🕶️ Book Review: Orphan X: A Mysterious Profile by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz (Kindle Edition, Mysterious Profiles Series)
A lean, introspective novella that peels back the layers of one of modern thriller fiction’s most enigmatic heroes—Gregg Hurwitz delivers a compelling character study of Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X.
🧠 Overview
Set for release on August 19, 2025, Orphan X: A Mysterious Profile is a 54-page Kindle short that dives into the personal history of Evan Smoak, the elite government-trained assassin turned vigilante known as The Nowhere Man. This entry in the Mysterious Profiles series doesn’t follow a traditional mission or action-packed arc—instead, it’s a quiet, revealing moment between Evan and Josephine “Joey” Morales, the last recruit of the Orphan Program and his surrogate daughter.
Joey, ever curious and sharp, initiates a game of “Truth or Truth” (a twist on “Truth or Dare”) that prompts Evan to revisit painful memories from his childhood—moments that shaped his transformation into Orphan X. Through this exchange, readers glimpse the emotional scars and moral complexity behind the stoic exterior.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧠 Character depth: A rare look into Evan’s psyche, exploring how trauma and training forged his identity
- 👨👧 Surrogate family bond: The dynamic between Evan and Joey adds warmth and emotional tension
- 🕵️♂️ Minimalist storytelling: No high-octane action—just dialogue, reflection, and emotional resonance
- 🧬 Series enrichment: Offers fans deeper insight into Evan’s backstory without requiring prior knowledge
“Joey stirs up some of Evan’s memories from his childhood, memories of events that helped forge the assassin known as Orphan X…”
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 4.32/5 from over 130 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s emotional intimacy, sharp writing, and character focus
- 🧾 Some note that it’s best appreciated by fans of the series, but still accessible as a standalone
- 💬 “Big Bourne and Reacher energy… but with more heart.” — The New York Times (quoted in product description)
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 54 pages, it’s a quick read—more of a character vignette than a full thriller
- 📚 Series continuity: Works independently, but resonates more if you’re familiar with Evan and Joey’s relationship
- 🧠 Low on action: Focuses on emotional depth rather than suspense or combat
🏁 Final Verdict
Orphan X: A Mysterious Profile is a thoughtful, emotionally charged novella that adds nuance to one of thriller fiction’s most compelling protagonists. Gregg Hurwitz trades bullets for introspection, making this Kindle edition a must-read for fans of the Orphan X series—or anyone curious about the man behind the mission.
