Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz Narrator: Scott Brick
Series: Orphan X #9
Published by MacMillan Audio, Minotaur Books on February 13, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 400
Length: 13 hours, 13 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Once a black book government assassin known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak left the program, went deep underground, and reinvented himself as someone who will go anywhere, and risk everything to help the truly desperate who have nowhere else to turn. Since then, Evan has fought international crime syndicates and drug cartels, faced down the most powerful men in the world and even brought down a President. Struggling with an unexpected personal crisis, Evan goes back to the very basics of his mission - and this time, the truly desperate is a little girl who wants him to find her missing dog.
Not his usual mission, and not one Evan embraces with enthusiasm, but this unlikely, tiny job quickly explodes into his biggest mission yet. one that finds him battered between twisted AI technocrat billionaires, a mysterious female assassin who seems a mirror of himself, and personal stakes so gut-wrenching he can scarcely make sense of them .
Orphan X series is one I never want to miss. I would read the books in order because of the character developments and also because they are all amazing and fun!
I’ve been worried about Evan. He can’t really have a normal life and has to stay hidden. I’m surprised the government isn’t after him more after his disregard for their plans. So he seems to be drifting some, with only his Nowhere calls to answer but they aren’t frequent.
Evan’s character development is the really story here, along with those he is trying to help. He met his biological father, but Jack was more of a real father to him. He has Joey. There’s also his half brother, ex-wife and daughter now. Then there are his vendor contacts like Candy McClure, Melinda and Tommy. Not to forget the ex-drug cartel leader and Luke Devine who are another sort of contact.
Evan considers and tried to figure out his connection with these people. His closest relationship these days is with Joey. It’s precious how they support and help each other. And I love how they were able to help Jayla Hill after her father died in every way.
Narration:
Scott Brick is completely the narrator for this series. I really enjoy his voices for the characters and loved his performance. He does a nice differentiation with all the ages and locations. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Scott Brick
Actor, writer and award-winning audiobook narrator Scott Brick certainly knows how to tell a story, in a way that keeps publishers, best-selling and award-winning authors, critics and the public at large begging for more. Hailed by Audible in 2012 as their most prolific narrator, Brick has narrated almost 900 audiobooks including titles such as: Jurassic Park, the Jack Reacher series, Alexander Hamilton, the Hunt For Red October, The Passage trilogy, In Cold Blood, the Bourne trilogy, Atlas Shrugged, Helter Skelter, Fahrenheit 451 and the Dune series.
Born on January 30, 1966 in Santa Barbara, California, Brick studied both acting and writing at UCLA, and joined the ranks of working professionals upon leaving school in 1989. Lauded by critics for his stage work, Brick spent ten years with the LA-based traveling Shakespeare troupe, Will & Company, appearing in productions of Cyrano, Hamlet, Macbeth and many others, and went on to appear in films such as Hit Parade, written and directed by comic book writer and co-Ben 10 creator, Joe Casey.
During this time, Brick continued writing. Having written hundreds of articles in a variety of genre publications such as WIZARD MAGAZINE, TOYFARE, COMICS BUYER’S GUIDE and CREATIVE SCREENWRITING, Brick was then hired by Morgan Freeman and Revelations Entertainment in 2000 to write the screen adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama, with David Fincher attached to direct. In 2005, he collaborated with author Orsen Scott Card to adapt a collection of the author’s short stories for the stage in a production titled (and printed in hardcover as) Posing as People.
Having just celebrated his 20th Audioversary, Brick’s venture into audiobooks is now considered legendary. To date he’s won over 60 Earphones Awards for his narrating skills, as well as five Audie Awards, five SOVAS Awards for voiceover, and a Grammy nomination for the multi-cast recording of The Mark of Zorro (2011). After recording 250 titles in his first five years, AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE named Brick “one of the fastest-rising stars in the audiobook galaxy,” and proclaimed him a Golden Voice, but it was the WALL STREET JOURNAL that sealed the moniker with a front-page article in November, 2004. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY then honored Brick as Narrator of the Year in both 2007 and 2011. That honor was followed up with another feature in the WSJ in 2019 and a recent appearance on the CBS Sunday Morning news show. And the ultimate distinction – being inducted into the Audible Narrator’s Hall of Fame in 2018. Having now recorded over 900 audiobooks, Brick has no intention of slowing down. He obviously won’t be happy until he’s recorded every book ever published.
Born to make a killer first impression, Brick’s newly completed debut novel, INSIGHT, is bound to leave people gasping for more from this innovative writer who is finally telling his own story. No news on who will narrate the audiobook.
About Gregg Hurwitz
GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty thrillers including OUT OF THE DARK (January 2019). His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in thirty languages. Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks. Gregg lives with his two Rhodesian ridgebacks in Los Angeles, where he continues to play soccer, frequently injuring himself.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
This series is one I want to try. So glad to see it was a win for you.
These are AMAZING! I highly recommend them. It’s not all action, well it is, but the character development is first class.
Woo hoo💜 Loving all those stars! I’m two books behind.
Every book is a gift. It’s all the action with all the feelings.
I just finished this on Sunday and loved it too! It was 5 stars for me as well. I’ll come back and read your review once I’ve posted mine. I think it’ll go up on Saturday. I’m behind!
I just love all the action in what is really a character development story.
Yes, I never want to miss an installment! I love how he’s becoming more connected with friends and family! All the AI stuff was scary because I’m sure it’s not far from the truth!
I suspect I’ll be making this a personal series challenge read sooner rather than later. 🙂
It’s so amazing. I highly recommend the series.
I’m glad to see this series is still going strong!
Me too. I hope it continues for quite awhile.
Poor Evan!
I worry about him constantly. He keeps taking on more for others and I’m afraid at some point it will drag him down.
This is one of my most favorite series! Evan Smoak is so awesome. I’ve got this one on hold at my library and can’t wait for my copy to come in. 😀
My favorite too. It’s so much fun action with the actual story of Evan’s character development.