Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
John McMahon, the author of Inside Man, is an American crime writer of some renown. Among his work is a series based on a particular group within the FBI. The series known as Head Cases highlights Gardner Camden and the PAR team (Patterns and Recognition). Their job is to identify peculiarities in cases that have stalled or gone cold and to uncover details that others have missed. They may be called puzzle-solvers or oddballs, sometimes freaks with a bent toward data. Often, they are called “head cases”.
In this second book in the series, their confidential informant is found dead, and they need to find a replacement as soon as possible. They fear that a domestic terrorist attack is imminent. They are aware of a stockpiling of weapons but do not know where.
At the same time, they are made aware of a possible serial killer as bodies have been discovered further north of Florida. For the reader this second case now takes centre stage, after the death of their informant, only to swing back to the guns case towards the end. When this crime is thwarted, you would think, the story would end, but there is more, linking these two cases, and allowing the team to solve both cases.
This story is told in the first person by Gardner Camden, the leader of the group, who understands he sees things differently from others and that he often lacks the feelings others have in different situations. The propensity humans have for small talk constantly confounds him, but his mother’s guidance and wisdom over the years is helping him to navigate more smoothly the world in which he lives. However, a suspect he had pushed too hard in an earlier case had retaliated and his mother is now in a coma.
This story is alive with acronyms, especially those used within crime and reinforcement departments. Although most of these abbreviations are well known, some are not, or are more familiar in America. In many cases within the story there is an explanation of these, usually during conversations with new members to the team, or explanations to others.
While collecting their information the team members are often away either flying or driving to interview people. Detailed descriptions of the areas through which they travel, and the techniques they use during their information gathering give a clear insight into current police procedures. It was interesting to read the modern technology in place especially in the US and used by the FBI. Who would have thought that a drone would pick up changes in the growth of vegetation in an area, which could indicate that a decaying body lay underneath. This information acted as an interesting foil to the severity and cruelty of the crimes they are investigating.
The personal information and the procedures associated with modern policing in America adds more interest and depth to this crime story. The reaction of the police groups when they believe they have found the guns is typical American, as they go in all guns blazing.
The criminal investigation shows the extent to which perpetrators will go for their own personal gain or beliefs. The investigators in the PAR team are interesting and varied and there is enough human interest in this story to satisfy a wide range of readers.
Inside Man
(2026)
by John McMahon
Harper Collins
ISBN:978-1-4607-6646-0
$34.99; 400pp