WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!
I'm not one to give out many 5 star reviews, but this one definitely deserves it!

I believe this is the first I've read from this author, at least it is the first in this series, but it does not need to be read in order....

Evan Smoak is known as "The Nowhere Man".
Apparently, he worked for the government in the past as a sniper/assassin...and was very good at what he did.
But, he has since gone underground, and now only works for those who cannot take care of themselves...those who have lost hope...those who are going to be killed.

BUT...this assignment is a little bit different.
You see, he gets a phone call from a little girl who has lost her dog. 😕🐾❤️
And she is shattered.

As he investigates the lost dog, he stumbles on to something MUCH, MUCH BIGGER.
As a matter of fact, this might be his biggest case yet.
It involves AI...and people are being singled out...and deleted!

I'm going to stop there, before I give anything away...but let me say that this is the very beginning of the book...and there is a WHOLE LOT MORE going on here...

I LOVE his sidekick Joey....and what she does, well, definitely brought a tear to my eyes...

And I love that the main person he is going against, is so similar in skills to him...makes for an interesting storyline.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which was just released yesterday! (2/13/24)

#LoneWolf by #GreggHurwitz with an astonishing narration by #ScottBrick (so good that I had to look up who it was, and realized that he has done some Nelson DeMille, John Grisham, Erik Larson, Michael Connelly and Tom Clancy books, to name a few...)

5+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me!

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club @ Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading!📚⭐️📖

Lone Wolf (An Orphan X novel) AUDIO by Gregg Hurwitz. Orphan X, whose real name is Evan Smoak, is a trained assassin. He was trained by one of the agencies of the US government but has been allowed to resign and operate on his own. He is known as the Nowhere Man and is contacted by people who need help. His clients come to him strictly by word of mouth. He has a cohort, partner if you will, a seventeen-year-old woman named Joey (Josephine in times of severe aggravation) who is a hacker extraordinaire. He is OCD to the max and lives a very regimented life. Joey is the opposite and she has moved in with him to handle this case. It should have been simple: a lost dog. The lost dog of his half-brother’s daughter, Sofia. Her father had told her Evan could do anything and given her his phone number. His carefully build walls were beginning to show cracks and she was one. He could not say no to her. Locating the dog had been easy for Joey but when X had gone in to retrieve it, he found himself in the midst of a double assassination. The target was dead but his seventeen-year-old daughter was on her way up in the elevator at this moment. She saw the assassin’s face and so signed her own death warrant. X was able to save her with emergency surgery but so began a horrendous police chase, which, thankfully, he escaped.

I read this book as a scathing condemnation of AI: Artificial Intelligence. It showed both good and bad but clearly showed how even good men could be hypnotized by it and succumb to its power. It was frightening to behold. It couldn’t stop X from righting the wrongs perpetrated by these men and this power. The dog escaped in the middle of the police chase and so was still at large and Sofia’s faith was being sorely tested. I love Orphan X. I hate violence. I hate chase scenes. This novel puts those things into perspective and also presents will a good story, excellent plotting, and interesting characters, even the bad guys. This is the third Orphan X novel I have read and I am more enthralled than ever. Seemingly bad guys who are really good guys. What a theme!

Scott Brick is an exceptional narrator and perfect for Evan Smoke’s story. His voice resonates with the insecurities Evan deals with as well as his high tech and violent life. A perfect fit!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Lone Wolf (An Orphan X novel) by St Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #GreggHurwitz #LoneWolf

Evan Smoak, once a black ops assassin, is now a person who helps anyone in trouble. But this mission is not like any other he has ever taken part in. He is helping to find a dog. You heard me, a lost dog. But this dog leads to an unusual murder and Evan may have finally met his match with this assassin.

Orphan X is truly one of the best characters on the market. He is a cross between Jack Reacher and Batman.

I loved finding out about Evan’s family in this one and how it affected him! Makes me see a whole new side of this character!

Now, this is part of a series. I have read them all. They are stand alone. However, this one did not really explain his past. And it is a good, strange, weird past. So, read this but go back and pick up all of them. You won’t be sorry!

I just love Orphan X. And there cannot be a better narrator than Scott Brick. He is the best ever! He makes Orphan X come alive.

Need a great, action packed series…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Lone Wolf
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wasn't aware that this was #9 in a series. Now I have to go start at #1. Wow what a Roller Coaster ride. A little scary at times & TOTAL suspenseful! I can't wait to read all of the series! It was GREAT!
Thank you NetGallery

Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, was trained by Jack - his handler and mentor. Ever since he was trained as an assassin, Jack became Evan's father figure. Evan was constantly trying to use his skills and keeping with the Ten Commandments that Jack handed down to him. This made it certain for him to stay in harmony with the job and his own moral compass while in the Orphan Program, which was designed to stop sex traffickers, domestic abusers and other equally vile characters.

If you are a fan of movies like The Bourne Identity, then you will truly love this book and the entire series. I definitely would recommend going into your online library or Audible, and getting each and every book which I will list below.

At some point, Evan left the program and came to be known as The Nowhere Man. He is in a race for survival. One thing Evan hopes for at this point in his life is to find his biological father. But, there is an assassin taking lives, and Evan, along with Joey, his computer genius, he works hard to find the female assassin. Joey is a young college kid who consistently messes with Smoak’s need for order, but Evan cannot deny how brilliant she is.

As Evan hunts the assassin, he realizes that her skills match his. Thus, there is incredible action in this audiobook. My heart was racing every single minute of this read.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Little Joey has lost her dog. Evan is such a pushover for her. But a simple case of a lost dog? NEVER! This simple case leads to a huge life threatening thriller!!

My favorite Orphan X yet! Number 9! This has high octane action! Humor! Mystery! It’s everything you could want in a story! Audio is impeccable!

You don’t need to read the prior 8 stories but you will want to when you’re done if you haven’t!

Available 2/13/2024.

I requested this book and didn’t realize it was part of a series so there was a steep learning curve and a sense that I was missing some big details.

However, I very much enjoyed the book once I figured out some history. This book definitely made me want to go back and read the previous books!

It was action packed, heart pounding and suspenseful. Everything I love in a book. There were even some funny moments mixed in.

I definitely recommend this book (but read the rest of the series first!)

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the alc in exchange for an honest review.

Lone Wolf is my favorite book in the series so far. There are a lot of scenes that give me a wide range of feelings from beginning to end.
First, In the past, we get glimpses into Evan Smoak’s heart and humanity but not too much of his personal history. He is, first and foremost, a former Orphan who was groomed to be a heartless assassin. In this book, X has much to deal with in his personal life and his mission.
I love that the mission starts with a request from a young girl to find a dog. X didn’t want the job, but he was moved by the young girl. He tracked the dog to a townhouse and found a murdered AI guru. The discovery started another mission that often collides with the original dog search. He deals with the personal pain of his clients.

I love Joey. She made me laugh throughout the book. She rubs X's OCD to a fever pitch. X is working through a lot of personal stuff that forces him to deal with more personal “stuff,” even with Tommy. Also, I loved the unexpected personal liaison. I'm still hopeful about his previous paramour, but I understand his decisions.

The paid assassin is a good match for X. high-tension situations had me on the edge of my seat. I often thought about many of the AI / Social network issues discussed with the AI bigwigs. It is scary because of how realistic it could be.
All the above worked together perfectly. In addition, there were good tears at the end. And that epilogue. I don't know what that means for the next book, but whatever it is --I loved it all.

The narrator, Scott Brick, is excellent. He has worked his magic from the first book in the series. I love his interpretation of the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Brick pulls the perfect emotion from me, depending on the scene and character. I laughed out loud with Joey and the residents of Evan’s condo. Tommy gave me a sad laugh, more at Evan than Tommy. I cry when there are tragic situations, and he moves me to a level of anxiety that I didn’t expect.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Evan/Orphan X and Gregg Hurwitz are the best. I love how Gregg is unraveling Evan's past and future as he explores the depths of his psyche. The monster becomes human. The grinch's heart grows. All of this wrapped up in the most exciting, innovative, and brutal series out there. And with that fantastic narration. It doesn't get better than this for thriller and audio fans.

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.

This is the 9th and newest entry in the Orphan X series. I enjoy these novels for the escapist thriller reading experience.

Evan Smoak is an enjoyable manly man in the vein of James Bourne and Jason Bourne. I do feel like this series might best appeal to a male thriller audience, but in the right place, I can enjoy these kinds of stories.

I liked that this particular novel felt a bit more of a departure from the previous novel format. Still, at its core, it was an exciting action adventure. I honestly enjoy the brand name dropping as much as the actual plot.

I would recommend this one to readers looking for an escapist read. It's likely best to read some of the earlier books in the series in order to fully appreciate the character development in this one.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

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 am an avid reader of the Orphan X series. This was one of my favorites yet. This book brings back characters from the past thus tying all of the books together. Gregg Hurwitz has done it again! He is able to explain the thoughts of a trained assassin that wants to do the right thing, his young computer science whiz protégé, Joey and his arms dealer friend Tommy Stowjack.

In this installment of Orphan X, Evan Smoak, unwittingly stumbles across a case while trying to help his brother. In the process he must save a life against a lethal assassin almost better than the likes of him or Candy McClure. This causes a chain reaction that leads Evan through a high-octane man hunt with the police hot on his trail. Evan must rely on Joey, Tommy and many of his contacts from the past.

The character development in this book made me feel so much more compassion for a man like Evan Smoak. He is going through a lot of turmoil. His feelings are coming up more frequently and he is trying to rely on the 10 commandments that were drilled into his head as a child in training. He seems to be overwhelmed in trying to help Joey, who is trying to fit into society, trying to understand his brother and his family while protecting the people who need his help. But through it all we really see what type of stuff Evan is made of. Will he be able to save his new client? Will he be better at his job than the new assassin? It is like a game of cat and mouse. Who will be deemed the best assassin?

New depths to Joey's desire to be more "normal" and how she relates to the world are laid out. In Evan's perception she is growing into a great young woman. (Although my opinion was not asked, I agree). Her intelligence is amazing, and she is doing well in navigating a world that does not always make sense.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I highly recommend it. I I believe this is one of the best Orphan X books in the series. I can't wait to read more. I hope Gregg Hurwitz keeps the books coming. And always uses Scott Brick as the narrator. He is amazing and makes me feel each character and understand their inner thoughts with the emotions he puts into the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to the book in advance of publication.

This ninth installment of the beloved Orphan X series came at the perfect time for a long his and hers road-trip. Evan Smoak once again picks up his roam phone to help someone in need - this time it’s to help a young girl find her dog. Definitely not a typical assignment for this former black book government assassin, but it takes no time to deviate into life and death circumstances. As Evan’s mission takes a hard turn, we are introduced to another rogue “fixer” who may just have a competing and dangerous skill set to match Orphan X’s.

The reemergence of my favorite characters Joey and Tommy, sent this well crafted plot into motion, and the roller coaster nature of the story had me hanging on until the final page. An additional twist at the eleventh hour led to actual shrieks in our car! Introducing corporate criminals and artificial intelligence modernizes
the classic tale with a disturbing and foreboding spin, keeping the series fresh and intelligent. Lone Wolf could definitely be read as a stand alone, but once again I’ll suggest that readers explore Mr. Hurwitz’s backlist. I am continually drawn to the audio format, as award winning performer Scott Brick is, and will always be, the outstanding voice of X!

Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the early copy in exchange for my honest review!

Another fantastic entry in the Orphan X series that does not disappoint! After an alcohol-fueled downward spiral following an encounter with his long-lost father, Evan receives a call from his brother's daughter about her lost dog. Begrudgingly taking on the job of the dog's retrieval, The Nowhere Man is forced to return to the basics. Little does he know that this "simple" task will turn into an explosive confrontation with AI technocrat billionaires, hellbent on making their mark on the world (for better or for worse), and with an assassin as equally talented as himself.

As with previous entries in this series, Lone Wolf hits all the right notes and it gave me all the feels! The slow and methodical breakdown of Smoak from ruthless assassin to (potential) father figure to Joey made me remember what I love about these books, that is, the characters. I really enjoyed Joey's persistent sarcasm (which made me laugh out loud), tempered by her yearning to have something that resembles a family and friends; the silenced victim who relies on Evan's skills for protection and who brings out even more of his humanity; even the ugly dog that Smoak risks life and limb to save for his brother's daughter made me guffaw at least once! Every character served a purpose and made me further get attached to The Nowhere Man at the series' heart.

The inclusion of the AI technocrat billionaires (a là Elon Musk, to some extent) rang all too true and really drove home the severity of unchecked artificial intelligence, making Lone Wolf a somewhat worrisome warning about the downsides of the technological advances of our age. This type of "ripped from the headlines" plot really heightened the thrill, action, and suspense of the book, in my opinion, and helped elevate it to my favorite in the series so far.

Special thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC copy of this book!

I jumped into this one blind and not knowing it was part of the series. I will absolutely go back and visit Evan on his previous adventures. Lone Wolf held the most exciting and harrowing action sequences that I have ever been exposed to. This story would make for a fabulous movie that viewers would be hard pressed to leave their seats for popcorn. Luckily it is available on audio and I was blessed with the narrated version by NetGalley for an honest review. There were so many feelings to be explored in Evan and I am eager to see what past and future Evan is like.

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!

An addictive, fast-paced listen that blends humor, vulnerability, and high-stakes thrills. Scott Brick's brilliant narration brings Evan Smoak's world to life. From a quirky mission involving a missing dog to Evan's most significant challenge against the formidable Lone Wolf, every moment is gripping. Together the author and narrator, elevate the story and make this a a must-listen for thriller fans.

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 love this series.  Filled with humor and action Hurwitz really packs it in.  I believe this is the 9th book in the series. As X ages he becomes more introspective and starts thinking about his life and his own mortality.  He was trained to kill and not to feel but his trainer helped to preserve his humanity.

Now X finds himself outside his comfort zone taking on the case of a missing dog for his niece.  Family and showing emotions is difficult for X. The missing dog leads to corporate espionage, AI, and a scary look at the future. Once again Joey brings the humor as X's surrogate teenage daughter who is dealing with her own issues of fitting in.  @thescottbrick once again kills it with his narration, really bringing the characters to life with his different voices. 

Could be read as a stand-a-lone but I wouldn't recommend it as each book builds the characters personalities. These are fun action packed books.  This one drops February 13, 2024.