Inside Man
I couldn’t put this book down! This latest installment in the action-packed series by John McMahon keeps you on your toes, and the unique twist with the investigative team’s abilities was just the fresh ingredient needed to tip the scales to a thriller/suspense fan must-read!
FBI agent Gardner Camden leads a specialized team of geniuses who excel at solving puzzles known as the Patterns and Recognition Unit (PAR). They are assigned a new case to thwart a gang stockpiling weapons in the nation’s capital. As the threat of terror looms, their CI is murdered, and they need to find another information-gathering angle. Simultaneously, they are on the hunt for a serial killer who’s killed and buried six women in a strange pattern in North Florida. What comes to light during their investigation is a peculiar connection between the two cases. This stretches Gardner’s team to their limits as they work to track down the killer and stop an imminent terrorist threat.
The unique puzzle-solving element is super cool, and the four PAR members bring distinct combinations of experience and expertise to the team.
As any good suspense novel should, the protagonist has an interesting backstory that’s lightly woven into the plot, which compels him to pursue these cases doggedly. The pacing is perfect, striking a nice balance between slower analytical moments and emotional turmoil, inviting you to catch your breath before the pulse-quickening action resumes. Amid a fast-paced novel, character growth should never be overlooked, so I appreciate the solid character arc for Gardner, along with the team’s subsequent evolution in capabilities, respect, and standing within the Bureau.
I’m truly impressed by the research and fascinating details the author incorporates into the book about forensic science, Bureau operations, DOJ, and police proceedings, along with geographic elements that impact the cases. Certainly not an easy feat if you are not in the industry or living in the state where the story is set. He’s also a master of end-of-chapter hooks—enticing the reader to turn the page and follow along with the protagonist to solve yet another puzzle.
I hope John McMahon considers an Author Q&A for Books Uplift, as the BU Community and I would love to learn more about his story, his motivation for writing, and his research methods! didn’t realize this is a sequel to his debut novel, Head Cases, but now I plan to add this to my reading list. I’m officially a “McMahon Fan,” and trust me, you will be too!
Book and Image Courtesy of Macmillan Publishers and NetGalley
