790: Wandering Around The Verge, with David Pierce

Orphan X is a 2016 thriller novel that follows the story of Evan Smoak, who was taken from a group home at age 12 and trained as part of the Orphan Program, a top-secret government operation designed to create assassins. After the program is shut down, Smoak breaks away and reinvents himself as the Nowhere Man, using his skills to help desperate people in need. However, his past catches up with him as former Orphan agents and government forces try to eliminate him. The novel is praised for its suspense, action, and strong character development, drawing comparisons to the Jason Bourne and Batman series.

The Gray Man is the debut novel by Mark Greaney, published in 2009. It introduces Court Gentry, a legendary assassin and former CIA operative, as he navigates a complex web of international intrigue and betrayal. The story unfolds with Gentry facing off against powerful adversaries, including a French corporation and African interests, while trying to rescue his handler and family from danger. Known for its fast-paced action and gripping plot, the novel sets the stage for the Gray Man series.

The novel follows an unnamed English assassin, known only as the Jackal, who is hired by the OAS (Organisation de l'armée secrète), a French dissident paramilitary organization, to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle. The story is divided into three parts: 'Anatomy of a Plot', detailing the Jackal's preparations; 'Anatomy of a Manhunt', focusing on the French secret service's efforts to identify and stop the Jackal; and 'Anatomy of a Kill', the final confrontation. The novel is known for its detailed and methodical portrayal of both the assassin's plans and the police investigation, creating a tense and suspenseful narrative[2][4][5].