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Orphan X #1.5
לקנות קליע
קדימון לספר קליע מהעבר, השלישי בסדרת פרויקט X המצליחה. כך התחיל הסיפור של אוון סמוק, "האיש משומקום", איש הצללים שרק הנואשים ביותר מגיעים אליו – והוא עושה הכול כדי לעזור להם.
"זהו ספר אדיר. העלילה נעה במהירות של רכבת קליע, ומעולם לא ראינו את אוואן סמוק כה חשוף מבחינה רגשית. אל תחמיצו!"
Booklist
"מתעלה על כל ספריו הקודמים של הורביץ וקובע סטנדרטים חדשים עבור כל המותחנים האחרים. אין לאן לעלות מכאן."
BookReprter
"הפעם זה אישי... קוראיו הנאמנים של גרג הורביץ לא יכולים להרשות לעצמם להפסיד את הספר השלישי בסדרת "פרויקט x".
The Guardian
"זהו ספר אדיר. העלילה נעה במהירות של רכבת קליע, ומעולם לא ראינו את אוואן סמוק כה חשוף מבחינה רגשית. אל תחמיצו!"
Booklist
"מתעלה על כל ספריו הקודמים של הורביץ וקובע סטנדרטים חדשים עבור כל המותחנים האחרים. אין לאן לעלות מכאן."
BookReprter
"הפעם זה אישי... קוראיו הנאמנים של גרג הורביץ לא יכולים להרשות לעצמם להפסיד את הספר השלישי בסדרת "פרויקט x".
The Guardian
20 pages, Unknown Binding
First published October 11, 2016
1307 people are currently reading
3659 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Hurwitz
304 books6,836 followersGregg Hurwitz is the critically acclaimed, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of 20 novels, including OUT OF THE DARK (2019). His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 30 languages.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews
February 22, 2023
Buy a Bullet (Orphan X #1.5)
by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz
I've read book 1 and 2 in this series so far and wanted to read this short story before I went farther into the series. We get to see a bit more how Orphan X works and the job where he transitions from Orphan X to the Nowhere Man. The story gives us a tiny bit more of how he thinks and how makes sure he's not wrong to do the things he does, before he does them.
But I want to give a warning that although this book is 87 pages, only a small part of it is the short story. The rest of the book is an excerpt of one of the full Orphan X novels. Even if I had not already read that full length novel, I never read excerpts so I was disappointed to sit down to read a short story that was so much shorter than the page numbers indicated it would be. I'm not sure of the exact ratio but the short story is about 20% of the digital book and the other 80% is the excerpt. My rating is for the short story but if you pay for the book, or even check the book out of the library, you aren't getting as much story as you might expect.
Published October 11, 2016
by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz
I've read book 1 and 2 in this series so far and wanted to read this short story before I went farther into the series. We get to see a bit more how Orphan X works and the job where he transitions from Orphan X to the Nowhere Man. The story gives us a tiny bit more of how he thinks and how makes sure he's not wrong to do the things he does, before he does them.
But I want to give a warning that although this book is 87 pages, only a small part of it is the short story. The rest of the book is an excerpt of one of the full Orphan X novels. Even if I had not already read that full length novel, I never read excerpts so I was disappointed to sit down to read a short story that was so much shorter than the page numbers indicated it would be. I'm not sure of the exact ratio but the short story is about 20% of the digital book and the other 80% is the excerpt. My rating is for the short story but if you pay for the book, or even check the book out of the library, you aren't getting as much story as you might expect.
Published October 11, 2016
November 20, 2016
(My rating is more for the length of the story than the quality of the story.)
I haven't decided where I stand yet on this growing trend of authors writing "so-called" short stories as a way to bridge the gap prior to the release of a new novel. On one hand, I'm a fan of anything that gives me an opportunity to read more of my favorite authors, but the contrarian in me feels that these are primarily revenue-generating gimmicks, because the stories themselves are often relatively slight, and in some cases just serve as teasers for the author's upcoming novel.
Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X blew me away earlier this year (read my original review), and it's definitely going to be among the best books I read in 2016. The story of Evan Smoak, who was trained to be an assassin when he was young as part of an elite government program, and then became the Nowhere Man, a knight-in-shining-armor of sorts for people in trouble, Orphan X hit all of the right notes for me—fantastic action, more than a few twists, some excellent character development, and some pretty cool gadgetry.
Buy a Bullet backtracks a bit to Evan's first outing as the Nowhere Man, where he spots a beautiful young woman in a coffee shop. He can tell she is being controlled by a wealthy tech mogul, and that she is in danger, being brutalized by the man she thinks she loves. Evan knows there is no way she'll be able to escape, no way she'll be able to survive—unless he intervenes.
This story has many of the elements that made Orphan X so great. But at only 76 pages (which seem a heck of a lot shorter on the Kindle), there's just not enough of it. The silver lining here, however, is that the story includes a long sneak peek (longer than the story, in fact) for The Nowhere Man , Hurwitz's second Evan Smoak novel, due out in mid-January.
If you've not read Orphan X , and you love thrillers, do yourself a favor—READ IT! This story is an entertaining amuse-bouche to tide you over until mid-January, but you'll want to read the first book in the series first. You won't be sorry.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
I haven't decided where I stand yet on this growing trend of authors writing "so-called" short stories as a way to bridge the gap prior to the release of a new novel. On one hand, I'm a fan of anything that gives me an opportunity to read more of my favorite authors, but the contrarian in me feels that these are primarily revenue-generating gimmicks, because the stories themselves are often relatively slight, and in some cases just serve as teasers for the author's upcoming novel.
Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X blew me away earlier this year (read my original review), and it's definitely going to be among the best books I read in 2016. The story of Evan Smoak, who was trained to be an assassin when he was young as part of an elite government program, and then became the Nowhere Man, a knight-in-shining-armor of sorts for people in trouble, Orphan X hit all of the right notes for me—fantastic action, more than a few twists, some excellent character development, and some pretty cool gadgetry.
Buy a Bullet backtracks a bit to Evan's first outing as the Nowhere Man, where he spots a beautiful young woman in a coffee shop. He can tell she is being controlled by a wealthy tech mogul, and that she is in danger, being brutalized by the man she thinks she loves. Evan knows there is no way she'll be able to escape, no way she'll be able to survive—unless he intervenes.
This story has many of the elements that made Orphan X so great. But at only 76 pages (which seem a heck of a lot shorter on the Kindle), there's just not enough of it. The silver lining here, however, is that the story includes a long sneak peek (longer than the story, in fact) for The Nowhere Man , Hurwitz's second Evan Smoak novel, due out in mid-January.
If you've not read Orphan X , and you love thrillers, do yourself a favor—READ IT! This story is an entertaining amuse-bouche to tide you over until mid-January, but you'll want to read the first book in the series first. You won't be sorry.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
January 24, 2019
Just a short story which I read over my lunch time sandwich. It was really good though and managed to include everything that makes Orphan X what he stands for in just a few pages. If you are ever held captive by a cocaine sniffing, alcoholic psychopath then Evan Smoak is your man.
It has made me even keener for the new novel coming up very, very soon.
It has made me even keener for the new novel coming up very, very soon.
November 8, 2022
Love that I can jump on and access anything I see with my series, the little freebies and .5 parts of series - thank you The State Library of NSW and Indyreads.
Evan Smoak is called The Watcher here, after easily ascerting, in a coffee shop, a clearly wrong situation involving a scared woman, with a celebrity, a Silicon Valley musclehead, the founder of the thumbprint technology, a member of the three comma club . He did not last long, turfed out as the CEO on abuse charges. The Watcher quickly sees what needs to be done here, assessing the seemingly impenitrible compound. His methods ingenous but simple, the reward 100% achieved. An abused woman assisted with little fanfare, and one single man achieving greatness. The day Evan Smoak became The Nowhere Man.
Evan Smoak is called The Watcher here, after easily ascerting, in a coffee shop, a clearly wrong situation involving a scared woman, with a celebrity, a Silicon Valley musclehead, the founder of the thumbprint technology, a member of the three comma club . He did not last long, turfed out as the CEO on abuse charges. The Watcher quickly sees what needs to be done here, assessing the seemingly impenitrible compound. His methods ingenous but simple, the reward 100% achieved. An abused woman assisted with little fanfare, and one single man achieving greatness. The day Evan Smoak became The Nowhere Man.
September 16, 2025
A very quick story, more of a chapter really, which I managed to read on my bus journey into work! I’ve read the first book and wanted to read this one as it was the next sequentially in the series. As other reviews have said, the majority of this book is an excerpt of Orphan X, but I was still surprised by the shortness of the “Buy a Bullet” story. Still he managed to pack a lot in, in such a short time and it only loses a star because of the length.
I’m fully invested in this series, I’m loving it so far!
I’m fully invested in this series, I’m loving it so far!
February 16, 2019
4.5★
“He stands over her, wide-postured, legs spread. ‘Hell ain’t a place. It’s a state of mind.’”
Yep, and you could read a bit about it in this short, free (Amazon Kindle) story that takes place between books one and two of his popular Orphan X thriller series. If it’s your first meeting with Evan Smoak, you’ll soon see he’s not the kind of guy who can ignore an innocent in distress.
He’s just stopped to have coffee before driving several hours to go home when a couple of beefy thugs come in, following a well-dressed man who’s firmly gripping the arm of a beautiful girl. Everyone looks. Who wouldn’t notice this stunner? But Evan notices more.
“Her full lips part but she makes no sound. She lowers her head and sits, her emerald eyes slightly dulled. One side of her neck is streaked with faded bruises. Finger-width. Her nose is sloped just right with a scattering of freckles across the bridge, and her front teeth are Brigitte Bardot–pronounced, just shy of buck. She is stunning, and yet there is a blankness behind her features, the blankness of compounded trauma.”
That does it. Smoak goes into some kind of rescue mode. Hurwitz doesn’t discuss his skills much here, but we see a lot of them in action, and I do mean action! But before the action, there is a bit of scene-setting. Hurwitz takes us around the world and drops us right into the picture.
“Heading back to the hotel, he rolls down the window. The maples, spotting the vast lawns, have gone to orange and yellow, and the heavy air tastes of autumn.”
See? It’s not all blood and guts. We know nothing of his past, but a little is alluded to when he’s shown photographs of a dog mauling.
“He has been clawed by many a dog and [these] wounds feature none of the trademark gouges. They do however look familiar. He has seen this nasty little trick twice before, once in Zagreb, once in Bangkok. The lacerations are caused by a potato peeler.”
When asked who he is, he answers The Nowhere Man. I am taken back immediately to the old Lone Ranger serials that used to be screened between the feature movies when I was a kid. “Who was that masked man?”
Good fun for fans and an introduction with no spoilers for new readers, plus, following the story, there’s an extract from the series to give you some more background. I’m a fan!
It's easy to find in the Amazon Kindle store, and you can read it in the Kindle app on any device if you aren't a Kindle user.
“He stands over her, wide-postured, legs spread. ‘Hell ain’t a place. It’s a state of mind.’”
Yep, and you could read a bit about it in this short, free (Amazon Kindle) story that takes place between books one and two of his popular Orphan X thriller series. If it’s your first meeting with Evan Smoak, you’ll soon see he’s not the kind of guy who can ignore an innocent in distress.
He’s just stopped to have coffee before driving several hours to go home when a couple of beefy thugs come in, following a well-dressed man who’s firmly gripping the arm of a beautiful girl. Everyone looks. Who wouldn’t notice this stunner? But Evan notices more.
“Her full lips part but she makes no sound. She lowers her head and sits, her emerald eyes slightly dulled. One side of her neck is streaked with faded bruises. Finger-width. Her nose is sloped just right with a scattering of freckles across the bridge, and her front teeth are Brigitte Bardot–pronounced, just shy of buck. She is stunning, and yet there is a blankness behind her features, the blankness of compounded trauma.”
That does it. Smoak goes into some kind of rescue mode. Hurwitz doesn’t discuss his skills much here, but we see a lot of them in action, and I do mean action! But before the action, there is a bit of scene-setting. Hurwitz takes us around the world and drops us right into the picture.
“Heading back to the hotel, he rolls down the window. The maples, spotting the vast lawns, have gone to orange and yellow, and the heavy air tastes of autumn.”
See? It’s not all blood and guts. We know nothing of his past, but a little is alluded to when he’s shown photographs of a dog mauling.
“He has been clawed by many a dog and [these] wounds feature none of the trademark gouges. They do however look familiar. He has seen this nasty little trick twice before, once in Zagreb, once in Bangkok. The lacerations are caused by a potato peeler.”
When asked who he is, he answers The Nowhere Man. I am taken back immediately to the old Lone Ranger serials that used to be screened between the feature movies when I was a kid. “Who was that masked man?”
Good fun for fans and an introduction with no spoilers for new readers, plus, following the story, there’s an extract from the series to give you some more background. I’m a fan!
It's easy to find in the Amazon Kindle store, and you can read it in the Kindle app on any device if you aren't a Kindle user.
November 9, 2022
the setup…
Evan Smoak is on his way back to Los Angeles and stops in a Palo Alto coffee shop. He notices a beautiful woman in the grasp of a man that looks unnatural. Further observation has him believing she shows all the signs of being in an abusive situation. After a little internet searching, he figures out the man is rich and powerful.
the heart of the story…
Here Evan shows us not only how thoroughly he researches all dynamics of a potential operation but his extreme discipline. He accomplishes a lot in a very short period of time and his patience is beyond that of ordinary people.
the narration…
Scott Brick is Evan Smoak. Period. I’m only listening to the books going forward.
the bottom line…
This is extremely short but manages to firmly establish who Evan is and how the idea of The Nowhere Man took shape. The woman he rescues represents his first client and I’m glad we got this question answered, quickly and succinctly. It definitely whet my appetite for more.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Evan Smoak is on his way back to Los Angeles and stops in a Palo Alto coffee shop. He notices a beautiful woman in the grasp of a man that looks unnatural. Further observation has him believing she shows all the signs of being in an abusive situation. After a little internet searching, he figures out the man is rich and powerful.
the heart of the story…
Here Evan shows us not only how thoroughly he researches all dynamics of a potential operation but his extreme discipline. He accomplishes a lot in a very short period of time and his patience is beyond that of ordinary people.
the narration…
Scott Brick is Evan Smoak. Period. I’m only listening to the books going forward.
the bottom line…
This is extremely short but manages to firmly establish who Evan is and how the idea of The Nowhere Man took shape. The woman he rescues represents his first client and I’m glad we got this question answered, quickly and succinctly. It definitely whet my appetite for more.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
June 16, 2019
An evil Silicon Valley rich douche is beating on his girl – time for James Bond Jason Bourne Jack Ryan Jack Reacher Jack in the box John Wick The Equalizer Taken Other Tough Guys Beginning with J Evan Smoak aka Orphan X to stick his righteous gun-toting nose in!
Put that brain to the side, you won’t be needing that here! Gregg Hurwitz’s Buy a Bullet is a free Orphan X short that’s as simple as you can get: one-dimensional bad guys vs singular justice in the form of unstoppable and perfect hero archetype.
And the bad guy really is almost cartoonishly villainous. Besides beating up women, he literally says stuff like “I want to ruin you so no one else will ever want you” and “Hell ain’t a place. It’s a state of mind.” HAHAHAHA! Are you – why isn’t he also cackling while jumping up and down in his cape and top hat twirling his pencil-thin moustache?? Not that Orphan X is such an original creation either – he’s just Highly Skilled Generic Action Man.
The title is a rando gruesome reference to the Rwandan genocide where Hutu tribesmen asked if their victims wanted to buy a bullet to kill them or get hacked to death instead. And this story is connected to that factoid how…?
Still – it’s undeniably satisfying seeing Evan ruthlessly punish the bad guys so effectively. It’s like any revenge fantasy done well like John Wick – it’s silly, mindless and absurdly black and white in its morality but it’s entertaining nonetheless.
Buy a Bullet is a fine short action sequence in Hurwitz’s decent Orphan X series.
Put that brain to the side, you won’t be needing that here! Gregg Hurwitz’s Buy a Bullet is a free Orphan X short that’s as simple as you can get: one-dimensional bad guys vs singular justice in the form of unstoppable and perfect hero archetype.
And the bad guy really is almost cartoonishly villainous. Besides beating up women, he literally says stuff like “I want to ruin you so no one else will ever want you” and “Hell ain’t a place. It’s a state of mind.” HAHAHAHA! Are you – why isn’t he also cackling while jumping up and down in his cape and top hat twirling his pencil-thin moustache?? Not that Orphan X is such an original creation either – he’s just Highly Skilled Generic Action Man.
The title is a rando gruesome reference to the Rwandan genocide where Hutu tribesmen asked if their victims wanted to buy a bullet to kill them or get hacked to death instead. And this story is connected to that factoid how…?
Still – it’s undeniably satisfying seeing Evan ruthlessly punish the bad guys so effectively. It’s like any revenge fantasy done well like John Wick – it’s silly, mindless and absurdly black and white in its morality but it’s entertaining nonetheless.
Buy a Bullet is a fine short action sequence in Hurwitz’s decent Orphan X series.
October 29, 2018
A very short story of the Nowhere Man's first case. I would have loved to see this fleshed out a bit more but it is representative of the entire series. If you were ever curious if you'd like this series, this is a great place to start.
May 13, 2022
4 Stars for Buy a Bullet: An Orphan X Story, Book 1.5 (audiobook) by Gregg Hurwitz read by Scott Brick.
I’m really enjoying this series. The main character is great and the situations are really interesting.
I’m really enjoying this series. The main character is great and the situations are really interesting.
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 21, 2020
Excellent but brief, this explanatory introduction to “The Nowhere Man” is a worthwhile addition to the “Orphan X” series.
August 26, 2024
3/3.5 stars
Short, to the point, and had a great plot for his first mission as the Nowhere Man.
Short, to the point, and had a great plot for his first mission as the Nowhere Man.
January 29, 2018
Gregg Hurwitz introduced readers to ORPHAN X , Evan Smoak (2016 Super Hero) back in January, 2016. Once an orphan, now a man with a dangerous past.
A savior of the victims, the innocent ones—from corruption to sex slaves, while saving himself. When Evan was fourteen, Jack had trained him. The first person to treat him like a human. The Orphan Program. However, he may be targeted, and these people are no slouches. Someone knows him and wants him eliminated.
For more than a decade, he had been the top asset in the top-secret government operation, The Orphan Program. Trained by the US military as killers. Mission: to assassinate government’s designated enemies. He is trained, skilled, intelligent, and resourceful.
Now, Evan is "The Nowhere Man." A personal mission--to help those with nowhere else to turn. The Tenth Commandment loomed above all else. Never let an innocent die.
Readers receive a satisfying teaser with, BUY A BULLET (Evan Smokes #1.5). He has spent a lifetime in the vicinity of trauma, usually inflicting it. Some know him as Evan Smoak. To a few, Orphan X, but in general he is not known at all. The Nowhere Man.
In the action-packed short story, Evan is on the trail of Silicon Valley Steve Radack, bad-boy of the software dot-com world. The visionary behind Thumbprint, software that allows one to press a finger to a smartphone and pay for a variety of items.
The focus is Radack’s girlfriend, the lovely Leanne Lattimore. She needs the help of The Nowhere Man. She is in great danger. The daughter, of an insurance salesman and a school- teacher.
For all, you Orphan X fans, anxiously awaiting THE NOWHERE MAN, Coming, Jan 17, 2017, (Evan Smoak #2); you will be delighted with the first exhilarating "action-packed eleven chapters," to tide you over.
While Evan was done being Orphan X, he’d discovered that there was still work he should do as the Nowhere Man. Pro bono work. One thing was clear, Charles Van Sciver and his Orphans would not stop the hunt until Evan was dead. In the meantime, he stayed off the grid and stayed vigilant. He’s known as the "Nowhere Man", and requests his clients to pay-it-forward by passing on his phone number to the next person in need.
The secret Facebook of Hector Contrell. Trolling the middle schools. Girls. A sales catalog. Given immigration confusion, gang influence, and splintered family trees, disappearances aren’t rare when you’re dealing with broken ethnic girls. A renewable resource.
Something awful is coming. A girl needs help. 1.855.2.NOWHERE. A magical fix-it line. The first commandment Assume nothing – demands it.
A task, a purpose, an act of empowerment that transitioned them from victim to rescuer. Evan knew all too well that some wounds never heal-not completely. But there were ways to contain the pain, to take ownership over the scars.
The seventeen-year-old girl locked inside Container 78653-B812 being delivered to Jacksonville Port Authority. Who has purchased her?
Classic. Bold. Innovative. Action-Packed Adventure. Explosive. Suspenseful. Non-Stop thrills. An Electrifying Series!
Definitely worth the $1.99! Be sure and read, NoWhere Man and #3 in the series, Hellbent, coming Jan 30, 2018. (currently reading).
JDCMustReadBooks
A savior of the victims, the innocent ones—from corruption to sex slaves, while saving himself. When Evan was fourteen, Jack had trained him. The first person to treat him like a human. The Orphan Program. However, he may be targeted, and these people are no slouches. Someone knows him and wants him eliminated.
For more than a decade, he had been the top asset in the top-secret government operation, The Orphan Program. Trained by the US military as killers. Mission: to assassinate government’s designated enemies. He is trained, skilled, intelligent, and resourceful.
Now, Evan is "The Nowhere Man." A personal mission--to help those with nowhere else to turn. The Tenth Commandment loomed above all else. Never let an innocent die.
Readers receive a satisfying teaser with, BUY A BULLET (Evan Smokes #1.5). He has spent a lifetime in the vicinity of trauma, usually inflicting it. Some know him as Evan Smoak. To a few, Orphan X, but in general he is not known at all. The Nowhere Man.
In the action-packed short story, Evan is on the trail of Silicon Valley Steve Radack, bad-boy of the software dot-com world. The visionary behind Thumbprint, software that allows one to press a finger to a smartphone and pay for a variety of items.
The focus is Radack’s girlfriend, the lovely Leanne Lattimore. She needs the help of The Nowhere Man. She is in great danger. The daughter, of an insurance salesman and a school- teacher.
For all, you Orphan X fans, anxiously awaiting THE NOWHERE MAN, Coming, Jan 17, 2017, (Evan Smoak #2); you will be delighted with the first exhilarating "action-packed eleven chapters," to tide you over.
While Evan was done being Orphan X, he’d discovered that there was still work he should do as the Nowhere Man. Pro bono work. One thing was clear, Charles Van Sciver and his Orphans would not stop the hunt until Evan was dead. In the meantime, he stayed off the grid and stayed vigilant. He’s known as the "Nowhere Man", and requests his clients to pay-it-forward by passing on his phone number to the next person in need.
The secret Facebook of Hector Contrell. Trolling the middle schools. Girls. A sales catalog. Given immigration confusion, gang influence, and splintered family trees, disappearances aren’t rare when you’re dealing with broken ethnic girls. A renewable resource.
Something awful is coming. A girl needs help. 1.855.2.NOWHERE. A magical fix-it line. The first commandment Assume nothing – demands it.
A task, a purpose, an act of empowerment that transitioned them from victim to rescuer. Evan knew all too well that some wounds never heal-not completely. But there were ways to contain the pain, to take ownership over the scars.
The seventeen-year-old girl locked inside Container 78653-B812 being delivered to Jacksonville Port Authority. Who has purchased her?
Classic. Bold. Innovative. Action-Packed Adventure. Explosive. Suspenseful. Non-Stop thrills. An Electrifying Series!
Definitely worth the $1.99! Be sure and read, NoWhere Man and #3 in the series, Hellbent, coming Jan 30, 2018. (currently reading).
JDCMustReadBooks
November 13, 2022
After Evan Smoak left the Orphan program, he found himself wandering without purpose. While sitting in a coffee shop observing the workers and the clientele, Evan notices a woman who seems very scared. The man who is accompanying her has his hand wrapped around her upper arm and is not letting go. Believing the woman may be abused, Evan does a quick internet search and learns that Steve Radack is a dot-com success story which means he is rich and powerful.
This short story (16 pages) packs a lot of punch. We learn how Evan does his homework by verifying that the woman is being abused by Radack and his henchmen. Evan has to quickly learn the lay of the land at Radack's compound in order to rescue the lady who is essentially Evan's first client as the Nowhere Man. This story wets my appetite for the next book in the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
This short story (16 pages) packs a lot of punch. We learn how Evan does his homework by verifying that the woman is being abused by Radack and his henchmen. Evan has to quickly learn the lay of the land at Radack's compound in order to rescue the lady who is essentially Evan's first client as the Nowhere Man. This story wets my appetite for the next book in the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
September 19, 2020
A fun short story. Evan Smoak is in Palo Alto area and rescues a woman from an abusive bad boy Silicon Valley millionaire boyfriend.
The book is about 18 pages long. The rest is an extended excerpt of Orphan X #2; The Nowhere Man.
The book is about 18 pages long. The rest is an extended excerpt of Orphan X #2; The Nowhere Man.
February 17, 2023
The origin story for The Nowhere Man. Evan Smoak is a trained assassin. Originally part of the Orphan program, as Orphan X he did the government’s bidding. Killing internationally with unlimited funds shrouded in secrecy. But Evan’s trainer, Jack Johns made sure that he kept his humanity and with that comes a conscience. Evan leaves the program but decides to use his skills to help those who can’t help themselves. That are in a bad situation with no hope of getting out. He calls himself The Nowhere Man. He finds his first person who needs help and he annihilates everyone to set her free. Now begins the chain of calls, the only thing he asks of those he helps. Find one person who needs help and tell them to call The Nowhere Man.
This is a short story that describes Evan’s first mission where he chooses to help one person outside the Orphan X program. I am reading the series, so it fit nicely into the world that Hurwitz is building. Leanne is the beginning of his road to redemption, using his powers for good and all that. There isn’t enough here to read on its own, so I’d only get this if you are into the series, which is completely worth it in my opinion. I am really enjoying it!
This is a short story that describes Evan’s first mission where he chooses to help one person outside the Orphan X program. I am reading the series, so it fit nicely into the world that Hurwitz is building. Leanne is the beginning of his road to redemption, using his powers for good and all that. There isn’t enough here to read on its own, so I’d only get this if you are into the series, which is completely worth it in my opinion. I am really enjoying it!
December 30, 2018
A very quick read that I really enjoyed. The short story is only about 17pp according to my Kindle, with the rest of the book filled with a generous preview of #2 in the series. I'm a little confused about the order, I admit; this story is #1.5, but it details The Nowhere Man's first case. So in terms of storyline it's probably #0.5, but publishing order is #1.5. Something like that.
Anyway, it has everything I was looking for - a tight, compelling story, Evan's trademark ingenuity, and evidence of his proclivity for a good vodka!!
Anyway, it has everything I was looking for - a tight, compelling story, Evan's trademark ingenuity, and evidence of his proclivity for a good vodka!!
February 7, 2017
I can't get enough of this series. Glad to hear from Hurwitz himself that he has 3 more novels planned for this series!
March 11, 2022
Good for a quick read and less pages but packs a punch.
August 12, 2023
This was a super short story that ended almost before it started. But I had read the first two books a few years back, and decided to read this one to see how I liked the narrator. For some reason, I mentioned not being too crazy about him the last book, but I think that was because I had just finished some other books he narrated, and that made it slightly confusing. I kept forgetting which series I was reading. He was good in this one, so I'll move on and read the third book now.
October 8, 2017
After the succes comes this short story about Ophan X/Nowhere man/ Evan Smoak which can be best characterized as a possible chapter in on of his books. It is partly prequel and partly the service our hero offers free of charge. To be saved from an awkward situation.
The story is fun but way to short, The preview in the ebook from the second installment of the series is far longer than the short story and far more interesting. For fans only I guess.
The story is fun but way to short, The preview in the ebook from the second installment of the series is far longer than the short story and far more interesting. For fans only I guess.
February 6, 2018
Great to start a book on my lunch break, then also finish the book.
So far up to date with the great character "The Nowhere Man" "Evan Smoak" or "Orphan X", take your pick.
But a really quick read of 56 pages, a great introduction on this new character, a quick, fast pace, right into the action book.
Ready for number three, out soon.
So far up to date with the great character "The Nowhere Man" "Evan Smoak" or "Orphan X", take your pick.
But a really quick read of 56 pages, a great introduction on this new character, a quick, fast pace, right into the action book.
Ready for number three, out soon.
June 22, 2023
I needed a quick novella to lift me up after the last book I attempted, quitting halfway through. This read quickly pulled me out of my melancholy mood. Hurwitz never fails me..I so enjoy reading abut the Nowhere Man. It is always such an enthralling read and never a stagnant moment. Now I have the energy to move on to my next read.
December 16, 2024
Great example of a perfect short story. Tight and complete. Added bonus is I grew up in the SF Bay Area/Silicon Valley where this took place. Listened to the Audible book I bought during their sale and at 37 minutes it was just the right length for my morning walk.
January 11, 2023
A short story of Evan Smoak’s first client.
One of my reading goals this year is to read a series, and I think Orphan X is going to be the one!
One of my reading goals this year is to read a series, and I think Orphan X is going to be the one!
January 4, 2019
Buy a Bullet is a free short story from the Orphan X series, listed as 1.5 but it could probably fit anywhere, or be read as an introduction to Evan Smoak, the Nowhere Man, mystery assassin with a conscience.
Witnessing the controlling behaviour of a thuggish tech billionaire towards his girlfriend in a coffee shop, Evan decides to investigate and then intervene when his suspicions are confirmed. The man has bodyguards and plenty of security measures but these are of course no match for Smoak’s superskills.
What appears to be a novella turned out to be only a third of the ebook, with the rest being the first chapters of the first book in the series, which I read awhile ago, but it was free so I can’t complain.
I like Hurwitz’s writing, the action is fast but easy to follow and the end no surprise but satisfying nonetheless. I’m planning on reading books 3 and 4 soon.
Witnessing the controlling behaviour of a thuggish tech billionaire towards his girlfriend in a coffee shop, Evan decides to investigate and then intervene when his suspicions are confirmed. The man has bodyguards and plenty of security measures but these are of course no match for Smoak’s superskills.
What appears to be a novella turned out to be only a third of the ebook, with the rest being the first chapters of the first book in the series, which I read awhile ago, but it was free so I can’t complain.
I like Hurwitz’s writing, the action is fast but easy to follow and the end no surprise but satisfying nonetheless. I’m planning on reading books 3 and 4 soon.
March 1, 2017
Evan Smoak seeks to rescue the lovely Leanne Lattimore, girlfriend and abuse victim of Silicon Valley Steve Radack, bad-boy of the software dot-com world, the visionary behind Thumbprint, a software that allows one to press a finger to a smartphone and pay for a variety of items. Senseless. The novella is about 20 pages long; the rest is a few chapters from the next book. It adds nothing to this series.
December 5, 2021
re-listen on 12/5/2021 - Having done the whole series released so far, I can appreciate this short even more. Bumping it up to 5 stars (was 4 the first time).
_________
Having recently started this series and really liking it, I didn't want to miss any tidbits. While there wasn't any character development or too much of a story, I still really enjoyed this short story. I look forward to continuing this series.
_________
Having recently started this series and really liking it, I didn't want to miss any tidbits. While there wasn't any character development or too much of a story, I still really enjoyed this short story. I look forward to continuing this series.
January 12, 2023
A really quick read that bridges the gap between the first book and the next book. Kind of like an 83pg prologue. Loved the cliff hanger that sets up the next book.
January 9, 2017
EDITED 1/09/17
I just finished reading the bulk of the e-version of this download. As I mention in my review of the title story, Buy a Bullet comprised about a quarter of what I got when I bought this; the majority of my purchase was made up of the 1st 11 chapters of the sequel to Orphan X, due out in a painfully looooong 8 days.
Based upon this small, 11-chapter sampling of the sequel, I have to say The Nowhere Man appears to be at least as compelling as Orphan X. The story is one I couldn't walk away from. Hurwitz knows how to hook his reader. He also clearly devotes a significant chunk of his time to researching the minuscule details that often make the difference between a protagonist one loves and cannot get enough of, and one that is barely sketched out, where even that which is told to the reader is contrived, spotty, and suspect.
Obviously, it is too soon to speak to how the entire sequel will read. However, I can say with confidence that the first eleven chapters make me wish I could go into a medically induced coma until the 17th!!!
Ooh, and also awesome: I love when an author names the chapters!! Here too, Hurwitz does not disappoint. I am so looking forward to reading the rest of this book!
-----------------
So, I need to thank Larry again, as I had no idea this little 1.5 existed until I noticed Larry's review today. I also agree with him regarding not knowing what to make of this 1.5/0.5, etc., trend in publishing nowadays, where--in this case--TINY, ultra-brief snippets are being sold as a sort of sequel prequel.
Regarding this story specifically, the story itself had everything I was hoping for after reading Orphan X. Evan is BACK! And it appears to be very difficult to get my fill of this character. However, it must also be mentioned here that this ONE, SUPER SHORT STORY cost $2.99. I've bought entire novels, awesome ones!, for that price. On sale, usually, but not always. Regardless, my point remains: Perhaps this would have made a better freebie for people who read Orphan X, at the end of the book, say. Or a little prologue at the start of the sequel coming out this month ... as it was a bit short to be a standalone/1.5 thingy, or horribly overpriced, or both.
So, the story? A definite 5/5! The length:price ratio? Atrocious. 1/5.
Plus I paid $12.99 for the sequel. Remember when ebooks were always about 1/2 the price of the tangible version? Or less?? Now it's cheaper to SKIP the digital option. So illogical, that, given how much money goes into producing each. Ebooks cost nothing after the 1st, so it's almost PURE PROFIT. I also cannot help but wonder, how much of these dollar amounts go to the author, and how much to the publisher??
Apologies for the tangents!
Great story. But woefully short. I honestly thought I'd finished reading the 1st short chapter of this sequel prequel, only to discover that that had in truth been its LAST PAGE.
This story comprises only 21% of what you get for the $2.99; the remaining 79% is a preview of how the Orphan X sequel will begin.
Bummmmm-er.
I just finished reading the bulk of the e-version of this download. As I mention in my review of the title story, Buy a Bullet comprised about a quarter of what I got when I bought this; the majority of my purchase was made up of the 1st 11 chapters of the sequel to Orphan X, due out in a painfully looooong 8 days.
Based upon this small, 11-chapter sampling of the sequel, I have to say The Nowhere Man appears to be at least as compelling as Orphan X. The story is one I couldn't walk away from. Hurwitz knows how to hook his reader. He also clearly devotes a significant chunk of his time to researching the minuscule details that often make the difference between a protagonist one loves and cannot get enough of, and one that is barely sketched out, where even that which is told to the reader is contrived, spotty, and suspect.
Obviously, it is too soon to speak to how the entire sequel will read. However, I can say with confidence that the first eleven chapters make me wish I could go into a medically induced coma until the 17th!!!
Ooh, and also awesome: I love when an author names the chapters!! Here too, Hurwitz does not disappoint. I am so looking forward to reading the rest of this book!
-----------------
So, I need to thank Larry again, as I had no idea this little 1.5 existed until I noticed Larry's review today. I also agree with him regarding not knowing what to make of this 1.5/0.5, etc., trend in publishing nowadays, where--in this case--TINY, ultra-brief snippets are being sold as a sort of sequel prequel.
Regarding this story specifically, the story itself had everything I was hoping for after reading Orphan X. Evan is BACK! And it appears to be very difficult to get my fill of this character. However, it must also be mentioned here that this ONE, SUPER SHORT STORY cost $2.99. I've bought entire novels, awesome ones!, for that price. On sale, usually, but not always. Regardless, my point remains: Perhaps this would have made a better freebie for people who read Orphan X, at the end of the book, say. Or a little prologue at the start of the sequel coming out this month ... as it was a bit short to be a standalone/1.5 thingy, or horribly overpriced, or both.
So, the story? A definite 5/5! The length:price ratio? Atrocious. 1/5.
Plus I paid $12.99 for the sequel. Remember when ebooks were always about 1/2 the price of the tangible version? Or less?? Now it's cheaper to SKIP the digital option. So illogical, that, given how much money goes into producing each. Ebooks cost nothing after the 1st, so it's almost PURE PROFIT. I also cannot help but wonder, how much of these dollar amounts go to the author, and how much to the publisher??
Apologies for the tangents!
Great story. But woefully short. I honestly thought I'd finished reading the 1st short chapter of this sequel prequel, only to discover that that had in truth been its LAST PAGE.
This story comprises only 21% of what you get for the $2.99; the remaining 79% is a preview of how the Orphan X sequel will begin.
Bummmmm-er.
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