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The Man on the Bench: A Callie McFee Mystery
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.
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.
- GenresMystery
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2026
About the author
Hy Conrad
47 books187 followersHY CONRAD has made a career out of murder, earning the 2022 Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (“The Fixer’s Daughter”) and 2022 NYC Big Book Awards for Best Mystery Series (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” “Sins of the Family”), a Scribe Award for Best Novel (“Mr. Monk Helps Himself”) and garnering three Edgar nominations from the Mystery Writers of America (for the “Monk” TV series). Along the way, he developed a horde of popular games and interactive films, hundreds of short stories and a dozen books of solvable mysteries, published in over 15 languages. Hy is best known for his eight seasons as writer/co-executive producer for the ground-breaking TV series, “Monk.” Other shows include “White Collar” and “The Good Cop.”
As a novelist, Hy authored the final four books in the Monk series, the Amy Travel Mysteries (“Toured to Death,” “Dearly Departed” and “Death on the Patagonian Express”) and the Callie McFee Mysteries (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” a Barnes & Noble bestseller and “Sins of the Family”).
In the world of theatre, his produced works consist of “Home Exchange” (a mystery), “Ta-Dah!” (a musical), and “Quarantine for Two” (a socially distanced dark comedy about the pandemic).
When he looks up from his keyboard, Hy sees either the hills of Vermont or the palm trees of Key West, depending on the time of year. He also sees Jeff Johnson, his partner of 43 years, now his husband, plus Nelson and Stella, the latest in a dynasty of mini-schnauzers.
www.hyconrad.com
Facebook: hyconrad
Instagram: hyconrad1
As a novelist, Hy authored the final four books in the Monk series, the Amy Travel Mysteries (“Toured to Death,” “Dearly Departed” and “Death on the Patagonian Express”) and the Callie McFee Mysteries (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” a Barnes & Noble bestseller and “Sins of the Family”).
In the world of theatre, his produced works consist of “Home Exchange” (a mystery), “Ta-Dah!” (a musical), and “Quarantine for Two” (a socially distanced dark comedy about the pandemic).
When he looks up from his keyboard, Hy sees either the hills of Vermont or the palm trees of Key West, depending on the time of year. He also sees Jeff Johnson, his partner of 43 years, now his husband, plus Nelson and Stella, the latest in a dynasty of mini-schnauzers.
www.hyconrad.com
Facebook: hyconrad
Instagram: hyconrad1
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 25, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was well written of course. I did have my suspicions of where the plot was headed and I was right, but then not all is as it seems and the plot twist leads you down another trail to learn the whole story. I loved that.
I loved Conrad's FMC. She's smart, feisty and totally a pain in the ... for her brother. I can't wait to see what else she gets into. Thank goodness this was my first read of Conrad's and there more with these characters. I'm off to buy.
I loved Conrad's FMC. She's smart, feisty and totally a pain in the ... for her brother. I can't wait to see what else she gets into. Thank goodness this was my first read of Conrad's and there more with these characters. I'm off to buy.
June 6, 2026
Reporter Callie McFee enjoys the part of her day that involves stopping at a certain bench and talking to a homeless man named Barney, who is always sympathetic and a good listener. When Barney turns up dead, Callie is surprised to learn that there was more to her bench buddy than she knew. And as her brother, a homicide detective, investigates, she can't help but get involved herself.
At its core, this is an overall decent cozy, procedural-type mystery. The premise of the murdered homeless man that more people than Callie might have been spilling secrets to is a great starting point. The book takes place in Austin, and though I've never been to that city, I have done research, watched videos, and done virtual visits for for my job years ago, so the descriptions of the area were just detailed enough for me to be able to imagine myself there. Callie struggles with overindulgence of alcohol, though I'm not sure if she's a functional alcoholic or just lacks self control? I can't say I really connected with her attempts to get control of her drinking, but even aside from this, I overall felt like I couldn't get much of a handle on her personality in general. She just felt fairly flat to me, for the most part. Partway through the book I realized I wasn't really engaged, though I did at least have an interest in seeing how the mystery played out.
Then the mystery took a turn that was way too familiar to me, and I pegged the outcome a mile away. This is, unfortunately, due to having seen the same thing done in an episode of Monk, a TV show that I have watched many times and that the author worked on. Fortunately, only part of the mystery is solved by this thread, but unfortunately, major hints are dropped in the last quarter that just breeze right on by Callie. They're so obvious, I can't think of her as a competent amateur detective any longer. By the time some random detail makes it all click in her head (a random detail that is practically shoved in her/our faces), I was practically shouting at her to not be so thick.
This is the third book in a series, and though there are references to events from previous books, I didn't feel like I missed out on a whole lot by starting right here. There's one possible exception to that, though—Callie's apparently super powerful father was a point of confusion to me through most of the book. We're told he'd been the attorney general of Texas at one point, but he no longer is; I don't know what he is/does now, so his role in this book mostly just confused me. But maybe that was something that was explained better in a previous book. Overall, the book was a decent read, but I don't know if I enjoyed it enough to want to read more Callie McFee mysteries. I do think that others who enjoy this type of mystery story might like the book more than I did (and if you don't know Monk as well as I do, you probably won't peg at least the one part of the mystery like I did). Other reviews for this book, so far, are all 4 and 5 stars, so please check them out if you're interested.
At its core, this is an overall decent cozy, procedural-type mystery. The premise of the murdered homeless man that more people than Callie might have been spilling secrets to is a great starting point. The book takes place in Austin, and though I've never been to that city, I have done research, watched videos, and done virtual visits for for my job years ago, so the descriptions of the area were just detailed enough for me to be able to imagine myself there. Callie struggles with overindulgence of alcohol, though I'm not sure if she's a functional alcoholic or just lacks self control? I can't say I really connected with her attempts to get control of her drinking, but even aside from this, I overall felt like I couldn't get much of a handle on her personality in general. She just felt fairly flat to me, for the most part. Partway through the book I realized I wasn't really engaged, though I did at least have an interest in seeing how the mystery played out.
Then the mystery took a turn that was way too familiar to me, and I pegged the outcome a mile away. This is, unfortunately, due to having seen the same thing done in an episode of Monk, a TV show that I have watched many times and that the author worked on. Fortunately, only part of the mystery is solved by this thread, but unfortunately, major hints are dropped in the last quarter that just breeze right on by Callie. They're so obvious, I can't think of her as a competent amateur detective any longer. By the time some random detail makes it all click in her head (a random detail that is practically shoved in her/our faces), I was practically shouting at her to not be so thick.
This is the third book in a series, and though there are references to events from previous books, I didn't feel like I missed out on a whole lot by starting right here. There's one possible exception to that, though—Callie's apparently super powerful father was a point of confusion to me through most of the book. We're told he'd been the attorney general of Texas at one point, but he no longer is; I don't know what he is/does now, so his role in this book mostly just confused me. But maybe that was something that was explained better in a previous book. Overall, the book was a decent read, but I don't know if I enjoyed it enough to want to read more Callie McFee mysteries. I do think that others who enjoy this type of mystery story might like the book more than I did (and if you don't know Monk as well as I do, you probably won't peg at least the one part of the mystery like I did). Other reviews for this book, so far, are all 4 and 5 stars, so please check them out if you're interested.
June 9, 2026
THE MAN ON THE BENCH is the third outing for tenacious Austin reporter Callie McFee, who, despite her outward confidence, is navigating family challenges and personal vulnerabilities, most of which she has shared with Barney, an easygoing homeless man she stops to chat with after her evening run.
When Barney is found murdered, Callie discovers she was not the only one who confided in him. Other “bench buddies” also divulged their secrets to Barney, who, in turn, harbored a few of his own…
THE MAN ON THE BENCH is a grippingly good mystery. What begins as a simple, intriguing whodunnit evolves into a layered thriller, full of unexpected twists, half-reveals, and another murder casualty.
Conrad writes with a deceptively light touch and a breezy pace. Twenty-seven-year-old Callie drives the narrative, not only through her investigation of Barney’s murder as a reporter, but also because of her personal connection to the victim.
She is an engaging protagonist, pleasingly flawed and somewhat of a lone wolf, although there are moments where her behavior is a little too irritating. Nonetheless, it’s her often frustratingly reckless decisions that propel the plot into its wonderfully perplexing directions.
As the other “bench buddies” are introduced, the reader's suspicion falls on each of them, who are convincingly depicted with individuality and nuance. They all have skeletons in their closets to varying degrees, and not all are who they seem, including Barney, and Conrad teases with false trails and partial disclosures. It’s credible and absorbing.
State, Callie’s brother and homicide cop, is a solid addition, and Conrad is careful to maintain a professional detachment between the two siblings, whilst ensuring a few golden nuggets of information are shared.
In addition to Barney’s killing, Callie is dealing with her own demons and those of her father, larger-than-life, once razor-sharp, Texan power broker Buddy McFee, now in the early grip of dementia, which makes for some nerve-shredding scenes and one that is pivotal to solving Barney’s murder.
Conrad controls his plot strands tightly, even as several sidelines and complications emerge. They all eventually connect and believably flow back to either Barney’s influence or his murder, even if they seem unrelated at first. The final revelations, one action-packed and criminal, the other more emotive, are both plausible and nicely satisfying.
THE MAN ON THE BENCH is a well-crafted and engrossing mystery with a cleverly twisting plot and a host of strong, interesting characters. Highly recommended.
When Barney is found murdered, Callie discovers she was not the only one who confided in him. Other “bench buddies” also divulged their secrets to Barney, who, in turn, harbored a few of his own…
THE MAN ON THE BENCH is a grippingly good mystery. What begins as a simple, intriguing whodunnit evolves into a layered thriller, full of unexpected twists, half-reveals, and another murder casualty.
Conrad writes with a deceptively light touch and a breezy pace. Twenty-seven-year-old Callie drives the narrative, not only through her investigation of Barney’s murder as a reporter, but also because of her personal connection to the victim.
She is an engaging protagonist, pleasingly flawed and somewhat of a lone wolf, although there are moments where her behavior is a little too irritating. Nonetheless, it’s her often frustratingly reckless decisions that propel the plot into its wonderfully perplexing directions.
As the other “bench buddies” are introduced, the reader's suspicion falls on each of them, who are convincingly depicted with individuality and nuance. They all have skeletons in their closets to varying degrees, and not all are who they seem, including Barney, and Conrad teases with false trails and partial disclosures. It’s credible and absorbing.
State, Callie’s brother and homicide cop, is a solid addition, and Conrad is careful to maintain a professional detachment between the two siblings, whilst ensuring a few golden nuggets of information are shared.
In addition to Barney’s killing, Callie is dealing with her own demons and those of her father, larger-than-life, once razor-sharp, Texan power broker Buddy McFee, now in the early grip of dementia, which makes for some nerve-shredding scenes and one that is pivotal to solving Barney’s murder.
Conrad controls his plot strands tightly, even as several sidelines and complications emerge. They all eventually connect and believably flow back to either Barney’s influence or his murder, even if they seem unrelated at first. The final revelations, one action-packed and criminal, the other more emotive, are both plausible and nicely satisfying.
THE MAN ON THE BENCH is a well-crafted and engrossing mystery with a cleverly twisting plot and a host of strong, interesting characters. Highly recommended.
June 11, 2026
Suspenseful
Man on the Bench especially concerns reporter Callie who comes through for a homeless friend, Barney, found carrying her name in his pocket. Her detective brother informs her about her friend's tragic death and soon official investigations are underway, where she is a person of interest. I instantly knew this was a good read after the guilt in her voice as she whispered, “I’m afraid I told him too much…enough” about dad and that he made a note that cost his life. “Who would have a motive? Dad would.”
But who was Barney, really? Did someone tell him a dangerous secret? Was he just a “harmless, homeless confidant?” How was the death related to the big secret involving a publishing house and a writer posing as a homeless man, intending to write a new reality-based novel? What about the mysterious initials, letters, characters, cards and numbers in the writer’s work in progress? Were they just plot points?
Her involvement in the investigation yields many interesting plot twists, including crucial details concerning the bench buddies, personal struggles, a break-in and the death of yet another person. This is a well-written mystery thriller, with realistic police procedures and suitable word choice. This is a suspenseful whodunit.
Man on the Bench especially concerns reporter Callie who comes through for a homeless friend, Barney, found carrying her name in his pocket. Her detective brother informs her about her friend's tragic death and soon official investigations are underway, where she is a person of interest. I instantly knew this was a good read after the guilt in her voice as she whispered, “I’m afraid I told him too much…enough” about dad and that he made a note that cost his life. “Who would have a motive? Dad would.”
But who was Barney, really? Did someone tell him a dangerous secret? Was he just a “harmless, homeless confidant?” How was the death related to the big secret involving a publishing house and a writer posing as a homeless man, intending to write a new reality-based novel? What about the mysterious initials, letters, characters, cards and numbers in the writer’s work in progress? Were they just plot points?
Her involvement in the investigation yields many interesting plot twists, including crucial details concerning the bench buddies, personal struggles, a break-in and the death of yet another person. This is a well-written mystery thriller, with realistic police procedures and suitable word choice. This is a suspenseful whodunit.
June 2, 2026
"Do you know why some homeless man would be carrying your name around in his pocket?"
A reporter for the Austin Free Press, Callie McFee, sometimes compares notes with her brother, State McFee, the youngest homicide cop in Texas history, recently assigned as lead investigator of a homeless man's murder. By chance, Callie had encountered Barney on her daily runs through a waterfront park and felt compelled to chat with him. The quiet but charismatic man became a popular fixture among city residents for his ability to listen to their problems without judgment. His death seems to be a random street crime, but as Callie and her brother dig deeper into the facts, it seems that Barney may not be who he claimed to be.
The local story becomes a national sensation as Callie and her brother tease out truths from layers of possibility. Callie suspects that Barney's true identity and one of his "bench buddies" are intertwined in the murder motive, but nothing is clear until Barney's brother steps forward with solid details about the man's identity . . .
Read more at The US Review of Books!
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1...
A reporter for the Austin Free Press, Callie McFee, sometimes compares notes with her brother, State McFee, the youngest homicide cop in Texas history, recently assigned as lead investigator of a homeless man's murder. By chance, Callie had encountered Barney on her daily runs through a waterfront park and felt compelled to chat with him. The quiet but charismatic man became a popular fixture among city residents for his ability to listen to their problems without judgment. His death seems to be a random street crime, but as Callie and her brother dig deeper into the facts, it seems that Barney may not be who he claimed to be.
The local story becomes a national sensation as Callie and her brother tease out truths from layers of possibility. Callie suspects that Barney's true identity and one of his "bench buddies" are intertwined in the murder motive, but nothing is clear until Barney's brother steps forward with solid details about the man's identity . . .
Read more at The US Review of Books!
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1...
June 2, 2026
A Quiet Mystery With Powerful Twists
THE MAN ON THE BENCH draws readers into a mystery that begins quietly but grows more gripping with every chapter. Callie McFee’s daily conversations with Barney seem harmless at first, which makes his murder feel even more unsettling. The story slowly peels back layers of secrets, hidden identities, and personal struggles without ever losing its emotional core. The Austin setting also adds personality to the novel, making the investigation feel grounded and believable.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the way Hy Conrad balances mystery with character development. Callie is not just chasing a killer, she is also navigating family problems, addiction recovery, and the emotional weight of watching her father struggle with dementia. The tension builds naturally as more secrets surrounding Barney’s life begin to surface. I especially enjoyed how the clues and misdirection kept the mystery unpredictable without becoming confusing.
THE MAN ON THE BENCH is a thoughtful and engaging mystery with strong pacing and well-developed characters. It delivers suspense, emotion, and enough twists to keep readers guessing until the end.
THE MAN ON THE BENCH draws readers into a mystery that begins quietly but grows more gripping with every chapter. Callie McFee’s daily conversations with Barney seem harmless at first, which makes his murder feel even more unsettling. The story slowly peels back layers of secrets, hidden identities, and personal struggles without ever losing its emotional core. The Austin setting also adds personality to the novel, making the investigation feel grounded and believable.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the way Hy Conrad balances mystery with character development. Callie is not just chasing a killer, she is also navigating family problems, addiction recovery, and the emotional weight of watching her father struggle with dementia. The tension builds naturally as more secrets surrounding Barney’s life begin to surface. I especially enjoyed how the clues and misdirection kept the mystery unpredictable without becoming confusing.
THE MAN ON THE BENCH is a thoughtful and engaging mystery with strong pacing and well-developed characters. It delivers suspense, emotion, and enough twists to keep readers guessing until the end.
June 29, 2026
In Hy Conrad’s Man on a Bench, Callie McFee is a reporter by day, an amateur sleuth by night. Callie’s schedule and habits limit her ability to have confidants. To make up for this, she visits with a total stranger, a man on a bench. Unfortunately, this man has secrets himself, confidences that lead to his untimely death. Callie is determined to get to the bottom of this murder, but does this mystery have more secrets than she bargained for? Will they put her own life in danger?
Man on the Bench is an intriguing mystery full of twists and turns. In many ways, the novel is a throwback to a different era. Most of it is well-written and multi-structured. The characters are interesting and multi-layered, each with a secret of their own that lends flavor to the plot. The climax was completely effective, and cleverly written, leaving the reader turning pages to the end.
The drawbacks of Man on the Bench were an unnecessary preoccupation with the characters’ sexual orientation and the unflattering portrayal of the clergy. Without these distractions, the Man on the Bench would be so much more effective.
Man on the Bench is an intriguing mystery full of twists and turns. In many ways, the novel is a throwback to a different era. Most of it is well-written and multi-structured. The characters are interesting and multi-layered, each with a secret of their own that lends flavor to the plot. The climax was completely effective, and cleverly written, leaving the reader turning pages to the end.
The drawbacks of Man on the Bench were an unnecessary preoccupation with the characters’ sexual orientation and the unflattering portrayal of the clergy. Without these distractions, the Man on the Bench would be so much more effective.
June 1, 2026
Something is really satisfying about a mystery that unfolds slowly, layer by layer, step-by-step and this book did just that. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the quiet routine between Callie and the man she meets on the bench. What begins as casual conversations quickly becomes something way much deeper, and the story keeps pulling you in without ever rushing its reveal. I found the way the story builds genuinely intriguing. Nothing loud or overdone, just steady clues, subtle tension, and that constant feeling that something is a little bit off, even in the most ordinary moments. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why traditional mystery thrillers are so enjoyable: the pacing, the suspicion, the gradual uncovering of truth, and the satisfaction of everything coming together in the end.
June 1, 2026
This is my first encounter with Callie McFee and I loved it. Callie is a journalist who enjoys running after work, to unwind. She befriends a man sitting on the bench who she feels is homeless and sits to chat with him. Unfortunately, someone kills him and the race is off! Callie and her cop brother, State investigates who would kill a homeless man? There are turns and twists that you don't see coming. While investigating, there is a second murder. Are they tied? If so, how? There are several other people who would sit with the man and have a chat. Did one of them commit the murders? Join Callie and State as they investigate what appears as a senseless murder but don't make up your mind quickly. The author has a way of drawing the reader in and making them feel like they are there. Enjoy!
June 6, 2026
THE MAN ON THE BENCH was such a wonderful book. Packed full of mystery and suspense I found myself cuddled up on the couch in the late evenings watching events unfold throughout the pages.
This is a very character driven book which is something I absolutely love. Callie is a very realistic character to me, and her flaws are what make us an audience invest in her drive to find the person who murdered Barney.
There were plenty of plot twists along the way that kept me guessing, something that is very rare with mystery books. I really enjoyed my first foray into this series, and I hope to return to it soon.
This is a very character driven book which is something I absolutely love. Callie is a very realistic character to me, and her flaws are what make us an audience invest in her drive to find the person who murdered Barney.
There were plenty of plot twists along the way that kept me guessing, something that is very rare with mystery books. I really enjoyed my first foray into this series, and I hope to return to it soon.
June 9, 2026
FASCINATING PLOT CONCEPT
Such a common sight: old men sitting on park benches. Most of us give most of them little more than a passing thought. But what if, like the handful of folks in this story, we sat and chatted with one for a while? What might we learn about him, or conversely, what would he learn about us? Therein lies the brilliant plot concept behind this captivating murder/mystery that moves at a swift pace thanks to an abundance of excellently written dialogue, a well-developed, likeable and clever female protagonist, nice doses of humor, and plot turns that even we amateur reader-sleuths don't foresee. My kind of easy, but engrossing reading. Loved it!
Such a common sight: old men sitting on park benches. Most of us give most of them little more than a passing thought. But what if, like the handful of folks in this story, we sat and chatted with one for a while? What might we learn about him, or conversely, what would he learn about us? Therein lies the brilliant plot concept behind this captivating murder/mystery that moves at a swift pace thanks to an abundance of excellently written dialogue, a well-developed, likeable and clever female protagonist, nice doses of humor, and plot turns that even we amateur reader-sleuths don't foresee. My kind of easy, but engrossing reading. Loved it!
June 15, 2026
Suspenseful
The story starts with a man on a bench listening to all the passerbys stories(complaints), but never offering information about himself. When he is murder, one by one a group of 4 becomes a suspect and try to work together to find out who murdered their friend. There are many twists and turns as one reporter Callie investigates on her own trying to help her brother out. Every time I thought I had the murderer figured out, there was another plot twist. Hy Conrad did an excellent job holding the attention of this reader!
The story starts with a man on a bench listening to all the passerbys stories(complaints), but never offering information about himself. When he is murder, one by one a group of 4 becomes a suspect and try to work together to find out who murdered their friend. There are many twists and turns as one reporter Callie investigates on her own trying to help her brother out. Every time I thought I had the murderer figured out, there was another plot twist. Hy Conrad did an excellent job holding the attention of this reader!
July 22, 2026
While this may be part of a series, it definitely can stand alone. The twists in the book, keep you guessing and several will surprise you.
This is a quick mystery read that would make a fun Hallmark Movie.
Thanks goodreads for this book
This is a quick mystery read that would make a fun Hallmark Movie.
Thanks goodreads for this book
August 18, 2026
I thought the plot description was interesting. There were a few plot twists that I anticipated, but guessing where things were going did not spoil the story for me. I enjoyed it overall, and appreciated receiving a copy of this book through a Goodreads sweepstakes. :)
September 17, 2026
I got this ebook as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. The premise of a homeless man becoming a confidant for random people passing by his bench was more interesting than the murder mystery it ended up being.
September 18, 2026
This was my first time reading a book by this author! It took place in Texas. Two murder stories in one, with many characters that aren’t so likable. A romance that was not so exciting. There were many twists and that’s why I gave it four stars.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews