Savage Son by Jack Carr ( Terminal List #3)

Savage Son by Jack Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jack Carr is the real deal. As someone who has lived much of what his protagonist, James Reecc goes through, it is apparent that Carr's skill in telling a story is powerful.
Another great entry in the series, this time the elusive Oliver Grey has made it to Russia and ingratiated himself with the lead mob boss there. In exchange for his loyalty and help, Grey will be given a chance to go after Reece and his friend Raife Hastings. On American soil no less. Add into the mix that the mob boss's son is in the Russian military intelligence apparatus and also a psychopath that hunts humans on the remote Medny Island along with Grey's plane and Reece is in for a wild ride.

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Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz ( Orphan X #10)

Nemesis by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We live in a time that those of us who love great thriller writing as well as great characters, are just giddy with the choices we have before us in our reading pursuits..
We have some guys that have been around for awhile. Robert Crais, David Baldacci, Brad Thor, Ken Follett, Dean Koontz, Harlan Coben, and a few others that are just like an old friend or a cozy pair of jeans.
Then, we have the new kids on the block. Nick Petrie, James Byrnes, Jack Carr, Don Bentley. All great, all well worth reading, and all just plain awesome. But, there is only one Orphan X and his creator Gregg Hurwitz. The continued excellence of this series is one to behold and every year I am just so excited to read the new X book. Book 10, Nemesis, is another great read in this excellent series. You can keep your Collee Hoover and Freida McFadden, and all of the other Walmart staples. This series is an experience.
Nemesis picks up right after the events of Lone Wolf, our favorite dysfunctional and socially awkward assassin is trying to come to grips with an ethical and moral problem involving his only friend, Tommy Stojak. How could Tommy allow bad people purchase his one of a kind weapons. Totally discounting the fact that X, Evan himself, has benefited from Tommy's expertise. In Evan's mind it means war with Tommy. Conflicted and as bad ass as ever, Evan needs closure, even if it means the death of his only friend.
In the meantime, Tommy is trying to help the son of an old buddy from the service who is in a world of trouble. As Evan tracks Tommy across the country to this situation he becomes aware of something that only the Nowhere Man can bring closure to. Even if Tommy is in the way and fights him tooth and nail.
Add into the mix a corrupt sheriff, rampant racism and 4 killers who brand themselves the Four Horsemen who are also on Tommy's trail and you have the makings of one of the best Orphan X novels in recent memory, even though all are excellent.
Just where does friendship end, and what does true friendship mean. You will find out in Nemesis.

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Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz ( Orphan X #9)

Lone Wolf by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Special thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for the Advance Reading Copy. This is not a paid review.
I would actually pay to read this series! There are a few spoilers, be aware.
The Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz is by far the best thriller series that is currently in process. Every book is better than the last and Lone Wolf is the best so far. After 9 books it is astounding the growth that Hurwitz imbues in Evan Smoak.
Unlike previous X books, Lone Wolf starts a little different. Evan answers his Roamzone with his typical, "How can I help you?" Only to hear the voice of his estranged brother, Andre's daughter Sofia. Asking The Nowhere Man to find her dog. A snaggle toothed psychotic mutt.
Thus begins an X like other.
Feeling the need to help this little girl, who is family, Evan isn't quite sure how to navigate. Feelings aren't his thing. So, using all the tools at his disposal including the massively awesome hacking and computer skills of his ward, Joey, they set out to find the missing mutt.
They get a ping from a traffic camera of the dog being picked up by a nice looking gentleman and they track him to his home.
In the meantime, there is an assassin afoot that is as brutally efficient as the Nowhere Man and her next target is the man in question who just happens to be a genius AI developer.
As Evan gets to the house to procure the dog, he finds the door open and the good doctor killed with the assassin still there.
What follows is a tour d force of action, and drama with purely joyous exchanges between Evan and those who become involved. Insane billionaires, a beautiful assassin, and most of all Joey and the doctor's teenage daughter who has a bullseye painted on her back which Evan must save. . This is Smoak at his best.

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

The Last Orphan by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are not a lot of superlatives left to say about how great this series is. Top three currently being written in the thriller genre. The continued growth of the characters and story arc are just amazing.
In The Last Orphan, Evan has the unthinkable happen. He is actually captured by the President using any and all resources at her disposal. He has two choices, do a job for the government for a pardon or languish in prison the rest of his life.
As you will find, he chooses neither but still delves into the figure wanted killed by the President. A billionaire who has tremendous control over US policy as well as other countries. What follows is a nuanced investigation by X if the individual in question deserves to die. Because innocents have died maybe at the billionaires hand, maybe not. X needs to find out. Joey is back as well as our favorite bad girl, Candy.
This is just hits on all levels!!!

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The Big Empty by Robert Crais ( Elvis Cole and Pike #20)

The Big Empty by Robert Crais
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robert Crais is a master of the genre. This is another standout.
Elvis Cole and Pike are two of the best creations in thriller writing to come out in the last 20 years. I feel sorry for those who have never read Robert Crais.
I discovered a paperback of The Monkey's Raincoat right after it came out in 1987. I was looking for something different and boy did I find it. After page one I was hooked and looked forward to the next Elvis Cole or Pike story. I've read them all and love them. The Big Empty is no different which is saying something. How do you keep something fresh for 30 plus years?!?
This time around, Elvis is approached by a baker/influencer who's career is on the rise. But, now that she has become pretty wealthy and older she wants Elvis to find out what happened to her father who disappeared 10 years earlier.
Even though there was a very thorough investigation by a very good PI firm when he disappeared, Elvis takes the job unable to resist the persuasive young baker.
In the course of his detecting, Elvis finds more than he bargained for and the knowledge that her father was not who he appeared to be at home. There are twists and turns, bodily harm and the ever enigmatic Pike. No spoilers here. It will ruin your experience. Read The Monkey's Raincoat and then rejoice that you have 19 more books to read.

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