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Orphan X #11.5
The Damage Man
Once the U.S. government’s deadliest off-the-books assassin, Evan Smoak was known only as Orphan X. He broke free from the Program, vanished, and reinvented himself as The Nowhere Man — the last hope for those with nowhere else to turn.
When Evan has a chance encounter with a desperate father named Rusty, he agrees to help find Rusty’s estranged son, who has fallen in with the wrong people — violent, unforgiving men who will stop at nothing to get their way. What looks like a straightforward rescue quickly spirals into something far more dangerous and personal.
At the same time, Evan is forced to confront the one ghost he’s never been able to escape: the birth father who abandoned him. In a world where every move could be his last, Orphan X will finally have to face the past he buried—if he can survive the deadly present.
When Evan has a chance encounter with a desperate father named Rusty, he agrees to help find Rusty’s estranged son, who has fallen in with the wrong people — violent, unforgiving men who will stop at nothing to get their way. What looks like a straightforward rescue quickly spirals into something far more dangerous and personal.
At the same time, Evan is forced to confront the one ghost he’s never been able to escape: the birth father who abandoned him. In a world where every move could be his last, Orphan X will finally have to face the past he buried—if he can survive the deadly present.
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Gregg Hurwitz
294 books7,237 followersGREGG 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Welcome to the world of Orphan X.
This may be a quickie novella, but Orphan X, aka Evan Smoak, aka Nowhere Man, has time to take on a new case.
He has dedicated his life to help those who have run out of options and are in grave danger…whatever it takes.
Along the way, Evan takes a moment for some self-discovery. As the series progresses, we get to see more of a softer side to Evan alongside his tough-as-nails persona. I love both sides of him.
And the ending…🥰
Since we are so far into this series, my recommendation is to start at the beginning to really understand our main character. It’s a five-star series. One of the best out there, you won’t be sorry. But if you just want to dip a toe into his world, this might be a good sample of who Orphan X is.
✍️ Gregg Hurwitz
🎧 2 hours and 2 minutes
🎤 Scott Brick
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 1 2026
📈 4.5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Thriller, suspense, novella. #11.5 of (one of my favorite) series🙌
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook.
This may be a quickie novella, but Orphan X, aka Evan Smoak, aka Nowhere Man, has time to take on a new case.
He has dedicated his life to help those who have run out of options and are in grave danger…whatever it takes.
Along the way, Evan takes a moment for some self-discovery. As the series progresses, we get to see more of a softer side to Evan alongside his tough-as-nails persona. I love both sides of him.
And the ending…🥰
Since we are so far into this series, my recommendation is to start at the beginning to really understand our main character. It’s a five-star series. One of the best out there, you won’t be sorry. But if you just want to dip a toe into his world, this might be a good sample of who Orphan X is.
✍️ Gregg Hurwitz
🎧 2 hours and 2 minutes
🎤 Scott Brick
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 1 2026
📈 4.5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Thriller, suspense, novella. #11.5 of (one of my favorite) series🙌
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a great short story. Evan has a case that is resolved quickly and fairly easily due to the length of the book. However, the more important aspect of the story is his emotional growth.
Evan is helping a father whose son is in trouble after borrowing money from the wrong people. They have been estranged and Evan observes some very strained interactions. He applies what he learns from this to his own life and grows from there.
Joey is in this one and I didn't find her annoying like she can be. She was very mature about a situation and I was happy to see that she may be growing as well.
If you enjoy the Orphan X series and are invested in the growth and relationships of the characters, you don't want to miss this one.
I listened to the audio version expertly narrated by Scott Brick and absolutely recommend it. The audio is just 2 hours 2 minutes long. A very short time investment for the wonderful story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Evan is helping a father whose son is in trouble after borrowing money from the wrong people. They have been estranged and Evan observes some very strained interactions. He applies what he learns from this to his own life and grows from there.
Joey is in this one and I didn't find her annoying like she can be. She was very mature about a situation and I was happy to see that she may be growing as well.
If you enjoy the Orphan X series and are invested in the growth and relationships of the characters, you don't want to miss this one.
I listened to the audio version expertly narrated by Scott Brick and absolutely recommend it. The audio is just 2 hours 2 minutes long. A very short time investment for the wonderful story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 2, 2026
Normal
Evan Smoake, aka Orphan X, aka the Nowhere Man, is uncomfortable with things his friend Joey calls “normal stuff”.
Without even a call on his roam zone, Evan finds himself helping a man being threatened by some kind of enforcer, deals some punishment and finds out the real person in trouble is the man’s son.
Evan deals up more punishment, but also sees the discomfort between the father and son who haven’t spent much time together over the years. It makes him think of his own father.
This was an excellent Novella as everything Hurwitz writes always is, with action, not much suspense in this one, but all these short stories bring us a step closer to the real Orphan X. This was definitely five stars.
Evan Smoake, aka Orphan X, aka the Nowhere Man, is uncomfortable with things his friend Joey calls “normal stuff”.
Without even a call on his roam zone, Evan finds himself helping a man being threatened by some kind of enforcer, deals some punishment and finds out the real person in trouble is the man’s son.
Evan deals up more punishment, but also sees the discomfort between the father and son who haven’t spent much time together over the years. It makes him think of his own father.
This was an excellent Novella as everything Hurwitz writes always is, with action, not much suspense in this one, but all these short stories bring us a step closer to the real Orphan X. This was definitely five stars.
September 2, 2026
Evan Smoek, aka The Nowhere Man, finds himself entwined with a father whose son's Rusty, in in a sh**load of trouble. The men after Rusty are bad, very bad, but once again it is Evan to the rescue.
It turns out to be a rather dangerous mission (as if anything Evan is involved in isn't!) Rusty and his father have a very troubled relation ship and Evan can't help but see how it looks so much like his life with an absent father who abandoned him.
As usual, we do get a glimpse into Evan,his father, and his computer hacking friend, Joey, who more and more becomes something so special to him, almost like a daughter.
It a fast action novella that has our hero discovering more about himself, his father, and of course his feelings for Joey.
Loved each and every installment of this series, that always gets me to drop everything and read or in this case listen to Evan's escapades. Definitely a major fan!
It turns out to be a rather dangerous mission (as if anything Evan is involved in isn't!) Rusty and his father have a very troubled relation ship and Evan can't help but see how it looks so much like his life with an absent father who abandoned him.
As usual, we do get a glimpse into Evan,his father, and his computer hacking friend, Joey, who more and more becomes something so special to him, almost like a daughter.
It a fast action novella that has our hero discovering more about himself, his father, and of course his feelings for Joey.
Loved each and every installment of this series, that always gets me to drop everything and read or in this case listen to Evan's escapades. Definitely a major fan!
September 3, 2026
Orphan X is among my favorite characters. Gregg Hurwitz did all readers a favor when he came up with Evan Smoak. The Damage Man is a wonderful short story to enjoy while we wait for Last Man Standing. In this one we get some more insight into Evans family and also his new idea of helping the local prosecuter. I just love this series and can't get enough. It comes highly recommended from me.
September 1, 2026
This short story is an Orphan X background filler. It revolves around a father/son situation that Evan Smoak picks up on the street and filters to the relationship with his own father. A quick read/listen.
I received a free audio copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, and my fiction book review blog.
I received a free audio copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, and my fiction book review blog.
September 1, 2026
Intro
As a devoted, lifelong fan who has read and listened to every single entry in the legendary Orphan X universe, I am always primed for Evan Smoak’s next move. Gregg Hurwitz’s newest short story, The Damage Man, is a razor-sharp, emotionally devastating slice of action-thriller perfection that packs a massive punch right to the gut. This is an elite, adrenaline-fueled narrative that grabs you from the opening seconds and proves a story doesn't need hundreds of pages to completely leave you breathless.
The Hook
A seemingly straightforward rescue mission forces the world’s deadliest former assassin to turn around and face the one ghost he has spent his entire life running from.
Elevator Pitch
When a desperate father reaches out to The Nowhere Man for help, Evan Smoak agrees to find an estranged son who has fallen into the hands of a violent, unforgiving criminal syndicate. But as the rescue spirals into lethal chaos, Evan is simultaneously forced into an unexpected emotional confrontation with his own past: the birth father who abandoned him.
Setting
The gritty, dangerous underbelly of the modern criminal landscape, contrasted with the quiet, internal vulnerability of Evan’s high-tech, deeply hidden world.
Vibe
Sharp, cinematic, deeply personal, and relentlessly fast-paced.
Genre
Action Thriller / Vigilante Suspense
Themes
~Parental abandonment and deep-seated rejection
~The internal cost of living as a perpetual protector
~Forgiveness versus survival
~The definition of what makes a true father
Standout Characters
~Evan Smoak (Orphan X / The Nowhere Man): A hyper-lethal protagonist who is a master of weaponized tactics, yet completely defenseless when forced to confront his own childhood trauma.
~The Birth Father: A figure from the past whose unexpected presence challenges everything Evan thought he knew about himself.
Author Writing Standout
Hurwitz’s absolute brilliance lies in his pacing. He masterfully balances lightning-fast, bone-breaking combat sequences with profoundly quiet, raw emotional depth inside a tightly coiled page count.
Takeaway
You can run from the past for a lifetime, but true survival requires you to finally turn around and face it.
Title Significance
"The Damage Man" serves as a brilliant double meaning, referencing both the violent criminals who inflict damage on innocent families and the deep, unresolved emotional damage Evan carries inside his own soul.
Metaphor
The hostile criminal syndicate acts as a perfect metaphor for Evan's own internal walls—dangerous, heavily guarded, and requiring absolute precision to break through.
Why You Should Read
You must listen to this to experience a legendary character stripped of his usual armor, forcing you to see the vulnerable, bleeding human being behind the lethal assassin facade.
My Thoughts
"A razor-sharp, emotionally devastating slice of action-thriller perfection that packs a massive punch."
"An absolute masterclass in short-form tension! Having read and listened to every single entry in the legendary Orphan X universe, I am completely awed by how Gregg Hurwitz grounds explosive, cinematic action inside such deep, authentic human emotion. It is a brilliant, hard-hitting triumph that leaves you completely breathless."
Audio 🎧 Standout
"An elite audio production and an absolute standout for my Top Audiobooks list! Narrated by the incomparable, iconic Scott Brick, this performance is pure magic. As the definitive voice of Evan Smoak, Brick maps every tactical combat sequence and raw emotional fracture with total perfection. Accepting any substitute for Scott Brick on an Orphan X book is impossible—this is an essential, addictive listen!"
Recs or Read-Alikes
Note: To fully appreciate Evan Smoak's elite trajectory, the shifting dynamics of his hidden life, and the heavy emotional weight of this installment, you must experience his journey in order.
~Orphan X
~The Nowhere Man
~Hellbent
~Out of the Dark
~Into the Fire
~Prodigal Son
~Dark Horse
~The Last Orphan
~Lone Wolf
~The Damage Man
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating; 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sep 1, 2026
Sep Newsletter
Sept 2026 Must-Read Books
As a devoted, lifelong fan who has read and listened to every single entry in the legendary Orphan X universe, I am always primed for Evan Smoak’s next move. Gregg Hurwitz’s newest short story, The Damage Man, is a razor-sharp, emotionally devastating slice of action-thriller perfection that packs a massive punch right to the gut. This is an elite, adrenaline-fueled narrative that grabs you from the opening seconds and proves a story doesn't need hundreds of pages to completely leave you breathless.
The Hook
A seemingly straightforward rescue mission forces the world’s deadliest former assassin to turn around and face the one ghost he has spent his entire life running from.
Elevator Pitch
When a desperate father reaches out to The Nowhere Man for help, Evan Smoak agrees to find an estranged son who has fallen into the hands of a violent, unforgiving criminal syndicate. But as the rescue spirals into lethal chaos, Evan is simultaneously forced into an unexpected emotional confrontation with his own past: the birth father who abandoned him.
Setting
The gritty, dangerous underbelly of the modern criminal landscape, contrasted with the quiet, internal vulnerability of Evan’s high-tech, deeply hidden world.
Vibe
Sharp, cinematic, deeply personal, and relentlessly fast-paced.
Genre
Action Thriller / Vigilante Suspense
Themes
~Parental abandonment and deep-seated rejection
~The internal cost of living as a perpetual protector
~Forgiveness versus survival
~The definition of what makes a true father
Standout Characters
~Evan Smoak (Orphan X / The Nowhere Man): A hyper-lethal protagonist who is a master of weaponized tactics, yet completely defenseless when forced to confront his own childhood trauma.
~The Birth Father: A figure from the past whose unexpected presence challenges everything Evan thought he knew about himself.
Author Writing Standout
Hurwitz’s absolute brilliance lies in his pacing. He masterfully balances lightning-fast, bone-breaking combat sequences with profoundly quiet, raw emotional depth inside a tightly coiled page count.
Takeaway
You can run from the past for a lifetime, but true survival requires you to finally turn around and face it.
Title Significance
"The Damage Man" serves as a brilliant double meaning, referencing both the violent criminals who inflict damage on innocent families and the deep, unresolved emotional damage Evan carries inside his own soul.
Metaphor
The hostile criminal syndicate acts as a perfect metaphor for Evan's own internal walls—dangerous, heavily guarded, and requiring absolute precision to break through.
Why You Should Read
You must listen to this to experience a legendary character stripped of his usual armor, forcing you to see the vulnerable, bleeding human being behind the lethal assassin facade.
My Thoughts
"A razor-sharp, emotionally devastating slice of action-thriller perfection that packs a massive punch."
"An absolute masterclass in short-form tension! Having read and listened to every single entry in the legendary Orphan X universe, I am completely awed by how Gregg Hurwitz grounds explosive, cinematic action inside such deep, authentic human emotion. It is a brilliant, hard-hitting triumph that leaves you completely breathless."
Audio 🎧 Standout
"An elite audio production and an absolute standout for my Top Audiobooks list! Narrated by the incomparable, iconic Scott Brick, this performance is pure magic. As the definitive voice of Evan Smoak, Brick maps every tactical combat sequence and raw emotional fracture with total perfection. Accepting any substitute for Scott Brick on an Orphan X book is impossible—this is an essential, addictive listen!"
Recs or Read-Alikes
Note: To fully appreciate Evan Smoak's elite trajectory, the shifting dynamics of his hidden life, and the heavy emotional weight of this installment, you must experience his journey in order.
~Orphan X
~The Nowhere Man
~Hellbent
~Out of the Dark
~Into the Fire
~Prodigal Son
~Dark Horse
~The Last Orphan
~Lone Wolf
~The Damage Man
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating; 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sep 1, 2026
Sep Newsletter
Sept 2026 Must-Read Books
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another TERRIFIC ONE from Gregg Hurwitz!
The Nowhere Man is at it again... but this time, he helps an older gent in an alley who is getting beaten up because of his son. Apparently, his son took out a large loan, from the wrong guys. And now, he cannot pay it back. And so, his father steps in for him. However, the father and son have not seen eye to eye for some time now...
When X sses the beating, he steps in and beats the daylights out of the guy. And also gets some crucial info as to who he needs to meet with next, as this guy seems to be a the bottom rung of the ladder.
And so, off he goes... on a tangent. Seeking peace for the father (Rusty) as well as his delinquent son. And he's off on a rampage.
BUT, we also get some glimpses into his own biological Dad. The one he doesn't really know... and maybe, just maybe, might want to?? And Joey (Josephine), the amazing hacker... just might be able to get him some info on the man.
Short (under 2 hours), sweet- not really, but we do actually get to see a drop of emotion from X... and that's something, and, I love all of these books!!
Amazing punch for a novella! 5 bright stars for me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheDamageMan by @GreggHurwitz and narrated wonderfully, as usual, by @ScottBrick.
This one has NOT been released yet, but look 👀 for it soon!! Release Date is 9/1/26!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
The Nowhere Man is at it again... but this time, he helps an older gent in an alley who is getting beaten up because of his son. Apparently, his son took out a large loan, from the wrong guys. And now, he cannot pay it back. And so, his father steps in for him. However, the father and son have not seen eye to eye for some time now...
When X sses the beating, he steps in and beats the daylights out of the guy. And also gets some crucial info as to who he needs to meet with next, as this guy seems to be a the bottom rung of the ladder.
And so, off he goes... on a tangent. Seeking peace for the father (Rusty) as well as his delinquent son. And he's off on a rampage.
BUT, we also get some glimpses into his own biological Dad. The one he doesn't really know... and maybe, just maybe, might want to?? And Joey (Josephine), the amazing hacker... just might be able to get him some info on the man.
Short (under 2 hours), sweet- not really, but we do actually get to see a drop of emotion from X... and that's something, and, I love all of these books!!
Amazing punch for a novella! 5 bright stars for me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheDamageMan by @GreggHurwitz and narrated wonderfully, as usual, by @ScottBrick.
This one has NOT been released yet, but look 👀 for it soon!! Release Date is 9/1/26!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
September 1, 2026
At this point, I’m not sure how much steam Gregg Hurwitz has left in the tank for the adventures of Evan Smoak (aka Orphan X, aka a one-man A-Team) but I’ll probably keep picking these books up as long as he keeps writing them.
The Damage Man is book #11.5 in the ongoing series. For what it is, it’s perfectly enjoyable. This is a side quest, not a main-series installment. Evan breaks one of his precious commandments (yet again) and gets involved where he probably shouldn’t.
Can Evan help a father save his estranged son from predatory loan sharks?
Evan’s relationship with his ward, Joey, teenage hacker extraordinaire and survivor of the same program that turned Evan into a living weapon, continues to be one of the series’ highlights. She humanizes him in much the same way Dick Grayson brought humanity to Batman.
Scott Brick is the Volvo of audiobook narrators: a safe choice, infinitely dependable, and not necessarily flashy, but you know he’s going to deliver the goods. He remains an excellent fit for a series about a man whose greatest skill is blending in anywhere.
If this is your first foray into the world of Evan Smoak and Orphan X, I’d recommend starting with the main series. But if you’ve made it this far, The Damage Man offers a quick, satisfying story with some welcome character growth.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Narration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
The Damage Man is book #11.5 in the ongoing series. For what it is, it’s perfectly enjoyable. This is a side quest, not a main-series installment. Evan breaks one of his precious commandments (yet again) and gets involved where he probably shouldn’t.
Can Evan help a father save his estranged son from predatory loan sharks?
Evan’s relationship with his ward, Joey, teenage hacker extraordinaire and survivor of the same program that turned Evan into a living weapon, continues to be one of the series’ highlights. She humanizes him in much the same way Dick Grayson brought humanity to Batman.
Scott Brick is the Volvo of audiobook narrators: a safe choice, infinitely dependable, and not necessarily flashy, but you know he’s going to deliver the goods. He remains an excellent fit for a series about a man whose greatest skill is blending in anywhere.
If this is your first foray into the world of Evan Smoak and Orphan X, I’d recommend starting with the main series. But if you’ve made it this far, The Damage Man offers a quick, satisfying story with some welcome character growth.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Narration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Damage Man
Series: Orphan X #11.5
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Scott Bricker
Publisher: Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Audiobook Pub Date: September 1, 2026
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
If you read any in this series, you know some about Evan Smoak from the other stories. He was raised in a state home and at age twelve he was selected to train as an assassin in the Orphan Program. The training is grueling, but Evan becomes one of the most highly skilled assassins. However, he decided to leave the program and thus becomes ‘The Nowhere Man’ and the one who helps people.
In this story Evan agrees to help find Rusty’s son Blake, who has fallen in with the wrong people. The men are violent and unforgiving and will stop at nothing to get their way. What looks like a straightforward rescue quickly spirals into something far more dangerous and personal.
I have read other in this series but was drawn to this one as I love audiobook narrator Scott Brick. Brick was the winner of the 2024 ITW Thriller award for his narration of the Orphan X book The Last Orphan, and the 2025 Audie Award for his narration of the Orphan X book Lone Wolf.
I was introduced to his golden pipes in the Harlan Coban s Myron Bolitar series. To me he was Myron!
Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 1, 2026.
Series: Orphan X #11.5
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Scott Bricker
Publisher: Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Audiobook Pub Date: September 1, 2026
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
If you read any in this series, you know some about Evan Smoak from the other stories. He was raised in a state home and at age twelve he was selected to train as an assassin in the Orphan Program. The training is grueling, but Evan becomes one of the most highly skilled assassins. However, he decided to leave the program and thus becomes ‘The Nowhere Man’ and the one who helps people.
In this story Evan agrees to help find Rusty’s son Blake, who has fallen in with the wrong people. The men are violent and unforgiving and will stop at nothing to get their way. What looks like a straightforward rescue quickly spirals into something far more dangerous and personal.
I have read other in this series but was drawn to this one as I love audiobook narrator Scott Brick. Brick was the winner of the 2024 ITW Thriller award for his narration of the Orphan X book The Last Orphan, and the 2025 Audie Award for his narration of the Orphan X book Lone Wolf.
I was introduced to his golden pipes in the Harlan Coban s Myron Bolitar series. To me he was Myron!
Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 1, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Orphan X series is one of my all-time favorites! I pounce on every installment, novella and short story. So, I was thrilled to get an audio copy of The Damage Man!
Ethan Smoak was taken from foster care as and trained an elite assassin for a covert government program, but left when his conscience demanded it. Now he operates as The Nowhere Man, helping the helpless. His training and smarts make him a formidable foe. Just when you think there’s no way out he somehow prevails!
In this novella/short story Evan stumbles across a man being threatened by a loan shark’s debt collector. He steps in to help and finds out the debt is owed by the man’s estranged son. Evan tracks the threat to the boss and does what Evan does, but seeing the strained relationship between the father and son drudges up feelings over his own abandonment. He’s not ready to confront his past and yet circumstances force his hand.
Thankfully, Evan has amassed a found family: Joey, Tommy, Mia and more, and it’s everything I want for Evan! He deserves all the loyalty and love! Joey is there for support just when he needs it.
From the first book I’ve been “reading” by audio. Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator, bringing Evan to life. He IS Evan Smoak to me even now. His female voices and accents are excellent, and his comedic timing is spot on!
I voluntarily listened to a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Ethan Smoak was taken from foster care as and trained an elite assassin for a covert government program, but left when his conscience demanded it. Now he operates as The Nowhere Man, helping the helpless. His training and smarts make him a formidable foe. Just when you think there’s no way out he somehow prevails!
In this novella/short story Evan stumbles across a man being threatened by a loan shark’s debt collector. He steps in to help and finds out the debt is owed by the man’s estranged son. Evan tracks the threat to the boss and does what Evan does, but seeing the strained relationship between the father and son drudges up feelings over his own abandonment. He’s not ready to confront his past and yet circumstances force his hand.
Thankfully, Evan has amassed a found family: Joey, Tommy, Mia and more, and it’s everything I want for Evan! He deserves all the loyalty and love! Joey is there for support just when he needs it.
From the first book I’ve been “reading” by audio. Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator, bringing Evan to life. He IS Evan Smoak to me even now. His female voices and accents are excellent, and his comedic timing is spot on!
I voluntarily listened to a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Damage Man is a short listen, only a couple of hours, however it accomplishes a lot. There is someone to be saved from a bad guy, a loan shark operation. A father is being attacked to get the son's attention to make his payments. Evan turns the tables on the enforcer and gets information about his boss.
Evan calmly gets to the boss and gets information on the whole operation and then leaves him detained for law enforcement. It turns out there is a whole group of these "damage men" who all report to a bigger boss. Evan goes to those offices and rounds them up with evidence as well.
He leaves "anonymous" messages for Mia on where to find the criminals and the evidence. This is hilarious.
During all his work, he thinks about the father and the son and their relationship. Then there is Joey who helps him and their relationship. Finally the relationship with his own dad, who was basically only interested that he might have money.
So Evan does a lot of personal growth on relationships and the ending is brilliant.
Narration:
Scott Brick is amazing in narrating this series. I am completely settled into his voices for the characters and loved his performance. He does a nice differentiation with all the ages and locations. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I LOVE the Orphan X series. I recommend reading from the beginning, in order, for the character and world developments. Evan has grown and become more personable throughout the series. He is a support for the people at Castle Heights, especially Mia and Peter, and a parental figure, at least a caretaker for Joey. He violated the terms of his informal presidential "pardon" so now the government could come after him Instead, they want him to be their contract assassin. The pardon was always a fallacy because they could take it back anytime, plus if he was in the normal view, there would be people trying to kill him. He needs to stay hidden.
The Damage Man is a short listen, only a couple of hours, however it accomplishes a lot. There is someone to be saved from a bad guy, a loan shark operation. A father is being attacked to get the son's attention to make his payments. Evan turns the tables on the enforcer and gets information about his boss.
Evan calmly gets to the boss and gets information on the whole operation and then leaves him detained for law enforcement. It turns out there is a whole group of these "damage men" who all report to a bigger boss. Evan goes to those offices and rounds them up with evidence as well.
He leaves "anonymous" messages for Mia on where to find the criminals and the evidence. This is hilarious.
During all his work, he thinks about the father and the son and their relationship. Then there is Joey who helps him and their relationship. Finally the relationship with his own dad, who was basically only interested that he might have money.
So Evan does a lot of personal growth on relationships and the ending is brilliant.
Narration:
Scott Brick is amazing in narrating this series. I am completely settled into his voices for the characters and loved his performance. He does a nice differentiation with all the ages and locations. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you've been here since the beginning, then you know what you are getting from an Orphan X novel, great action, fast paced and characters you root for. If you haven't been around since the beginning, then I'm jealous that you have so many great books in the series to read.
This was definitely one of my favorite of the 0.5 books that Hurwitz has done in this series. The action and pacing are on par with the regular titles, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much heart is packed into this one. I adore the Evan/Joey relationship as it has grown and changed over multiple books. This one finished on a serious high note. For the most part, I've never felt like the 0.5 books were 'must reads' in regards to the series as a whole, but The Damage Man definitely feels like essential reading for fans of the series.
I listened to the audiobook and, as usual, Scott Brick was amazing. He is Evan Smoak!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an ALC. All opinions are my own.
This was definitely one of my favorite of the 0.5 books that Hurwitz has done in this series. The action and pacing are on par with the regular titles, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much heart is packed into this one. I adore the Evan/Joey relationship as it has grown and changed over multiple books. This one finished on a serious high note. For the most part, I've never felt like the 0.5 books were 'must reads' in regards to the series as a whole, but The Damage Man definitely feels like essential reading for fans of the series.
I listened to the audiobook and, as usual, Scott Brick was amazing. He is Evan Smoak!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an ALC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought The Damage Man by Gregg Hurwitz was amazing! Even though it’s a short story, it still delivered everything I enjoy about the Orphan X world, and honestly, my biggest complaint is that I wished it was longer. It pulled me in right away and left me wanting more.
Scott Brick’s narration made the audiobook even better. For me, he is the voice of Orphan X, and his performance added so much to the story. He really knows how to bring the tone and character to life. If you’re already a fan of Orphan X, this is definitely worth listening to. If you haven’t been sucked into the world of Orphan X yet, this is worth listening to also!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Damage Man (An Orphan X Short Story) by Gregg Hurwitz
Narrator: Scott Brick
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: September 1, 2026
Scott Brick’s narration made the audiobook even better. For me, he is the voice of Orphan X, and his performance added so much to the story. He really knows how to bring the tone and character to life. If you’re already a fan of Orphan X, this is definitely worth listening to. If you haven’t been sucked into the world of Orphan X yet, this is worth listening to also!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Damage Man (An Orphan X Short Story) by Gregg Hurwitz
Narrator: Scott Brick
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: September 1, 2026
September 2, 2026
The Damage Man AUDIO by Gregg Hurwitz is an Orphan X story, short and sweet. The task Evan set for himself is of little importance except for what he took away from it which is, it is never too late for a father son reunion. He, encouraged by Joey and his observations of his “clients,” Evan is making a final trip to Texas to visit his birth father, who is in hospice. The last time, seven minutes, had not been successful, the man more interested in himself and in Evan’s money than in Evan himself. He has thought a lot about this, thinking about his relationship with Joey, and the future. This is another step in the humanization of Orphan X and it is an important one. Terrific listen.
Scott Brick is the narrator and he is Orphan X. There is no other voice that could do Evan justice.
I was invited to listen the TheDamage Man by Macmillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacmillanAudio #ScottBrick #GreggHurwitz #TheDamageMan
Scott Brick is the narrator and he is Orphan X. There is no other voice that could do Evan justice.
I was invited to listen the TheDamage Man by Macmillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacmillanAudio #ScottBrick #GreggHurwitz #TheDamageMan
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This short story is a great addition to the Evan Smoak series and a perfect tide-me-over while waiting for the next installment of this series.
Evan encounters Rusty, a man who is being hassled over the debt of his son's, and decides to step in and do what he does best - help a stranger that needs it. While helping the father/son pair, he reflects on his own father and his one meeting that he had with the man and his current relationships with those close to him.
This short story gives another glimpse of Evan growing as a character. It was the typical action packed Evan Smoak story with appearances by Joey that keeps me coming back to this series. I enjoyed this quick read and now look forward to seeing what is in story for Evan next.
Overall, this is a great read that I enjoyed from the start!
Evan encounters Rusty, a man who is being hassled over the debt of his son's, and decides to step in and do what he does best - help a stranger that needs it. While helping the father/son pair, he reflects on his own father and his one meeting that he had with the man and his current relationships with those close to him.
This short story gives another glimpse of Evan growing as a character. It was the typical action packed Evan Smoak story with appearances by Joey that keeps me coming back to this series. I enjoyed this quick read and now look forward to seeing what is in story for Evan next.
Overall, this is a great read that I enjoyed from the start!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this audiobook. This review is my own opinion.
Fantastic short story!
I enjoyed Scott Brick's narration and the reading's pace. Scott's a well-known (and awarded) narrator, so I always look forward to hearing him read. This short story was action-packed and moved quickly, with suspense, cliffhangers, and twists along the way.
I will admit that this was my first story in the series, but it won't be my last! As a stand-alone, I could follow the plot, understand the characters, and appreciate Smoak's character development as the story progressed. Evan Smoak's complexity definitely warrants devouring the other books in this series! I plan to re-listen as I dive into the series to better understand how this story may have brought a new perspective to an established character.
Fantastic short story!
I enjoyed Scott Brick's narration and the reading's pace. Scott's a well-known (and awarded) narrator, so I always look forward to hearing him read. This short story was action-packed and moved quickly, with suspense, cliffhangers, and twists along the way.
I will admit that this was my first story in the series, but it won't be my last! As a stand-alone, I could follow the plot, understand the characters, and appreciate Smoak's character development as the story progressed. Evan Smoak's complexity definitely warrants devouring the other books in this series! I plan to re-listen as I dive into the series to better understand how this story may have brought a new perspective to an established character.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Evan is back for a quick tale that is pretty impactful.
You see, Evan witnesses a guy being harassed and steps in to help. It seems Rusty is in trouble because his son has gotten into some trouble. Rusty is quite the best dad, but he’s trying to make things right. Of course, this leads to Evan busting some heads.
Here’s the thing, this story is personal to Evan. He’s met his birth dad, and their interaction wasn’t the best. Being an orphan leads to some issues in a person’s life. Evan wants to solve those issues. This fills out this short story and emotional.
As always, the brilliant Scott Brick makes these audiobooks come alive and are so much fun. He’s just too good.
You see, Evan witnesses a guy being harassed and steps in to help. It seems Rusty is in trouble because his son has gotten into some trouble. Rusty is quite the best dad, but he’s trying to make things right. Of course, this leads to Evan busting some heads.
Here’s the thing, this story is personal to Evan. He’s met his birth dad, and their interaction wasn’t the best. Being an orphan leads to some issues in a person’s life. Evan wants to solve those issues. This fills out this short story and emotional.
As always, the brilliant Scott Brick makes these audiobooks come alive and are so much fun. He’s just too good.
August 21, 2026
The flashbacks of Jack always make me think about what could’ve been if he survived. The Evan and Joey dynamic continues to get stronger with each entry into the series. The father-daughter dynamic is heartwarming. With having the ARC almost finished of The Last Man Standing, we are working towards another classic entry into the series if not my favorite by quite a bit. While this was more streamlined and along the lines of classic Evan. Antihero, & TLMS really start expanding Evan’s character beyond his core commandments and robotic-like personality. I highly suggest you read Antihero and pre-order The Last Man Standing. Also almost forgot the deprivation tank scene was fire.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another addicting short story where we follow Evan help a father that is desperate to help his own son out of a dangerous situation. Evan gets a front row view of a difficult father and son relationship. Seeing how Evan processes their relationship and in turn his own emotions. It really made Evan feel like a real person. I especially loved the ending with Evan and Joey. It was a very sweet moment.
The narrator, Scott Brick does a phenomenal job bridging Evan and this world to life. It’s an addicting listen and just blows everything out of the water for me.
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
The narrator, Scott Brick does a phenomenal job bridging Evan and this world to life. It’s an addicting listen and just blows everything out of the water for me.
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Damage Man is an Orphan X short novella from Gregg Hurwitz. Evan steps in to help a stranger and it escalates into something bigger. Evan does Evan things. There are some obscure vodka comments. Evan must deal with the emotions of his biological father's health issues. He discovers some things about himself and how important Joey is to him.
Scott Brick does his expected phenomenal job on the audio. His is the perfect voice for Orphan X.
Always nice to get a between-the-books story with Orphan X.
Scott Brick does his expected phenomenal job on the audio. His is the perfect voice for Orphan X.
Always nice to get a between-the-books story with Orphan X.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
I love that we’re getting more Orphan X short stories to tide ourselves over until the annual February release. Evan and Joey’s relationship is always cute vibes. I enjoyed The Nowhere Man plot and the extension of parent/child bonds that weaved throughout. Can’t wait to read the next full installment coming this winter!
*Thanks to Minotaur, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the free copy
I love that we’re getting more Orphan X short stories to tide ourselves over until the annual February release. Evan and Joey’s relationship is always cute vibes. I enjoyed The Nowhere Man plot and the extension of parent/child bonds that weaved throughout. Can’t wait to read the next full installment coming this winter!
*Thanks to Minotaur, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the free copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have loved the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz from its inception. Narrated by the brilliant Scott Brick, this latest short story has X - Evan Smoak - handling another job. This story also gives a peek into Evan’s early life and how he was trained to be an assassin. Now my appetite is ready for the 12th book in the series, Last Man Standing, set for release in February.
August 16, 2026
4.5 stars
What an awesome surprise to get this novella!!! I love this series so much and hope it never ends. This was the perfect next step in the emotional evolution of the no where man. Excellent story. I couldn’t put it down and blew right through it. Now I’m sad it’s over. I cannot recommend this series enough. Scott brick is orphan x!
Thank you netgalley
What an awesome surprise to get this novella!!! I love this series so much and hope it never ends. This was the perfect next step in the emotional evolution of the no where man. Excellent story. I couldn’t put it down and blew right through it. Now I’m sad it’s over. I cannot recommend this series enough. Scott brick is orphan x!
Thank you netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Even though this was a short story in the Orphan X series, the quality of the writing and story were top-notch. In addition to Evan Smoak's usual "job" of helping someone in need, the story also looks at family relationships. The writing included the tension, philosophy, and humor we've come to expect from this series. Thank you for an amazing story, Mr. Hurwitz!
One other note, I was thrilled that this short story audiobook was narrated by none other than the entire series narrator, Scott Brick. Mr. Brick's voice conveys so much to the listener and keeps you enthralled in the story.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
One other note, I was thrilled that this short story audiobook was narrated by none other than the entire series narrator, Scott Brick. Mr. Brick's voice conveys so much to the listener and keeps you enthralled in the story.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2026
Nice quick hit of Evan Smoak. I don’t usually like short stories because they lack the plot depth I really enjoy but this one has just enough to it that it was very enjoyable. Evan kicks ass, saves the day, and continues to show he has a human side. Would give 4.5 stars if I could but not quite 5.
September 1, 2026
got my fix
Great little short story. This will hold me over till the next novel. The Old Man in the Sea, a great work of literature by Ernest Hemingway, was also a great short story.
Great little short story. This will hold me over till the next novel. The Old Man in the Sea, a great work of literature by Ernest Hemingway, was also a great short story.
September 3, 2026
Short and Simple
Disappointing to wait a long time for another Orphan X Story.
Way too short and simple.
Unfortunately I didn’t realize when I bought this book that it was a “short story”. Still - it was disappointed in the writing and the story.
Disappointing to wait a long time for another Orphan X Story.
Way too short and simple.
Unfortunately I didn’t realize when I bought this book that it was a “short story”. Still - it was disappointed in the writing and the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was a tad confused because I’m a book ahead. This was a fun interlude and the audio is wonderful! Best ending ever!
September 1, 2026
Rating 4.75 - Enjoyable short in a much loved series
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