Fast pace non stop thriller that will have you setting on the edge of your set with each turn of the page .

The Target Is . . . WHO?
Each operation is meticulously worked out and planned, as always with stories in this series. However there were more twists than even I expected in this tour de force. About halfway through there was a certain inevitability about what was going to be coming and I was sad because it really was sort of out of character with our hero. And lo and behold he managed to twist out of that particular dilemma and a number of others that followed.
There is, excessive and gratuitous violence throughout, but one can easily argue that it is totally necessary to portray the story accurately. And while, analytically, there is so much happening that shouldn't, to some extent it reflects what's going on around us these days. Each one of these stories is exciting, and although there is a continuity of action for the background characters, one can read them out of order, because each tale does stand completely on its own. Of course some of the nuances may get lost. Another strong five stars on this one.

This book is a well-written taut thriller. I say “well-written” because the prose is concise with no wasted words and leads the reader to the action. The story of a trained covert opps “super soldier” has been told in many other books in many different ways, however this story of Evan (“Orphan X”) still managed to capture me from the first page. Evan is likeable and sympathetic—which are qualities that I look for in the protagonist in my favorite books. He’s also highly skilled in what he does which keeps interest high. The action in so many places is non-stop. The final positive aspect is that at the end of the novel I wanted to read further adventures of Orphan X and this is a book I would read again.

I'm now getting really addicted to this series. It just gets better and better. As a thriller goes, it's not lacking in any area. It has so much action and suspense, Orphan X has been going through it, and now he's getting to figure it out. The story is worth of a movie. How is this not on TV yet? You can read this alone, but I would recommend reading the series. I'd hate for you to miss out on any of it! This book has 5 very well deserved stars!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my copy of this book. This review is my own, and has my thoughts about this book. A positive review is never, ever required.

I DNFed this book a while ago but as I was about to pick it up again, I see that the book is archived.

The fourth book in Hurwitz's Orphan X series - one of the best thriller series out there - this is maybe the best of the bunch. The hero, Evan Smoak, is an eminently capable black ops operative, distinguished by his resourcefulness and humanity. The action is just about non-stop and exhilarating (going to war against the President is just one of the major storylines), but the glimpses into Smoak's efforts to fit into normal life give the books depth and appeal.

Love these books, so happy I stumbled upon them her on Netgalley. Evan Smoak has easily become one of my favorite hero/undercover characters.

I've followed Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X series from the start but I am always surprised by how much pleasure these books give. As a hero, Evan Smoak is so easy to root for! First, he is an underdog = trained to serve as an Orphan, a government black ops killer undertaking dangerous tasks off the books. He has been treated poorly by the government that he's served. But he is loyal to a fault and has a strong sense of justice. He has moved away from the Orphan program and uses his skills to help those too weak or poor or overwhelmed to help themselves. As Nowhere Man, Evan is not motivated by money, power. ego or orders -- he acts for justice.

In Out of the Dark, the Orphans are being slaughtered to keep the program secret. Evan must find and fight another equally well trained killer to survive. The story is engrossing and action fast paced! A delight!

Out of the Dark is the fourth installment in author Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X series. This story picks up 6 months after the ending of Hell Bent. Evan Smoak aka Orphan X had no idea why his first mission in 1997 was so important to Jonathan Bennett, president of the United States. So important, that Bennett has ordered every single Orphan to be exterminated. Evan has since quit the Orphan program and become a force for those who need him. He is the No Where Man who lends his services to the truly desperate.


Bennett has unlimited power and resources built up from years of being in the Department of Defense. He has protection from every single government agency including the Secret Service under Special Agent Naomi Templeton. Getting to Bennett will be the ultimate Nowhere Man mission and it is likely to be his last if he is captured or killed. Whether Evan is successful or fails, nothing will ever be the same for him again. As usual, Hurwitz isn't just satisfied with this one mission. Nope. He gives Evan several.

Intertwined story lines include Mia Hall with her 9-year old son Peter. Mia is facing threats from someone she desperately wants to see behind bars for the rest of his life. Mia and Evan have been dancing around each other romantically for awhile now. Will they or won't they is the question? Trevon Gaines is a boy who has highly functional autism. He discovers that every member of his family members has been viciously murdered by a psycho out for revenge against Trevon who was just doing what was right. Trevon's only surviving family member is a sister who is doing good deeds in Central America.


Hurwitz actually gives Evan a bit of help in this book. From fellow Orphan Candy McClure, to 16-year old Joey Morales who is a former Orphan who the President wants dead. She's also a brilliant hacker and someone I think that Evan is finally learning to accept as part of his small people he can trust implicitly. Tommy Slojack is a series regular. He's also Evan's man for any weapon he desires. The story also adds the two cents of Naomi Templeton who is thrown into the deep end while trying to keep Evan from assassinating the President. Hurwitz also adds a bit of danger in the form of Judd Holt aka Orphan A. The original Orphan who knows all about Evan's 1997 mission and is now working to stop him in his tracks.


Hurwitz transitions seamlessly between the multiple storylines, and readers easily get a feel for the complex plot details and the multi-faceted characters. While Evan is trying to piece together the puzzle as to why he specifically has been targeted by Bennett, he chooses to remain above board. He never once kills an innocent. (Bennett isn't an innocent) Even when dozens of cops and agents are chasing him all over DC, he only targets the bad guys like Judd Holt and his army of killers.


While Bennett thinks he's Teflon and nothing will stick, Evan slowly but surely drives the point thru that you can run, you can have hundreds of people protecting you, but your past will eventually catch up to you. One of Evan's last jobs is what he promised Trevon. Take out the man responsible for the brutal murders of his family and protect Trevon's only remaining sister from being another victim. As usual, this story is not only action packed, but there is plenty of violence and bloodshed.


I'm very appreciative of the publisher for approving access to this title and the next 2 for me. I love this series and will keep reading it right to the end.

The author did not disappoint as this thriller was jam packed with action. I just for some reason didn't get as engrossed in this one as the previous books in the series.

Gregg Hurwitz Evan Smock series has become Rey popular with thriller writers. My first Hurwitz novel Out of the Dark I am a believer and understand why. I will be going back to read the previous novels ASAP. Fun stuff.

Gregg Hurwitz has delivered again! Another excellent installment of the adventures of Evan Smoak....
If you haven't read the Orphan X series, You must!!

Book 4 in the Orphan X series does not disappoint. Evan has figured out who is trying to kill him, and plots revenge. Another fast paced, great read!

This series is a guaranteed thrill ride and this story bumped that excitement and non stop action even higher. Evan is on the ultimate impossible mission, to kill the President, but he also has accepted a call for the Nowhere Man which seems equally impossible. Through a series of twists, unlikely alliances, new information and one heck of creative talent and luck this story provides non stop action and entertainment while also showing an emotional aspect that is captivating.

I am a fan of this series and I loved this story. X has a heart that grabs my attention because even when he knows from training to let go, he can’t. His reaction to Joey, Peter and Candy was beautifully sad and lovely.

I can’t wait to read his next adventure and to see how more of his relationships have or do develop. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book and share my opinion!

Out of the Dark is the 4rth book in the Orphan X series. I recommend reading the previous books. You would think this would be the end of the series but another book is coming out. In this one, it is Evan Smoak vs POTUS. Like the other books, this one is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller. The action never stopped. He's on the west coast, he's on the east coast, he's even in Switzerland. I think Evan only slept for 2 hours throughout the book. Great writing with well-developed characters. This may not be my favorite book in the series but I still enjoyed it. Definitely still recommend this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Gregg Hurwitz for a copy of "Out of the Dark" in exchange of an honest review.

4 1/2 stars

I dislike reviews that begin with something akin to "It grabbed me from the first page and never let go," but that is an accurate statement for <u>Out of the Dark</u> and all of the other Orphan X books as well. The novel is fast-paced and full of action, but there is some heart and some humanity infused as well. With each book in the series, we get to know and understand Evan a bit better. Details on his back story explain his actions today and why so many pesky evil people keep popping up in his life. Pesky evil government people definitely are involved in <u>Out of the Dark</u>. Also in this installment, Evan as the Nowhere Man helps Trevon, who is "high-functioning." As a teacher and interventionist who has worked with many students along the spectrum, I could definitely see some of my students in Trevon. As usual, when I finished the novel I felt a bit of emptiness inside knowing I wouldn't read any new exploits of Evan in the near future, but I now eagerly await the next book in the series.

Readers do not *have* to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but it certainly does help. If you start at this book, when you finish you will definitely quickly seek out Books 1 - 3 anyway because you will want as much Evan Smoak as you can get. You may also find yourself craving quality vodka.

This review is much delayed from when I first read the book, but thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Gregg Hurwitz did not disappoint in this installment of his Orphan X series. It's tight and taut with lots of action and I love the sub plots of how Evan (Orphan X) always manages to help someone in need, in this case a young man with autism. Even is up again a very powerful figure in the President, who has a lot of weapons at his disposal, literally and figuratively. But Evan finds a way, and gets some help from a former nemesis, to his surprise.

I read that that author signed another deal for more Orphan X novels. I can't wait. Evan is one of my new favorite chatacters!

Gregg Hurwitz knocks it out of the park with the latest instalment in the Oprhan X series. Each book is better than the last and I can't wait to see what lies ahead of Evan.

Loved the book. I cannot wait until the next one. It was well written and kept me engaged. The action was fast and the characters were well thought out.

*4.5 +

Evan Smoak is the kind of guy you have to like--a trained killer with a big heart. There was once a top-secret government program that took orphans from orphanages and trained them to be expert assassins. Evan is one of those, known as Orphan X.

At some point he'd had enough of the killings and decided to leave all that behind. To pay for his 'sins,' he set up a hot line on which people in need could call the Nowhere Man and be helped with their problems.

The latest one is Trevon, whose entire family has been killed because he inadvertently disrupted a shipment that cost a drug lord millions. But wait, there's still one family member to protect--his sister has been in South America on a mission and will be returning soon. Can the Nowhere Man keep the gang from killing her too?

In the meantime, Evan has bigger fish to fry. The current president wants him and the other orphans dead. Can Evan get to him first? And can he figure out what happened in 1997 that the president is so desperate to bury?

Very intriguing plot. Sometimes Evan can be so funny. And he's torn as he begins a love affair with Mia. Can things ever work out for them as a couple? Can Evan live a normal life?

I highly recommend this series, but do begin with book one.

I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. Many thanks! I'm looking forward to book 5 now.
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