* A Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller * “Read the Orphan X series. You’ll thank me later.” –David Baldacci The New York Times bestselling Orphan X returns – just when Evan Smoak thinks he’s done, his deadliest job yet pulls him back Into The Fire… Evan Smoak lives by his own code. Once he was known as Orphan X. Trained as an off-the-books … his own code.
Once he was known as Orphan X. Trained as an off-the-books government assassin and spoken about only in whispers, Evan Smoak was one of the most talented – and most feared – men in the Program. But he broke free and reinvented himself as The Nowhere Man, a figure shrouded in mystery, known for helping the truly desperate.
If anyone is truly desperate, it’s Max Merriweather.
Max is at the end of his rope. His cousin has been brutally murdered, leaving Max an envelope that contains nothing but a mysterious key. However, someone really wants that key, badly enough that Max – and anyone he turns to – is in deadly danger. What seems like a simple job for The Nowhere Man turns out to be anything but. Behind every threat he takes out, a deadlier one emerges and Evan Smoak must put himself in greater danger than ever before as he heads once more Into The Fire.
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This is the first book I have read in this series, but I don’t think it will be my last. Evan Smaok, aka The Nowhere Man, aka Orphan X, was trained at a young age to be an assassin for the government. Now, he helps out people that don’t have anywhere else to turn when they are in trouble.
Max Merriwether is drawn into a run for his life when his cousin, Grant, leaves him a thumb drive with information to take to a journalist. Soon, Max is being hunted down by thugs from all over and he doesn’t even know why. There is plenty of back story involving Max that added a lot to the book.
Evan is a likeable character and I found myself feeling very sorry for him. His “assistant”, Joey, was great and I loved Dog the dog as well. The action is fast-paced, there is plenty of cool technology and lots of twists to this book. I could easily imagine this book as a movie. Reminiscent of James Bond spy-thrillers mixed with Jack Reacher, this was a great escapist read for me.
As this book opens, Evan is planning to retire. He is going to take on one last case to help someone in trouble, but then he is out. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for a phone call from his new client. That phone call comes from Max Merriweather. Max’s cousin Grant was just brutally killed, but he left Max with a mysterious envelop that should only be opened if Grant has died. The problem is, someone else knows that Max has the envelope, and now they are after Max. Evan uses his usual tricks to find out who is after Max, but will his final case be that simple?
Every time I open one of these books I am in awe once again at how well drawn the characters are. Evan and the people who populate his world come vividly to life and continue to grow, which includes Max and the people he brings into this story. But the book never forgets it is a thriller with plenty of action scenes and twists that kept me reading as quickly as I could. Everything comes together for a satisfying climax while setting up Evan’s next adventure. Yes, the book does include more language and violence than I typically read, but I expected that going in. I was surprised at some of the lighter scenes involving Evan’s neighbors. These scenes always break the tension of the story while helping us get to know Evan better, but we got some of the funniest scenes with the neighbors yet. If you aren’t already reading Gregg Hurwitz, you need to fix that. This book is nothing short of superb.
“Into the Fire” by Gregg Hurwitz is part of the “Orphan X” series. Without complications, life would be sterile, and Evan Smoak’s life is certainly not sterile. The book opens with a scenario that grabs readers, both regular and first time — a detailed glimpse into the living space of Orphan X. Hurwitz provides all the backstory needed for new readers and refreshes events for regulars. The recap brings Smoak into the conflict with a directed question; “How much longer?”
Hurwitz expertly develops characters, their subtleties, and their everyday lives, both the ordinary and the extraordinary. All players are uniquely positioned, ready for what is to come. New characters are sympathetic, realistic, and relatable. Evan Smoak is consistent and dependable. As always, he remains alone; the mission is always first. Paranoia is Orphan X’s best friend with good reason.
The narrative is tense and purpose driven. Every line and every action has significance and function, either to advance the plot or to define the characters. Hurwitz gives characters focus and direction, then steers them into the plan. Conspiracy details are mixed in with everyday life activities and complex interpersonal relationships. Hurwitz skillfully creates a twist, another problem, and then a new threat, just waiting to work its way to the surface. Chapter titles are expressly tailored to foreshadow the events and actions that follow. Specifics are accurate to the smallest detail from the Hello Kitty t-shirt to the most complicated weapons.
“Into the Fire” stretches Smoak’s abilities and determination to the limit. I received a review copy of “Into the Fire” from Gregg Hurwitz and Minotaur Books. It is wild, uncompromising, frantic, and human, and an outstanding addition to the Orphan X series.
DO NOT skip ahead, but know that the last three words in the book are the most important.
Evan Smoak wants a normal life and vows this will be his last adventure. If that turns out to be true, I will be one sad reader, and it does look like this is the case. Orphan X, the Nowhere Man, and Evan may be one and the same person, but each displays somewhat different character traits. All of them live by a strict, almost OCD, code.
To say that INTO THE FIRE is a page-turner would be more than an understatement. As is always the case, it all starts with a phone call answered with the words “do you need my help?” I had mixed feelings about the beneficiary of the aid; he seemed too needy, too wanting. In other words, once the fateful question was asked, this book went in a somewhat different direction than did the four preceding it.
The writing in this book, and the entire series, is excellent. The story lines leave nothing to be desired. The amount of detail is perfect for putting a movie of the adrenalin fueled action scenes in your mind’s eye while raising your blood pressure, evoking real fear, and maybe producing a tear or two.
There are two real-world things in this book: a phone number and an email address. I called 1-855-2-NOWHERE on my iPhone. The call does not connect, just a blip and back to the dialer. It was very black ops. I sent an email to @gmail.com">the.nowhere.man@gmail.com with the subject simply Testing. It didn’t bounce, so I’m guessing it is a real email address.
If this is truly the end, I am sorry to see X go, and I wish him well in attaining his next goal. I have so relished Gregg Hurwitz’s writing that I’m going to have to find more books he has written.
I never miss an Orphan X book
Into the Fire
by Gregg Hurwitz
Into the Fire is a magnificent, nonstop thrill ride, fast paced, and intense with lots of action, and nail-biting suspense; that will have the readers mesmerized right up to the end. Immerse yourself in this marvelous story and enjoy the suspenseful wild ride, as the central character finds himself in dangerous and precarious situations. The well-developed characters add to this multi-layered story, with its changing mystery and the conspiracy that expands in dangerous intensity that seems endless.
Into the Fire is the 5th book in the ‘Orphan X’ series, an excellent thriller series; featuring an all action man, a protagonist that has managed to capture the hearts of so many readers and this book provides enough background information to be read as a standalone; but the intriguing event at the end, leaves an opening for another book in the series.
I enjoyed reading Into the Fire of the Orphan X series, and having read this release ‘Into the Fire’, I have the pleasure of going back and reading the other four (as I have them in my personal library). I am giving this book and the author both 5-star rating.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary pre-published copy of Into the Fire from NetGalley; thank you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Typical of what we’ve com to expect from the Orphan X collection. Interesting, likeable characters and non-stop action
A well done thriller, by an exceptional author. A great continuation of the Evan Smoak storyline. A wonderful combination Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and the Equalizer all rolled into one. That is Evan Smoak.
Evan or X…I am obsessed. This character is multifaceted and so vividly complex. I never know what he will do, but I know and love how the books walk us through his emotions, memories and planning.
This story is great. When I sat down to write this report I went to discuss my favorite scene or part and I couldn’t. My mind kept jumping from one moment to the next and there are just to many stand out moments for this book. Nothing is what it seems and relationships are evolving and characters are showing new levels to themselves and I am here for it all.
This series shows a lot of violence and mayhem, but it also shows such goodness and loyalty in people. Evans response to his neighbor getting mugged was touching, his feelings for Mia and Peter are so deep you can feel that they are intrinsic to his core now, his bond with Joey is precious and I can keep going. The balance of those relationships with his success as Mr. Nowhere Man is mind boggling, it this series pulls it off brilliantly.
As always I would love to see this as an amazon or Netflix series so they can focus on the details such as the penthouse, trucks, the testing lab he gets his weapons from, etc. This is a great book and each book draws me more and more into this world and my love of X grows.
Thanks for the chance to read this book and share my opinions.
After five books, thrillers in the same vein of the Bourne series, I am fully involved in Evan Smoak’s journey. His moral compass guides him to take up the mantel of the Nowhere Man, helping those in danger with no recourse but to look beyond the law for justice. Evan desires to redeem his perceived wrongs. He endeavors to convince himself, after one more job, he can begin a regular life.
As the series moves forward, consequences escalate for Evan. Into the Fire is the most intense book yet. The level of conspiracy Evan encounters goes deep, and the mounting threats kept me on the edge of my seat. When this book concluded, I immediately wished for the next one. If crime thrillers are your thing, I highly recommend Into the Fire by Gregg Herwitz.
Awesome book!!
The Orphan X series is one of my favorites. I love the characters and the fast pace of the stories. Evan Smoak is a great character and stays so true to who he is. Into the Fire seemed like such a simplistic mission for Evan Smoak but sometimes simple can lead to complex. What a wild ride with characters I love.
All the Orphan X books are really good.
Evan Smoak was once known as Orphan X. He was trained by the government to be an assassin. He became one of the most feared men in the program. Eventually he broke free and re-invented himself as The Nowhere Man, known for helping the truly desperate.
Max Merriweather is, indeed, truly desperate. His cousin was viciously murdered, leaving behind a key for Max. But someone, somewhere, really wants that key … and will do anything to get it.
Max puts himself in the line of fire to not only protect Max, but discover who wants that key…and why.
This somewhat complex plot explores twists and turns that seemingly pop out at every corner …breath taking at times. Although 5th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I would recommend starting at the beginning …. from Orphan X to The Nowhere Man is an adventure you don’t want to miss.
Many thanks to the author / St Martin’s Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Need a well-crafted binge read full of suspense and surprises? Start with Orphan X and make sure you have time to pull a few all-nighters.
Wow. Couldn’t put down. 6 stars
Keeping up with Evan Smoak’s activities as he tries to become a normal person. Amazingly written!
OMG!!! That was some crazy $#*! but, then again, who else but Orphan X could pull that stuff off. I mean SERIOUSLY!!! Breaking into jail????? ROTFLMAO!!! Anyway, I’m with some others – this is not the last of Orphan X. on another note, does anyone think Evan and his seriously ridiculous OCD nonsense see him with someone like Mia??? LMAO!!!
Where the story is weak on complexity and intricacy, it is deep in detail. A good deal of fairly accurate technology and explosives detail, which is sorely lacking in other action-adventure novels. The characters are very well drawn, albeit stock-standard (the hero is a govt-trained orphan — aren’t they all these days? and the tech nerd is a junk-food addicted teenager with an attitude and a sense of humor — aren’t they all these days? This one does breaks one mold being female, mild respect for mild originality).
Note: I worked in tech security for thirty+ years. We were teenagers forty years ago. I never ate junk food. I hike mountains. I resent stereotype nerds. In my books, the tech-wiz is 30+ gay female Latina from MIT and NSA. She has experience. And not even she can hack LAPD security cams … unless it’s for a plot point. Can you tell this stuff bugs me more than it might bug you? Most people won’t care.
The reason this wasn’t a four star (I’m stingy on five stars) story for me: the hero made the SAME MISTAKE not once, not twice, not three times — but four FREAKING times! He kept thinking “kill this guy and it’s over”. He never asked questions of the guy, just executes him, goes home and –lo and behold– he’s not done. Ugh. However, all the scenes are well written and the writing style is great.
HOLY. COW.
X wants out. And he’s trying, so hard, to get there… Unfortunately, his latest Nowhere Man case keeps unfolding like an onion from hell, and as he races against his own body and clocks that keep resetting, the options in front of him keep shrinking. Of course, he’s Orphan X, so you know he’ll wrangle all the pieces together eventually, but there were several points in this one where I honestly didn’t see how – even with his mad skills and incredible supporting cast.
Seriously, I don’t know how Hurwitz manages to keep ramping up the action AND devising new and incredibly intricate plots for Evan Smoak to unravel, all while maintaining the integrity of the central theme of redemption and never lapsing into any issues of suspended disbelief or incredulity…
This is one of my favorite series and this is precisely why: the writing, pacing, characterization, and details are SPOT-ON. Everything Hurwitz puts in the story means something, even if you don’t realize what until the bitter end. Every detail about Orphan X makes sense and ties into every detail about the world he lives in (both willingly and unwillingly). It gives the stories an incredible depth and breadth that go beyond its typical genre fare, and really makes them stand out.
This one ended with a FABULOUS twist that I wouldn’t have guessed in a million reads. I cannot wait to see where Hurwitz is taking this one – it’s a mind-blowing addition to the series, particularly with the conclusion of the latest case and his developing relationships with Mia and Joey. Here’s hoping the next installment comes out exceptionally quickly! Into the Fire releases in the U.S. on January 28, 2020.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for both introducing me to his amazing series and providing my obligation-free review copies. If you’re interested, my previous reviews can be found here: Orphan X and The Nowhere Man, Hell Bent, Out of the Dark.