LONE WOLF: AN ORPHAN X NOVEL (#9) by Gregg Hurwitz

5 stars

For those new to Orphan X (also known as the Nowhere Man), Hurwitz does an amazing job summarizing Evan Smoak’s complex background as a foster child, his being picked as a young teen to be trained as a solo assassin, his deep bond with agent Jack who trained him but also served as a father figure and taught him how to hold on to his humanity. His eventually turning from assassin to hideaway from the government and self-styled justice vigilante helping anyone who finds themself in a desperate situation and deserves his help. His only ask from them is to pass on his phone number to anyone as desperate and deserving as themselves.

There is Evan’s solitude, OCD, his love of his aloe plant Vera, his passion for the world’s finest vodkas, and his ongoing difficulty processing and expressing emotions. But as seen throughout this novel, Evan isfinally learning to feel gratitude and love for those he cares for – especially Joey, a younger female assassin and brilliant computer hacker he’s taking on as his protegy and acts for her the role of surrogate uncle. There’s also a super smart shift up from Evan’s love interest being a prosecutor, with whom a relationship would never would out given his illegal activities, and move to a super sleek, bad ass and sexy master forger.

There’s also some charming, laugh-out-loud, comic interludes, such as when a motley group of a mafiaso, weapons dealer, sexy assassin, and Evan all cheer her on at her first piano receital. Also, the constant hunt for the lost crazed (but much beloved) mutt of the daughter of Evan’s estranged, alcoholic half-brother.

Once again, the plot quickly rachets up into overdrive, as Evan finds himself facing off on a sniper as talented as he is and determined to kill Evan to save herself. There’s also much more bringing alive and character dives for two of Evan’s suppliers: his weapon’s dealer as well as this master forger.

This is a book you inhale, with its fast-as-rapids plot, compelling characters, startling acts of betrayal, and the powerful continued humanization of Evan.

More Orphan X please, as soon as possible!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.