I love this series and this book just took it up a notch. Evan is always one step ahead of anyone hunting for them. Except as he has allowed himself some human connections and made a mistake. The government that has been tracking him, finally catches him and makes a demand.

I love how Evan is always evolving in the series. He has a softer side that peeks out. Candy and Joey make a difference in this one and add some humor to an action packed and often tense read. And Tommy may just be my favorite character of the series. He does such a great job of just being a kid and in that bringing out Evan's more compassionate side.

Scott Brick narrates this one and as one of my favorite narrators, he lives up to that praise. He does the voices, the tense and fight scenes, and the wry humor well.

The Last Orphan is a gripping thriller that follows the story of Evan Smoak, also known as Orphan X, a former government assassin who now helps those in desperate need. As the fourth installment in the Orphan X series, this novel takes readers on a heart-pounding journey as Evan faces a new deadly adversary while dealing with personal demons from his past.
Narrated by the acclaimed Scott Brick, the audiobook version of The Last Orphan brings the characters and action to life, making it a compelling listen for anyone who enjoys a mix of high-stakes action and complex characters.

I enjoyed the audiobook as much as the written book. The narrator's voice was very pleasant to listen to and added depth to the story. The way the narrator was able to emphasize key points in the text made it easier for me to understand and appreciate the story. I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created, and the narrator's voice helped to bring the characters to life. Overall, I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for an engaging and immersive listening experience.

Let me tell you about the latest book in the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz. It's called "Into the Fire," and it's one of the most suspenseful and exciting books I've read in a while.

The story follows Evan Smoak, also known as "Orphan X," who has a very specific set of rules for himself. He's very selective about who he trusts and how he helps them. But when a powerful person comes to him for help, he has to put his skills to the test in order to keep living his new life.

What I think is really cool about this book is that it's different from the previous ones in the series. Evan is faced with a new and unexpected situation, and he has to navigate through it all while encountering some pretty serious challenges. It's a very suspenseful story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

One thing I appreciated about this book is that it has less violence than the previous one. Don't get me wrong - there's still plenty of action and thrilling moments. But the way the story balances non-stop action with precise, brutal moments is really impressive. Personally, I prefer the latter, which is why I think this latest volume is even better. The best parts of the story are in those quieter moments where you really get to see the characters develop and connect with each other.

Now, if you're new to the Orphan X series, don't worry. You don't necessarily have to read the previous books to enjoy this one. However, if you do have some background on the characters and their relationships, it'll give you a deeper appreciation for the story. Either way, I highly recommend "Into the Fire" and the whole Orphan X series. It's just really satisfying to see Evan grow and evolve throughout the books.

Oh, and one more thing - I listened to the audiobook version of this book, and it was fantastic. The narrator has a really pleasant voice that just draws you into the story even more. I found myself completely immersed in the world that Hurwitz had created, and the narrator's voice just brought the characters to life in a way that made the story even more engaging and enjoyable. So if you're looking for an audiobook that's both engaging and immersive, I highly recommend this one.

This book is very well written. I enjoyed the characters and story very much, However, I do think that I would have connected more if I had read the entire series and didn't start with this book. That is definitely on me and i only mention it because I think there is great value in reading the entire series. If you enjoy a spy thriller, this is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook! I did not enjoy this book at all; its not that the book was terrible, but it was just not my thing. If you're into spies, secrets and killing, then this would be a good choice for you.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This is the first book of the series that I have read. As the 8th book, there is a lot of world-building that has already happened, but reading the others is not required to understand or enjoy. Reading the book as a stand-alone action/thriller, it was average but nothing special.

I have said that the Orphan X series is my guilty pleasure. It is full of adventure, violence yet with a moral bent to it. In this eighth installment, Gregg Hurwitz continues to bring us non-stop action, twists and unfortunately, some morally reprehensible characters. If you aren't familiar with this series, the protagonist is Evan Smoak, who was plucked from an orphanage when he was just twelve. He was trained by the US government to become an assassin. He learned all manner of fighting techniques, tactical evasions, and extensive use of weaponry. He also made contacts along the way, which he still uses now. When he decided he didn't want to do that anymore, he went underground and became "The Nowhere Man." Of course the government officials who know about this program, don't want it to become public so they have been after Evan ever since. With Evan getting older, he is slowing down and in this book, the is captured by the US government. The president wants him to kill a very bad man, who is influencing the government using blackmail. He doesn't want to be a gun for hire, but he agrees to look into it and if he deserves to die, then he will consider it. With lots of innocents involved, this story is another one that had me on the edge of my seat.

The Last Orphan will not be for everyone. There is violence, debauchery, rape, drugging others, murder and more when dealing with the crimes of the man the president wants killed. It is not throughout the book, but there is enough in there. Of course Evan is not a computer whiz, so he needs help from Joey, another orphan who bombed out of the program, who we met in an earlier book in the series. She is like an adopted daughter and I love her banter and humor when she deals with Evan. As always the adventure is over-the-top, and edge of the seat stuff, and this is the closest Evan has come to being killed. Another great addition to this series and one I would recommend to those who love this series, action-packed pacing, and good vs evil. Scott Brick continues to narrate this series and does a wonderful job. He is the voice of Orphan X/Evan Smoake/The Nowhere Man and I thoroughly enjoy his

Evan Smoak! I'm not entirely sure how I ended up starting this series, but I'm most definitely glad I did. Evan Smoak is a fascinating character, plucked from the foster system as an adolescent boy to train as an assassin for a secret government program. He was mentored by a man who not only trained him, but instilled in him a set of rules and guidelines that helped him maintain a hold on his humanity while he did inhumane things. His government work is in the past, but he continues to use his "particular set of skills" as the "Nowhere Man" to help everyday people in desperate situations that have run out of options.
In this installment, however, it's the US president who's requested (or demanded, to be precise) his help, and he questions her motives, which seem to be more in her own interest than that of the country. But due to some of his past activities, he's in no place to refuse her demand. Not that his target is any saint - he's a horrifying individual surrounded by equally horrifying associates and they've done some horrifying things. Thus continues the evolution of Evan Smoak - as government assassin Orphan X he was a loner, avoiding human connections. Over time, though, as civilian "fixer" the Nowhere Man, he's begun to make some fragile human connections (albeit somewhat reluctantly) and he's not sure he likes it. But it's fascinating to watch him evolve and question and begin to explore his humanity - and his past. I can't wait to see what's in store for him in the next book!
I listened to the audio version of the book, and Scott Brick's narration is brilliant, as always.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Another excellent installment in the series. I put this review off for a little bit because I wans't sure what I wanted to say about it. I love this series. I always wonder what will happen next and in this one I was a little surprised, in a good way, with part of the ending.

I enjoy Hurwitz's writing and I am really glad that he didn't try to continue to make the situations Orphan X finds himself in get progressively worse. Honestly, I think he hit a peak with the targeting, explosive bugs and more than that would have caused the series to start to get too unbelievable. In this one, X finds himself in sticky situations, but we are starting to see more reliance on others, slight signs of aging, and introspection on relationships. This gives X more depth and adds a touch of realism to the story as well. Don't worry; it's still full of crazy action scenes and all that brings to the series as well.

I did have a couple of minor issues with the story. First, I'm starting to like Joey less and less. I find her to be grating. She is getting older, but acts less mature and more whiny. I'm hoping that she has a breakthrough soon because otherwise I feel like her emotions are going to cause her to have a breakdown soon. Second, I don't want to hear any more women say things like, "As a liberated woman, I should (or I think..., etc)." Liberated (or progressive, etc) women don't generally refer to themselves as such and more than one woman did this in the story. It gives the feeling of a man trying to write a strong woman from a woman's perspective, which it is, but it shouldn't read that way.

I love that Hurwitz is including Candy and others in the series. I like to see this network of independent people forming deeper relationships and depending on each other.

Once again, I listened to Scott Brick narrate the book. He is just amazing and I can't read a physical Orphan X book now without hearing his voice.

Also once again, I can't wait to read the next in the series.

I am so glad I got this book as an ARC since I had to read the first 7 books first! I have loved this series and the ride it has taken me on. While all of the political shenanigans that happen in this series are fiction I could totally see them happening in today's world, sadly. I have really loved getting to see the relationship between Ethan and Joey grow and to see them both grow in different ways and learn to love each other!

I can't wait for the next book in the series! I am going to add Gregg Hurwitz to my always read author list!

There are moments of excitement in Hurwitz's latest installment of his Orphan X series, but there is a whole lot of explanation on what is going on which puts a damper on the thrill of this thriller. Evan (Orphan X) is changing from a killer to showing some empathy for his opponents. Realizing he's a pawn of government, Evan sets about changing results of a situation. Hurwitz juggles several storylines and not all are resolved adequately. That all said, there are flashes of very creative writing where Evan has to work his way out of jams. Fans of Jack Reacher will enjoy Evan's situations as he sets out to correct what he sees as wrongs.

So far this is the second book I have read in this series. I was glad we seen some small glimpses in the creation of Orphan X. The man he came to feel as his father. It got me more interested in the history, so now I’m reading the first book in the series.
Is the Nowhere Man going to do the bidding of the President in order to obtain freedom from been hunted by the government he previously served or follow his own rules of justice. The case he is working on is not a simple black and white and the many twists and turn keeps you guessing on what is going to happen next. I read both the kindle version and listened to the audio version. The narrator Scott Brick presented the story nicely.

This was my first listen of the Evan Smoak series, and I never felt left out. The author brought one up to speed organically and it works as a standalone piece for newbies (entering the Orphan X universe late via book 8).

As the series title suggests, Evan is an orphan (Orphan X). X also trained as an assassin at age 12 and grew up working for the dirty, secret government side program that executes unsanctioned hits around the globe. He would eventually exit/escape the orphan program to become the Nowhere Man to use his skillset for the good of others in desperate need. The previous seven books must cover these epic escapades of our Nowhere Man. In this novel, book 8 (The Last Orphan), it starts with Evan off the grid in Iceland, sinking premium vodka as part of his new soul searching schedule. If it sounds James Bond-esque (Daniel Craig gone island AWOL) it’s not. That’s the refreshing thing about this book. It is very much its own thing. Think American Assassin meets You Were Never Really Here and it still doesn’t sum it up. It is gritty with great rationale. There is a lot of humor sprinkled throughout the darkness. It is over the top but grounded by great writing (“And her hair smelt like green apples and money.”…. “Bathed in the light of a hundred sins”… “The rain tapped Evan’s bare face as he looked up at the broken sky.”). The substance is always front and center. Author, Gregg Hurwitz, only flexes for the story’s benefit. This is a master writer at work, operating at his own tempo; mining emotion in the smallest details at any given moment while pulling off the balancing act of having a good time with the material. The result: a very rewarding experience for readers (and listeners alike).

Scott Brick does a brilliant job with the narration. This rich and diverse material demands a lot in the execution and would be a train wreck in the wrong hands. Brick never misses a note. Although he is the series regular, it must be a hell of a challenge to pull off all the voices, individual feelings and scene moods. (I thought I was right there listening to Evan’s former handler, Jack, back in that farmhouse all those years ago).

I would recommend listening to this even if it is your first entry point into Orphan X territory. Like Evan Smoak’s commandments , “The fifth commandment: If you don’t know what to do, do nothing.” Totally agree. Just sit back, listen and enjoy the Hurwitz-Brick show here.

Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5337416297

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

The Last Orphan
Orphan X #8
Gregg Hurwitz

Personal Note:
I LOVE this series, I came late to the party at book 6, The Prodigal Son and was HOOKED from page one and knew I had to go back and start from the beginning because I needed to know more about Evan and what makes him tick. I also started with the Macmillan audio version of The Prodigal Son and was also hooked on Scott Brick’s remarkable, talented rendition so much so that now when I think of Evan or The Nowhere Man it’s Scott’s voice I hear and he’s ruined me for any printed version of this series.

Gregg Hurwitz’s The Last Orphan is a titillating thriller, a non-stop edge of your seat, one sit read that’s bound for bestsellerdom that once again digs deep into Evan Smoak’s complicated OCD plagued psyche and strips him bare in the emotion department. Readers/Listeners once again are gifted with experiencing the slow continuing metamorphosis of Evan’s humanity, showing what a lonely existence his is and just how much he must sacrifice to protect those he cares for. The audience also gets to see sixteen-year-old, soon to be seventeen super hacker Joey grow up just a little, unravel just a little, showing her normal teenaged side just a little and letting readers/listeners see hers and Evan’s relationship become more solid. There’s of course the paradigmatic bloody, deadly battle scenes that are not for the feint of heart that pits Evan, part McGyver part 007 part vigilante, up against incredible odds hoping he’s the last man standing. Fans of this incredible series and other thrillers will find this unputdownable.

Narration:
Scott Brick is as always perfect in his narration, he is the quintessential Evan and does a great job with all the other characters both male and female. He also has the infusion of all emotions at just the right moment down pat, enhancing the audience’s experience and making the audible version of this installation and all of this series the only way to go.

One Last Thing:
A special treat for audio listeners, at the end of the listen Gregg Hurwitz and Lisa Gardner talk books and audio and what’s next for them. A Don’t Miss for fans.

Evan Smoak used to be Orphan X part of the Orphan Program, a clandestine, super secret government organization that trained young orphans to be sanctioned assassins. He was good at his job but was on a very short leash and when he started questioning his handlers and didn’t like the answers he left turned into a ghost and reinvented himself into The Nowhere Man, a man who if you have his number and are worthy of his help he’ll make things right. Then the government decided they needed The Last Orphan for one more sanctioned assignment and on a day that Evan was just a little off they caught him and gave him an ultimatum, help or die. But the agency taught him well and with the help of a small group of trusted associates that he’s collected over the years Evan escapes but the assignment intrigues him so he decides he’ll look into it himself and he’ll be the one to make the ultimate decision.

I like Hurwitz’s writing. Somehow the production in this audiobook did not hold me nor my attention. I really wanted to get into it. Sorry.

3.5 stars

In this 8th book in the 'Orphan X' series, the American president wants Evan Smoak to assassinate a man who imperils her political career. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is beneficial.

*****

When Evan Smoak was a scrawny twelve-year-old living in an orphanage, he was removed and placed in a black ops program that trained orphans to be highly skilled assassins. Evan was dubbed Orphan X.

After doing his assassin job for many years, Orphan X left the black ops program and set himself up as 'The Nowhere Man', a badass who helps people in trouble. When a person in dire straits is given Evan's number by a former client, the call goes to Evan's uber-encrypted RoamZone phone, which he answers with the phrase "Do you need my help?" The 'help' always involves Orphan X killing people, so it's frowned on by the authorities.

After being pursued by government operatives for years, Evan made a deal with President Victoria Donahue-Carr, who agreed to pardon Evan if he gave up being the Nowhere Man. But in a world full of people in trouble, Evan can't keep his word. So President Donahue-Carr has Evan abducted and offers him a deal: IF Evan agrees to kill a billionaire business mogul/political influencer named Luke Devine, who threatens Donahue-Carr's re-election, Evan's unofficial pardon will be reinstated. If not, Evan will go to prison.

Orphan X has scruples, though, and needs to do his own investigation of Luke Devine....to see if the tycoon deserves killing. As it happens, a young man and woman were murdered at one of Devine's hedonistic parties, and Evan must find out if the mogul was implicated in their deaths. This requires Evan to infiltrate Devine's huge mansion, which is guarded by tough, sadistic security guards.

Orphan X's cunning plans and physical prowess help him further his program and get him out of VERY dangerous situations. Evan is also assisted by his sixteen-year-old protégé Josephine (Joey), who can hack into any computer anywhere, including those in Luke Devine's well-protected property. Joey is a sarcastic smart-mouthed teen who more than holds her own bantering with Orphan X....but is very sweet with her canine named Dog.

The story also has appearances by other favorite characters, including Candy McClure - formerly Orphan V, who uses her sexy wiles to advantage; Tommy - an accomplished gunsmith who provides Evan with cars and weapons; Mia - a pretty district attorney Evan is attracted to; and Peter - Mia's school age son.

The story is action packed, with one exciting scene after another. As always the Nowhere Man leaves heavy casualties in his wake, but - after all - it's him or them.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Scott Brick, who does an excellent job.

As a bonus, author Gregg Hurwitz and suspense writer Lisa Gardener have a conversation at the end of the book, where they discuss audiobooks.

Thanks to Netgalley, Gregg Hurwitz, and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the book.

I really was not a fan of this book. The writing was almost too descriptive, but the narration was very difficult to listen to. Each word of each sentence seemed to be emphasized and read with a bravado of sorts. It became too much too quickly. For the sake of the author I continued to listen but I didn’t like the plot or story arc.

The Last Orphan
Gregg Hurwitz
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads
Thank God he’s back! Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, returns for a highly anticipated 8th high octane, break-neck paced thriller.

Reading an Evan Smoak tale is truly a guilty pleasure, like eating dessert before dinner. Evan isn’t a superhero, but rather a cross between Jason Bourne and Batman, He’s a highly skilled assassin, but with a moral compass and highly honed desire to retain his humanity.

Evan was a twelve-year-old boy, rescued out of the projects of East Baltimore, only then to undergo a seven-year grueling training course under the tutelage of his handler Jack Jones. Jack was the closest thing to a father and family he had ever known. This was part of a clandestine black ops, “Orphan Program” created by the Department of Defense, creating a cadre of assassins of unparalleled abilities that were both deniable and expendable. Each sent out on a mission to destroy a high-value target without backup.

As his trainer, and a man of principle, Jack knew it was easy to train Evan to kill, but hard to have him retain his sense of humanity. (Which is a basic tenet throughout all the Orphan X novels.) Eventually Evan wanted out after a decade of covert killing, no longer wishing to be a lethal weapon of the government. He was one of only a few Orphans with an actual conscience. He embarked on his own program as a pro bono freelancer, helping those innocents who found themselves in an impossible situation. He became known by his enemies as The Nowhere Man. Evan remained on call 24/7 for the unfortunates, awaiting a 1-855-2-NOWHERE call on his high tech, untraceable, and indestructible RoamZone phone. Evan always answers his phone: “Do you need my help? Several years ago, he was issued an informal pardon by President Victoria Donahue-Carr (installed and not elected) if he refrains from pursuing his career as the Nowhere Man. Evan has found this impossible and continued to answer both his RoamZone and the pleas of the helpless and innocents caught in ruthless situations. Evan is uncharacteristically captured at the hospital by Special Agent Naomi Templeton and a massive cadre of agents and police, as he attempts to reconnect with MIa, as she has just emerged from a lengthy coma. Rather than interrogate or execute him, Evan is surprised when the POTUS makes another offer to reinstate his pardon if he accepts a new assignment. He is to assassinate a man named Luke Devine. A billionaire who has attained an unprecedented degree of power and influence, and has proved to be a master-manipulator, even extending to several Senators. Apparently he is a direct obstacle in the POTUS’s ongoing agenda to implement a trillion-dollar environmental bill. He is told that this a direct threat to national security and the nation’s health and survival. (Not to mention her re-election). He insists that he must thoroughly investigate the man before he agrees to once again become an operative of the government. Does this target align with his core beliefs? Will he abandon his beliefs to regain his pardon? The government is hesitant of accepting his conditions. While the situation is in limbo, Evan is rescued and escapes this maximum detention situation by none other than his ally, and beloved character from previous books, the gorgeous Orphan V, aka “Candy.” Evan is under 24/7 surveillance, while being shackled at the wrist, zip-tied behind his back, and wearing an explosive-type ankle bracelet. The shenanigans and ensuing cinematic exploits of his rescue is alone worth the price of admission. Now, on his own with the help of a few of his friends, he is able to fully investigate Devine, and decide if he deserves elimination.

As the investigation unfolds, Hurwitz is able to reprise the roles of many of his beloved multi-layered characters. He is aided not only by Candy, but by Joey, her dog, “Dog”, and Tommy.

Joey is a welcome reprise and a fan favorite. Now, seventeen-years old, this feisty, smart aleck, is the smartest hacker Evan has ever known. A wash-out from the Orphan program, Evan has befriended and guided her, assuming an Uncle-like role. “Dog” is her tag-along pet that frequently provides comedy relief. Tommy, the somewhat loquacious armorer, can supply and outfit Evan with anything and everything in the manner of vehicles and weapons necessary for the “job.” In the course of his investigation into the life of Devine he uncovers details of a brutal murder of two young innocents, tangentially connected to Devine. This allows Evan to step back into the role of The Nowhere Man, and provides a second storyline. Eventually the two storylines will merge and intertwine into unexpected consequences.

Hurwitz proves to be a master storyteller as he uncouples this riveting barnburner of a thriller. This tale is exquisitely plotted with unexpected twists and deceptions, laced with cinematic fight scenes, brimming with violence and suspense. Each sequential episode of Orphan X reveals the emotional growth in this complicated and flawed man. This eighth installment can certainly be enjoyed and devoured as a standalone, but will force the reader to quench their thirst with the previous novels. Personally , I switched back and forth between reading the book and listening to the audio… but the last half I couldn’t tear myself away from the audio, narrated by the amazing Scott Brick. Scott is a multi-award winning narrator of over 800 books, with a background as an actor, and writer. His wonderful voice inflections brought the multiple characters to life in the “theatre of my mind” …. he is a natural storyteller with a mesmerizing quality that reflects the ongoing emotion and passion of the tale.

Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for supplying an Uncorrected Proof and an Advance Audio version in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 14%. I started and stopped this book so many times. I was having a hard time getting into it. Not sure exactly what it was since I really liked the synopsis of the book. I may try and pick up a paper copy of it and read it on my own.
I listened to the book at various speeds but it didn't help. Overall there was nothing wrong with the narration or the narrators voice but something kept irritating me and I'm not sure what it was.