Orphan X

Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz is a gripping, high-octane thriller that introduces readers to Evan Smoak, a man with a mysterious and dangerous past. Known as Orphan X, Evan was taken from an orphanage at a young age and submerged into a top-secret government programme, where he was rigorously trained to handle missions that required utmost secrecy and disavowal from the highest echelons of power. His skills make him a lethal and effective asset in the shadowy world of covert operations.

After years of orchestrating missions for the government, Evan decides to leave the programme, seeking to distance himself from a life cloaked in violence and betrayal. Utilising his extensive training, he vanishes into anonymity, adopting a new mission—to assist those in desperate need, individuals being wronged with nowhere else to turn. He becomes known to these people simply by a question: "Do you need my help?" This vow transforms him into a vigilante, the Nowhere Man, championing the helpless and providing justice where the system fails.

However, Evan's past is not something he can easily escape. As he navigates his new life, he discovers that someone is hunting him—someone who is not only aware of his previous identity as Orphan X but also harbours a personal vendetta. This relentless pursuer has the resources and determination to dismantle the sanctuary Evan has built. As secrets unravel and his pursuer closes in, Evan must rely on his remarkable abilities to survive and protect the new life he has chosen.

Combining relentless action, intricate plot twists, and a deeply conflicted protagonist, Gregg Hurwitz crafts an exhilarating story that questions themes of duty, redemption, and the nature of violence. Orphan X stands out, delivering both the heart-pounding excitement of a thriller and the nuanced character development of a profound drama. Readers will be on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last, left eagerly anticipating the next instalment in this electrifying series.