Audiobook Reviews: The Damage Man by Gregg Hurwitz and Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy by Martha Wells

 

The Damage Man (Orphan X #11.5) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: September 1st 2026 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 87

Audio Book Length: 2hrs 2min

Narrator: Scott Brick

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

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 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! 

4 Stars

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (Murderbot Diaries #2.5) by Martha Wells

Publication Date: September 1st 2026 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 34

Audio Book Length: 53min

Narrator: Kevin R. Free

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy is a short story centering on Perihelion “Perry” (or ART according to Murderbot) and its crew after he meets up with Murderbot. Iris, his sort of human sister and the crew notice some changes in Perry but he’s a little coy about his new friendship. This is a cute short story. 

The Murderbot Diaries is unique and fun and I’ve loved all the stories and short stories! I recommend reading from the beginning. The traditional audio with Kevin R. Free narrating is amazing. He captures Murderbot’s personality and dry humor so well! There are sound effects here as well, which was a nice addition.

 

3.5 Stars

Audiobook Review: The Delivery by Gregg Hurwitz

 

The Delivery by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: July 28th 2026 by Audible Studios

Pages: 225

Audio Book Length: 4hrs 48min

Narrator: Scott Brick

Source: Part of Audible/Kindle Unlimited Membership

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

We hear about AI everywhere now and I can’t help but think of the Terminator movies whenever it’s being discussed. The Delivery isn’t quite like that but the story poses a chilling situation that I don’t think is too far fetched!

 

Rebecca and Mark are overwhelmed by life. Mark has a demanding job and overbearing boss. And while they love their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, her everyday needs are constant and draining.

 

There’s an a-hole neighbor adding to Rebecca’s stress and mean-girls at school for Maddy. I really felt for all three of them!

 

When they’re offered help in the form of an AI bot, “Mr. Man” they’re hesitant, but in the end the offer of help is too great to resist.

 

At first, it’s a dream, but soon Mr. Man’s interpretation of “help” becomes troubling. Part of me (the dark part) wasn’t completely horrified by his “solutions”.

 

I’m a huge fan of Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series, so when I saw this standalone novella I had to grab it and I was not disappointed!

 

Scott Brick also narrates the Orphan X series, and his performance is perfection! So, it came as no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed his narration here as well.

4 Stars

Book Description:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Orphan X series comes a tense novella, a psychological thriller about an AI companion that will do anything to serve—with terrifying consequences.

Rebecca and Mark Higgins are doing their best to hold their family together. She’s healing from the pain of a miscarriage, he’s drowning in pressure at work, and their neurodivergent daughter, Maddy, needs all the care she can get. So when a cutting-edge tech company offers the perfect solution, they jump at the chance. And they welcome “Mr. Man”—a humanoid AI companion—into their home.

Designed to anticipate their needs, he’s like a miracle at first. The house runs like clockwork. Meals appear on the table. And Maddy thrives under his patient attention. But when inexplicable tragedies start to strike the neighborhood, Rebecca glimpses a darker pattern at play.

Each incident is an answer to an unspoken fear, each kindness shadowed by violence. Mr. Man isn’t just following instructions—he’s anticipating what they want. Even the things they never dared to say. And if he’s executing their darkest desires, it’s their responsibility to stop him…at any cost.

Review: Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz

 

Antihero (Orphan X #11) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: February 10th 2026 by Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 416

Audio Book Length: 14hrs 12min

Narrator: Scott Brick

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Evan Smoak was trained as an elite assassin for a covert government program, but after uncovering its darkest secrets, he walked away. Now he operates as the Nowhere Man, helping the helpless when they have nowhere else to turn. One of the reasons I love this series is that justice usually wins, bad guys get what’s coming to them in the most satisfying ways, something I wish happened more often in real life.

 

Evan’s abilities never cease to amaze me. Even when he’s backed into a no‑win situation, he finds a way through. And every time he delivers his signature line, “Look at me closely. And ask yourself: Do I look scared?” I know a well‑deserved smackdown is coming, and it always puts a smile on my face.

 

Each Orphan X book has its own mission, but the fallout from Evan leaving the program and the evolution of his relationships continues to build, so it’s best to start from the beginning. If you haven’t begun this series, you’re in for a treat: high‑stakes action, compelling missions, and sharp, dry humor make Orphan X one of my all‑time favorites.

 

The case in Antihero was tough. I was enraged over what happened. Evan had a tough time managing his reactions. He wanted to go nuclear and it was confusing for him since he’s never had so many emotional ties. The need to protect and destroy was overwhelming.

 

Joey continues to feel like a niece or daughter to him, and her desire to take on a bigger role complicates things. I’m thrilled with how Candi has been stepping up, and something revealed about her has me excited. Naomi Templeton is an intriguing new-ish addition, and I wonder if there might be something there for Evan. I like Mia, and I was happy to see her soften toward him, but I still don’t know how it could ever work.

 

I alternated between reading and listening, and both formats are excellent, the audiobooks are truly fantastic. Scott Brick is Evan Smoak to me now. His accents, male and female voices are excellent. His comedic timing is spot on!

5 Stars

Book Description:

In the latest in this New York Times best-selling series, Evan Smoak takes on his most complex mission yet―one where he has to not only protect but also avenge, and find a way to balance vengeance with mercy.

Once a black ops assassin for the government known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak broke with the program and went deep underground, using his operational rules and skills to help the truly desperate with nowhere else to turn.

When Luke Devine, one of the most powerful men in the world has a psychological crisis, Evan flies to the East Coast to meet Luke. While there, he learns of a young woman who was kidnapped off the New York City subway, clearly in danger and in need of aid. With no name and few clues, Evan and his team track down the missing woman, who was assaulted and abandoned. Evan offers his help―and sets out tracking down the young men responsible. But the woman insists that Evan abandon his usual methods―no vengeance and, in particular, no killing. Which will prove no easy feat given the mounting incoming threats from all sides. In a mission that takes Evan from coast to coast, from the poorest corners of society to the richest, Orphan X must figure out a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice, with a measure of mercy.

Review: Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz

 

Nemesis (Orphan X #10) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: February 11th 2025 by Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 464

Audio Book Length: 16hrs 19min

Narrators: Scott Brick

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Evan Smoak was trained as an elite assassin for a covert government organization but has since left the program after some dark discoveries. Now Evan operates as The Nowhere Man helping the helpless when they have nowhere else to turn.

 

Each of the Orphan X books has a problem that is solved, but the repercussions of Evan’s decision to leave the Orphan program and his relationships are ongoing and progressive, so it’s best to start the series from the beginning. If you haven’t started this series, you’re in for a treat! Thrilling action, compelling missions interspersed with clever, dry humor make Orphan X one of my all-time favorite series!

 

I thought this installment had a more serious undertone than the prior stories. The story centers on a tragedy Tommy wades into when the son of a man he served with calls for help. It’s not pretty. Ignorance, hatred and complete idiocy factor in. A situation I could easily see playing out currently in real-life! It’s heartbreaking on both sides. Evan becomes involved, too.

 

Despite trying to stay off the radar and keep others free from the danger he faces, Evan’s gathered friends. I’ve loved seeing those relationships grow and evolve through the series. However, this installment has one of those relationships on rocky ground! I didn’t know how it’d work out. I was happy and sad by the end! As usual, I eagerly look forward to the next installment!

 

I alternately read and listened to the audiobook and can recommend either version, but the audios are fantastic!  Scott Brick is an excellent narrator, bringing Evan to life. He IS Evan Smoak to me now! His female voices and accents are also well done, and his comedic timing is spot on!

5 Stars

Gregg Hurwitz is going on his biggest book tour yet! Click HERE for schedule.

Book Description:

No greater friend. No deadlier enemy.

Evan Smoak is a highly trained former government assassin who has survived for years by keeping his circle to a few trusted confidants and a strict code he calls "The Ten Commandments." But when Evan suddenly finds himself at odds with his oldest friend, all the rules he lives by shatter--and the consequences are murderous.

Tommy Stojack might be Evan's best friend in the world. He's a gifted gunsmith who has created much of Evan's own weapons and combat gear. But now, he has apparently crossed one of Evan's hardest lines and their argument explodes into open warfare. Now Evan has no choice but to track and face down his only friend.

In the meantime, Tommy has left town in order to honor his own promise to help a dead friend's son. While Tommy is fighting to save the son with everything he's got, Evan arrives with vengeance in mind.

But as deadly as the former Orphan X is, there is an even more dangerous threat about to arrive on the scene. The only question left is will any of them get out alive.

Connect with Gregg Hurwitz:

Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | Bluesky

Audiobook Review: Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz

 

Lone Wolf (Orphan X #9) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: February 13th 2024 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 400

Audio Book Length: 13hrs 13min

Narrators: Scott Brick

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Lone Wolf is the 9th in the Orphan X series, and I’ve loved every installment! It’s a series best read in order, so if you haven’t started the series, go grab book one and prepare for an amazing, exciting ride!

Evan Smoak was taken from his foster home and trained as an elite assassin for a covert government operation and then left the program when his conscience demanded it. Now Evan operates as The Nowhere Man helping the helpless when they have nowhere else to turn.

In Lone Wolf Evan is at a low point personally, but he must quickly shake off his gloom when a young girl calls the hotline and asks for help finding her lost dog. Evan reluctantly agrees and “the case of the lost dog” quickly turns into sooo much more! Parts are extremely concerning as it mirrors real-life with AI and it’s chilling! As usual, Evan has his ever-growing collection of friends at his back, Joey, Tommy, and Melinda assist with the investigation.

I’ve said this before, but I think one of the reasons I love this series so much is because justice usually wins out. The baddies get retribution, something I long to see in real life, but doesn’t always happen. And Evan’s just so badass! Even when you think he’s cornered into a situation he can’t possibly get out of, he somehow prevails! Although, there was a comedy of errors when he gets his own line “Look at me closely. And ask yourself: Do I look scared?” back from nine-seven-year-old lady! It was a good lesson for him! Also, so many laughs over Evan having to endure looking through the many, many photos and videos of Sofia’s beloved, ugly dog!!!

The main conflict is resolved, but boy, that surprise at the end could change things! As usual, I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment!

I listened to the audiobook version, the way I’ve “read” the entire series. Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator, bringing Evan to life. He IS Evan Smoak to me even now. His female voices and accents are spot on, and his comedic timing is wonderful! I listen at my normal 1.5x-1.75x normal speed.

5 Stars

Book Description:

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 .

Evan's mission pushes him to his limit - he must find and take down the assassin known only as the Wolf, before she succeeds in completing her mission and killing the people who can identify her - a teenaged daughter of her last target, and Evan himself. Matched skill for skill, instinct for instinct, Evan must outwit an opponent who will literally stop at nothing if he is to survive.

Audiobook Review: The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz

 

The Last Orphan (Orphan X #8) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: February 14th 2023 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 352

Audio Book Length: 11hrs 46min

Narrators: Scott Brick

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

In The Last Orphan Evan’s pardon has come into question, because as we know, he hasn’t exactly lived up to his end of the bargain he made with the President. If someone calls and asks for help, he’s not the type just to ignore it. Things get dicey for Evan, and I was on the edge of my seat!

I’m always amazed by Evan’s abilities and his talent to prevail even when it looks like he’s up against a no-win situation! Love it when this line comes out: “Look at me closely. And ask yourself: Do I look scared?” I know some much deserved smackdown is about to be served and it puts a smile on my face every time!

I think one of the reasons I love this series so much because justice usually wins out in some form eventually. The baddies get their comeuppance, something I long to see in real life, but don’t always get.

In the past Evan has been mostly on his own, but gradually he’s collected a sort of family, people he cares about and who he can count on. Joey, Tommy, Mia and even (gasp!) Candy! Going from a mostly lonely existence to inadvertently and reluctantly adding these people to his life has been heartwarming!

As usual this “case” wraps up, but I wonder over a new character and how they might play into future stories.

The Last Orphan was full of danger and action, but also laughs and emotional moments! Orphan X has quickly become a favorite series and I eagerly await the next installment!

I listened to the audio version of The Last Orphan, which I highly recommend! Scott Brick’s voice is Evan Smoak to me. His performance of Evan is perfection! I enjoy his other characters voices, as well, and his comedic timing is spot on. I listened at my usual 1.5x-1.75x normal speed.

5 Stars

Book Description:

Evan Smoak returns in The Last Orphan, the latest New York Times bestselling Orphan X thriller--when everything changes and everything is at risk.

As a child, Evan Smoak was plucked out of a group home, raised and trained as an off-the-books assassin for the government as part of the Orphan program. When he broke with the program and went deep underground, he left with a lot of secrets in his head that the government would do anything to make sure never got out.

When he remade himself as The Nowhere Man, dedicated to helping the most desperate in their times of trouble, Evan found himself slowly back on the government's radar. Having eliminated most of the Orphans in the program, the government will stop at nothing to eliminate the threat they see in Evan. But Orphan X has always been several steps ahead of his pursuers.

Until he makes one little mistake...

Now the President has him in her control and offers Evan a deal - eliminate a rich, powerful man she says is too dangerous to live and, in turn, she'll let Evan survive. But when Evan left the Program he swore to only use his skills against those who really deserve it. Now he has to decide what's more important - his principles or his life.

Audio Review: Dark Horse by Gregg Hurwitz

 

Dark Horse (Orphan X #7) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: February 8th 2022 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 432

Audio Book Length: 14 hrs 30 min

Narrator: Scott Brick

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

I have been blazing through the Orphan X series loving every minute! Evan Smoak was taken from his foster home and trained as an elite assassin for a covert government operation and then left the program when his conscience demanded it. Now Evan operates as The Nowhere Man helping the helpless when they have nowhere else to turn. In Dark Horse the case is a little different since Aragon Urrea isn’t a completely good man either. However, his eighteen-year-old daughter is kidnapped by a ruthless and violent drug cartel and he’s desperate to get her back.

Dark Horse, like the previous installments was exciting and action-packed! Evan gets himself through seemingly impossible situations, always coming out on top, but I wondered how he’d pull off this mission since the drug cartel was a scary bunch of crazies!

Through all the books we’ve seen Evan help the helpless, champion the underdog, all while he navigates life out of the Orphan program. Despite trying to remain separate he’s established connections and I’ve loved seeing them evolve and grow through the series. Tommy his weapons/gun supplier, Joey the young cast-off from the Orphan program, and of course Mia and Peter from 12B. Evan’s relationship with Mia is at times confusing to Evan, her life is so full and messy with her nine-year-old son, Peter, but Evan can’t help but be drawn in by her. I have to laugh at Evan’s “exchanges” with Vera II and III, his aloe vera plants! Yes, there are bits of dry humor here and there that have me cracking up.

Each of the Orphan books has a mission/problem that solved, but the repercussions of Evan’s decision to leave the Orphan program and his relationships are ongoing and progressive, so I think it’s best to start the series from the beginning.

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 spot on, and his comedic timing is wonderful! I listen at my normal 1.5x-1.75x normal speed.

5 Stars

Book Description:

Gregg Hurwitz's New York Times bestselling series returns when Orphan X faces his most challenging mission ever in Dark Horse.

Evan Smoak is a man with many identities and a challenging past. As Orphan X, he was a government assassin for the off-the-books Orphan Program. After he broke with the Program, he adopted a new name and a new mission—The Nowhere Man, helping the most desperate in their times of trouble. Having just survived an attack on his life and the complete devastation of his base of operations, as well as his complicated (and deepening) relationship with his neighbor Mia Hall, Evan isn't interested in taking on a new mission. But one finds him anyway.

Aragon Urrea is a kingpin of a major drug-dealing operation in South Texas. He's also the patron of the local area—supplying employment in legitimate operations, providing help to the helpless, rough justice to the downtrodden, and a future to a people normally with little hope. He's complicated—a not completely good man, who does bad things for often good reasons. However, for all his money and power, he is helpless when one of the most vicious cartels kidnaps his innocent eighteen year old daughter, spiriting her away into the armored complex that is their headquarters in Mexico. With no other way to rescue his daughter, he turns to The Nowhere Man.

Now not only must Evan figure out how to get into the impregnable fortress of a heavily armed, deeply paranoid cartel leader, but he must decide if he should help a very bad man—no matter how just the cause.