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The Nowhere Man

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Member Reviews

The Nowhere Man is book 2 in An Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz.
The Orphan X series has been a super fun and fast-paced series, and I truly like all the main characters and many plot twists.
This is an excellent combination of phenomenal action, pulse-pounding suspense, and complex character development.
Super entertaining and fast paced with some shockers and edge of your seat suspense.
This is an outstanding addition to the series!
I can’t wait to start book 9 Lone Wolf! It’s going to be so an exciting adventure!

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

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Being a great fan of Gregg Hurwitz and his Orphan X series I have read most of the books, but for some reason I missed this installment. In “The Nowhere Man” a whole lot is going on - I looked down and I was at 42% and wondered how that was possible when so much mayhem had already occurred. Then I was at 79% and it seemed that Orphan X couldn’t possible absorb more punishment and manage to survive and yet he does, and on it went. Murder, diabolical plots, meticulous planning and mental capacity and I was captivated through it all. His cause never wavers, he needs to help the next one who reaches out and there was a very tricky ploy thrown in. The baddies are the worst, and there is never a lifeline for Evan Smoak except for his training and sheer determination to survive to answer the next call for help. The twists would have been mind boggling if I hadn’t read more of the books in the Orphan X Series.

It was a little difficult going backwards, having advance knowledge of the character and his future timeline, but it was interesting to see how the groundwork was being laid for the future stories. This, like all of Hurwitz’s books was well thought out, well written and very inventive. Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy.

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Very realistic and interesting characters. Fast-paced plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every page of it!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

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Title: The Nowhere Man
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Release Date: January 17th, 2017
Page Count: 369
Format: Audiobook
Start Date: January 10th, 2020, March 1st, 2022 and February 11th, 2023
Finish Date: January 22nd, 2020, March 9th, 2022, and February 11th, 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

Evan was taken from the orphanage he grew up in at a young age. He was trained to do horrible and unspeakable things for the government. Once his handler died, he left the project and went his own way. His mission was to protect those in trouble from dangerous situations they wanted out of. Everything is fine until he's tracked down. Now he's on the run for his life. He's a loose end that needs to be taken care of.
I'm seriously impressed with this book. I was kind of hesitant when I read the description of the first book, Orphan X. I gave it a chance anyway. In honor of the fifth book coming out this year (January 28th). I'm very glad I did quite frankly. It kind of reads like the Hitman. I also find it similar to the Jane Hawk series. I'm not sure if anybody has heard of that series, but it's good as well.
I still feel a disconnect with all the characters in the novel. I think that's kind of the point. Evan was raised as an assassin. He had no human interaction from anybody from a very young age with the exception of those who used him as a weapon. I realize that his handler tried to keep humanity in him, but one can only hold so much after they've killed many people. I really loved the neighbor chick and her son. She's very intelligent and down to earth. He has a connection with them as well. It's so obvious.
Like the first book, this book is narrated by Scott Brick. I picked up the first book because of time constraints, but I loved his narration so much that I got the second and third books in the series in audiobook as well. I plan to get the last two in the series in audio when I can get my hands on some credits. I also noticed there are some shot novellas that are reasonably priced that I plan to pick up as well. It's amazing how somebody can narrate normally and still add an intense thrill to a book.
I've really enjoyed this series so far. I believe that I will enjoy the rest of the series just as much. I may even enjoy it more. I can't wait to find out. I'm sure there are many things I can compare it to. Not that I like comparing. But it's screamed Hitman at me since I first started reading it. I can't ignore those vibes. It's an amazing read. I will reread it again in the future.

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This is a great example of great genre writing. Hurwitz is an excellent writer who excels at this kind of adventure thriller. Evan Smoak is a great character and all the supporting characters are well drawn. It moves fast and holds your attention. Read this and all his books.

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The second book in the series about Evan Smoak by Gregg Hurwitz, is continued from Orphan X. Each could be a stand alone read but it is easier to follow if read in order.

In continuing his help of people who cannot get help from the police, Evan ends up being captured and tortured. He is finally able to escape only to discover Jack is still alive. After wrapping up the two people who called for help (a real one and a hallucinogenic one), Evan thinks about giving it all up and becoming a "regular guy". At the very last second, his phone rings and a special person asks for help.

What a cliff hanger! These books are so hard to put down and I find myself reading way past my bedtime. The third book is next on my reading list.

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The Nowhere Man is the second book in the Orphan X series and is a super follow up to Orphan X, the first book. The writing is excellent along with the characters. This book has some very tense situations happening so if you like an intense thriller with great twists, check this book out.

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#2 in the Orphan X series and the Nowhere Man does not disappoint!
With the last book coming out I decided to finally get to this series so I can read The Last Orphan. As expected we follow Evan Smoak along in his mission to save the world one by one but when he becomes the target he must save himself!
This was a fast paced and exciting read that kept me wanting more, and luckily I have #3 Hellbent on my Kindle. I look forward to further adventures with Evan Smoak. I consider him the best of James Bond 007 and MacGyver.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved reading as I kid but struggle to find time as an adult. It’s often impossible to sit down to focus. While this book was not a favorite if still kept me entertained for the most part, I’m sure it’s not you, dear book, it’s me.

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How? How did the story get better than the first? Amazing story! Action Packed! Super intense! Highly recommend!!

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This second book in the Orphan X series picks up pretty much where the first book left off. Evan Smoak is doing what he does best, helping people out of hopeless situations. In this case, a young girl is victimized by an online sex trade operation. But, when she tries to get out of the situation, her family is threatened. This is where Evan steps in. Once order is restored to his client he learns there are more victims of this scheme and he begins an urgent race against time to save a teenager being held in a shipping crate. Before he can complete his mission, he is ambushed and held captive by a strange, twisted man only out to drain Evan’s substantial bank account. Rene may have gotten more than he bargained for with Evan. As Evan plays a cat and mouse game with his captors, he learns some shocking information about Jack, his handler, and the man who raised him like his own son. the series is interesting, engaging and keeps the interest of the reader as the story unfolds, through each twist and turn of the plot line this series will keep the reader flipping pages.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this series.

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The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz
Orphan X #2

Orphans are throwaway people…right? Or, some people and societies believe…and as such, the Orphan X Project began. Our hero – Evan Smoak – came to life on the page as a result of the project but also due to his strength, tenacity, and skills. . I have followed this series higgledy-piggledy rather than straight through picking up the first two books in the series after reading the later books in the series and have to say…I loved them all and still have a few spaces to fill in but have loved evey book in its own right.

Each has merit on its own and is worthy of reading.

I am enjoying filling in the blanks as I can (overseas) and have now found out a bit more about Evan though this book wasn’t (perhaps) as informational than those I read previously.

So…as I do in most reviews: What I liked vs what I didn’t like…

What I liked:
* Evan Smoak: mystery man, lethal, mythical, almost indestructible, made me think of MacGyver a time or two, athletic, cold, methodical, not really cold, caring, cunning, has unfathomable potential.
* Ethan’s modus operandi and how it works
* The use of skills gained for one reason used for another (great use!)
* That I was and am still sucked into this whole series no matter what and will fill in the missing books still unread
* The hero-idea: by this I mean that Evan is able to achieve a LOT due to his training
* That some were saved by The Nowhere Man
* Kind of hoping that The Nowhere Man can eventually become a conglomerate to thwart evil in the world
* That though Mia and her son Peter (book one in the series) were mentioned they were not totally abandoned and am hoping that they might become integral to the series in the future – for whatever reason(s)
* The link to past Orphans…though they seem less “warm-relatable” than Evan
* Vodka tie-in…and that loft penthouse home…wouldn’t need it but…wouldn’t mind visiting it
* That there was a dead person suddenly undead and how that impacts Ethan
* Tie-in (perhaps) to vampire - lovers
* That good did eventually thwart evil…mostly
* Being able to fill in some of the gaps unread previously in the series and hoping to do so again in the future.
* Being able to see how the author moved from one scene to another when creating Evan’s timeline…even though I did not read it in sequence


What I didn’t like:
* Those that use and abuse….and seeing them do so in this book…
* Not being able to really tell you what I don’t like as it will ruin the book for you

Did I like this book: Yes!
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review

4.5 Stars

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This is the first book I've read in the Orphan X series, but not the first book in the series. It is an incredible thrill ride about a very resourceful operative that has devoted himself to saving innocent victims, but finds himself in an impossible situation. There is enough background in this book that, although I know I missed some foundational information, it was easy to ride along on this rollercoaster without being thrown. The characters are richly developed with also leaving enough mystery because they are still shadows operating in a dark theater. A great story that rivals the Jason Bourne franchise - I can see this being made into a movie or tv series. I know I'm hooked and will continue the series!

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Fantastic thriller with plenty of twists and turns. I can’t wait for more by author. Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for chance to read and review the ARC.

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Wow, what an incredible plot full of twists, ups, and downs, with similar themes compared to the first orphan x book. I'm still processing all the spins (in a good way).

Title: Clear and concise

Introduction: introduces characters and plot well. It helps to have read the first book in the series, "Orphan X", though not mandatory.

Build up and climax is clearly mastered by the author. Thank you!

Closing: leaves most loops closed, yet leaves enough to introduce the next book.

Thank you for quite a thriller!

Thank you NetGalley for my free copy! The comments above are my own without influence.

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This is book 2 in the Orphan X Series. In this one, Evan is taken captive, but how will he use his skills to turn the tables on his captors and free himself?

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Book 2 of the Orphan X series finds our hero being held prisoner by a psychopath. Gregg Hurwitz absolutely knocks this one out of the park too. I love this series because of the fast pace and intriguing character Evan Smoak. Where some found his Sass annoying I connected to it.

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Introduced in Orphan X, noble avenger of the downtrodden and persecuted Evan Smoak returns in The Nowhere Man. This time, he’s forced to employ all of his skills and wits to escape from the grips of a psychopathic thief. A gripping action/thriller, I enjoyed this.

It’s been quite some time since I read the first novel in the series — no idea why I forgot to keep up. Regardless, it was easy to drop back into Smoak’s world of spies, assassins, and psychopathic millionaire thieves. After finishing this novel, I am really going to have to get caught up soon.

The novel starts with Smoak handling one of his Nowhere Man cases: a gang of human traffickers has selected a young girl for their next victim, tricking her into sharing photos of herself that have been used for the scumbags’ “catalogue”. After confronting the young man who was used to entrap her, she fears for her family. Enter the Nowhere Man. Smoak accepts her request for help, and sets about bringing the culprits down. Permanently. However, as he works through the organization, cleaning up as he goes, two things happen: he realizes he missed a victim, and someone else has been stalking him. Ergo, his capture and challenge to break free — not only to save his own life, but that of the remaining victim of the traffickers.

Over the course of handful of days, Smoak escalates his attempts to escape from the clutches of his captors. He’s an incredibly resourceful and clever fellow. And yes, he is an action hero, too, so while he does get injured and make some mistakes, he’s also pretty damn badass and virtuous. Not quite too-good-to-be-true, but he’s on the edge of that.

So, he tries something, they counter, he tries something else, they counter, and so on. We learn a fair bit about his, as he thinks about the event that triggered his departure from the Orphan program and inspired his work as the Nowhere Man. We also learn a lot about his captors (not going to give any more details). The ringleader is a monster, his sidekick is somewhat reminiscent of Jaws from James Bond. And, to make Smoak’s life even more interesting (i.e., dangerous), his long-time nemesis is also on his trail.

The Nowhere Man is perhaps a little drawn out — Smoak’s time at the chateau sometimes felt like it was about to end, only to be reset. It makes sense, sure, but given how like an action movie the novel feels, it was a bit strange, and there was maybe one more reset than there needed to be. Although, each time one of these resets happens, the stakes are upped and Smoak if forced to come up with an even more ingenious (and dangerous) solution. It’s a minor quibble.

Hurwitz has a real gift for writing cinematic action. Whether Smoak is brawling with a single antagonist, or orchestrating a tremendously destructive and violent escape (it happens), Hurwitz’s writing is evocative and gripping. Packed with interesting details, the novel is well-written and plotted. The characters are appropriately heroic or repugnant. It was interesting seeing Smoak grapple not only with the situation he finds himself in, but also his acceptance of the role he’s picked for himself. Is the apparent nobility of his cause more important than allowing himself to have a life of his own?

It’s a very good second instalment in the series, and one that left me eager to read the next one (Hellbent). Recommended for all fans of action thrillers.

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The second book in Hurwitz's Orphan X series - one of the best thriller series out there - this is another five star installment. The hero, Evan Smoak, is an eminently capable black ops operative, distinguished by his resourcefulness and humanity. The action is just about non-stop and exhilarating, but the glimpses into Smoak's efforts to fit into normal life give the books depth and appeal.

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Love these books, so happy I stumbled upon them her on Netgalley. Evan Smoak has easily become one of my favorite hero/undercover characters.

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