My three favorite books in the series are Orphan X, Hellbent, and The Dark Horse. I've read them all. NEMESIS is a great addition to one of the best series out there. A little more emotional depth from Evan and Joey, and I really liked getting to know Tommy Stojack better. The conflict was compelling and Evan has a genuine moral crisis. (So does Joey, on a different level.) Scott Brick IS Evan Smoak to me. One of the best narrators out there, and one of the few male narrators whose female voices don't irritate me.

A+ addition to the Orphan X series! This action packed thriller, will your excitement high. This audiobook narration was amazing!!

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!!

Another terrific one from Gregg Hurwitz!! NEMESIS. ORPHAN X. NUMBER 10!

If you’re not familiar with his writing, I’m going to say his stuff is similar to the Jack Reacher Books… you know, the ones where you’re holding your breath while you’re reading it! Or…biting your nails/cuticles! Or, huffing out little curses under your breath because you CAN’T BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED!! And…. Your heart ❤️ is RACING !!!! And… you cannot put the book down…. That type of book!
Do I have your interest yet??

Evan is Orphan X, aka The Nowhere Man. Because, no one ever sees him coming…until it’s too late!
Evan was trained to be one of the very best assassins! But, he’s gone rogue, and now lives by his own set of rules/beliefs…The Ten Commandments.
He has a very small circle of friends, as there are not many people he can trust in his line of work… One is Tommy… he’s a older guy who’s a terrific gunsmith, and is gifted at making clothing that make you invisible..and pretty much invincible!
Then there’s Joey (Josephine). She’s 17, a college student, and has her own attributes and problems. And…she’s 17! 🙄😬

We open up with Evan, almost getting killed, at Tommy’s abode! 😮😮🤔😮😮

What does this mean? Well, in Evans mind… All. Out. War!

At the same time, we have Tommy, getting an urgent plea from a dead friend’s son for HELP! So he heads out there to help him and his friends….and, well, he’s entering into a whole sh*tstorm of a mess!! (Personally, I think Tommy’s not sure if he wants to help the kid, or kill all of them himself!)

And, this is just the beginning!
In typical Hurwitz style, you will be GLUED to every page!
And, he kind of does a deep dive into both Joey and Evan… And in the end, you will know a lot more about each of them, and you may even decide that they DO have hearts underneath the gruff exteriors!!! (But don’t hold your breath…I think it might just be a fluke!! ) 🤪😂

This is book #10 of the series! You can read it as a standalone, but I’d advise you to read a couple of them, just so you have an idea of what’s going on!

#Nemesis by #GreggHurwitz. Breathtakingly narrated by none other than #ScottBrick!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook.
**** THE RELEASE DATE IS FEBRUARY 11, a few days from now! ****
***** So, LOOK 👀 FOR IT THEN!! *****

5+++ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨ for me!!

As for me… You can always find my reviews on: Goodreads.
Insta: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Nemesis is the latest installment in the Orphan X Series. This book starts right where the last one left off. Evan Smoak AKA The No Where Man or Orphan X found out that his best friend Tommy Stojack sold weapons to the assassin, The Wolf. This is a hard pill for Evan to swallow considering that The Wolf nearly killed him and a teenage girl. Evan is left to his thoughts and he is not sure what to do with the feelings of betrayal. Now Evan and Tommy need to figure out where their relationship will go or if they will become mortal enemies.

Evan needs to do soul searching because he feels like he does not know his best friend anymore and if he does not truly know him then what does he really know? He is also in another argument with Joey, so he is trying to maintain his feelings and keep them in check while also being a good guardian to Joey. Joey is still trying to find herself. There is so much to emotionally handle for both Tommy, Evan and Joey and a resolution does not seem close.

But matters only seem to. be getting worse Tommy is called to help out a family friend. Evan is right behind in hopes to resolve the ever growing distance and anger between him and Tommy. As Tommy and Evan come together a mission pops up right in the middle that can bring them to blows. Will Tommy and Evan be able to resolve their problems? Will The No Where Man need to help an innocent even at the expense of his relationship with Tommy?

Nemesis (Book 10 of Orphan X series) was so full of raw emotion. I loved seeing the evolution of Tommy, Evan and Joey. They all mature, learn, and love each to the best of their ability. Nemesis was full of action, but had so much real life drama in it that I felt every emotion right along with Tommy, Evan and Joey. I could see how each character thinks, feels, how they are connected and what their souls need. Gregg Hurwitz did an amazing job on this book. I am so looking forward to the next installment because I know there are so many more stories to tell about this rag tag crew. And I never want this series to end. I rate this a 4.5.

Thanks to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for allowing me to listen to an ARC of Nemesis. My comments are my own.

Excellent addition to the Orphan X series! If you’re looking for a good action packed thriller, that will your anxiety high, this is it! Evan is placed between and rock and hard place, as he & Tommy’s friendship is tested beyond measures . He never imagined his long time confidant and friend being on the receiving end of his wrath, but we all know how serious Evan takes his “Ten Commandments.” As they battle in an ole fashion game of cat and mouse, loyalties are tested more than ever! This novel was fast paced, well written and kept the tension high. Narration was amazing in this audiobook.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz is an intense, action-packed thriller and a stunning addition to the Orphan X series. Evan Smoak, a former government assassin, has always followed his own strict code to survive. But when a rift opens between him and his oldest friend, Tommy Stojack, all of Evan's rules come crashing down, setting off a deadly chain of events.

The heart of this novel lies in the fractured relationship between Evan and Tommy, who has always been Evan's closest confidant. Their personal fallout leads to a tense and high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with Evan tracking down Tommy, who has left town to fulfill a promise to help a dead friend's son. What follows is a riveting clash of loyalties, with both friends facing a deadly external threat that could bring about their mutual demise.

Gregg Hurwitz delivers a knockout story with complex characters, heart-pounding action, and emotional depth. Fans of the series will be captivated by this thrilling, unpredictable turn of events. Newcomers will find themselves quickly drawn into Evan's dangerous world, as Nemesis explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of survival. With its suspenseful pacing and explosive plot, this audiobook will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very last minute.

Nemesis, the 10th entry in the Evan Smoak/Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz is another stellar entry in a series I hope keeps on for at least another ten books.

Nemesis explores themes of loyalty and revenge, justice and mercy.

I will be honest, I struggled to get into this one at the beginning. I felt that Hurwitz was leading Evan to a conflict that would damage how much I loved this character. At the same time, he kept reminding of the rules that Evan's mentor Jack had drilled into him, his personal 10 commandments.

None of them more important than the first commandment: "Assume Nothing".

If I had paid attention to the commandments then maybe my initial misgivings would have been assuaged earlier. Ten books into this series, you would think that I would have already learned to trust Hurwitz.

I listened to the audiobook version of Nemsis which was ably narrated by the ever dependable Scott Brick. He delivered another flawless performance.

Here’s your proofread and polished review:

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**Nemesis**, the 10th entry in Gregg Hurwitz's *Orphan X* series, is another stellar installment in a franchise that I hope continues for at least another ten books.

This novel delves deep into themes of loyalty and revenge, justice and mercy. I’ll admit, I struggled to get into the story at first. It felt like Hurwitz was steering Evan toward a conflict that might tarnish how much I admire this character.

If I'd been paying more attention, I would have realized what Hurwitz was doing as he constantly reminded me of the Ten Commandments instilled in Evan by his mentor, Jack Johns. None of them more important than the first commandment: "Assume Nothing".

Had I heeded that commandment myself, my initial doubts might have been eased sooner. Ten books into this series, you’d think I’d have learned to trust Hurwitz by now.

I experienced *Nemesis* through the audiobook, narrated by the ever-reliable Scott Brick. Once again, Brick delivered a flawless performance, bringing Evan Smoak and his world to life with precision and depth.

Hurwitz continues to elevate the stakes with *Nemesis*, blending intense action with emotional complexity. It’s a gripping tale that challenges both its protagonist and its readers to confront difficult moral questions. Highly recommended for fans of thrillers and long-time followers of Orphan X alike.

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal and independent opinion

Book Review
Nemesis
Gregg Hurwitz
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, returns for a highly anticipated tenth high-octane, breakneck-paced thriller. Reading an Orphan X novel is a guilty pleasure, akin to eating dessert before dinner. Evan isn’t a superhero but rather a cross between James Bond and Robin Hood. Although trained as a highly skilled assassin, he refuses to abandon his moral compass and his deeply ingrained desire to retain his humanity.

Evan was a twelve-year-old orphan, rescued from the projects of East Baltimore, only to endure a grueling seven-year training program under the tutelage of his handler, Jack Jones. Jack was the closest thing to a father and family he had ever known. This was all part of a clandestine black ops initiative, the “Orphan Program,” created by the Department of Defense. The program molded a cadre of assassins with unparalleled abilities—both deniable and expendable. Each was sent on solo missions to eliminate high-value targets without backup. As his trainer and a man of principle, Jack knew it was easy to teach Evan to kill but far more difficult to help him retain his sense of humanity—a core theme throughout the Orphan X series.

After a decade of covert assassinations, Evan wanted out. He no longer wished to be a lethal weapon of the government and was one of the few Orphans with an actual conscience. He embarked on his own mission as a pro bono freelancer, helping innocents trapped in impossible situations. He became known to his enemies as The Nowhere Man, remaining on call 24/7 for the desperate, awaiting a 1-855-2-NOWHERE call on his high-tech, untraceable, and indestructible RoamZone phone. Gregg Hurwitz seamlessly weaves this backstory into his latest explosive thriller.

Evan soon finds himself in an impossible situation. His closest friend, Tommy Stojack—a gifted gunsmith and arms dealer who has supplied Evan with weapons, combat gear, and even armored vehicles—has violated one of Evan’s most sacred tenets. Tommy has allegedly provided weapons used in the slaughter of multiple innocents, a violation of Evan’s unbreakable code. When Evan approaches Tommy’s workshop to confront him, he is ambushed by a cadre of skilled killers. Outnumbered, Evan relies on guile and skill to dispatch all but one, who escapes without warning. Hurwitz crafts a cinematic, multi-layered shootout that puts a John Wick film sequence to shame.

Evan soon learns that Tommy wasn’t even there. He had already left town to honor a promise to a deceased war buddy—one that involved helping the man’s troubled son. Tommy finds himself in a rural town rife with racial and economic tensions. The boy is among a group of young men living in a makeshift military enclave, ruled by a belligerent and absentee father who is supposedly working out of town. Tommy quickly discovers their involvement in the deaths of multiple innocent Mexicans. (“We were just trying to scare them.”) With his own brand of hard-edged discipline and justice, Tommy takes it upon himself to bring order to the chaos.

Evan must track Tommy to this desolate town and confront the unfolding crisis. What follows is a series of brutal confrontations, impossible choices, and escalating bloodshed. Prepare for visceral action sequences as the tension builds to an unbearable level.

Gregg Hurwitz proves yet again that he is a master storyteller, carefully unraveling this riveting, high-stakes thriller. With exquisitely plotted twists and deceptions, the violence and action reach a boiling point, culminating in a deeply satisfying conclusion. Each new installment in the Orphan X series reveals further emotional growth in this complicated and flawed man. While this novel can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone, be warned—you’ll likely find yourself compelled to devour the previous books as well.

Personally, I switched between reading on my Kindle and listening to the audiobook, but for the last half, I was completely engrossed in the audio version, narrated by the incredible Scott Brick. A multi-award-winning narrator of over 800 books, with a background in acting and writing, Brick’s nuanced voice inflections brought each character to life in the theater of my mind. He is a natural storyteller with a mesmerizing voice, perfectly capturing the book’s emotion and intensity.

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

Greg Hurwitz’s latest novel, Nemesis, continues the fascinating Orphan X/Nowhere Man series. The book is chock full of heart pounding action, a variety of familiar characters and, as always, a deep dive into the human psyche. In its audio book form, narrator Scott Brick adds a layer of clarity and depth with his ability to morph into each character. His talent for pacing and tone impeccably set the feel of each scene of the novel. Continuing the pattern of other books in the series, Hurwitz weaves together mystery, action and complicated character development. This story will grab you with its fast paced story and leave you thinking about humanity long after you finish listening.

Nemesis is the 10th book in the Orphan X Novel series by Gregg Hurwitz. This book can be enjoyed as part of the series or as a standalone mystery!

Wow! Just wow!!! I don’t even know where to start. I think this was my favorite book in the series (so far)!

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.

The narration by Scott Brick was fantastic! I loved how he brought the characters to life! Loved it!

I highly recommend Nemesis!!!

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

Nemesis (Orphan X #10) by Gregg Hurwitz
Narrated by Scott Brick
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: February 11, 2025

This was my first Orphan X novel, and I found the story okay, but I just couldn’t get past the violence. This book was beyond a thriller, and it was more than what I expected.

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I love the Orphan X series. Greg Hurwitz is a master writer. This is the first Orphan X I've had the opportunity to listen on audio and I would like to experience any next ones by audio vs reading. Scott Brick brings it to life more than my mind ever could. Five-star book and narrator. Scott brought life to Evan, Tommy, and every character. It's not easy narrating a book with so much action and well-developed characters. I hope he continues to be the narrator for Orphan X books.
In book 10 of the series, Evan (Orphan X / The Nowhere Man) and his only friend Tommy are at odds about the product Tommy created and sold to evil people. Evan is attacked in his attempt to visit Tommy's lair. Thinking the impossible has happened he must confront Tommy. It breaks his spirit and even the spirit of Joey, Evans's teenage charge. Tommy has been working with Evan for years making guns and protection gear. But he has gone too far this time and Evan cannot let it go.
Evan lives by the commandment code taught to him by his Orphan trainer Jack, the only father figure Evan ever had. Since escaping the Orphan. Program he now has turned his assassin skills for good. The commandments now so ingrained in him are now his compass for handling situations but now with humanity infused into his actions.
I feel you will get a lot more from this book if you read all of the Orphan X series. It's not my normal genre but after reading the very first one I was hooked. I see both Orphan X and Tommy aging now and still trying to keep up with the effects of advancing age. Still with the same mindset but bodies not recovering as fast.
Some parts of this book were hard to get through, only because of the truth of what bigotry there is out there. I highly recommend all of the series. This book Nemesis, has many thought-provoking comments to think about.
Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and publishers St Martin’s Press for this opportunity to listen to the audio version of Nemesis for an honest review.

The Orphan X series is amazing and this is the best one yet! I listened to this one and Scott Brick better win the Audie he was nominated for. Gregg already does a phenomenal job of bringing characters to life, but when you add in Scott's dramatic flair to it, it is an art form.

Tommy is my favorite character after Joey so I was excited to get an Orphan X installment featuring him, including his first meeting with Evan Smoak. This novel stays true to the tone of the series with incredible fights, smart dialogue, and overarching bad guy story lines.

One of my favorite parts of the series is how Smoak honors his Ten Commandments along with maintaining his humanity and this story was no exception.

This is the first Orphan X novel where I listened to the audio version and I really enjoyed the performance. From the gun shot sound effects to the variety of voices, I think it added to the story.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

I did not love this book. It did not keep my attention and just seemed to drag on. I did finish it, but throughout the audiobook, I just kept thinking, "get to the point!" I feel like it would've been a better movie or extended TV series as the plot itself wasn't bad, but the delivery just wasn't my cup of tea. I'd like to maybe read a physical copy of another book by this author to see if a physical book might be better.

Tommy Stowjack: “Namaste Mother F*cker!”
This is book 10 of the Orphan X series and best to read in order. (It’s so worth it, it’s my favorite series! The series (thriller suspense) is about: Evan is a former assassin for the US government. He quits and uses his exceptional skills to help people. He becomes “The Nowhere Man”.

In this book (10) we get 2 points of view, Evan and his best friend Tommy.
I LOVED Tommy’s POV so much. He’s one of the all time best characters. Thank You for putting him in more of the book. Love him. This book was so interesting and I felt it was really different than the others which I appreciated. It was suspenseful and kept my attention all the way.

Also Scott Brick is fantastic reading this series! His voice for Tommy really brought his unique personality and quirks to life. He does such a great job w/ all the characters. 5 stars for him as well!

Please never stop writing this series!

(On a side note) I love the way the author describes Dog the Dog and Joey’s love for him.. is so much something I have also felt.

Evan Smoak, a former black ops assassin from the Orphan program, continued to uphold the Ten Commandments that guided his actions over the years, even after leaving the program. These ingrained rules, or at least Evan’s interpretation of them, became an integral part of his being. This proved crucial in shaping his life, even though he had gone underground after leaving the program.

Evan found himself in an ethical dilemma. He had a close friend, Tommy Stojack, who had clearly violated more than one of the commandments. This compelled Evan to consider confronting his former best friend, leading to another mission. Tommy, like Evan, had been trained to the highest level, making him a formidable opponent, especially when Evan’s emotions ran high.

Amidst this, Evan’s relationship with his young protege, Joey, a computer genius, was in tatters. The situation weighed heavily on Evan’s mind as he fought battles, all the while determined to seek justice. Evan’s mission had become increasingly intense, all while he questioned whether his actions justified the force he was using.

Nemesis, an exciting addition to Gregg Hurwitz’s thrilling series, further captivated me. I had been invested in the series since reading the first book, and I was thrilled to have access to this audiobook galley. Scott Brick’s narration was exceptional. His matter-of-fact delivery brought Evan’s complex emotions to life, showcasing his humanity amidst the challenges he faced.

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

“No greater friend. No deadlier enemy.”

Orphan X #X dropped just in time for my annual 1,500 mile road trip and this series by Gregg Hurwitz is one of the few that my husband and I can agree upon. Evan Smoak, aka The Nowhere Man, is back in action and this time his best friend becomes his most complicated adversary. This installment picks up where the Lone Wolf cliffhanger left off. Gifted gunsmith and ballistic expert Tommy Stojack has his allegiances questioned. Cameos with some of Evan’s former colleagues, combine with a new quartet of lethal assassins, producing a narrative the reader/listener will need to carefully pay attention to. Will they find a common enemy or will they fight to the death?

Joey once again offers up her usual dose of late-teen humor along with her Mensa like hacking skills, and provides a much needed respite from the more violent scenes. A side of well intentioned activism intersecting with toxic social media exposure puts Joey in a place that may fracture her relationship with Evan forever.

Perhaps the most disturbing element of Nemesis is the storyline involving a group of young men who need rescuing after an incident born of their baked in bigotry, providing the ultimate quandary to the reader. Given the current state of affairs in our country, perhaps this subject matter may hit a bit too close to home.

Just as the characters have become integral to the entire series, narrator Scott Brick’s portrayal of these personas we have come to know and love/hate is essential. I’m not sure that this thriller/mystery would work as a stand alone - do yourself a favor and dig into the first few books in the series to get a sense of the framework and the characters!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan audio for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received an early edition of this book in exchange for my review. I listened to the audio version and narration was easy to follow and pleasant to listen to. This book is a bit out of my typical genre, but I was intrigued by the description. I feel that the writing was good, just not content I felt fully engaged with. The writing had tones of David baldacci so I feel that fans of that work would have a greater appreciation of this novel.

Evan Smoak, formerly the covert government assassin Orphan X, has to deviate from his usual role as the vigilante Nowhere Man, who helps the helpless against the powerful, to deal with his best friend, arms dealer Tommy Stojack. Tommy, Evan learned near the end of the previous entry in this series, supplied arms to some bad people, including the titular Lone Wolf, who tried to kill Evan, among her many other misdeeds.

But things get complicated. When Evan goes to confront Tommy at his stronghold, he is met with a motorcycle gang hit squad. When he tracks Tommy down to a rural town controlled by a racist militia and a corrupt sheriff, he has to deal with those additional bad guys in addition to his former friend. And when the deadliest assassins in the world (excepting Evan) track them down to that forsaken town, the biggest battle yet breaks out.

While all that is going on around him, Evan also grapples with his inner emotions, torn by the moral code that has alienated him from Tommy and his longtime connection to his best and only friend. Having all human feeling trained out of his during his Orphan X training, Evan has been dealing with what's left of his emotional state throughout this ten-volume series.

Tommy too finds his moral code tested by his obligation to one particular militia member and to Evan, his best and only friend. And if there is anything that sets this entry apart from the others, making it one of the best, if not the best, it is that about half the book is centered on Tommy, who has only been a supporting character in the past.

Having been given the forthcoming audio edition of this book by NetGalley, the publisher, and the author (thanks!), I was once again forced to endure the overworked and now tiresome narrator, Scott Brick. But surprise surprise! Thanks to his handling of Tommy's inner monologue and outer dialogue, Scott Brick comes through this time, enhancing the story by giving voice to the crotchety old guy.

There is as well as a subplot starring Joey, now in college and trying to socialize for the first time in her life, and getting herself into trouble on social media, all while feuding with and helping Evan in his efforts. Although it seems somewhat of a non sequitur, the themes around friendship bring it all together. Also, the condemnation of the racism and xenophobia that currently infect our national discourse.

Most series start to wane as they get this far deep into their tenure. But Gregg Hurwitz has been getting stronger as he delves further into the Orphan X series. Looking forward to more.