Head Games, by Thomas B. Cavanagh, not a household name yet, but he has potential. Cavanagh has written children’s programming for Nickelodeon and Disney, and one other mystery novel, Murderland. He won the Florida Book Award in 2008, Gold in Popular Fiction for Head Games.
The main character, Mike Garrity, formerly a detective with the Orlando Police Department, has left the force to deal with a personal issue. He has a brain tumor named Bob trying to ruin his life. Mike is trying to get his affairs in order, deal with a couple of emotional ex-wives, and a teenager daughter. Throw into the mix a missing person that an old associate needs help tracking down. The missing person is T.J., the lead singer for a Boy Band. To make it even more interesting some really bad, Mafia types are also looking for T.J., and beating on Mike very chance they get.
The secondary theme of living with or dying from cancer runs throughout the story, and never leaves the reader’s mind. Mike constantly faces the emotional difficulties encountered with cancer including the reactions of others especially co-workers as well as the interactions with his own dysfunctional family. Despite their emotional distance Garrity is effective in explaining and discussing with his teenage daughter, Jennifer the severity of the disease and the dangers associated with treatment. Mike also must make the decision on whether to seek medical treatment for Bob or continue on with a “Twinkie and Bourbon” diet.
Cavanagh dedicated the story to his own father, “who faced down cancer and beat it.” He consulted the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) and the American Cancer society in writing the book.
One review states, “Carl Hiaasen fans will be thrilled to know there’s a new kid on the block.” Head Games is a hard hitting detective story, and a good read, but it is not a Carl Hiaasen “type” mystery. It has a little bit of humor, is written by a Florida author, and takes place in Orlando. The author has a good knowledge of the Orlando area, and this comes through in the story giving it authenticity. Cavanagh does not take pot shots at developers or bemoan the demise of Florida or make fun of Florida society. If you are looking for a good detective novel by all means read it; if you are looking for a new Hiaasen type novel don’t.
BGS 5/18/2008