Review of "The Last Orphan: An Orphan X Novel" by Gregg Hurwitz

 

In this 8th book in the 'Orphan X' series, the American president wants Evan Smoak to assassinate a man who imperils her political career. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is beneficial.

*****

When Evan Smoak was a scrawny twelve-year-old living in an orphanage, he was removed and placed in a black ops program that trained orphans to be highly skilled assassins. Evan was dubbed Orphan X.



After doing his assassin job for many years, Orphan X left the black ops program and set himself up as 'The Nowhere Man', a badass who helps people in trouble. When a person in dire straits is given Evan's number by a former client, the call goes to Evan's uber-encrypted RoamZone phone, which he answers with the phrase "Do you need my help?" The 'help' always involves Orphan X killing people, so it's frowned on by the authorities.



After being pursued by government operatives for years, Evan made a deal with President Victoria Donahue-Carr, who agreed to pardon Evan if he gave up being the Nowhere Man.



But in a world full of people in trouble, Evan can't keep his word. So President Donahue-Carr has Evan abducted and offers him a deal: IF Evan agrees to kill a billionaire business mogul/political influencer named Luke Devine, who threatens Donahue-Carr's re-election, Evan's unofficial pardon will be reinstated. If not, Evan will go to prison.



Orphan X has scruples, though, and needs to do his own investigation of Luke Devine....to see if the tycoon deserves killing. As it happens, a young man and woman were murdered at one of Devine's hedonistic parties, and Evan must find out if the mogul was implicated in their deaths. This requires Evan to infiltrate Devine's huge mansion, which is guarded by tough, sadistic security guards.



Orphan X's cunning plans and physical prowess help him further his program and get him out of VERY dangerous situations.



Evan is also assisted by his sixteen-year-old protégé Josephine (Joey), who can hack into any computer anywhere, including those in Luke Devine's well-protected property.



Joey is a sarcastic smart-mouthed teen who more than holds her own bantering with Orphan X....but is very sweet with her canine named Dog.



The story also has appearances by other favorite characters, including Candy McClure - formerly Orphan V, who uses her sexy wiles to advantage;



Tommy - an accomplished gunsmith who provides Evan with cars and weapons;



Mia - a pretty district attorney Evan is attracted to;



and Peter - Mia's school age son.



The story is action packed, with one exciting scene after another. As always the Nowhere Man leaves heavy casualties in his wake, but - after all - it's him or them.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Scott Brick, who does an excellent job.

As a bonus, author Gregg Hurwitz and suspense writer Lisa Gardener have a conversation at the end of the book, where they discuss audiobooks.

Thanks to Netgalley, Gregg Hurwitz, and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars