Lone Wolf: Orphan X, Book 9

Gregg Hurwitz is simply a master at humanizing his characters. We were first introduced to Evan Smoak, the OCD master assassin, created by his government, unable and unwilling to engage in human interaction, isolated, and willing to stay that way. As time has gone by, Evan has been forced to interact with others, and he has been placed into situations requiring him to interact in meaningful ways with others, and to delve into actual human emotions, something he was very uncomfortable with. We have seen growth, and now, even humor, and dare I say it, empathy towards others.This story opens with Evan’s Roamzone phone ringing, and the young daughter of his half brother calling him for help. No, she does not need the Nowhere Man to help her out of a desperate, life and death situation. She needs him to help find her dog, who has run away. Gregg Hurwitz introduces wry humor into this story right from the beginning, as the master assassin has to enlist his protege and assistant, the gifted Joey, into helping him to find the dog. Joey manages to locate the dog being helped by a man into his home, and dispatches Evan to recover the dog. When he arrives at the home of Dr. Hill, Evan hears a crash from within, and upon entering, discovers Dr. Hill is in the final stages of being murdered by another master assassin, a female named, “Wolf.” Wolf makes her escape by using Dr. Hill’s daughter her temporary hostage, and Evan Smoak, using a cable tie to choke off her air passages, leaving the Nowhere Man to choose whether to attempt to save the daughter, or pursue the killer. What follows it a fascinating story right off the headlines of today, involving the rapid advance of technology, as Evan attempts to discover why Dr. Hill was murdered, while he attempts to keep Dr. Hill’s daughter alive while she is being hunted by the killer she was unfortunate enough to see. It’s a true page turner, and I could not put it down, and there are a bunch of sidebar stories to follow as well. This is compelling a thriller as you will find. It was just fantastic. Kudos, Gregg Hurwitz, on another great story.

I loved this book, it took me on quite the ride of emotions. I think everything that happen to X in this book could have easily been stretched into two books. But I guess that is why it ended like it did, to set up the next book. I have complicated feelings when Evan tries to tackle emotions, cause I love that he is able to shut down and be so fierce. But then all of a sudden he has to navigate Joey. It’s like whiplash. And it makes me the reader feel that way too. I mean she calls on a mission and he somehow, I don’t know how he did it, relate to her and save people at the same time. And I’m missing Mia and Peter too. but then at the same time how could he ever be in their lives. And truthfully I don’t know that I want that either. And I’m very conflicted about the next book, I mean come on, that came out of nowhere for X. Of course I stop and look up every name of every vodka that is mentioned and see where I can buy it, lol. He should get paid for pushing vodka. Only in this book he , shockingly drinks something else! The part that I’m still shaking my head over is how he got away from all the cops, that was brilliant. And how can I not say anything about how it makes you look at your phone differently. And the big thing AI. This book had so much, his dad, his brother, his niece, the missing dog, it was almost overwhelming.

Gregg Hurwitz's Lone Wolf is the Ninth installment in the authors' Orphan X series. The story begins with Evan Smoak aka Orphan X aka The Nowhere Man searching Texas for his so-called biological father thanks to information that was passed to him by Joey Morales. A father who was once a Rodeo Cowboy. Evan finally meets him and Evan’s reaction to his bio dad is going on a bender that has Joey and Tommy Slojack (Evan’s weapons supplier) worried about him. Especially since Evan never leaves his phone behind.From there, the story twists to a female assassin who is nicknamed The Wolf. She appears to be killing some important people for reasons only she knows, and she might be the one person who can push Evan to the limits of his abilities. Evan has made it his mission to help the people who need it the most. And, the person who apparently needs help just happens to be the daughter of Evan's 1/2 brother Adrian who spent time in the same orphanage.Sophia, whom he has never met, claims that her dog Loco ran away, and since Evan helps people, well, why can't he help her find her dog? Joey is a computer whiz who can hack into any computer or CCTV camera anywhere, and with Joey's help, Evan discovers where he might find Loco. In the process of locating Loco, Evan comes across a murder scene and an assassin that Evan ends up referring to as the Wolf. This woman appears to be just as good as an assassin as Evan.Thanks to his quick action, and thinking, Evan saves Jayla Hill, the daughter of Dr. Benjamin Hill who apparently was a big deal in the tech sector when it comes to Artificial Intelligence. Evan quickly learns that Karissa (aka The Wolf) may be as dangerous as he is, and definitely in the same category as Cindy McClure. Unfortunately, he soon becomes the target of a colossal manhunt by the LAPD who thinks he is the Wolf. This is by far the most action-packed part of the entire story, but Evan's fight with the Wolf is just getting started.If you have read any book in this series, you know that Evan lives by Jack's Ten Commandments. One of those is, "How you do anything, is how you do everything," and "Do not let anything become personal." For Evan, Sophia is personal because her father is struggling to survive. For Evan, Joey is personal because she is struggling to fit in at college and wants to rush to a sorority and doesn't know what she really wants to do with her life. Joey and Evan are totally different, yet their banter is rather enlightening. Joey is also a total slob, and I am not afraid to say so which pushes Evan's OCD to the limits.Meanwhile, Jayla Hill learns that her larynx was crushed by the Wolf, and she can no longer sing. Singing and dancing is her entire life. Evan makes it his mission to make sure that she is protected and that he discovers who hired the Wolf to take out her father, and others who seemingly have also been eliminated. The only way to get to the bottom of the mystery is to ask for help from a certain billionaire who owes Evan, and Melinda Truong who has helped Evan throughout this series. Including finding the identity of the Wolf, and her supplier. Full stop.*Thoughts* The thing that keeps me coming back time and time again to read this series is the author never bores us with what is happening around Evan. From learning about how really dangerous AI can truly be, to finding out that his friend may or may not be who he thought he was, to the chaos of Castle Heights, and the fight to see who is going to be head of the HOA. Joey's life is getting twisted and interesting all at the same time, and I can't wait to see what happens next. The part of the story surrounding AI really got under my skin. I really am worried for the history of mankind when AI has basically no restraint as to what it is capable of. I don't think the people behind AI understand what damage they are likely causing when machines are doing everything including delivering our groceries, and medicine, to taking our orders at local restaurants.

I really don’t know how Gregg Hurwitz keeps pulling more amazing Orphan X stores out of his incredible imagination.A friend introduced me to X years ago and I always preorder the books now when I know they’re coming out.Not a single book or chapter of a book has been disappointing or below the incredibly high standards that Gregg has set with this great character.Let’s not forget Joey and Dog either. Just wonderful and, having just finished this one I really can’t wait for the next instalment

Amazing read. Unputdownable as always with Evan Smoak. Hope to read more of his missions in the coming years. 9 on 9 so far.

How scary is this - I acknowledged many many times throughout the book that we are already at this juncture.The laugh out loud funny moments had me surprised and thankful. I thought it would be all doom and gloom but Joey oh Joey saved it.Thank you now depression has set in as I await the next book. I will get the audible now to listen at my leisure.

The latest book in the Orphan X series is a must read. It has all the aspects a great thriller must have, and it has these aspects in spades.The hardest part is waiting for the next book. Bravo to the author!

My only regret is that the book ended and there is mo more Orphan X to read. It must be said it has been one of my favourite series to read. Evan and Joey, their characters are so different from most and they just work well together. Another brilliant story, AI is certainly intriquing and woven well into the story and the characters lives. It is already part of our everyday now, it does make you wonder about how it will impact us all in the future. Other than that I truly hope Gregg decides to continue the series yet.