Orphan X Books in Order
The Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz follows Evan Smoak, a former government assassin trained in the secret Orphan Program who now operates off the grid to help people in desperate trouble.
For a complete list of books by Gregg Hurwitz, see Gregg Hurwitz Books in Order.
Latest Orphan X Books
Orphan X Series (Books in Order)
The list below shows the Orphan X books in publication order, which is also the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading Order
- Orphan X (#1), 2016
- Buy a Bullet (#1.5), 2016
- The Nowhere Man (#2), 2017
- Hellbent (#3), 2018
- The Intern (#3.5), 2018
- Out of the Dark (#4), 2019
- Into the Fire (#5), 2020
- The List (#5.5), 2020
- Prodigal Son (#6), 2021
- Dark Horse (#7), 2022
- The Last Orphan (#8), 2023
- The Recital (#8.5), 2023
- Lone Wolf (#9), 2024
- Nemesis (#10), 2025
- The Code (#0.5), 2025
- Antihero (#11), 2026
Reading Notes:
- The Code is a short prequel set before the events of Orphan X but published later.
- Short stories like Buy a Bullet, The Intern, The List and The Recital are ebook/audiobook shorts that add extra missions but are not required to follow the main story arc.
Other Orphan X Books
Who Is Evan Smoak?
Evan Smoak is a former covert operative taken from a group home as a child and raised inside the Orphan Program, which is a secret government initiative that is designed to create deniable assassins. After breaking with the program, he disappears and becomes the Nowhere Man, using his training, network of contacts and carefully controlled resources in order to help people who have nowhere else to turn.
Operating under strict personal rules and moral codes, Evan completes one high-risk mission after another while staying one step ahead of the people who want him and entire the Orphan Program erased.
Where to Start with the Orphan X Series
New to Orphan X? Start here:
- Best starting point: Orphan X – this is the first published novel and introduces Evan Smoak, the Orphan Program and his life as the Nowhere Man.
- If you enjoy origin prequels: You can read The Code as an origin-style prequel either just before Orphan X or after the first few books, once you already know Evan.
Related Gregg Hurwitz Series
Related reading in the Gregg Hurwitz universe:
- Gregg Hurwitz Books in Order – complete list of all Gregg Hurwitz series, standalone novels and short stories.