Evan Smoak, the titular character of Orphan X and its sequel, The Nowhere Man, is a highly-trained professional assassin, plucked from an orphanage as a boy and trained to Jason Bourne levels of badassery. But Smoak turned against his programming — naturally — and escaped their clutches, choosing instead to utilise his skills to help those in dire straits as The Nowhere Man. He lives in an apartment complex, in a unit that resembles the Batcave, and waits for his phone to ring – his equivalent to the Bat-Signal. He has no personal life, no real friends or family: he lives for the mission.
It’s a great setup for a series, which is slightly undermined in this sequel, purely because it strips away much of what made the first novel so great. Sure, the action is non-stop and intensely visceral, and the stakes are ratcheted up to the extreme; but the supporting cast — Evan’s neighbours — barely feature, and the book clings onto his convoluted backstory. I had hoped, with the origin story out of the way, Gregg Hurwitz might provide some first-rate standalone thrillers before returning to Smoak’s past, but that’s not the case. In fact, I’m wondering now if the Orphan X / Nowhere Man series is actually a trilogy, because it feels like, come this novel’s end, we’re gearing up towards a grand confrontation in the next book. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — it just feels like there’s more to explore with this character and his world.
The Nowhere Man sees Evan ambushed, drugged kidnapped, and held captive at an unknown, isolated location. His captors want money — Evan has access to almost limitless clandestine accounts — and they don’t seem to realise just how valuable he is. Removed from his equipment, Smoak pits his skills against a determined, psychotic crew, while dangerous figures from his past close in.
There’s not much new here, but The Nowhere Man is a fine thriller, punctuated with plenty of action that’ll keep thriller buffs entertained for its entirety. Only Lee Child’s Jack Reacher kicks as much ass as efficiently as Evan Smoak.
Simon McDonald 
I can’t remember who but someone else was disappointed in the second. I didn’t enjoy it as much as Orphan X but still loved it. I missed the neighbours etc we met first time around and it felt like a different sort of book but I still very much enjoyed it.