Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

Erik Reisman conducted a dubious business for years, defrauding people of their hard-earned money until his luck eventually ran out. On the eve of his revealing the names of his associates to the authorities, Erik dies mysteriously in his cell, and all eyes turn to his widow, Lauren Scott. Unable to handle the criticism, she leaves the country but returns to clear her name when an opportunity arises. Erik's powerful backers have put plans in place to destroy all evidence of their ties to the dead businessman, and they see Lauren as the final obstacle in their path. Realizing how bad things have gotten, she turns to former government agents Nick Seven and Felicia Hagens, who have a talent for cracking cases. Only time will tell if they can help her before matters get out of hand in Tim Smith's One Way Out.

The ninth novel in Tim Smith's crime series, One Way Out is based on the exploits of Nick Seven. The compelling origin stories make the characters realistic and likable enough for readers to root for them. Using strategically placed clues to keep readers engrossed in the action, Smith devotes an impressive amount of time and effort to creating the ideal plot. Even when he occasionally inserts a necessary pause for the heroes to review the clues they have found thus far and explain how they fit into the story, the exchanges between the characters never lose their entertaining quality. He does not hold anything back in the romantic scenes, giving romance genre aficionados a breathtaking account of each kiss and caress. Action genre enthusiasts will find the fight scenes to be equally captivating. One Way Out is a gorgeous mystery and sizzle romance blend that will have fans begging for more, thanks to outstanding storytelling, flawless pacing, and a well-done plot.