The Man on the Bench
A Callie McFee Mystery #3
Callie, an Austin reporter, is the daughter of Buddy McFee, a power broker secretly dealing with dementia. Lacking any close friends, Callie confides her family drama to Barney, a harmless, homeless man she talks to every day. When Barney is murdered, Callie suspects that others like her have also shared their stories with Barney and that one of their dangerous secrets may be the motive.
Callie’s brother, a homicide cop, investigates, but things grow complicated when Callie discovers Barney’s true identity. The low-profile death of a “homeless” man now gets national attention, leading everyone to wonder if it was some overheard secret that led to his murder or something from the man’s own checkered past.
Days later, one of Barney’s other “bench buddies” is killed, and Callie can’t help suspect that there are more secrets lurking in the life of this friendly man on the bench, secrets that could lead to her own murder.
“A beautifully crafted mystery that blends emotional resonance with deft investigative suspense. ‘The Man on the Bench’ stands out as one of the year’s most compelling and rewarding reads.” — IndieReader
“Award-winning mystery and crime writer Conrad hits his stride with this
Third Callie McFee mystery. This tale twists and turns like a Texas tornado.”
— U.S. Review of Books
“A mystery with teeth and with conscience. The twists feel earned. The reveals arrive with emotional fallout, not just cleverness. And the final pieces snap into place in a way that rewards close attention.” — BookTrib
“I was fully invested in the characters, mesmerized by the crisp writing, and engaged by the twisty plot.” – The Book Commentary
