, which follows FBI Agent Gardner Camden and his group of FBI misfits in the Patterns and Recognition (PAR) unit. They are nicknamed Head Cases, but the quirky group of agents are brilliant in what they do and tend to solve cases no one else can.

I love a twisty legal thriller and this one starts with a bang and doesn’t let up. The group is initially working on a suspected militia stockpiling weapons. They discover one of their informants murdered and it appears the militia wasn’t involved. As they follow the clues, they discover a dumping ground for a potential serial killer. Even more surprising is that the cases may be related in some way.

Camden’s personality serves him well in his investigations, even if it doesn’t help his personal life. He has a young daughter that he raising with the help of his ex-wife’s mother. I loved his relationship with his daughter. You can tell she inherited a lot of his pragmatism, but has the added bonus of the social skills he does not.

Camden leads PARS in this book and he utilizes his team well. He allows them to play to their strong suits and gives their ideas and thoughts credence. They follow the evidence with little egos involved, all focused on solving the mysteries. It was great that not only does the team respect Camden as a leader, but accept his quirks and form their own social unit.

The mysteries are entertaining and it was interesting to hear the various ways criminal organizations fund their activities. It was also a bit creepy because you know that aspects of the militia group, including their ideals and goals, are real. It really stresses me out to think about what these type of groups could be planning and what it would do to our country if they are successful. The serial killer case was also fascinating and it’s a trip to try to get into the mind of a person that is so twisted. The story is well paced and the progress and set backs of the team will fuel your adrenaline and stress you out.

I was fortunate enough to receive an early audio copy of this book from the Macmillan Audio Early Listeners Program. The narrator did a great job portraying the straightforward personality of Camden. He is almost robotic in his narration, bringing Camden’s odd nature to life. The narrator helps build tension throughout the book, adding to the tension of the story as it continues to escalate. This book comes out on Jan. 28, 2026.