Orphan X finds his match.
Who will get the upper-hand Evan or the other assassin?
Against his better judgment, Evan gets roped into looking for a lost dog. Not his normal job but how can he say no to a teary-eyed child?
This becomes a twisted tail that keeps you on the edge of your seat, will Evan survive?
It was nice to see Evan grudgingly accepting and trying to deal with his feelings for the recently found family that up till then he did not know existed. A brother that drinks too much, his ex-wife and the darling niece that can put a guilt trip on him with no ends.
This is the ninth book in the series, and I have read most of them. Loved them all but this one is unique with the family situation. Evan and Joey (the computer whiz that has often helped Evan out of hot spots) both are delving deeper into their emotions, not an easy task, trained in the orphan program and besides that, Joey is a teenager.

Lone Wolf is the 9th in this excellent series.Evan is a strong character who comes alive in each book and keeps me turning the pages in anticipation of his adventures.Im already looking forward to next in the series.#netgalley #randomhouse

It took me a little while to get into this story, but I think a large part of that is due to this being the first book I've read in this series. There were many things that I loved - a strong male character who has a guiding set of rules, lots of action, twisty turns throughout the story that keep you guessing as to who the bad guy is, a worthy opponent, and some humor.

My observation is that Evan sees himself as a loner who avoids personal relationships and therefore drama. However, as is seen throughout this story, he not only has friends, but he has a much deeper connection with Joey than what he admits to himself. I'm going to enjoy going back and reading the rest of this series to see the progression in their relationship and in Evan.

I have been provided with a review copy of Lone Wolf from NetGalley for an impartial review. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Lone Wolf is the 9th book in the Orphan X series. If you are looking for a fun, action-packed thriller, this series is it. I love Evan Smoak/The Nowhere Man/Orphan X's character. It's great watching his character evolve with his human emotions. He got wasted and passed out. He goes searching for his niece's missing dog. This never would have happened in the beginning of the series. Great story and fast-paced. Always entertaining. Can't wait for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Gregg Andrew Hurwitz for an ARC of Lone Wolf in exchange of an honest review.

Gregg Hurwitz's Lone Wolf is the Ninth installment in the authors' Orphan X series. The story begins with Evan Smoak aka Orphan X aka The Nowhere Man searching Texas for his so-called biological father thanks to information that was passed to him by Joey Morales. A father who was once a Rodeo Cowboy. Evan finally meets him and Evan’s reaction to his bio dad is going on a bender that has Joey and Tommy Slojack (Evan’s weapons supplier) worried about him. Especially since Evan never leaves his phone behind.

From there, the story twists to a female assassin who is nicknamed The Wolf. She appears to be killing some important people for reasons only she knows, and she might be the one person who can push Evan to the limits of his abilities. Evan has made it his mission to help the people who need it the most. And, the person who apparently needs help just happens to be the daughter of Evan's 1/2 brother Adrian who spent time in the same orphanage.

Sophia, whom he has never met, claims that her dog Loco ran away, and since Evan helps people, well, why can't he help her find her dog? Joey is a computer whiz who can hack into any computer or CCTV camera anywhere, and with Joey's help, Evan discovers where he might find Loco. In the process of locating Loco, Evan comes across a murder scene and an assassin that Evan ends up referring to as the Wolf. This woman appears to be just as good as an assassin as Evan.

Thanks to his quick action, and thinking, Evan saves Jayla Hill, the daughter of Dr. Benjamin Hill who apparently was a big deal in the tech sector when it comes to Artificial Intelligence. Evan quickly learns that Karissa (aka The Wolf) may be as dangerous as he is, and definitely in the same category as Cindy McClure. Unfortunately, he soon becomes the target of a colossal manhunt by the LAPD who thinks he is the Wolf. This is by far the most action-packed part of the entire story, but Evan's fight with the Wolf is just getting started.

If you have read any book in this series, you know that Evan lives by Jack's Ten Commandments. One of those is, "How you do anything, is how you do everything," and "Do not let anything become personal." For Evan, Sophia is personal because her father is struggling to survive. For Evan, Joey is personal because she is struggling to fit in at college and wants to rush to a sorority and doesn't know what she really wants to do with her life. Joey and Evan are totally different, yet their banter is rather enlightening. Joey is also a total slob, and I am not afraid to say so which pushes Evan's OCD to the limits.

Meanwhile, Jayla Hill learns that her larynx was crushed by the Wolf, and she can no longer sing. Singing and dancing is her entire life. Evan makes it his mission to make sure that she is protected and that he discovers who hired the Wolf to take out her father, and others who seemingly have also been eliminated. The only way to get to the bottom of the mystery is to ask for help from a certain billionaire who owes Evan, and Melinda Truong who has helped Evan throughout this series. Including finding the identity of the Wolf, and her supplier. Full stop.

*Thoughts* The thing that keeps me coming back time and time again to read this series is the author never bores us with what is happening around Evan. From learning about how really dangerous AI can truly be, to finding out that his friend may or may not be who he thought he was, to the chaos of Castle Heights, and the fight to see who is going to be head of the HOA. Joey's life is getting twisted and interesting all at the same time, and I can't wait to see what happens next. The part of the story surrounding AI really got under my skin. I really am worried for the history of mankind when AI has basically no restraint as to what it is capable of. I don't think the people behind AI understand what damage they are likely causing when machines are doing everything including delivering our groceries, and medicine, to taking our orders at local restaurants.

*4.5 stars rounded up. A thoroughly enjoyable addition to the Orphan X series finds Evan Smoak pitted against a beautiful and deadly assassin. As usual there's exciting action, a nice touch of humor and this time around, some thought-provoking involvement with social media and AI. 'The future's gonna be amazing. Don't let anyone scare you into thinking otherwise.'

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

The Orphan X series just keeps getting better!

Orphan X, aka Evan Smoak, is a trained assassin. Plucked from an orphanage at a young age, X is taught discipline through “Commandments”. Smoak no longer deals death on contract, he moonlights as the Nowhere Man. A simple call made to the Nowhere Man can help you solve even the most difficult of problems. In Lone Wolf, Smoak continues to explore his “personal” side in handling relationships with his young protege, Joey and his newly discovered family. A mission to find a lost dog results in a race to stay one step ahead of another assassin and new technology that could have detrimental effects on society. Highly recommend this series!

Another wild ride with Evan. Everyone around him is having strong emotions and he doesn't know what to do about that, so he tries to ignore it. Evan gets a call from a little girl, his niece, that her dog is missing. He does not do lost dogs, but he doesn't want to disappoint her. When he is looking for the dog, he comes upon a man who has just been assassinated and the assassin is after the man's daughter. Evan will not let that happen. It becomes a cat and mouse game with the assassin. Who is better, Evan or the assassin?

The ninth in the Orphan X series is out! This was a good update to the series -- it doesn't necessarily do anything groundbreaking but if you've been following this series you know what to expect and this delivers. It has exciting shoot-outs, some funny moments, great banter between Evan and Joey, and some preaching about the life lessons Evan is learning.
*
I liked how this started -- this isn't about a massive conspiracy, or a drug cartel, Evan was "hired" to find a little girl's missing dog. That of course leads to a lot more drama, but it's still much more small-scale than what he's dealt with before.
*
I also liked the latest development with Joey. She's a great character and keeps getting better.
*
I also want to say I liked the ending and how it's setting up what's to come next...but I said that about the last book, and the thing it set up ended up mattering for about 3 pages, so *shrug* we'll see.
*
If you've been following this series, you should enjoy this!

A terrific addition to the series that sees growth in both Evan and Joey, the Orphans who have turned their assassin training (at least in Evan's case) to good, in this case initially to find an ugly little dog. Evan's hunt for Loco inadvertently leads him into the path of Wolf, a ruthless killer and now he's turning the tables to find her, especially to protect a young victim who saw her face. As always this is graphically violent in spots (and I admit to skimming some of the fight scenes) and it's as topical as can be with regard to the villain behind the Wolf. But it's also got a big heart - Joey is navigating college life, Evan the discovery of family, and there's Loco. There are other terrific characters who both help and hinder Evan and Joey. This deserves to be read without spoilers- but know that there's a real wow for Evan. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a page turner I thoroughly enjoyed.

Book Review
Lone Wolf
Gregg Hurwitz
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


Thank God he’s back! Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, returns for a highly anticipated ninth high-octane, breakneck-paced thriller — even though the previous book from 2023 was titled The Last Orphan. Reading an Orphan X tale is truly a guilty pleasure, akin to eating dessert before dinner.

Evan isn’t a superhero but rather a cross between James Bond and Robin Hood. He’s a highly skilled assassin, but with a moral compass and a highly honed desire to retain his humanity.

Evan was a twelve-year-old boy, rescued from the projects of East Baltimore, only 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 with unparalleled abilities that were both deniable and expendable. Each was 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 — 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 of the 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 to his enemies as The Nowhere Man, remaining on call 24/7 for the unfortunates, awaiting a 1-855-2-NOWHERE call on his high-tech, untraceable, and indestructible RoamZone phone, answering the pleas of the helpless and innocents caught in ruthless situations.

Evan is thrust into an untenable situation as he chases down his “possible” father after his protégé Joey uncovers his possible identity in a small town, Blessing, Texas — only to leave severely disappointed and disgusted with this “zero” of a human being. He would have to settle with the knowledge that he did actually have a half-brother, Andre, whom he accidentally encountered in one of the group homes.

While Evan is coming to terms with his ill-fated adventure seeking out his roots, the RoamZone goes off. He answers to a hysterical girl’s voice bleating something about her missing beloved dog, Loco, and her father insists that Evan can do and find anything. He soon realizes that he is talking to Sofia, his half-brother’s daughter — and “his niece.” While he reluctantly embarks on this seemingly mundane quest to find Loco, there is an assassin as adept as Evan, plying her trade by providing “accidental deaths” to fulfill her contracts. Without breaking a sweat, Karissa Lopatina drowns a software engineering manager, Anwuli Okonkwo, in her bathtub, and then kills AI expert Dr. Benjamin Hill. Loco has somehow been found by Dr. Hill and is living in his apartment. Evan tracks the dog down to Dr. Hill’s residence and comes upon the murder scene — while Karissa is still ransacking the apartment in search of something. Dr. Hill’s teenage daughter arrives on the scene, and Evan intervenes to save her life, allowing “The Wolf” to escape. Ultimately, this mundane dog-finding adventure explodes into an exponentially expanding mission pitting the mind and guile of Evan against AI technocrat billionaires and the mysterious and adept female assassin. The Wolf will return to eliminate loose ends — the daughter and even Orphan X.

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 tale of Orphan X reveals the emotional growth in this complicated and flawed man. This ninth installment can certainly be enjoyed and devoured as a standalone, as Hurwitz seamlessly supplies any necessary backstory. Be warned, fellow reader — you will be forced to quench your thirst and gobble up the previous novels.

Personally, I switched back and forth between reading on my Kindle and listening to the audio, but for 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 also is a natural storyteller with a mesmerizing quality that reflects the ongoing emotion and passion of the book.

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

I cannot say it enough, once again, another top notch book in this series, I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be recommending same to all of my students. They too should all be purchasing copies of this title, adding it to their Orphan X series collection(s). A sincere thank you goes to Mr. Hurwitz for giving his Orphan X fans another great release. My thanks also goes to NetGalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Took me on a twisty tale that provided thought provoking moments, feels and a jaw drop ending. It has taken me a while to do a review as I got stuck on the last sentence and couldn't get past. I have not read every book in this series and I was not lost. I think reading the series in order would provide deeper feels for the other characters that have been in the series and continue on, as well as providing the ability to see the growth and understand what happens to Evan with family. Lone Wolf sucked me in and kept me engrossed till it spit out the last sentence. OMW, yes still stuck on that! I am anticipating and dreading the next book. Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions! #LoneWolf #OrphanX #GreggHurwitz #StMartinsPress #Min0taurBooks # NetGalley

As we learn more and more about Orphan X, we find that there are reasons for his rigid demeanor and no-nonsense personality. In this book, we meet family of the nowhere man, with all their scars and destructive behaviors. It helps to understand Evan Smoak much better. Meanwhile, he is busy saving lives and restoring equilibrium.
The characters, writing and plot are all that avid readers of Gregg Hurwitz expect. As Evan discovers more about himself, he beings to accept the nature of his personality.

I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

Every book in this series makes me love the characters more and more! Even the ones I didn't expect to like I now look forward to seeing on the page. And I can't tell you how much I love that despite all of Evans's training, and the commandments he follows, and really despite himself as well he has started making allies, and some of those allies are becoming friends who even might see (when he actually takes a good look) GASP! as some strange family. One he didn't want, and certainly never asked for, but for better or worse they are connected and I get a kick out of it every time one of them puts Evan in a weird situation he has no idea how to deal with.

This installment in particular has a bit more humor and there is this one scene (I won't spoil it but you'll know when you get there) that has Joey teasing him relentlessly and may have given me a laugh or two. At the beginning of this book Evan is confronting something from his past, and it puts him in a downward spiral, to get him back in his groove he starts small... in the case of the missing Loco. which leads him down a rabbit hole of murdered people, and the assassin who killed them. Someone who is at the very least just as good as Evan.

This kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, full of amazing action-packed scenes, and I never knew what was going to happen next. I love this series and can't wait to see who Evan is going to be helping next, with the help of Joey and Dog. Also, I was able to read a short story titled The Recital which had me laughing out loud and was super heartwarming! If any of this sounds good to you I highly recommend checking this series out!!

A continuation in an ongoing loved series that was action packed, very funny and fast paced. This book felt strong compared to the last few in the series, even though the last ones were amazing as well!

Lone Wolf (An Orphan X Novel) by Gregg Hurwitz
Narrated by Scott Brick
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: February 13, 2024

Lone Wolf is the 9th book in the Orphan X Novel series by Gregg Hurwitz. I have not read the previous books yet (and I will be correcting that soon!) and was able to enjoy this as a standalone mystery.

Wow! Just wow!!! I don’t even know where to start. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book and I found it was even more than I could have hoped for. I now understand the hype around this series!

The author has created such depth in his characters. I really like Evan and found him to be fascinating. The storyline was amazing and well crafted. There was so much depth to uncover and it kept me so engaged.

I highly recommend Lone Wolf!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

TW: Pussycat Dolls

Poor Evan. No, poor Kay! After finishing the upcoming Orphan X #9, Lone Wolf two days ago, "Don't Cha" is still stuck in my head. 🎶🙅‍♀️🙉

Help!

How are the most lethal and legendary assassin and "Don't Cha" related? You'll have to read to find out! 🤣

Orphan X is such a solid series. I don't think Hurwitz can mess up a story with X in it. Lone Wolf follows the same format as Evan Smoak or X or The Nowhere Man gets a call from someone who desperately needs his help.

The girl has no one to turn to so she calls "the legend". Not a kidnapping, not a drug lord, not another assassin, but a girl who lost her dog. Oh my gosh, this cracks me up. X couldn't believe it either and this is such a great intro as it leads to a more sinister plotline.

I like that I didn't have to wait long for my favorite supporting character, Tommy to show up. He's an associate, X's trusted armory source. Also, we get into more of Evan's sub-story. Am I the only person who doesn't want him to be too "human"?

There's a lot of humor in this one. I haven't laughed this hard reading an action thriller with a former assassin dealing with dogs and a teenager like Joey who constantly pushes his OCD button.
This was a smooth ride to the finish line after an intense finale but my gosh, Hurwitz did it again with a jaw-dropping ending.😲

I read and listened to this terrific installment and you can't go wrong with either reading or listening to Scott Brick. Thank you Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for my advance review copies.
9/10 ~ 4.5⭐

I was surprised to learn that a new Orphan X novel was on its way given that the eighth novel — 2023’s The Last Orphan — ended on a rather definitive note, with former assassin Evan Smoak arriving at a major crossroads in his life. (That, and it was literally titled The Last Orphan.) And now that I’ve read Lone Wolf, I find myself wishing that The Last Orphan had, indeed, been the final Orphan X title.

At their best, Gregg Hurwitz’s novels are thoroughly engaging thrillers that find Smoak employing his considerable skills to survive all kinds of crazy, high stakes situations in order to help desperate people in need and confront his bloody past. (In the case of Lone Wolf, a seemingly silly mission to find a lost dog quickly goes sideways, sending Smoak on a collision course with another, equally deadly assassin and a Silicon Valley nightmare.) The last few Orphan X novels have really put him through the wringer, though, as he tries to reclaim his humanity amidst his deadly activities and the trauma of his youth.

I appreciate Hurwitz’s desire to invest Smoak with depth and nuance, to write him as something more conflicted than just a ruthless, emotionless killer. That was, in fact, the very quality that drew me to the series in the first place. But the last few novels don’t feel as well-balanced as their predecessors did. Lone Wolf suffers from the same flaws as The Last Orphan. Specifically, long, overwrought passages during which Smoak philosophizes on existence, especially when confronted by the rise of AI and related technologies, and agonizes over his place in the world, his family past, growing older, and the politics of his HOA. (No, really.)

Ironically, the more humanity Smoak reclaims, the less interesting he becomes as a character. Sometimes, you really do just want to read about a deadly super-assassin dispatching terrible people, be they human traffickers or amoral tech CEOs (for what it’s worth, Hurwitz really seems to have it out for the latter), without having to wade through so much psychological baggage.

Lone Wolf ends with a revelation that totally sets up a tenth Orphan X novel, which I’ll probably read because I’m so invested in the series. But after the turns taken by The Last Orphan and now Lone Wolf, I’m no longer expecting as much as I once did.