As noted in previous posts about thrillers and their authors, it takes a special kind of writer to embrace the research demanded for authenticity, to create the type of man or woman required for the hero/heroine position, to develop their abilities in an enticing and meaningful way, to fill in their backgrounds which pointed them to their roles, and to craft a story that requires their unique skills to solve a threatening issue of great magnitude.
If you recognize any of these thriller heroes, you know exactly what I've been describing over the last two parts of these "analyses" of thriller authors. Take a look: the legendary Mitch Rapp (Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills), Scot Harvath (Brad Thor), John Milton (Mark Dawson), Jon Reznick (J. B. Turner), Courtland Gentry, aka The Gray Man, (Mark Greaney) to name a few.
Most readers establish their favorites early on after reading a couple novels by the author. I confess Mitch Rapp is and will always be my favorite hero. He's iconic with characteristics that separate him from all the others. I enjoy all the other heroes listed here and will probably acquire a taste for even more as I expand my reading on the thriller journey.
The authors of these heroes have met all the challenges covered in Parts One and Two for writing thrillers. They've created solid and appreciative audiences for their work with few exceptions who wait with anticipation for their next adventures. And these authors seem to have the key resources to portray modern-day crises before the public sees portions of them actually happening in this world.
One other piece to the thriller story regarding their heroes, there is inherent tragedy involving those with whom the hero has engaged in any serious and/or romantic capacity. At some point the hero realizes anyone who is close to him is in potential danger because of those enemies who want to get to and harm the hero in every way possible. What better way than to eliminate the few he's dared to hold close to his heart. If there is a traumatic loss, each hero reacts in individual but similar ways, having two things in common. One, they're reluctant to get involved again because of the innate danger to the other person; Two, the intensity with which they intend to exact vengeance upon the perpetrator(s). Ultimately, it forces them to consider the obscurity of ever having a "normal" life outside of what they do.
And the final plot item included in the heroes' repertoire is either that one person or a small team of people from their pasts together who they can contact for assistance in a dire emergency where access to information, equipment, or anything else critical to the hero's needs is unlikely to be available to him. He has connections if he has to make them.
I'm not as familiar with thriller heroines although I've read a few suspense and mystery novels with well-written tough women solving crimes and "kicking-butts", but with the exception of the Beatrix Rose Thriller Series by Mark Dawson, these unique heroines are not in thriller novels.
These are all general market heroes so profanity in varying degrees is always present.
Hoping you enjoyed this thriller author series. Definitely some gifted writers in this genre.
Lord, I ask your blessing over each of these authors who continue to write with the gifts you've given them. May they know and seek after you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.