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One Way Out: A gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist
ONE GOOD DEED.
ONE WRONG TURN.
ONE WAY OUT.
Dr. Sam Harper thought he was starting over. A move from the city to a quiet town. A fixer-upper house. A quieter life for his wife and son. But when he steps in to stop a late-night assault, he sets off a chain of events more dangerous than anything he left behind.
Greg Sanders arrives the next day—a handyman ready to help the Harper family with their copious house repairs. Friendly. Resourceful. He even bonds with Sam’s autistic son.
But Sam can’t shake the feeling that something’s off—and he’s right. Greg isn’t who he claims. His arrival was no accident. Greg isn’t just watching over the Harpers. He’s studying them. Preparing for something.
Now, if Sam is going to save his family, he’ll have to risk it all—because there’s only one way out.
The pulse-pounding new thriller from Erik Carter, bestselling author of the Ty Draker series. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Nicola Sanders, and David Baldacci.
ONE WRONG TURN.
ONE WAY OUT.
Dr. Sam Harper thought he was starting over. A move from the city to a quiet town. A fixer-upper house. A quieter life for his wife and son. But when he steps in to stop a late-night assault, he sets off a chain of events more dangerous than anything he left behind.
Greg Sanders arrives the next day—a handyman ready to help the Harper family with their copious house repairs. Friendly. Resourceful. He even bonds with Sam’s autistic son.
But Sam can’t shake the feeling that something’s off—and he’s right. Greg isn’t who he claims. His arrival was no accident. Greg isn’t just watching over the Harpers. He’s studying them. Preparing for something.
Now, if Sam is going to save his family, he’ll have to risk it all—because there’s only one way out.
The pulse-pounding new thriller from Erik Carter, bestselling author of the Ty Draker series. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Nicola Sanders, and David Baldacci.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
168 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Erik Carter
55 books89 followersErik Carter tells high-octane stories filled with action, suspense, and just the right amount of chaos.
His background is as eclectic as his stories—he’s a NASM-certified personal trainer, has taught college-level writing and film, worked for a history-based mobile app, co-hosted a TV show, and even created a top-ranked documentary on YouTube. He holds two master’s degrees—one in Telecommunications- Digital Storytelling and another in Public History—because one just wasn’t enough.
When he’s not writing, Erik is passionate about fitness, classic sports cars, movies, and books. He lives in sunny coastal Florida.
His background is as eclectic as his stories—he’s a NASM-certified personal trainer, has taught college-level writing and film, worked for a history-based mobile app, co-hosted a TV show, and even created a top-ranked documentary on YouTube. He holds two master’s degrees—one in Telecommunications- Digital Storytelling and another in Public History—because one just wasn’t enough.
When he’s not writing, Erik is passionate about fitness, classic sports cars, movies, and books. He lives in sunny coastal Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 12, 2025
This is a totally different type of book than I'm used to from this author but he's done a terrific job as usual. What starts out as Sam intervening in an incident in the parking lot after collecting some takeaway food, soon escalates when he is attacked again later and Greg, who helps him fight off the assailant, then comes into his life as a handyman. Very handy as Sam and his family have just moved into a house which is a fixer-upper and badly in need of repairs.
I liked how various incidents happen and how Sam's conviction that something is not right with Greg increases, which seems to everyone else that Sam is getting more and more unstable and paranoid. His frustration felt real although he does come across as an insecure and paranoid kind of guy anyway. I loved the build-up to the final part and I found myself holding my breath as things came to a head. A brilliant read and I'd highly recommend it.
I liked how various incidents happen and how Sam's conviction that something is not right with Greg increases, which seems to everyone else that Sam is getting more and more unstable and paranoid. His frustration felt real although he does come across as an insecure and paranoid kind of guy anyway. I loved the build-up to the final part and I found myself holding my breath as things came to a head. A brilliant read and I'd highly recommend it.
November 15, 2025
Physician's family relocates out of New York City but trouble follows - 4 stars
Emergency room physician Sam Harper, his wife Rachel and their five-year-old autistic son Ethan get started on restoring an older home with views of the sea. They had been in New York City and wanted a quieter, less stressful environment on the coast of Connecticut.
The old house needed restoration but was mostly livable. On one of their first nights in their new tow, Sam had purchased dinner to go and noticed a restaurant staffer being harassed by a drunk in the parking lot. Sam tried to separate the two people. The drunk promised that he would find Sam him. A few hours later, the now sober drunk threatened Sam at his home. A neighbor appeared just in time, helping to chase the unwelcome visitor away before the police arrived.
The neighbor, Greg Sanders, appeared to be a good Samaritan, staying around while the police investigated. Greg introduced himself as a handyman who was between jobs. Greg seemed to be just what Sam and Rachel needed to get started in renovating their house.
After a while, the reasons why Sam left the New York City hospital job became evident -- Sam was quick to anger and was committed to try to learn more about an unidentified man who died despite Sam's care following a serious automobile accident. For more than two years, Sam tried to investigate the John Doe case.
Work on the Connecticut house proceeded slowly as Greg tackled the big problems. Sam was getting ready for a new-to-him telehealth job. Sam saw an opportunity to do a father-son project--a tree house--even though his skills were modest. Greg seemed competent. Sam was concerned when Greg failed to intervene when an unleashed Rottweiler came charging toward his son.
Sam and Rachel threw a picnic for the neighborhood. During the hotdog and hamburger event, the partially built treehouse collapsed. Sam and Rachel started shouting at each other almost immediately. No one was injured but the neighbors left right away. Rachel asked Sam to cool down and reflect what was happening. A little later, Rachel told Sam that she would go to her parents with Ethan and the dog.
Sam was working on his computer when he was attacked in his home office. Sam did not hear the intruder until an instant before he was struck from behind. He was able to call 911 and battled the intruder trying to escape through the only exit.
Emergency room physician Sam Harper, his wife Rachel and their five-year-old autistic son Ethan get started on restoring an older home with views of the sea. They had been in New York City and wanted a quieter, less stressful environment on the coast of Connecticut.
The old house needed restoration but was mostly livable. On one of their first nights in their new tow, Sam had purchased dinner to go and noticed a restaurant staffer being harassed by a drunk in the parking lot. Sam tried to separate the two people. The drunk promised that he would find Sam him. A few hours later, the now sober drunk threatened Sam at his home. A neighbor appeared just in time, helping to chase the unwelcome visitor away before the police arrived.
The neighbor, Greg Sanders, appeared to be a good Samaritan, staying around while the police investigated. Greg introduced himself as a handyman who was between jobs. Greg seemed to be just what Sam and Rachel needed to get started in renovating their house.
After a while, the reasons why Sam left the New York City hospital job became evident -- Sam was quick to anger and was committed to try to learn more about an unidentified man who died despite Sam's care following a serious automobile accident. For more than two years, Sam tried to investigate the John Doe case.
Work on the Connecticut house proceeded slowly as Greg tackled the big problems. Sam was getting ready for a new-to-him telehealth job. Sam saw an opportunity to do a father-son project--a tree house--even though his skills were modest. Greg seemed competent. Sam was concerned when Greg failed to intervene when an unleashed Rottweiler came charging toward his son.
Sam and Rachel threw a picnic for the neighborhood. During the hotdog and hamburger event, the partially built treehouse collapsed. Sam and Rachel started shouting at each other almost immediately. No one was injured but the neighbors left right away. Rachel asked Sam to cool down and reflect what was happening. A little later, Rachel told Sam that she would go to her parents with Ethan and the dog.
Sam was working on his computer when he was attacked in his home office. Sam did not hear the intruder until an instant before he was struck from behind. He was able to call 911 and battled the intruder trying to escape through the only exit.
November 23, 2025
A fresh start. A friendly neighbor. A secret no one sees coming.
When a big-city ER doctor relocates his wife and autistic son to a quiet small town, the fixer-upper they move into seems like the perfect place to start over. But a tense run-in with a drunk at a local restaurant quickly disrupts their new beginning. That same night, the man shows up at their home looking for a fight—until a passing neighbor steps in to help.
Grateful but unsettled, the doctor accepts the neighbor’s offer to help repair their new home. Yet as more strange incidents unfold, unease turns to suspicion. Something about this “Good Samaritan” isn’t adding up… and what’s really going on is nothing like what the doctor—or the reader—expects.
Packed with mystery, sharp twists, and a standout cast of characters, this gripping read will keep you turning pages long into the night. No spoilers—but it’s absolutely not what you think.
When a big-city ER doctor relocates his wife and autistic son to a quiet small town, the fixer-upper they move into seems like the perfect place to start over. But a tense run-in with a drunk at a local restaurant quickly disrupts their new beginning. That same night, the man shows up at their home looking for a fight—until a passing neighbor steps in to help.
Grateful but unsettled, the doctor accepts the neighbor’s offer to help repair their new home. Yet as more strange incidents unfold, unease turns to suspicion. Something about this “Good Samaritan” isn’t adding up… and what’s really going on is nothing like what the doctor—or the reader—expects.
Packed with mystery, sharp twists, and a standout cast of characters, this gripping read will keep you turning pages long into the night. No spoilers—but it’s absolutely not what you think.
November 18, 2025
Looking for a new start Sam Harper and his wife and son have moved away from the city to a small town and the family look forward to renovating their new home which needs a bit of work. When Sam sees a confrontation between an intoxicated male and the barmaid from a local, he intervenes and the story is off and running. The male protagonist pays Sam a visit at his home and another guy intervenes – one Greg Sanders a local handyman. But all is not what it seems and Sam becomes suspicious of Greg when there are a number of incidents that do not seem quite real.
With many twists and turns, the story unfolds and Sam’s previous insecurities are aroused before the truth comes out. An interesting story, a little different to the usual from this author.
With many twists and turns, the story unfolds and Sam’s previous insecurities are aroused before the truth comes out. An interesting story, a little different to the usual from this author.
November 26, 2025
I did receive an ARC copy, a little disappointed with it as I thought it might be a thrilling thriller, but I guessed quite early that somebody who jumps straight in and helps you fight a person that has picked a fight with you, there has to be an ulterior motive.
I didn't think this was up to Erik Carter's usual standard; he usually does a very good thriller, especially the Silence Jones ones, and I thought this might be on the same lines, but alas, it wasn't.
It was well written and thought out, but just a bit disappointed.
I didn't think this was up to Erik Carter's usual standard; he usually does a very good thriller, especially the Silence Jones ones, and I thought this might be on the same lines, but alas, it wasn't.
It was well written and thought out, but just a bit disappointed.
November 23, 2025
Good unexpected plot
Great suspenseful thriller, I could not put this book down. I loved how slowly the pieces were unveiled as the plot thickened. What seems to be a simple family move to the small town turned out to have too many odd coincidences, who can Sam trust. Sam Harper was a great main character, he hoped he was not losing his mind but never gave up on trying to figure it out. Good twists, good plot and well written. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
Great suspenseful thriller, I could not put this book down. I loved how slowly the pieces were unveiled as the plot thickened. What seems to be a simple family move to the small town turned out to have too many odd coincidences, who can Sam trust. Sam Harper was a great main character, he hoped he was not losing his mind but never gave up on trying to figure it out. Good twists, good plot and well written. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
November 25, 2025
Great action
Interesting novel. Unique in presentation. Keeps reader on “edge of her seat” with the tension in the mind of the narrator.
Wasn’t a surprise ending, but I was beginning to think the narrator had gone off the edge! Satisfying conclusion but full of action.
Interesting novel. Unique in presentation. Keeps reader on “edge of her seat” with the tension in the mind of the narrator.
Wasn’t a surprise ending, but I was beginning to think the narrator had gone off the edge! Satisfying conclusion but full of action.
January 16, 2026
Was disappointed in this one
Was caught up in the beginning plot and then it all hung on something I felt was stupid. Just not enough reality to even come close to fitting in. Well written but just disappointed me at major crossroads.
Was caught up in the beginning plot and then it all hung on something I felt was stupid. Just not enough reality to even come close to fitting in. Well written but just disappointed me at major crossroads.
January 18, 2026
Not as thrilling as I expected
There are multiple 4+ star reviews so I expected a fast paced thriller. With the exception of one scene early on, things didn't really get exciting till late in the book.
There are so many spelling and grammatical errors.
Just not for me.
There are multiple 4+ star reviews so I expected a fast paced thriller. With the exception of one scene early on, things didn't really get exciting till late in the book.
There are so many spelling and grammatical errors.
Just not for me.
December 4, 2025
Mirage
The book was a great read. Amazing how the story developed. What an ending. This book is highly recommended. Love this author.
The book was a great read. Amazing how the story developed. What an ending. This book is highly recommended. Love this author.
December 30, 2025
Griping read I could not put down .Loved it
January 25, 2026
Amazing
What a thrill. I could not stop reading once I started. Doubts evaporated and the suspense was killing me. This is a must read thriller.
What a thrill. I could not stop reading once I started. Doubts evaporated and the suspense was killing me. This is a must read thriller.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews