Dark Horse
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Publisher: St Martin's Paperbacks
ISBN: 9781250253248
As Orphan X, Evan Smoak was an off-the-books government assassin. However, after a while, he broke with the Orphan Programme and adopted a new mission - helping the most desperate people in their times of trouble. Having just survived an attack on his life and the destruction of his base of operations at the condo at Castle Heights where he resides, Evan is not keen on taking on a new mission. But one finds its way to him anyway.
Evan also picks up where he left off with his love interest (and neighbour) Mia and her son Peter and also with the teenage Orphan programme (black ops) drop-out, teenage genius and hacker, Joey.
As has been the case in the past novels, Hurwitz kicks off the story from another point-of-view and we’re introduced to an ‘unconventional’ businessman and his daughter. Aragon is a ruthless man but at the same time, generous and kind to his people. And he’s devoted to his daughter Anjelina. Then, Anjelina is suddenly kidnapped by Aragon's business competitor during the celebration of her 18th birthday bash held at the community centre.
Evan soon finds himself pulled into Anjelica’s case even though he doesn’t agree with her father’s line of business. He sees her as innocent, so worthy of the Nowhere Man’s assistance.
Things get complicated as Evan (and Joey) look into Aragon’s business dealings as well as the cartel responsible for kidnapping Anjelica. But they work out a plan to get her back after Evan manages to get Aragon to meet his terms before agreeing to help him.
As usual Hurwitz includes an incredible amount of detail about everything, including details on weapons and combat. Hurwitz also adds in innovative ways the baddies are smuggling drugs or making money via synthetic drugs as well as introducing electronic spyware and intricate hacking tools and the like.
In the background, as a way to balance out the fast-paced action, Evan is continuing to grapple with his increasing humanity. His extreme OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder) and need for privacy offers challenges in his relationship with Joey as well as Mia and Peter.
This Orphan X outing has some interesting nuggets on The Nowhere Man. Naturally, things end with some uncertainty and it means another long wait to see what happens next.
Readers will find it interesting that Hurwitz has Aragon ponder the wrongs he has committed in his life and worry about repercussions for his daughter.
Hurwitz opens the book with the kidnapping of Angelica but he then pauses to check in on Evan, who at the end of book 6 is left in an exploding apartment.
Hurwitz offers a Mission Impossible scene in which Evan gets himself out of yet another perilous situation with only a few broken bones and injuries.
Also, the deeper Evan goes in his attempt to rescue Angelica, the more challenges he faces, including his doubts about helping a character as disreputable as Aragón. Deadly sparks fly when the Nowhere Man meets the novel's archvillain, the Dark Man. Violence and mayhem are scattered throughout the pages that follow and readers will enjoy the action scenes.
This is a thriller that will definitely enhance the legend of Orphan X.
