Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz (2016)

Several people recommended the Orphan X series to me as one of the best modern thriller series, so I bought the first book to see what the enthusiasm was about. They were right. This novel is a genuine page-turner.

The story follows Evan Smoak, a former government assassin who escaped a secret off-the-books program and now uses his extraordinary skills to help people with nowhere else to turn. The novel combines espionage, meticulous tradecraft, and relentless action with enough character development to make the stakes feel personal rather than merely spectacular.

I was quickly drawn into the world, the characters, and the story. Hurwitz's writing has excellent texture and momentum, and the settings feel authentic and lived-in. The novel reminded me of Ghostman by Roger Hobbs, but with even better continuity and narrative flow. I particularly enjoyed the attention to detail. The 2016-era surveillance technology, spy gear, martial arts, firearms, and operational planning all contribute to a convincing portrait of a highly trained professional.

The result is an engrossing thriller that rarely slows down and never loses sight of its protagonist. I will definitely continue the series, and I expect to read more of Hurwitz's work. 5/5 stars.