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Lee Callaway #4
The Invisible Wife
FROM THOMAS FINCHAM, THE NEW VOICE IN CRIME AND SUSPENSE GENRE. A MYSTERY THAT WILL KEEP YOU TURNING THE PAGES UNTIL THE SHOCKING END.
Can you be guilty of murder if you can’t remember what happened?When a lottery winner is found stabbed in his home, Detective Fisher and Detective Holt think it’s a robbery turned deadly. As they begin to dig deeper they quickly discover there are people who had a motive to want the lottery winner gone.
Private Investigator Lee Callaway is working as a security guard when a mysterious woman shows up and offers him big money to catch her cheating husband. Lee thinks his luck has finally turned, but things suddenly spiral out of control when Lee becomes a suspect to murder.
If you love a good mystery, you’ll love The Invisible Wife!
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2019
2136 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Fincham
77 books152 followerspen name for Mobashar Qureshi
THOMAS FINCHAM holds a graduate degree in Economics. His travels throughout the world have given him an appreciation for other cultures and beliefs. He has lived in Africa, Asia, and North America. An avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, he decided to give writing a try. Several novels later, he can honestly say he has found his calling. He is married with two kids, and he lives in a hundred-year-old house. He is the author of LEE CALLAWAY series, the HYDER ALI series, the MARTIN RHODES series, and the ECHO ROSE series.
THOMAS FINCHAM holds a graduate degree in Economics. His travels throughout the world have given him an appreciation for other cultures and beliefs. He has lived in Africa, Asia, and North America. An avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, he decided to give writing a try. Several novels later, he can honestly say he has found his calling. He is married with two kids, and he lives in a hundred-year-old house. He is the author of LEE CALLAWAY series, the HYDER ALI series, the MARTIN RHODES series, and the ECHO ROSE series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 11, 2018
A lottery winner is stabbed to death in his home, Detectives Gregory Holt and Dana Fisher are on the scene which appears to be a robbery. As they dig deeper they find several people who had motive and desire to want him dead! Things take a strange turn when PI Lee Callaway becomes a suspect and is arrested for the murder!!
This is an exciting page-turner, you will be drawn into the investigation and will not be able to put the book down until you learn what really happened in the explosive ending!! This author has a great style and ability to enthrall you with the words and situations in all his stories, and this one is no different, although the many scenes and ideas keep your interest, all meld together for a memorable story.
I received an ARC of this book from author Thomas Fincham, who I thank for an intriguing adventure, and I am able to put my views in this review to entice others to give it a try..
This is an exciting page-turner, you will be drawn into the investigation and will not be able to put the book down until you learn what really happened in the explosive ending!! This author has a great style and ability to enthrall you with the words and situations in all his stories, and this one is no different, although the many scenes and ideas keep your interest, all meld together for a memorable story.
I received an ARC of this book from author Thomas Fincham, who I thank for an intriguing adventure, and I am able to put my views in this review to entice others to give it a try..
September 14, 2018
Thomas Fincham The Invisible Wife
Another in the spin-off Lee Calloway series. The title starts you thinking, but I figured out from a line about half way through when combined with this title what was going to be the outcome. Still it was a good story.
The Calloway character is changing and that is good. Keeps it real. Speaking of real – there were a couple of times when characters were speaking and they said things like ‘actually, it was not’ instead of, I think, the more natural, ‘actually, it wasn’t.’ and there was no emphasis intended when that construction might have worked.
There were a cupla small grammatical errors I noticed eg referring to life insurance as them. Ie “Did your husband have life insurance?” “Big Bob didn’t believe in them”.
But then I’m a retired English Teacher. Prolly no-one else noticed, and it is just nit-picking. Really made no difference in the scheme of things.
Not quite the same as questioning a nine year old boy, a classmate of his 9 year old daughter what his intentions were. Was he wanting to marry her?
Lost me a bit there. Not any father I know of would have said that.
It was a good (if not as compelling as some of Mr Fincham’s works) read. I enjoyed it and I must say I like the way the continuing back story of relationships and such, ran along where it should be, not overshadowing the tale of the day, but still helping to flesh out the novel’s universe.
I will read the next one, for sure, if only to find out what happens in this backdrop scenario, but I will also wait with bated breath to see what criminal enterprise(s) the plot will revolve around in Lee Calloway #5.
Another in the spin-off Lee Calloway series. The title starts you thinking, but I figured out from a line about half way through when combined with this title what was going to be the outcome. Still it was a good story.
The Calloway character is changing and that is good. Keeps it real. Speaking of real – there were a couple of times when characters were speaking and they said things like ‘actually, it was not’ instead of, I think, the more natural, ‘actually, it wasn’t.’ and there was no emphasis intended when that construction might have worked.
There were a cupla small grammatical errors I noticed eg referring to life insurance as them. Ie “Did your husband have life insurance?” “Big Bob didn’t believe in them”.
But then I’m a retired English Teacher. Prolly no-one else noticed, and it is just nit-picking. Really made no difference in the scheme of things.
Not quite the same as questioning a nine year old boy, a classmate of his 9 year old daughter what his intentions were. Was he wanting to marry her?
Lost me a bit there. Not any father I know of would have said that.
It was a good (if not as compelling as some of Mr Fincham’s works) read. I enjoyed it and I must say I like the way the continuing back story of relationships and such, ran along where it should be, not overshadowing the tale of the day, but still helping to flesh out the novel’s universe.
I will read the next one, for sure, if only to find out what happens in this backdrop scenario, but I will also wait with bated breath to see what criminal enterprise(s) the plot will revolve around in Lee Calloway #5.
December 29, 2025
The Invisible Wife opens with a jolt: Dana arriving at a restaurant to arrest Lee Callaway for murder. I genuinely wasn’t expecting that twist so early, and it immediately reframes everything that follows. From there, Fincham rewinds two weeks and carefully lays out a tangled web of crimes, secrets, and misdirection that eventually converge on Lee.
At the heart of the novel are two parallel threads. One follows detectives Fisher and Holt as they investigate the brutal murder of “Big Bob,” a former car dealer turned lottery winner whose death (stabbed, thumb severed, safe tampered with) quickly proves far more complicated than a simple robbery. The second thread follows Lee himself, now scraping by as a store security guard and private investigator, trying to balance his need for steady income, his complicated relationship with Patti, and his desire to be present for his daughter Nina.
Fincham excels at layering detail. The Bob investigation spirals outward through wives, mistresses, illegitimate children, casino leads, drug ties, and long-buried resentments. Fisher and Holt’s dynamic is one of the book’s strengths: professional, occasionally tense, and grounded by Fisher’s sharp instincts and Holt’s dogged persistence. Their scenes feel methodical and authentic, even when the case grows sprawling.
Lee’s storyline, however, is where the emotional weight sits. His decision to take on Isabel’s surveillance job sets off a chain reaction that pulls him into manipulation, jealousy, and ultimately a carefully orchestrated frame-up. Watching Lee stumble into traps: losing his camera, waking up confused, being publicly accused of murder; is frustrating in a very intentional way. Fincham makes Lee flawed and reactive, often acting on impulse, especially when it comes to money and his pride. That makes his arrest feel both shocking and, in hindsight, chillingly plausible.
The title The Invisible Wife is fitting. Women throughout the novel (Isabel, Brooke, Suzanne, even Patti) are central to the plot yet frequently overlooked, doubted, or used as leverage. The book explores how easily truth is obscured when power, money, and fear collide. The eventual unraveling of the murders, particularly the reveal tying Bob, Chase, and Debra together, is grim but satisfying, and the final clearing of Lee’s name feels earned rather than convenient.
That said, the novel is dense. There are a lot of characters, subplots, and moving pieces, and at times the pacing drags under the weight of its own complexity. Some readers may find the constant pivots (from domestic drama to procedural detail to noir-style PI work) overwhelming. Still, for fans of layered crime fiction, the payoff is there.
Overall, The Invisible Wife is a dark, intricate installment in the Lee Callaway series. It tests its protagonist more than ever, stripping away his safety nets and forcing him to confront how easily his life can be dismantled. By the end, Lee’s reunion with Nina and his quiet attempts to rebuild feel small but meaningful; a reminder that survival, not triumph, is often the real victory in Fincham’s world.
At the heart of the novel are two parallel threads. One follows detectives Fisher and Holt as they investigate the brutal murder of “Big Bob,” a former car dealer turned lottery winner whose death (stabbed, thumb severed, safe tampered with) quickly proves far more complicated than a simple robbery. The second thread follows Lee himself, now scraping by as a store security guard and private investigator, trying to balance his need for steady income, his complicated relationship with Patti, and his desire to be present for his daughter Nina.
Fincham excels at layering detail. The Bob investigation spirals outward through wives, mistresses, illegitimate children, casino leads, drug ties, and long-buried resentments. Fisher and Holt’s dynamic is one of the book’s strengths: professional, occasionally tense, and grounded by Fisher’s sharp instincts and Holt’s dogged persistence. Their scenes feel methodical and authentic, even when the case grows sprawling.
Lee’s storyline, however, is where the emotional weight sits. His decision to take on Isabel’s surveillance job sets off a chain reaction that pulls him into manipulation, jealousy, and ultimately a carefully orchestrated frame-up. Watching Lee stumble into traps: losing his camera, waking up confused, being publicly accused of murder; is frustrating in a very intentional way. Fincham makes Lee flawed and reactive, often acting on impulse, especially when it comes to money and his pride. That makes his arrest feel both shocking and, in hindsight, chillingly plausible.
The title The Invisible Wife is fitting. Women throughout the novel (Isabel, Brooke, Suzanne, even Patti) are central to the plot yet frequently overlooked, doubted, or used as leverage. The book explores how easily truth is obscured when power, money, and fear collide. The eventual unraveling of the murders, particularly the reveal tying Bob, Chase, and Debra together, is grim but satisfying, and the final clearing of Lee’s name feels earned rather than convenient.
That said, the novel is dense. There are a lot of characters, subplots, and moving pieces, and at times the pacing drags under the weight of its own complexity. Some readers may find the constant pivots (from domestic drama to procedural detail to noir-style PI work) overwhelming. Still, for fans of layered crime fiction, the payoff is there.
Overall, The Invisible Wife is a dark, intricate installment in the Lee Callaway series. It tests its protagonist more than ever, stripping away his safety nets and forcing him to confront how easily his life can be dismantled. By the end, Lee’s reunion with Nina and his quiet attempts to rebuild feel small but meaningful; a reminder that survival, not triumph, is often the real victory in Fincham’s world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2021
Lee Callaway book 4 is a good mystery book, a really good page turner. Realistic timelines for investigations and good flow to the end.
When a lottery winner is found murdered in his house in what seems to be a robbery incident, detectives Holt and Fisher get to work to solve the case. The detective's job gets messed up when there are two more deaths which are obviously related to the first one but all possible leads end up hitting a dead wall.
Private Investigator Lee Callaway gets a well paying job which motivates him to reopen his PI business that he'd closed down. As they say, when the deal is too good, think twice. It is this job that ends with the purported client dead and Lee is charged with her murder. Lee becomes his own client when he ends up investigating those who framed him so as to avoid going to jail for a murder he did not commit.
Very interesting plot with twists and turns that keeps you flipping through the pages one after the other. I loved the development of Lee Callaway even though I was kinda shocked of his level of thinking when he questions a 9 year old boy about his intention towards his daughter.
The plot in book 4 is better developed than book 2 and 3. I can't wait to explore what book 5 holds in store.
When a lottery winner is found murdered in his house in what seems to be a robbery incident, detectives Holt and Fisher get to work to solve the case. The detective's job gets messed up when there are two more deaths which are obviously related to the first one but all possible leads end up hitting a dead wall.
Private Investigator Lee Callaway gets a well paying job which motivates him to reopen his PI business that he'd closed down. As they say, when the deal is too good, think twice. It is this job that ends with the purported client dead and Lee is charged with her murder. Lee becomes his own client when he ends up investigating those who framed him so as to avoid going to jail for a murder he did not commit.
Very interesting plot with twists and turns that keeps you flipping through the pages one after the other. I loved the development of Lee Callaway even though I was kinda shocked of his level of thinking when he questions a 9 year old boy about his intention towards his daughter.
The plot in book 4 is better developed than book 2 and 3. I can't wait to explore what book 5 holds in store.
August 15, 2019
This was a very interesting storyline centered around 2 main characters ( Callaway and Fisher). Callaway is a down on his luck PI and Fisher is a Homicide Detective who briefly dated him . Callaway left his job as a policemen and walked out on his wife and kid, and now he wants to get his family back. Fisher because of her job has problems sustaining a relationship. Callway is working a Security Job at a mall and ladyluck smiles on him and he gets a PI Job paying him25K, to catch a cheating husband, Fisher is assigned a brutal murder case involving the murder of an unlucky lottery winner. Callaway s luck does not last long and he is charged with murdering his client and Fisher arrests him. Fisher removes herself from the Callway case and concentrates on the lottery victim. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series.
November 30, 2022
Not sure about the titel
The book was B-ok ( Like a B grade movie). There were two completely unrelated plots going on, the bulk of the book was on routine police work, that is nowhere connected to the supposed main character, the Lee fella, apart from the fact that one of the police officer briefly dated him. The name of the book (the invisible wife) came from the minor story that was actually involving the PI Lee guy. So if anyone is wasting time like me as in how the opening of the book relates to the murder of the lottery guy, hear me out now: THEY ARE NOT RELATED! DON'T WASTE TIME!
The book was B-ok ( Like a B grade movie). There were two completely unrelated plots going on, the bulk of the book was on routine police work, that is nowhere connected to the supposed main character, the Lee fella, apart from the fact that one of the police officer briefly dated him. The name of the book (the invisible wife) came from the minor story that was actually involving the PI Lee guy. So if anyone is wasting time like me as in how the opening of the book relates to the murder of the lottery guy, hear me out now: THEY ARE NOT RELATED! DON'T WASTE TIME!
January 5, 2019
Great Series by a Great Author
This is either the 3rd or 4th book in the Lee Callaway PI series, sorry for not remembering the number of this book. I enjoy the lead characters in the books along with the twist and turns Mr. Fincham puts in each book that I've been reading that next one as soon as I've finished one. All have been an enjoyable read. I have read other series by this author and like they way he ties in a character from one series into a different series. Now on to the next Lee Callaway book.
This is either the 3rd or 4th book in the Lee Callaway PI series, sorry for not remembering the number of this book. I enjoy the lead characters in the books along with the twist and turns Mr. Fincham puts in each book that I've been reading that next one as soon as I've finished one. All have been an enjoyable read. I have read other series by this author and like they way he ties in a character from one series into a different series. Now on to the next Lee Callaway book.
July 8, 2020
Couldn't stop reading!!
I have read books 1-3 and just finished book4, I'm hooked!! I didn't even start book 1 before I bought the entire series just because of how well the description made me want to read the books in the series. I love that these books are quick reads, they are so well written that you won't want to put it down! I love how the books are written with so many twist and turns you won't believe the ending.
I have read books 1-3 and just finished book4, I'm hooked!! I didn't even start book 1 before I bought the entire series just because of how well the description made me want to read the books in the series. I love that these books are quick reads, they are so well written that you won't want to put it down! I love how the books are written with so many twist and turns you won't believe the ending.
February 22, 2022
Finally Friend s
Love these stories involving P.I..Callaway, DET. Fisher, and DET. Holt. Trying to change, to be a better person. Callaway falls back to his P.I. habit and ends up in more trouble than he ever inmaged!! DET. Fisher disappointed, takes another case. Which leaves DET.Holt to help out Callaway. Not good since they don't like each other!! But the truth for all comes out in the end!! Love these characters and their stories!!
Love these stories involving P.I..Callaway, DET. Fisher, and DET. Holt. Trying to change, to be a better person. Callaway falls back to his P.I. habit and ends up in more trouble than he ever inmaged!! DET. Fisher disappointed, takes another case. Which leaves DET.Holt to help out Callaway. Not good since they don't like each other!! But the truth for all comes out in the end!! Love these characters and their stories!!
July 9, 2022
This was a very easy read. I finished it before I had a chance to add it to my list of books. At the time I didn't realize it was part of a series. I would like to read the other books in the series and will do hat now. The book is not very sophisticated. There are several things that are not factually correct but that was ok, it was a nice respite from some of the more sophisticated books.
recommendation: read it
recommendation: read it
October 20, 2024
Well, I was not thrilled with the first book, but I read the second one and was pleasantly surprised so I downloaded the next two. Each one has been
better than the last. #4 was a good story and the main characters took some small steps forward in their personal development. The bit with Lee talking to the nine year old boy rang totally false but no one is perfect. Looking forward to watching Lee and the others evolve in the rest of this series.
better than the last. #4 was a good story and the main characters took some small steps forward in their personal development. The bit with Lee talking to the nine year old boy rang totally false but no one is perfect. Looking forward to watching Lee and the others evolve in the rest of this series.
September 6, 2025
The Source of All Evil
A man who had been stabbed to death in his home, had his thumb cut off. When Fisher and Hoyt began their investigation they found the thumb by an open safe. The homeowner had won a multi million dollar Powerball and was known to keep large amounts of money in that safe. While they looked for leads to his murder, Callaway was hired by a woman to prove her husband was having an affair. Lots of stuff to keep you reading and a great ending.
A man who had been stabbed to death in his home, had his thumb cut off. When Fisher and Hoyt began their investigation they found the thumb by an open safe. The homeowner had won a multi million dollar Powerball and was known to keep large amounts of money in that safe. While they looked for leads to his murder, Callaway was hired by a woman to prove her husband was having an affair. Lots of stuff to keep you reading and a great ending.
September 8, 2018
This latest instalment in the Lee Callaway series is by far the strangest of them all, but I kind of liked it for that strangeness. A very enjoyable read, with multiple mysteries to solve. Highly recommended.
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
February 26, 2019
Different side
Callaway! My absolute favorite short cut taking, free loading, semi-lazy, drunken P.I. Just love the Callaway series and even with the serious twist in #4 each book in this saga brings Lee closer to being my hero. Great series. Amazing storylines. Hopefully Callaway will keep solving the nearly unsolvable crimes.
Callaway! My absolute favorite short cut taking, free loading, semi-lazy, drunken P.I. Just love the Callaway series and even with the serious twist in #4 each book in this saga brings Lee closer to being my hero. Great series. Amazing storylines. Hopefully Callaway will keep solving the nearly unsolvable crimes.
April 28, 2019
Holds your attention throughout
I'm getting better at reading the clues. The first books I completely missed the killer's. Paying more attention, I figured this one out before the reveal.
The character development is great, and the sleuthing of both the detectives and PI Calloway is marvellous.
Great book.
I'm getting better at reading the clues. The first books I completely missed the killer's. Paying more attention, I figured this one out before the reveal.
The character development is great, and the sleuthing of both the detectives and PI Calloway is marvellous.
Great book.
June 9, 2019
Lee gets arrested
What a story . Of course the arrest is preceeded by the murder of a well known lottery winner . Det. Fisher and Holt are working on that perplexing case when the wife of a wealthy business man is found murdered . In that case everything points to Lee as the culprit .
What a story . Of course the arrest is preceeded by the murder of a well known lottery winner . Det. Fisher and Holt are working on that perplexing case when the wife of a wealthy business man is found murdered . In that case everything points to Lee as the culprit .
October 18, 2018
Clutszy writing, repeitious descriptions
There are so many good, even great crime stories, that reading this one is a waste of time. Please look over all the other options available on Amazon.
There are so many good, even great crime stories, that reading this one is a waste of time. Please look over all the other options available on Amazon.
November 12, 2018
A Fantastic Mystery
The plot of this book was excellent and full of twists and turns. The characters were very believable and you were rooting for the detectives to solve the murders. I will definitely read this author again.
The plot of this book was excellent and full of twists and turns. The characters were very believable and you were rooting for the detectives to solve the murders. I will definitely read this author again.
August 15, 2019
My heart is still beating
Lee is the man that drives you crazy. He’s s good gut. He sometimes makes okay a lot of time makes poor choices. You want him to secured. Great Read.
Lee is the man that drives you crazy. He’s s good gut. He sometimes makes okay a lot of time makes poor choices. You want him to secured. Great Read.
June 29, 2022
You have done it again Mr Fincham! Brilliant plot and the theatre of managing of putting two plots together with minor plots and seamlessly keeping the freshness of characters is outstanding!! Mr Verner, your narration is superb
March 13, 2023
Slowly, slowly
What a messy, messy set of circumstances, two separate sets criminal of criminal encounters, one set of circumstances completely separate and apart from Lee himself, and a second set of criminal acts involving Lee much more directly than he would ever want.
What a messy, messy set of circumstances, two separate sets criminal of criminal encounters, one set of circumstances completely separate and apart from Lee himself, and a second set of criminal acts involving Lee much more directly than he would ever want.
November 12, 2025
After an awkward
Beginning in book one, this series is beginning to grow on me!
The characters and dialogue were wooden and without motivation.
Now, motivation and characters are increasingly filled in, and filled with purpose at that.
On to book 5!
Beginning in book one, this series is beginning to grow on me!
The characters and dialogue were wooden and without motivation.
Now, motivation and characters are increasingly filled in, and filled with purpose at that.
On to book 5!
January 7, 2026
Good story, great twists
I like all the characters, particularly the detectives and local PI. Storyline is compelling with unexpected twists. I was surprised and relieved as the truth was uncovered. A good read!
I like all the characters, particularly the detectives and local PI. Storyline is compelling with unexpected twists. I was surprised and relieved as the truth was uncovered. A good read!
September 22, 2018
Awesome story
Gotta love P.I. Callaway.. He sure gets himself into some messy situations !! Great story with a lot of suspense.
Gotta love P.I. Callaway.. He sure gets himself into some messy situations !! Great story with a lot of suspense.
September 25, 2018
Great book
The only reason that I did not give it five stars was it took me a while to get into the story, but when it picked up, the action never stopped.
The only reason that I did not give it five stars was it took me a while to get into the story, but when it picked up, the action never stopped.
November 20, 2018
Love this Author
I gave this 4 stars because I rarely give 5. I’ve read all this authors books and my favorite is Martin Roades.
I gave this 4 stars because I rarely give 5. I’ve read all this authors books and my favorite is Martin Roades.
December 13, 2018
The Invisible Wife.
This is a very good thriller. It keeps you in suspense yntil the very end . I recommend this book.
This is a very good thriller. It keeps you in suspense yntil the very end . I recommend this book.
December 30, 2018
Predictable disappointed
Couldn’t get to know or like the characters and sadly thought the storyline was really light. Unfortunately I was disappointed
Couldn’t get to know or like the characters and sadly thought the storyline was really light. Unfortunately I was disappointed
January 8, 2019
Two plots at once
Took awhile to tie all the plot lines together but seemed to flow pretty good after that, may try another book by this author.
Took awhile to tie all the plot lines together but seemed to flow pretty good after that, may try another book by this author.
April 19, 2019
Review
Again a most interesting story. The only thing I don't care for is the story going from one event to a different happening and not just one but two or three.
I
Again a most interesting story. The only thing I don't care for is the story going from one event to a different happening and not just one but two or three.
I
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews