I’d like to think that the unexpectedly robust sales of my latest thriller, Chokepoint, are tied to the strong characters that have matured since their appearance in Half Staff 2018 as well as a number of new characters, some very bad, introduced in my second novel.  Supporting characters aside, both novels’ common hero, Dan Steele, is liked by many readers because of personality traits that make him differ from many of the protagonists that drive other novels in the thriller genre. What sets Steele apart from the best-selling authors’ famous characters?

Humanity. He cares for his team, their health and safety and would never ask someone to take a risk that he wouldn’t take himself. In the world of special operations/ clandestine operations this is a sacrosanct principal. Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp is an exemplar of this trait. So are Jack Carr’s James Recce and Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan.

Vulnerability. Steele lost his family in Half Staff 2018 and a potential love interest begins in Chokepoint that has him more than a little confused. Anxious to have his life return to normalcy, he is not certain that this is the route he wants to take. He’s determined to see where it all takes him, but he’s pushing the accelerator and pumping the brakes at the same time. In contrast, Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon seems to perpetually confident and self-sufficient and always be several steps head of his enemies and teammates.

Morality. Steele is not an indiscriminate killing machine. I was surprised when author Lee Child recently had Jack Reacher step out of character in Blue Moon. I thought I was reading John Wick Part #4. Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath kills only when it’s necessary.

Bravery. Not afraid of bad odds, Steele’s optimism isn’t misplaced, but it helps him navigate through some very tough spots. Steele is human, not superman. He gets banged up in the process of stopping threats to the national security and struggles to stay alive. Nine lives? Not really but some of the heroes in today’s novels walk away from major firefights without so much as a paper cut. Realistic? No.

Do readers like raw entertainment, action, excitement, and blood all over the pages?  Yes. But they also want something more from the characters they join on dangerous missions. I think they are looking for a realistic character with shortcomings who must feel his way through life without the certainty that he’ll survive for the next book in the series.