Prodigal Son is the 6th book in Gregg Hurwitz's very successful Orphan X series,and in my opinion the best one.
Supposedly retired from his "Nowhere Man" activities ,Evan Smoak is called by someone claiming to be his Mother who asks for help. Smoak's retirement was forced on him by the American President who offered a pardon for his various lethal vigilante actions with the proviso that he stopped them or would be stopped permanently and terminally so along with his misgivings about the identity of the caller he's loathe to get involved. He's eventually convinced to help the person his caller is concerned about, a car pound guard called Andrew Duran, an alcoholic who is in the wrong place at the wrong time,sees too much and as a result is a hunted man.
Smoak's mission sees him taken back to his past and his days in the Pride House Group home and the story of how he became Orphan X. The book sees him become more reflective as things about himself are revealed and he finds himself struggling with feelings that he's suppressed for his entire life. It takes a different direction to the previous tales as he discovers empathy and realises what's been missing in his life.Favourite series character teenage computer genius Joey plays a big part in this story ,as does her relationship with Smoak and there are some great laugh out loud scenes as 2 somewhat dysfunctional people struggle to put on a tough front while obviously having strong feelings for each other.
This book sees a "softer" Evan Smoak,to a degree at least, and his life appears to be taking him in new directions,of course there's the usual mayhem,carnage and dastardly villains to confront along the way as well. It's great fun as well as being a damn good thriller.
The book ends with Smoak having made a big decision ....and with a very big decision to make, great stuff.

I hadn't read any of the previous Orphan X books therefore for me this read like a new fast paced thrill ride of a book introducing a new anti-hero team who are set on putting things to right. The terrific main characters find themselves up against sinister technology and skilled assassins when accepting a simple brief to help an ordinary man with small debts. I do hope there's next chapter for these characters.