Out of the Dark

Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz is a 2019 Minotaur Books publication.

Outstanding!

Although my taste in thrillers usually leans towards different styles and directions, this series grabbed my attention right away and has quickly become one of my favorites.

This fourth installment opens with Evan Smoake-AKA "Orphan X”, plotting the assassination of the president of the United States- for good reason. It’s a kill or be killed kind of situation.

Unfortunately, for Evan, the president has a new girl on his team named, Naomi, and she’s giving Evan a good run for his money.

Meanwhile, a young man on the autism spectrum dials into the infamous ‘Nowhere Man’ hotline, just as Evan is battling his most formidable opponent to date.

So, fasten show more your seatbelts folks and prepare for an orphan against orphan showdown that will leave you holding on for dear life!

The Orphan X series may be long on action, but the story doesn’t depend on it or hide behind it. This is a stylish series, smart, and expertly plotted, with a nice emotional depth blended in to ensure our attachment to Evan and other recurring characters, as well.

I’m especially impressed with the way Hurwitz manages to create a dual storyline, both of which are suspenseful and urgent, amid all the chaos. While the ‘Nowhere Man’ threads are often secondary to the main plot, they are always compelling, and I love meeting the new characters and circumstances introduced in each chapter of the series. I also like the psychology behind the concept and the way good deeds are paid forward. The story featured in this chapter was especially poignant, giving Evan a chance to practice his humanity skills.

Because this is not the type of thriller I'm normally drawn to, I was afraid it could quickly and easily flame out.

However, so far, each installment has been equally riveting – but, I must say, this one just might be my favorite book in the series to date.

“Into the Fire” is slated for release in January 2020- I can’t wait!!! show less

Gregg Hurwtiz’s fourth Orphan X novel may be his best. In Out of the Dark, Evan Smoak (Orphan X) faces an impossible challenge; killing President Jonathan Bennett. Bennett didn’t get to where he is by following the rules, but he is a different breed of corrupt. He has targeted the Orphans for elimination, but particularly Orphan X for reasons that are unclear. What is clear is that Evan Smoak isn’t going to stop until one of them is dead. But Evan isn’t just an assassin. He is also the Nowhere Man. The person who people with nowhere left to turn call. This time, Trevon Gaines calls him after his entire family has been slaughtered and the drug smugglers who did it keep him alive to serve their twisted needs. Now Evan has to find show more a way to get Trevon out from under their thumb while also finding a way through the security of the most well-protected man in the world.

Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, aka The Nowhere Man is a unique hero, but will sometimes remind you of other icons such as Jack Reacher, James Bond or John Wick. He is sophisticated with refined tastes, he’s a loner with investigative skills and unmatched powers of observation, and a one-man wrecking crew when it’s called for. The plot is always moving swiftly as Evan travels between his home base of Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. where he is casing the president’s security, probing for weaknesses and planning his attack. There are plenty of fights, chases and gunplay along the way.

Hurwitz not only excels at the plotting, but his characters have depth and intelligence. Evan is set on killing the president, not bringing him to justice, and you sympathize and agree with his choice. Evan Smoak has a moral core and he has no illusions about what awaits him and what he deserves in the event he gets caught. The discipline with which he pursues his goal lets him remain true to himself. It shows in the relationship he has with a mother and her son in his apartment building. A glimpse into a sort of life that his self-imposed obligations keep pushing out of reach. It shows in his work as The Nowhere Man, who won’t turn down someone who truly needs his help, even if it interferes with a job that is more personal to him.

Trevon Gaines is a particularly sympathetic character. An intellectually challenged young man whose world is turned upside down, but he remains true to the skills and behavior his mother taught him. Hurwitz skillfully portrays him not as someone to be pitied, but someone to be admired. The villains, some of them other Orphans and some of them leaders of the free world are not cookie cutter evil. They have complicated but intellectually understandable motivations.

The skill with which the characters are drawn adds emotional heft to the action. You care about what happens to Evan and the others and you fear that he may come up short. The thrills come fast and furious as Evan is a magnet for trouble and powerful forces are arrayed against him. If you like high-octane action and a real page-turning thriller, Gregg Hurwitz and the Orphan X novels are for you. It’s not impossible to jump into the series with this book, but it’s a richer experience with a lot of important details that’s better read from the beginning, starting with Orphan X. I recommend them all.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. show less

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Orphan X series. It’s in the vein of James Bond and the Jason Bourne novels… your highly trained super-agent who can’t be beaten, and half the fun is seeing what crazy stuff Gregg Hurwitz is going to come up with next. In this one, Evan (Orphan X) is out to assassinate the US president, who is not a good guy and has ordered the termination of the “Orphan” program and for all former orphan agents to be killed. So pretty much, kill or be killed.

Told in multiple perspectives, we get to watch events unfold from the perspective of the president, from Evan, from a secret service agent, and the backstory here (without getting into spoilers) works really well. It’s also fun the way characters from previous show more books (some former enemies) come into play now as allies. This was probably my favorite Orphan X book today and I can’t wait for book 5!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader. show less

Taken from his group home when he was twelve years old, Evan Smoak lived with his mentor, trained, and became Orphan X. After several years, Evan broke away from the program and recreated himself, becoming the Nowhere Man, the one who would help those in dire need of help.

Now someone is eliminating the Orphans, someone who cannot be associated with the program despite having played a central role in its development. With the murder of his mentor, Evan sets out after the man at the heart of the Orphan Program: the President of the United States.

At the same time, will the Nowhere Man find a way to help Trevon Gaines after the slaughter of his family by ruthless gangsters?

Orphan A, the first recruit of the Orphan Program, is the show more President’s counter-attack. Will Evan’s skills and resources be sufficient to outwit his opponent? And what of the President?

The fourth installment of the Orphan X series delivers nonstop action as the cat-and-mouse maneuvers keep the tension building. Evan’s character continues to gain depth as he struggles to understand the nuances of “normal” life. As with previous books in the series, there is sufficient backstory for those new to the series, but the first three books are well worth reading. Readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before reaching the final page.

Highly recommended. show less

Book source ~ Purchased at Audible

Orphan X, Evan Smoak, is going up against the President of the United States. This will be his toughest assignment yet. With his life on the line, will he be able to wipe out the most protected man on the planet?

I listened to this last year so the finer details are a bit fuzzy. However, it’s Orphan X, my new favorite action thriller series, so going by my rating on Goodreads, I know I loved it.

Evan’s enemy this time is powerful and so well-protected I had to wonder, how the hell was he going to take out his target without getting killed himself. The beauty of the author’s writing is that the reader gets no hints (or very little) as to Evan’s plan. It all unrolls as you read. Sometimes things show more don’t always go as planned and Evan has to improvise. We only know this because Evan reveals it as so. It’s exciting to just strap yourself into the seat and hold on tight for the ride. Because, make no mistake, it is a ride. A wild ride. Careening down a steep mountainside and all you have for brakes are your Fred Flintstone feet. Exhilarating! And that ending? Holy shit!

This is book 4, so Scott Brick is definitely Evan Smoak. A+++ for narration. show less

The thing with the Orphan X books is that they’re just fun. I mean, Evan Smoak is as Mary Jane as can be and there isn’t much in the way of believable activities but I can help enjoying the shit out of this series. Yes, I’m about to start the next one.

They’re a little candy for my brain. Yum!

There is a secret program in the depths of the intelligence system of the United States. A group of orphans have been trained to kill. They are an elite group of assassins. But, someone wants this program wiped off the map and all the players with it. Evan is fighting back and he has to go straight to the top, The President of the United States.

I have enjoyed all the Orphan X books. Fast paced and exciting is an understatement. This one is no different. Evan is on the hunt and nothing is going to stop him. This has now gotten personal for him. When the only father he has ever known is killed, Evan knows he has to take action.

I am partially in love with Evan. He has such charisma…you know in the strong, silent type way. Plus…he is show more very intelligent. You never know what his next play will be. He is a master of getting himself into tough situations. The way he uses his brain to get out of these situations is fascinating. Good writing if you ask me!

This is an edge of your seat thriller!

I received this novel from Minotaur Books via Netgalley for a honest review. show less