The Highest Stakes

Detective Jack Murphy Is Back-on the trail of a criminal mastermind who kills for profit and tortures for pleasure.

In Jack Murphy's experience, the killers who blend in are the hardest to catch. But none are as elusive-or efficient-as Mr. Smith. A man of average height, weight and build, Mr. Smith is as ordinary as his name. Which makes it easy for him to get close to his targets. To kill without conscience. To use every weapon at his disposal to raise the stakes in a global game of terror and death. Mr. Smith is no ordinary killer. But Jack Murphy is no ordinary cop . . .

Praise for Rick Reed and his novels

"As authentic and scary as crime thrillers get."-Nelson DeMille

"Det. Jack Murphy tracks killers through a political maze of lies, deception and dishonor that leads to a violent, pulse-pounding climax."-Robert S. Levinson

"Everything you want in a thriller: strong characters, plenty of gory story, witty dialogue, and a narrative that demands you keep turning those pages."-Book Reporter

"Reed thrusts the boundaries of his story forward to bring us along on a ride we won't soon forget!"-Suspense Magazine

"Put this on your must-read list."-John Lutz

"A jaw-dropping thriller."-Gregg Olsen