Orphan X

Evan Smoak, Book 1

By: Gregg Hurwitz

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

“Brilliantly conceived and plotted... Read this book. You’ll thank me later.” - David Baldacci

The first in the international bestselling series!

Who is Orphan X?

The Nowhere Man is a legendary figure spoken about only in whispers. It’s said that when he’s reached by the truly desperate and deserving, the Nowhere Man can and will do anything to protect and save them. But he’s not merely a legend.

“Excellent...A smart, stylish, state-of-the-art thriller...might give Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books a run for their money.” - The Washington Post

Evan Smoak is a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past. Chosen as a child, he was raised and trained as an Orphan, an off-the-books black box program designed to create the perfect deniable intelligence asset: An assassin. Evan was Orphan X - until he broke with the program and used everything he learned to disappear. But now someone is on his tail. Someone with similar skills and training who will exploit Evan’s secret new identity as the Nowhere Man to eliminate him.

“Hurwitz melds nonstop action and high-tech gadgetry...in this excellent series opener.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

©2016 Gregg Hurwitz (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"The most exciting thriller I've read since The Bourne Identity. Fans of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, and Jason Bourne will LOVE Evan Smoak. A new thriller superstar is born!" (Robert Crais)

" Orphan X is the most gripping, high-octane thriller I've read in a long, long time. Hang onto your seat because Gregg Hurwitz will take you on a dizzying ride you'll not soon forget!" (Tess Gerritsen)

A modern thriller and a rollicking good yarn

If you could sum up Orphan X in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, lonely, dehumanised.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, very hard to put down. Always wanted to know what was going to happen 'on the next page.'

Which scene was your favorite?

All the scenes with Peter, the boy who lived on floor 12, who was teaching Evan how to be human.

Any additional comments?

Great book, terrific thriller, the plot well put together and well written. The theme of "what it means to be human" was subtle, and we understood this through the characters of Mia and Peter who were both very human in contrast to Evan who had been dehumanised through brainwashing thoughout his youth and 'career training.' Highly recommended to all who love a good thriller.

Entertaining Thriller is Hard to Put Down!

I've enjoyed all of Gregg Hurwitz's thrillers: he has certainly mastered the magic formula for suspenseful plots. His novels are perfect for evenings when you don't have anything planned; just light a scented candle and hit the play button! Be warned, "Orphan X" is a real page-turner that you will want to hear in one sitting--Scott Brick's heart-hammering narration makes the audiobook version better than the print version (I confess I lost sleep to get to the end). Definitely worth a credit.

Nowhere Man, I need your number!

This book is an awesome mix of mystery, spec ops action, and thoughtful introspection. In the vein of John Milton, the Gray Man, and Nathan McBride, Evan Smoak's CIA killing past is touched on but not the main point. He has left the "business" and his goal now is to help people in trouble. He answers his phone with "Do you need my help?"

He sets out to help someone in a seemingly straight -forward case, but gets caught up in lies and set-ups, and doesn't know who can be trusted. We can't tell either. Who is setting a trap and who is in true need?

Besides the mystery of the entrapment cases, and the flashbacks into his specialized training, we get to see his perspective into "normal" lives. He thought his dangerous life was messy, but discovers that "normal" life is truly chaotic, and he wonders what it would be like. This part was a fascinating and delightful departure from the typical CIA operative/assassin kind of story. All this keeps going and going and you keep wondering and wondering, and then comes the action! It was all very exciting. The only problem I had was wondering how he helped Memo, and how did he find Isa?

I sure hope there will be sequels since this guy is likable and talented. And there are still mysteries in his life to be cleared up!

WOW - Evan Smoak is Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne!

Wow. Just...wow. If you love Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne, you're going to love this. I was little put off by the title, but I'm so glad I dove in. From the dedication (when was the last time you enjoyed one of those?!) to the final plot twist, I was on the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop listening!

Good Book, but the ending was disappinting

The narrator was fantastic. The story overall was interesting and suspenseful. There were many times I could not stop listening, thus staying awake long into the night...
I gave it only four stars because the ending was anticlimactic, as though the author got tired of writing.
If you don't mind that then I highly recommend this book!

Suspenseful and Well Written

Well written story with very good narration. I'm really looking forward to the next book.

the next evolution of Jason Bourne

Evan Smoake is a Jason Bourne like character but he knows his history and he has successfully made a new life helping people until... Can't wait for the movie! and the next instalment.

Great book!

5 stars! Storyline was good and easy to follow. Narrator did a great job reading. I will definitely be checking out part 2 in the series.

Great book, can't wait for the next in series

Any additional comments?

I really liked this book. It kept my interest throughout and I couldn't wait to get in the car (which is the primary location I listen to audiobooks) to listen to more. In fact a couple of nights I listened while I was home! Scott Brick is my all time favorite narrator, but I did not like him narrating this book. He was too serious (which was warranted by the story line), but I like him narrating books where he can convey more emotions, sarcasm and humor. Definitely not a ding on Scott, just my personal preference of him as a narrator.

Great Action.

Love this book. Evan Smoak is a fantastic character. Can't wait for the next one.