Dark Horse: Orphan X #7    by Gregg Hurwitz Order:  USA  Can Minotaur, 2022 (2022) Hardcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Dark Horse is the seventh (following Prodigal Son) in Gregg Hurwitz's outstanding thriller series featuring Evan Smoak. He was selected as a child for a U.S. black program and trained as an assassin. Evan deserted to become the legendary Nowhere Man, using his training to help people in desperate need - his form of penance for his previous work. Lately, he's tried to live a more normal life, without much success. Dark Horse opens on the eighteenth birthday party of Anjelina Urrea, beloved daughter of South Texas drug lord Aragon Urrea, a complicated man who does much good, as well as bad, in the world. He's devastated when Anjelina is kidnapped from Eden, South Texas by a vicious rival cartel and taken to their well guarded headquarters in Mexico. Evan has been rebuilding his penthouse base after a horrific attack in the last episode. His relationship with Mia is progressing, and sixteen-year-old Joey continues to work on his humanity. She also tests him by saying she plans to go on a road trip. The last thing he wants is a new mission, but he finds himself drawn in anyway. Joey asks him, 'Can you save a bad man?', a question he ponders every single day. What follows is the usual Hurwitz rollercoaster action ride, with a constant volley of violence and surprises, not least from Anjelina herself. It ends with Evan having made a close new friend, one very like himself - and with Joey getting her road trip. However, the episode does end on the usual cliffhanger, seeding what's to come. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews