Orphan X: A Mysterious Profile

Orphan X #10.6

by Gregg Hurwitz

The New York Times–bestselling author reveals dark secrets from the life of assassin Evan Smoak in this special novella.

Orphan X . . . The Nowhere Man . . . An assassin trained by the department of defense, Evan Smoak behaves unremarkably in public, just an average person among regular folks. His instinct is to hide in plain sight and not draw any attention to himself, so he'll remain unmemorable whenever he fulfills a contract.

But Josephine "Joey" Morales, the last recruit of the Orphan Program turned super hacker, has questions about her father figure. So in a variation of the game "Truth or Dare" called "Truth or Truth" (after "Dare" ended in a bar brawl), Joey stirs up some of Evan's memories from his childhood, memories of events that helped forge the assassin known as Orphan X . . .

Genres: Thriller, Novella, Mystery, Short Stories, Fiction

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2025

About the author

GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of over 25 thriller novels, including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, poetry, and is an award-winning documentary producer. Gregg has also written comics for AWA (including the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), DC, and Marvel. Currently, Gregg is working against polarization in politics and culture. To that end, he's penned dozens of op eds and pieces for The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Bulwark, Salon, and others, and pieces of creative content which have won numerous industry awards and achieved several hundred million views on digital TV platforms. He also helped write the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is Orphan X

Evan and Joey are just hanging out and Joey wants to play truth or dare. She wants to know Evan better, and don’t we all?

This is a moody piece of art that delves deeper into Evan and into what makes him human.

[Amak · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

Loved it. The small mundane inner workings of Evan and Joey's relationship. No action, just dialogue and flashbacks. What a great story.

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a mission, but an afternoon interacting with Joey. Interesting to see the vulnerability.

[Paul Maximilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a Nowhere Man adventure. It's a lazy afternoon with Joey in which Evan opens up, as much as Evan can, to Miss Morales.

It's brief, but it did help satisfy my thirst while I await the next installment in the Orphan X series. February isn't too far away.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

This was the third novella type story that I have read in this world in a very short amount of time. I have been VERY clear that I absolutely ADORE this world and especially love the character of Evan Smoak/Orphan X/the Nowhere Man - pick a name. To be able to get that many small snippets into this world has been such a wonderful treat. I will take as many peeks into this world as I can find - and never get tired of them.

In this entry, we get to follow along in one day as X and Joey spend the day roaming around town. As usual, Joey is full of questions and loves to talk and Evan, well....he doesn't. So, she decides they should play Truth or Dare. Unfortunately, that ends in a disaster as you do not "Dare" Evan to do anything - because he just goes and does it. (Hint - start a bar fight was not a smart thing for Joey to suggest). Lesson learned.

So, she pivots and the game becomes Truth or Truth. It ends up being an interesting way for us (and her) to learn some extremely intriguing things regarding Evan's past. I could have followed along as they played all day. But, it was not to be.

As usual, this was another win and as a devoted reader, it was a wonderful surprise.

[Jan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that I just learned some new things about Evan Smok who is my all-time favorite action character Gregg Hurwitz was gracious enough to create years ago.

I own every book written about Orphan X but enjoyed the clever way new information was supplied by a simple game of "Truth or Dare" between Evan and Joey the two main characters in the Orphan X series.

To read this profile you must have read some of the books in the series or you will be lost and maybe confused by the information you are reading without some history to be able to appreciate the honesty Evan is supplying by answering Joey's questions.

Thank you for writing the profile Mr. Hurwitz, I look forward to reading the new book "Anti Hero" early February!

Cheers!

[Ken Karcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introspective look

Evan Smoak is a curious character, good in the best ways while being a lethal force of destruction and this takes a look into what made him what he is today. It was a good idea to use the one person Evan cares for the most to pry open the depths of his inner turmoil.

[Manda O'connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great snapshot of Orphan X

Not sure if that was a sample or the entire novella – but either way, it captures beautifully so much of the relationship between the teenage Joey and the normally enigmatic Orphan X. Despite everything, it shows how he has stayed faithful to Jack’s greatest legacy - to stay human.

[Andy N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to know what came next after the last novel (No spoilers) but this was a nice, cute throwaway little story.

Didn't give much away, but I like the use of memories here.

Very effective and I enjoyed it.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan and Joey are a great partnership. Joey really was a great addition to the series and helps to bring out a different side to Evan.

This short story is a great way to get to know a bit more about Evan's past and what makes him, him. It is done via Joey playing Truth or Dare with him.

It's a great short story that just feels natural and you simply forget you are reading a short story. It feels like a couple of scenes out of a longer book.

[Cas ♛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always here for more Orphan X content! This short story was a really creative peek into Evan's mind, told through his interactions with Joey in a game of Truth or Dare—or should I say, Truth or Truth. Funny, poignant, and inspiring all in one.

[Simon Scholfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful précis

Greg Hurwitz provides a short but interesting soliloquy around some of Orphan X’s innermost secrets and fears. I’m very much looking forward to the next book, Antihero !

[See · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good novella

This is a quick read between "X" and Joey that gives you a look inside "X's" head and how he became the man that he is.

[Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

KINDLE

[Randall R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Novella, like all the Orphan X stories!

[Dale (Aus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice

I like the small windows this opens into the character, letting you learn some more small things about him. Nice quick read.

[Dennis Elten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een kort verhaal over de band tussen Joey en Evan. Dit tijdens een intresant spelletje Truth or Dare. Dit is een leuk tussendoortje.

[Dave Carmichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting character study

[Drew Dillenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting more Orphan X in any capacity is a win.

[Ben Hirsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan and Joey in Westwood, playing Truth or Dare, but Joey realizes can't dare Evan so it is Truth or Truth. Evan tells some stories about Jack. a very good short story.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

These novellas bring me so much joy.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, yet interesting look into the psyche of Evan Smoak. It has me eagerly awaiting the release of "Antihero" in a short while.

[Rosemary Dreyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short story, we get to see more of Evan’s relationship with Joey. I loved the idea of Truth or Truth. There is such humor in these books.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questions asked by Joey have Evan thinking of his relationship with Jack and a memory of himself and the boys in the group home. A must read for fans of Orphan X.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

another bite-size nugget in between legit books for background. which didn't really break any new ground either in discussing background.
3.75*

[Zachery Lounder]

So I didn't catch that there was 10.5 books before this one. whoops

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

So so Orphan X short story. Evan and Joey are playing truth or dare and Evan reviews some of the parts of his early life as an Orphan.

[Jeremy Friedlander · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh…not worth the money

Cheap ploy to write a couple chapters and get a few bucks. Harder to write a good short story than a novel.

[Bobby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious and boring

I’ve read every X book. This was a waste of time & money. Not sure why you need to write a boring review of who Evan is.

[Mekerei · Rating 4 out of 5]

A layer of X

We still don’t really know X - Evan. This short story reveals another layer of X; who he cares about and he would move heaven and hell to protect.

Four stars