Over the past two decades, Nick Horrigan has built a quiet, safe life for himself, living as much under the radar as possible. But all of that shatters when, in the middle of the night, a SWAT team bursts into his apartment, grabs him and drags him to a waiting helicopter. A terrorist— someone Nick has never heard of—has seized control of a nuclear reactor, threatening to blow it up. And the only person he’ll talk to is Nick, promising to tell Nick the truth behind the events that shattered his life twenty years ago. At seventeen years old, Nick Horrigan made a deadly mistake—one that cost his stepfather his life, endangered his mother, and sent him into hiding for years. Now, what Nick discovers in that nuclear plant leaves him with only two choices—to start running again, or to fight and finally uncover the secrets that have held him hostage all these years. As Nick peels back layer after layer of lies and deception, buffeted between the buried horrors of the past and the deadly intrigues of the present, he finds his own life—and the lives of nearly everyone he loves—at risk. And the only thing guiding him through this deadly labyrinth are his stepfather’s dying TRUST NO ONE. Acclaimed for years by both critics and his peers as one of the finest thriller writers today, Gregg Hurwitz has lived up to all the accolades and expectations with Trust No One , an electrifying and compelling novel that will be remembered for years to come.
Gregg 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.
PROTAGONIST: Nick Horrigan SERIES: Standalone thriller RATING: 4.5
Have you ever fallen into a reading slump and despaired of finding a book that is going to totally engage you and put you under its spell? Well, fret no more – Doctor Maddy has just the prescription for you, TRUST NO ONE by Gregg Hurwitz. However, you may not be able to read this book in controlled doses; if you're like me, you're going to gulp the whole thing down in one big swallow. There is no cause for worry, though, as the only side effect is a feeling of great pleasure for a book well done.
Although Nick Horrigan is in his mid 30s, he's been punishing himself for a mistake that he made when he was seventeen that resulted in the death of his stepfather, Frank Durant, and endangered his mother. Frank was a man that Nick admired. He was a member of the Secret Service and had some rather rigid attitudes, but he also had a great deal of integrity. It's hard to imagine, but that event from long ago is still causing problems today, as Nick finds out when a SWAT team invades his apartment. It turns out that there is a terrorist who is threatening to blow up a nuclear reactor and insists that the only person that he will speak to is Nick. What makes it compelling for Nick personally is that the man also promises to tell him about secrets from the time of his stepfather's death.
After meeting with "Charlie", Nick knows that he has a lot of work ahead of him to understand what he has learned. He knows that he can't trust the authorities; really, the only person that he can believe in is his ex-girlfriend, Induma, who helps him behind the scenes. As he continues his quest, he stumbles upon a cover-up that, if revealed, will eliminate one of the presidential candidates from the race. The stakes are extremely high, and Nick is a hair away from becoming a victim himself.
TRUST NO ONE is a thriller that thrills. It kept me at the edge of my seat. The plot played out in a way that was unpredictable but satisfying. My only niggle was that I couldn't believe that the Feds, who were able to home in on his every move, never picked up on his meetings with Induma. He was also driving her Jag, which isn't exactly an inconspicuous car.
For me, TRUST NO ONE was just what the doctor ordered—fast paced, interesting plot, believeable twists and turns, lean prose and a resolution that worked and surprised.
This is a pretty decent thriller but I think the best part of this book might be the very first chapter. The book starts with a bang and gradually slows down during the middle. Although I wanted to know what the solution to this book was i did get a little bored in the middle.
The dialogue and the action scenes were really quite special though and I do enjoy Gregg Hurwitz writing. I have read Orphan X buy this author too which I really liked.
Our main character was intriguing but I found some of the things he did a little unbelievable. Plus I felt like a number of people could’ve taken him out at numerous times.
Overall an enjoyable fast read but it lacked some twists and turns.
Fast non-stop-spot pace and marvelous twists as well as a good moral question. If you have only the following to choose from, would you someone who is totally loyal to views that are contrary to your believes, or someone who supports of the goals you believe in, but is less than honorable. A choice between a fool vs. a hypocrite. Hurwitz in an author you can count on to deliver an unexpected twist.which is far more satisfying than what you assumed.
The concept was an interesting one. Help out in a terroristic attack at a nuclear power plant. But it was so much more than that. I pushed it to read 50% of the book but it was the same thing repeatedly. What a letdown.
Trust no one! A terrorist in control of a nuclear plant insists that he will only talk to Nick Horrigan, Nick who has built a quite safe life over is decades! The incident, and information Nick gets, relates to his own past and hurls him into a thirst for discovering, or is that uncovering the truth. He has only one piece of guidance, the dying words of his stepfather: "Trust no one!" A competently written and also pretty good thriller, which is further enhanced by being set in the last few weeks of a United States Presidential campaign! 5 out of 12.
Not one aspect of this was good; weak story based on ridiculous political slant, and read by someone, Patrick G. Lawlor, that directed his performance to an audience that I've never been comfortable with. I do not recommend this edition of Hurwitz' work. People that are comfortable with having been taught "what to think" rather than "how to think" will most likely rate this higher.
I like this author. I like the way he can put a story onto a page. The characters are well drawn with strong voices. The author also has some well placed twists and so much more.
However, this one wasn't my favorite, but it was still enjoyable. I enjoyed the story line and the way things unfolded. But it was bit slow at times. This wasn't quite 4 stars, but I don't mind rounding up for all the things that this author does well.
Trust No One by Gregg Hurwitz read by Patrick Girard Lawlor
Nick Horrigan is kidnapped by the U.S. Secret Service and whisked off to a nuclear reactor where a terrorist has seized control of it and who would only talk to Nick. The terrorist promised to tell Nick why his life was torn apart when he was seventeen. And what stays foremost in Nick’s mind were the words his step-father had tattooed on his arm “Trust no one.”
Nick never learned what the terrorist, Charlie, had to tell him because the Secret Service killed Charlie before Charlie could divulge the information.
The sequencing and transitioning were well done but the story was hard to buy into. Nick spent twenty-years on the run. He was seventeen when he went on the run and now he’s thirty-seven. I found him immature and naïve. I would think people on the run would have to mature quickly because are always looking over their shoulders; I would think they have to live in a constant state of paranoia. Patrick Girard Lawlor was not the voice of the characters.
In the murky world of espionage, where loyalties shift like shadows, Gregg Hurwitz's "Trust No One" emerges as a gripping tale that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats. Narrated by the incomparable Scott Brick, this audiobook weaves a web of suspense, betrayal, and buried secrets.
**Plot Summary**
Over the past two decades, Nick Horrigan has meticulously crafted a quiet, safe existence for himself, living as much under the radar as possible. But tranquility shatters when, in the dead of night, a SWAT team storms his apartment, wrenching him away to a waiting helicopter. The reason? A terrorist—someone Nick has never heard of—has seized control of a nuclear reactor, threatening to unleash catastrophic destruction. And the only person this enigmatic terrorist will speak to is Nick himself.
As the clock ticks down, Nick faces a harrowing choice: run once more or confront the demons that have haunted him for twenty years. His past, marked by a deadly mistake that cost his stepfather's life, now resurfaces with a vengeance. The nuclear plant holds secrets that could unravel everything, and Nick must peel back layer after layer of lies and deception to uncover the truth.
**Themes and Atmosphere**
"Trust No One" thrives on its relentless pace and intricate plotting. Hurwitz masterfully balances the buried horrors of Nick's past with the deadly intrigues of the present. The tension is palpable, and listeners will find themselves immersed in a labyrinth of conspiracy, where every revelation leads to more questions.
The theme of trust—or lack thereof—permeates every chapter. Nick's stepfather's dying words echo in his mind: "TRUST NO ONE." But who can he trust when everyone seems to have an agenda? The audiobook delves into the fragile threads that bind relationships, the treacherous dance between truth and deception, and the high stakes of loyalty.
**Characterization and Narration**
Scott Brick's narration is a revelation. His voice captures Nick's vulnerability, determination, and desperation. Brick breathes life into each character, from the mysterious terrorist to Nick's allies and adversaries. His pacing and intonation enhance the suspense, making every revelation hit home.
Nick Horrigan is a flawed yet relatable protagonist. His internal struggle, fueled by guilt and fear, resonates with listeners. As he races against time, we feel his pulse quicken, his breath hitch. The supporting cast—each with their own secrets—adds depth to the narrative.
**Final Verdict**
"Trust No One" is a rollercoaster ride through shadows and half-truths. Gregg Hurwitz's writing is sharp, his twists unexpected, and his prose evocative. Scott Brick's narration elevates the experience, making this audiobook a must-listen for thriller enthusiasts.
Nick Horrigan has lived his life on the run for seventeen years, but his past finally catches up with him one night in the form of a mysterious man in black who breaks into his apartment and whisks him off to a nuclear facility where someone he has never met pleads for his help, just before being killed (in a most unpleasant fashion, I might add). From there, TRUST NO ONE is a labyrinth of plot twists and buried secrets that still, somehow, manages to be a distinctly character-driven thriller. Hurwitz writes Nick Horrigan as a drifter who has always longed for a place in the world, haunted by a single, apparently deadly choice he made at seventeen that changed his life forever. The novel is well-written, flawlessly paced, and Hurwitz is able to do what the vast majority of thriller writers fail at, by writing a compelling romantic subplot that is both true to the characters and does not distract from the larger goal of the story. If you are looking for an intelligent writer who recognizes that plot-driven fiction doesn't have to mean cardboard characters and flat writing, Hurwitz is the man for you.
I'd give this 4 stars except for one BIG plot hole that I couldn't see any way around. The baby was killed when she was only 11 days old. Her aunt talks about being the one to call her Gracie as if she had had time to bond with her. But it sounds as if the mother was essentially held prisoner from the time she gave birth or shortly afterward, until the time both of them were killed. When did the aunt find time to become attached to the baby, and weren't they ever reported missing? Doesn't make sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I found this political conspiracy type thriller to be a bit underwhelming especially as a follow-up to the author's previous book The Crime Writer which I thought was really good. Lots of action, twists, and turns that, to me, were fairly predictable. Listened to the audio version which was read by Patrick G. Lawlor.
This is the sixth book I've read by Mr. Hurwitz and this one is my first disappointment. With a few exceptions I am definitely outside the mainstream in my evaluation of it so I'm not going to write a detailed synopsis. The plot was convoluted and had an unreal feel to it for me. I suspect that as I mature (interpret as getting old) I am becoming a lazy reader. I just don't want to work too hard at enjoying a book.
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
I am a HUGE fan of the Orphan X series and thought I would try a stand alone book by this author. I'm not sure when this book was published - but if I had to guess, I would think the early 2000's. It is always fun to read about pagers and phone booths. Who would have thought that only a decade later these things would become obsolete?
This book showcases the main character Nick, who at 17 years of age, was forced to run and hide when his step father was murdered. The book basically starts when he has made the decision to come back home after 9 years and events from the past quickly surround him. He realizes how stunted and difficult the last decade has been for him, to have that constant fear of being discovered. As he realizes that he can run again, or stay and figure out what the heck happened, he decides he is going to stay this time.
I enjoyed this book. There is a lot of action and the set-up makes for a plot that is cloudy up until the end. There is a twist involved that while not being COMPLETELY transparent, is fairly easy to figure out once you get to a certain point in the book.
Is this book as good as an Evan Smoak book? Not to me, but it is EXTREMELY apparent that Mr. Hurwitz has made fantastic strides and grown enormously as an author. I listened to this on Audible and enjoyed the drama quite a bit.
This is 3 and 1/2 or 3 and 3/4s. I'm not sure why I'm being stingy and not giving it 4 stars. Maybe too many holes for me? To be really fair, most thrillers have plots you can drive a truck through, but. And it bugged me (since I am unable to establish aesthetic distance pretty much ever) how his family and friends dealt with the protagonist's choice to leave. (Like he really had a choice.) I think those things were enough...but I loved this book. I loved the protagonist. I loved the handling of the "romance." I'm really enjoying my Hurwitz bingefest.
8th book of bookclub! SIKEE i read the wrong book cause i’m dumb.
was fast paced from the very start and i did like how the end tied everything together. about shy of 3/4th’s in i had a haunch to what was going to happen. there were a lot of false details and information thrown at once and honestly not a big politics fan so i think that also took it down a notch for me since the whole thing played like a presidential election campaign corruption sorry. i did enjoy indu’s and his relationship and maybe just wish we’d get to really get a feel for the characters instead of such a fast pace touch and go.
"No wonder people want to hide from reality. It's ugly. Brutal. But it can also be graceful, and it offers comfort I'm still acquainting myself with. There are surprises there, not all of them unpleasant."
Nick Horrigan went through hell. I still don't know if it is possible to survive all of that. A bit unrealistic tbh. However, the opening of this book was one of the most thrilling scenes. I have to say it got a bit boring in the middle but it was an interesting reading.
I have absolutely no idea what to write about we know. All I felt while reading was Confused.
This was nothing like I expected, a lot of the book surrounded American politics and I, not being from the US, understood nothing. The premise was really interesting though.
A terrorist in control of a nuclear plant insists that he will only talk to Nick Horrigan, Nick who has built a quite safe life over is decades! The incident, and information Nick gets, relates to his own past and hurls him into a thirst for discovering, or is that uncovering the truth. He has only one piece of guidance, the dying words of his stepfather: "Trust no one!"
The first chapter was a banger, after that it gradually slows down in the middle. However I did want to know how it ended. I lost track of all of the characters, and even now that I’ve finished it I feel like I still don’t understand the main character.
Overall it was pretty interesting just not the best book for me.
This was a good one that kept me guessing. I also found the politics in this 10 year old book very interesting with whats going on now days. This also had a cast of interesting characters.
Patrick Lawler's narration was very well done, many voices, accents and genders.
This was a good thriller that kept my interest and kept me guessing.
In the last few weeks of a presidential campaign, a terrorist takes over a nuclear plant. The only person he wants to talk to is our hero, who has tried to keep his life below the radar. This plunges him into a world of conspiracy and violence, where he can Trust No One.
This was a gripping thriller that raises very interesting questions about the power of government and the importance of friendship and family. It is a standalone. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
A solid suspense thriller. At well over 400 pages it just ran too long. At times pretty farfetched....But with the election follies of 2016- MAYBE ? Well crafted characters as usual with a Gregg Hurwitz read.