The Invisible Woman

by James Patterson, Susan DiLallo

My name is Elinor Gilbert. And I am the Invisible Woman.

No, not the kind who can walk through walls, or make a deck of cards look like it’s shuffling itself. The other kind, facing uncertainty in middle age.

Once a top FBI agent, Elinor had faded into obscurity, her past mistakes casting long shadows. But when a call from her former boss offers a shot at redemption, she can’t resist. Her infiltrate the opulent world of a New York art dealer suspected of laundering money for a notorious drug cartel.

Suddenly disguised as a grandmotherly nanny, nothing can prepare Elinor for what she encounters behind closed doors of his brownstone family home.

Surveillance is second nature. Babysitting is not.

But as the risks increase and dark secrets are unveiled, she also develops an unexpected love for the young charges she’s hired to protect.

Can she betray the trust of those who have come to depend on her to get the job done?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Crime

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2026

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner from one of my all time favourite authors, James Patterson.

Elinor is the invisible woman. She is middle aged, working as a music teacher and is not very memorable at all. But when her former supervisor at the FBI calls asking for her help in return for complete redemption and her old job back she jumps at the chance. Her invisibility is what they need, she must infiltrate a wealthy family, where the husband is believed to have criminal connections. All she has to do is be the nanny to baby Lily.

This is one hilarious read. Elinor has no experience with babies so her fumbling her way through and trying to be believable just cracked me up,On top of that she has to look after the the 2 dogs 🐶 and a sassy teenager. No drama right… haha.. so much drama and hilarity. I could relate to Elinor more than I care to admit. She was funny, tough and vulnerable. This is a stand-alone book but I would love to read more Elinor stories.

Not the usual James Patterson book with non stop action and drama, but there is plenty of both. Highly recommend reading this. You will laugh I guarantee it.

Thanks so much to Little, Brown and Company for the chance to be an early reader of this fun book. Published on January 5th, a great way to start 2026 .

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the premise a lot, there was so much potential but the execution was pretty disappointing, and definitely NOT hilarious. Well maybe hilarious in how absurd much of the plot is. The book is a quick read and lacks substance.

If you are a fan of the author, this is much lighter fare than what he normally writes, likely thanks to his co-author. Does anyone else wonder if the non-celebrity co-authors of the gajillion books he puts out every year actually write all these books and he just slaps his name on? Sorry, digressed, fans of the author whom also enjoy cozy mysteries will probably appreciate this book most.

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Hachette Book Group/Little Brown & Compny (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4 out of 5 stars
Did anyone else ever wish they could be invisible as a kid? In “The Invisible Woman,” Elinor doesn’t have a magic cloak that makes her invisible, but she blends in so well that people tend to forget her.

Elinor Gilbert, once an FBI rising star, is contacted by her former boss, who wants to use her greatest asset: she’s utterly forgettable. Disguised as a nanny, Elinor infiltrates a family tied to a shady art dealer, and suddenly, being invisible feels more like a trap than a superpower.

This book is about identity, reinvention, and the razor-thin line between safety and exposure. Elinor is a fascinating character. She’s equal parts intelligent and vulnerable. Her quiet resilience makes her compelling, and watching her navigate the dual roles of caregiver and covert operative is a treat.

Confession: I’m not a Patterson superfan, so I can’t compare this to his typical writing. But those bite-sized chapters are perfect, and dangerous. It makes it too easy to keep reading longer than you’d planned to. The tension simmers rather than explodes, which makes the moments of danger hit harder.

This one’s a blast, especially if you like your thrillers with a side of character study. If you’re into suspense that messes with your head and serves up a little irony, you’ll want to add this to your TBR pile.

Why You’ll Love It:
Elinor proves that flying under the radar is both a secret weapon and a double-edged sword.
Identity crises, fresh starts, and a plot that moves like it’s had too much coffee. What’s not to love?
This thriller feels like a breath of fresh air but still keeps you perched on the edge of your seat.

#TheInvisibleWoman #JamesPatterson #SusanDilallo #LittleBrownandCompany #NetGalley #CapCut #Canva

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Patterson publishes a lot of books, usually somewhere around 10 of them a year (and sometimes more). Usually, most of them are fairly decent, a couple of good ones, and an occasional stinker or two. Well, the bad news is that I found what I will most likely consider his weakest outing of 2026 already with “The Invisible Woman” written with Susan Dilallo.

Unfortunately for this book, the news is mostly bad. Although the premise has promise, there are a lot of problems with the delivery of this one. What is advertised as a thriller, is actually more of a combination of two oddball comedy movies of the past “Adventures in Babysitting” and “Mrs. Doubtfire”. There was no real drama or tension throughout, and it was almost impossible to take anything bad that happened very serious. It lacked any real tension beyond that of a Hallmark movie in which you know everything will turn out well for the main character.

I cannot describe how weak and predictable the plotting was. As usual, Patterson starts off in one direction, holding back several twists for later to surprise the readers. However, it was easy within the first quarter of the novel to figure out where we were really going and who the bad guys were. To say it was pretty predictable and obvious would be an understatement.

Also, I know that realism is not a major component of a Patterson novel, but more time was spent on the main character (an ex-FBI agent who has never been married and never had any children) fawning and drooling over a baby that she is assigned to nanny in her undercover investigative assignment. She goes from having no experience or connections with babies to being a surrogate mother in less time than it takes a corvette to hit 60 miles-per-hour. Pretty dang Hallmark ridiculous.

Overall, this delivered a very predictable and casual read, that only took a day to knock-off, which was a good thing because I actually got a headache while reading it. If you’re looking for a quality thriller, this one’s not going to do it for you. It is weak mind candy at its most shallow.

[R L HERSKOWITZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed to read a light book.
This book had great potential.
The premise was good.
Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
It was a quick read.
It would have been better as YA story.

I forgot that I had I had the same issue with another book that Susan DiLallo co-wrote with Patterson.
Hopefully, I’ll remember next time.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Invisible Woman by James Patterson and Susan DiLallo. Thanks to @lbc for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elinor Gilbert was once a FBI agent but now she sees herself as invisible in middle age. She’s offered another chance with the FBI. She needs to disguise herself as a grandmotherly nanny within the home of a man suspected to be laundering money for the cartel.

This was like Mrs. Doubtfire but instead of a male comedian dressed as an old woman, it’s a female FBI agent with a great sense of humor. Elinor is hilarious and a series should be started just for her escapades. Trying to uncover cartel activity while taking care of a baby, two dogs, and a sassy teenager is just hilarious fodder for her sarcastic wit. On top of that it has a pretty solid mystery and it fast paced.

“Yes, spying on the cartel has its downside. But taking care of a baby; that’s truly terrifying.”

Read this if you like:
-Cartel investigations
-Art world settings
-Dry and sarcastic humor

The Invisible Woman comes out 1/5.

[Klare · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just kept reminding me of Mrs Doubtfire.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit of a boomer for me. The blurb sounded pretty awesome -> ex-FBI agent going undercover as a nanny in a money-laundering investigation? Yes, please! The setup had so much potential. But the execution… didn't feel that great.

Elinor, our main character, really lived up to the title, she felt invisible in every sense. I didn’t find her particularly engaging or clever and some of her choices were just baffling (I mean… why take a mission from the same person who wrecked your career with zero proof they’ll fix it?).

The first part of the book had a few funny, even charming moments while she got into her “babysitter” role, but after that it was painfully slow until the last 10–15%. Even then, the big reveal and climax didn’t exactly make my pulse race.

That said, the premise was fun, the book was an easy read and there were flashes of humor that kept me going. But overall, it just didn’t deliver the tension or excitement I was hoping for.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3★)

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC.

[Natalie M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

As many holes as a fishing net and as flimsy as one too. A book you could read with one eye closed and still pick up what’s going on.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!
Patterson and DiLallo strike gold with Elinor Gilbert; a woman so completely nondescript, that you could bump into her on the street and you would not recall a single thing about her.
Having been let go from a longtime position at the FBI, she considers herself to be an "invisible woman", just living her now very dull life, quietly and with a real monotonous edge to it.
Until suddenly it is not.
She is approached by her former FBI supervisor, who was,directly responsible for her dismissal, and offered the opportunity to redeem herself and be reinstated as an agent, if she agrees to go undercover as a nanny, for a family whose husband is supposedly part of a criminal organization. Her job is to find the evidence they need to take him and his bosses down: while posing as an experienced and highly recommended nanny.
She agrees to take on the job with absolutely no baby experience whatsoever.
And off she goes. And off goes the story, on a wild, totally riveting and entertaining, as well as thoroughly suspenseful tangent.
The characters are interesting, well defined and the action is non stop. The moments of smiles at her in her job, are well written and fit well amid the suspense
A really, really good read.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say this is one of the funniest James Patterson books I’ve read. I found myself totally invested in this story and laughed out loud several times throughout. I don’t know how Patterson does it, but he continues to crank these books out with these new authors are bringing them even more to life. Really enjoyed this one and his last one with Reece Witherspoon. It’s publication week now for this one! I also enjoy listening to Patterson’s podcasts about his recent books.

[Becs' reads Australia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thos was great. definitely has Freida McFadden vibes. Another ripper book by James Patterson

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Invisible Woman” by James Patterson & Susan DiLallo is a delightful and entertaining standalone mystery with a new witty middle aged heroine.

A long retired FBI agent living a very dull and monotonous life is called back into service by her supervisor who was directly responsible for her dismissal. She considers herself to be “invisible” at this point in her life, and for exactly that reason she is asked to go undercover working for a super wealthy family as the nanny for an infant. The husband is suspected to be part of a criminal cartel, and her job is to gather the evidence to take him down. The problem is…she has no maternal instincts and knows absolutely zilch about babies.
From this moment on the action is nonstop, with a smile on every page and just enough intrigue to keep you guessing who the villain really is.
Oh how I loved this kindhearted character, and I am hoping this is the beginning of a brand new series!

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is one that kept me fooled and guessing what Elinor, the used-to-be FBI agent, would do next. Called on by her former boss to go undercover even though she is retired, Elinor finds herself in a wealthy neighborhood as a nanny to a precocious baby and a caregiver to two rambunctious dogs. Elinor did not know when she took the assignment what it would entail and she certainly didn’t expect to actually enjoy taking care of the baby. Her adventures with the family are wrapped into a cocoon of her undercover assignment, to find out the truth about a drug cartel and money laundering. The danger is real, the scenes portrayed are original and humorous at times (like when she has to change diapers), and the pace is fast and furious. The book is enjoyable, with a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of undercover work and a realistic look at hard choices that have to be made when your heart is involved. The characters were relatable, especially Elinor, who reminded me a lot of the movie Mrs. Doubtfire. The action was non-stop and surprising at times, with some unexpected twists that kept me guessing and entertained until the end.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ short chapters and an easy read tbf. also one of the characters is called alan metcalf so shout out to the metcalf name i guess 🤪 also that is my uncles name so shout out to him also x

[Jill McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Invisible Woman by James Patterson is a fast-paced, gripping thriller that delivers exactly what Patterson does best—short chapters, relentless momentum, and a mystery that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. The concept of a woman who lives completely off the grid is instantly intriguing, and Patterson uses it brilliantly to explore themes of identity, survival, and the danger of being truly unseen.

The protagonist is compelling and layered, and the tension builds steadily as the story unfolds. Each chapter ends with just enough suspense to make it impossible to put down, and the twists feel sharp without being overdone. Patterson’s clean, punchy writing keeps the focus on the story, making it an ideal binge-read for thriller fans.

What really elevates this novel is how it balances action with emotional depth, giving the story weight beyond the mystery itself. The Invisible Woman is smart, suspenseful, and highly entertaining—a standout read that proves once again why James Patterson remains a master of the genre. Highly recommended.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Desirae · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Patterson and Susan DiLallo’s The Invisible Woman sets out to deliver a fast-paced, high-concept thriller, but despite its kinetic narration and slapstick energy, the novel ultimately left me bored, disengaged, and unmoved. While the premise promises intrigue, the execution—particularly the characterization of its protagonist—undermines the story’s potential and made the book feel less like a sharp thriller and more like a caricature written through a distinctly boomer lens.

The novel follows a woman who becomes literally invisible, a condition that propels her into a series of dangerous, often chaotic situations. The plot leans heavily on rapid scene changes, exaggerated physical mishaps, and constant internal monologue. Patterson’s signature short chapters and breathless pacing are all here, and on paper the story should feel propulsive. Instead, the relentless motion becomes numbing. The narration is so spastic and slapstick in tone that it drains the stakes from what should be moments of tension or emotional consequence.

At the center of the novel is its main character, a boomer-aged woman whose worldview and reactions feel firmly rooted in generational clichés. Rather than being a nuanced or compelling figure, she comes across as entitled, reactionary, and oddly self-congratulatory. The character’s voice feels dated in ways that go beyond age: her assumptions about other people, institutions, and even her own importance are framed as inherently correct, rarely interrogated by the narrative. At times, it felt like the book wanted me to cheer for her simply because she was inconvenienced by the world, not because she had earned empathy.

This disconnect made it hard to care about the plot, no matter how many twists were introduced. The protagonist’s behavior often reads less as intentional satire and more as unexamined attitude. Frankly, it felt like the main character should have been named Karen, embodying a particular boomer mentality that mistakes stubbornness for strength and indignation for depth. Like too many boomers, she seems to be lashing out at a world she doesn’t understand, and the novel never meaningfully challenges her perspective. The result is a story that feels strangely regressive despite its modern thriller trappings—almost as if it’s suffering from narrative lead poisoning.

What makes this more frustrating is that the concept itself is solid. Invisibility, both literal and metaphorical, offers rich thematic ground: aging, marginalization, power, and identity could all have been explored with nuance. Instead, those ideas are skimmed over in favor of frenetic pacing and broad humor. The book moves quickly, but it rarely moves forward.

Ultimately, The Invisible Woman simply wasn’t for me. Despite the constant action, I found myself disinterested and unenthusiastic, waiting for a depth that never arrived. Readers who enjoy Patterson’s brisk style and don’t mind exaggerated characters may find something to like here, but for those looking for insight, subtlety, or emotional resonance, this novel is unlikely to satisfy.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Invisible Woman by James Patterson and Susan B Lalo, Evelyn is eating lunch when the last person she thought she would see FBI investigator detective Metcalf whose her ex boss from the FBI he’s also the reason she was fired in the first place. When he tells her why he’s there she’s incredulous she would never work for him but when he tells her what’s at steak and it’s all to benefit her getting back into the FBI she begrudgingly agrees. to Evelyn‘s bewilderment she’s now showing up at a mansion in a rubber suit that makes her look twice her size and make up that causes her to look much older and she’s there to be a nanny to five month old Lily. unfortunately Evelyn who is now going by Caroline knows nothing about babies and it seems Amber looks at her as if she knows everything her husband been is standoffish and rude and then there’s moody problematic teenager Haley. Evelyn is there to find out about Ben’s dealing with the Mexican cartelle and how he helps them embezzle money. it seems Metcalf is still a jerk and puts demands on Evelyn that has her bending over backwards to accomplish and that isn’t easy with a baby and two dogs in tow but soon she learns all this cloak and dagger isn’t seeming legit. Can Evelyn find out the truth while keeping the people she’s come to care about safe and that doesn’t include Ben. I absolutely loved this book a few weeks ago I went through a dry books spell with every book I’ve read being not so great but it seems that has totally turned around because I have read good book after good book and this one was the best book. I love James Patterson‘s books and the way this book ended it sounded as if there could be others and I would definitely be down to read that I didn’t know how much I enjoyed series until I really got into them now every book I read I want to be one lol! This is a great book with James Patterson’s talent for writing and telling stories usually when a book is written by two authors you can absolutely Tell who wrote which part but I would be lying if I said I could tell with this book James Patterson and Susan de Lalo must be equally skilled because this was an awesome read and a very funny one that held its momentum until the end.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elinor Gilbert used to work at the FBI. After being set up by her superior she had found herself doing jobs that require little skill, and slowly feeling more and more invisible. Now she’s of an age she merges into the background. People don’t tend to notice her…which makes her ideal to go undercover.
When she gets a call from the man who set her up she is, naturally, suspicious. But when he offers a chance to get her old role back and to restore her pension, she jumps at the chance to be involved.
Her task is to look into the affairs of her new boss, Ben, a gallery owner. She also has to act as nanny to his infant daughter.
From start to finish this was good-humoured fun. Elinor is an interesting character and even though she’s involved in potentially dangerous events she never really seems under threat. He may be jumping on a trend, but the story was entertaining and definitely worth a read.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review it.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I haven't read a James Patterson book in awhile, but this one sound interesting to me. Elinor is an Ex- FBI agent . She's asked to go undercover by her ex-boss, Metcalf. Soon she living in an expensive home, taking care of a baby, and trying to snoop for evidence.

I found this book to be different from others by James Patterson. It was humorous throughout. It was a little suspenseful. I figured out one thing within a 1/3 of the book, but it was still an okay book.

Tentative Publication Date:
January 5, 2026

Thanks to Netgalley, Little, Brown and Comoany, James Patterson, Susan DiLallo for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#Netgalley #LittleBrownandCompany #JamesPatterson #SusanDiLallo #TheInvisiblewoman #ARC

[Mary B 1958 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a James Patterson book in awhile . This was a really good book, humorous, and a fast read.
Noticing an uptick in books about older women who are interesting, smart and fun.
Elinor is a ex fbi agent who gets called back in to go undercover as a nanny to ring in a drug cartel .
Dealing with a nasty ex boss and lots of shady people and nannying , Elinor doesn’t think she will ever find anything out. But that changes.
So much humor with Elinor and I enjoyed that .

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elinor finally has a chance to restore her reputation with the FBI. She just has to go undercover as a nanny (she has zero experience with children) and gather intel on the baby’s dad and his potential link to the cartel.

Elinor is a character you can’t help but root for. She is snarky and I loved her inner monologue. This was a fun quick read. 3.5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Mary Loomis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from Net Galley. Although Susan Dilallo is a new author to me, James Patterson is a long-time favorite, and together, they have a hit on their hands.
Elinor is the invisible woman who left the FBI long ago after her reputation was ruined. Thinking she is in the process of clearing her name and getting her job back with the FBI, Elinor agrees to go undercover.
It doesn't take long for Elinor to realize things are not adding up. In true Patterson fashion, there are many surprises exposed that kept me interested and engaged all the way through.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a blast!!! I lost count of how many times I was nodding my head in agreement about the invisible aging woman and the snarky wit had me literally laughing out loud! A bit thriller a bit comedic. Many thanks to the publisher for this copy for read and review

[Terri Palermo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good but didn’t feel like a Patterson novel.
The story was interesting, but the whole deal about the bodysuit just wasn’t plausible, at least not in my mind.
And the ending seemed suddenly rushed but there was a pretty terrific blindside!

[Jane Perron · Rating 5 out of 5]

very enjoyable. quick read but well done

[P Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like the cult classic movie, The Pacifier, starring Vin Diesel

[S. E. Freedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was the first Patterson book I thought was meh!! The ending felt rushed but the book lacked patterson’s charm and interesting storylines!!

[Gary Parkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and entertaining read.

[Amanda Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an outlier despite the good reviews this has. The MC annoyed me and the plot moved as slow as a sloth (esp. the middle). A quick read but not something I would recommend 👋