Wow. This is one intense thriller ! Each situation for Evan, the Nowhere Man, seems totally impossible for him to escape. Houdini couldn't have done these things!
Evan, hero of Orphan X, finds himself the prey of a deranged thief, determined to steal his money and his life. The calls for help that feed Evan's psyche and give meaning to his life must be postponed until he can help himself, and it all seems impossible. The evil genius who holds him captive has endless resources and delights in seeming omnipotent... a worthy villain for an Iam Fleming Bond thriller.
The story is so compelling and beautifully written that you must read on while hoping that it doesn't end. What other read can compare?!

The fun thing about reading novels like this are twofold: One, seeing the hero succeed in helping someone in need because of his special talents, and two, seeing the hero in a dire situation where you genuinely think to yourself—how the heck could he possibly get out of this predicament?

For the latter, trained assassin Evan Smoak, the Nowhere Man, formerly Orphan X, him being in a seemingly-impossible-to-escape situation lasts for hundreds of pages. Just when you think he might get away . . . bam! His entrapment becomes ten times worse. And then worse. And then even more dreadful. And then more intolerable.

But you know he’ll somehow succeed because the sequels have already been written.

So you can’t help but keep turning pages to find out how.

Do the plot lines strain the bounds of credulity? Yes. Do they make you wonder what the heck is wrong with the brain of Gregg Hurwitz? They sure do. Was it a thrill ride anyway? Absolutely.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this fun novel.

After finishing Orphan X, I was ready for more action and excitement. I definitely wasn't disappointed.

In this episode of the series, Evan Smoak becomes abducted and has to not only free himself, but do it with enough time to save the woman who begged the Nowhere Man for help. And then there's finding out more about the big reveal at the end of the previous book: what the hell happened with Jack?!

I did worry that there would be less ass kicking because a good chunk of the book was Evan locked up but I shouldn't have. There was plenty of violence and destruction, maybe even more than in the first book. There was also lots more character development, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I feel like I know and understand Evan much better and he's more than just an over-the-top action hero to me now. I found myself wanting him to be happy and wanting him to walk away from the life he's created for himself. But he IS a hero, after all...

I should be moving on to the third installment soon.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a new series to fall in love with!

(★★★½ rounded up)

**ARC provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley (Jul 2018)**

As with ‘Orphan X’ (the first Evan Smoak book), I read ‘The Nowhere Man’ shortly after its release in 2017. But again, it was a hardcover edition and I had yet to read book #3, so I snapped up the digital ARC from NetGalley.

From the standpoint of the series arc, ‘The Nowhere Man’ essentially picks up from where ‘Orphan X’ left off. So, for that reason (as well as for backstory), I strongly suggest that folks start with the first book.

In retrospect, I found ‘Orphan X’ a smidge stronger, story-wise. But ‘The Nowhere Man’ certainly entertained with non-stop action & dilemmas, especially after Evan suddenly finds himself in an unexpected situation. But it did take some time to hit that top gear. Luckily, as this was a re-read, I had the advantage of vaguely recalling what was to come. **cue Mission Impossible music**

‘The Nowhere Man’ was a fast & intense read―the perfect offset to a sluggish summer day. I’d write more, but that phone call... I need to jump into ‘Hellbent’ ASAP!

Another five star rating. Evan Smoak is captured. The kidnapper wants all of his money and is not afraid to use torture to gain his ends. Evan never loses sight of escape and how to lower the odds against him. Prior to his capture, he rescues a young girl from traffickers and learns another girl is being shipped in a container from California to Florida and he is determined to rescue her. The novel brings in much of his past, particularly his relationship with Jack Johns. To go into what happens to Evan, his captors and the people from his past will bring up way too many spoilers. This second novel has tied up most of the loose ends from the first one and did it well. Once again, great reading and now on to the third chapter. Thanks to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for an ARC for an honest review.

#2 as good as #1 but when I tell you he is a prisoner you are going to slow sell and think flash back scenes and all that; NO there is plenty of SMOKE with SMOAK. Lots of action and the body count requires more than simple math. I like where we are going here

Very good read and unique plot. Worth your time. Ready for more. Download at once and turn off the phone.

I received a free copy of The Nowhere Man from NetGalley.

The second book in the Orphan X series is not as well-defined or exciting as Book #1, Orphan X. Part of the issue is that we have the protagonist, Evan, in an extremely vulnerable position for the majority of the book. He rarely has intersection with positive characters who then would force Evan to question his life's direction and what he has missed. Instead, Evan is a captive constantly evaluating and re-evaluating his method of escape. His numerous attempts only land him in more restrictive circumstances where he is forced to draw on his inner resources. His physical situation becomes more dire as time passes.

This entry still leaves much more of Evan's story to be told and I will stick with this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the first three books in the Orphan X series. I really loved all three books and have recommended them to all of my reading friends.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan and Gregg Hurwitz for the opportunity to read the first three books in the Orphan X series. Loved all three books and have recommended to fellow reading friends.

The Nowhere Man by Greg Hurwitz has exceeded my expectations!
From the beginning to fast paced middle and emotional ending of this second book in his series you will not be disappointed.
This is a roller coaster of action, emotions and you find yourself totally immersed in Evans character.
Greg Hyrwitz is the man for action sci-fi novels!
Fabulous!

I’m really enjoying this series! So glad I took a chance and read the first 3 books. There is so much mystery and suspense, and in my opinion inspiration. These books have made me believe that you are stronger than what you believe.

Second book in this highly charged, action packed series is every bit as good as the first one. The story continues, gets more complex and Nowhere Man's chief nemesis is still out there trying to kill him. Highly recommended for fans of Jack Reacher and The Grey Man.

Another brilliant book in a fantastic, exciting series. I think it is important that anyone coming to the series for the first time realises that the books should really be read in the order of publication as they all follow on from each other and it is like one long story. I'm now on to the third in the series, Hellbent. Wonderful stuff!

The Nowhere Man is back! He's still helping others, but in the process of cleaning up after saving someone, Evan is himself captured and taken off...somewhere. He brilliantly figures out where he is not (I wish I had his deductive powers!) but his mysterious captor Renè wants something specific from him...his money! But how did Renè find Evan and his money? Evan has things hidden within hiding places within hiding places....so how did Renè break through that?

In spite of being held far from everywhere, with sadistic guards and a clever captor, Evan works out how he can escape and continue to save lives. But unlike Orphan X, the previous book, in this book Evan is the one most in need in help. Like Orphan X, The Nowhere Man is well researched and well written, but unlike that one, in The Nowhere Man focuses on Evan rather than those he helps. Personally I enjoyed all the cleverness of finding those in need, solving their problems and making the world a better place for all, but this is still an excellent book and I recommend it.

A story that pulls you in and wants you to read more. Action packed and moves at a good pace. Worth reading.

Orphan X was a new twist on the Manchurian Candidate. Instead on one assassin, multiples are created.. In THE NOWHERE MAN, Evan Smoak is caught by a psycho multi millionaire who is trying to figure out who Smoak really is. With Smoak's many cloaks of cover, it's not easy. But the psycho gets to an acct. in which Smoak has 27 million, and he wants it. Much of the book is showing Evan being tortured in one way or another. I don't care to read about torture--my interest Orphan X is who he saves, and here he is trying to save himself. Evan tells the psycho to cut his losses because to carry on will bring on a world of pain involving Van Sciver, former Orphan and Evan hater.

Despite the gratuitous violence, I expect to be back for the next Orphan X novel.

Have enjoyed reading the Orphan X books by Gregg Hurwitz. This second book was just not as likable because Evan did little to help others because he needed helping. His captor in this work is really intense and does not get his due fast enough. Hurwitz is a skilled author and made me stay up late and keep turning the pages. "A copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."

Gregg Hurwitz knows how to keep the action going.

Just as fast-paced as the first, <i>The Nowhere Man</i> delves into even more action. Readers watch as Evan Smoak overcomes new obstacles.

I loved that Gregg Hurwitz gives readers a human protagonist. He isn't invulnerable. Evan has emotions, he has weaknesses, and he misses key plot points. But hey, so do actual people!

Plus we actually got to delve more into all of the Orphans in this novel. Candy's lack of confidence, Evan's subconscious, even Van Sciver's lack of emotion.

Through this roller coaster ride, readers are pulled into this world. Every action sequence is well written and described to be easily understood and seen in the mind's eye.

Gotta say though, Gregg Hurwitz loves his cliffhangers!

I much preferred Orphan X to this book in the series. This one seemed to be so Nowhere Man focused there was little to root for, making it a bit tedious