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The government certainly has its share of secrets—often deep, dark ones. The Orphan X series by author Gregg Hurwitz follows one of those deep, dark secrets as he struggles to pay for the things he’s done. And in Out of the Dark, he sets out to make others pay, too.
The story finds Evan Smoak, the rogue operative also known as The Nowhere Man or, to those in the government, Orphan X, planning his toughest mission yet. For years, Evan has been hiding in plain sight, quietly helping those who can’t help themselves. But it’s become clear that someone is set on eliminating every remaining member of the Orphan program—starting with Orphan X. And as Evan tries to figure out why his first mission made him a target, he sets out to bring an end to the battle by targeting the man who gave the orders: the President.
Throughout the Orphan X series, Hurwitz has transformed his hero. Once just a by-the-book lone wolf with a soft spot for the underdog and a need to atone for the sins of his past, Evan seems to grow and change with each installment. Since his first adventure, he’s allowed new people into his very tight circle—from the teenage hacker that he’s safely stashed away overseas to a former rival to the single mom and her son who live in his building. Any superhero will tell you that it’s dangerous to build personal relationships and emotional attachments—but as Evan’s own Fortress of Solitude continues to crumble, the character becomes stronger and more likable.
Sure, Evan is still a killer; the body count in his latest thriller is just as high as it ever was (if not higher). He’s not about to walk away from the life he knows, buy a house in the suburbs, and spend the weekends in his garden—no matter how much he may fantasize about it. But he’s a thoughtful killer—one who refuses to take a shot without first doing his homework.
Evan’s latest mission, meanwhile, is one of his most thrilling. He juggles two missions on two coasts—one involving the most protected man in the country. And while his Nowhere Man mission doesn’t get the same level of attention as his own personal mission, it adds to the already heavy tension while further developing another side of this growing, evolving hero.
Though newcomers to the Orphan X series will want to start with earlier books, fans will love the action and suspense of the latest installment. It might not be the best bedtime read, though—because it’s sure to get your heart pumping.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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