When writing my debut action thriller, The Recruiter, it became apparent early on that I would have a lot more fun subverting the standard thriller tropes rather than adhering to them. Not all of them, of course. Tropes exist largely because they work, and people enjoy them. But playing with a few while keeping others was definitely part of the enjoyment I derived from writing the book. And the trope I wanted to mess with the most was the one of the badass action hero. The guy (or gal) who enters a room and can defeat many, if not all, of the other people in there with them. Even heroes that are walking bruises by the end of the story often give as good as they get. Think John McClane in Die Hard.
Not my guy. Not Rick Carter. Writing an action hero who was bad at the action stuff was way more entertaining to me. He’d have to have some skills, of course. Knowing how to throw a punch and shoot a gun would be a prerequisite if he wanted to survive in his chosen profession as a recruiter for the criminal underworld. Lots of guys can throw a punch and shoot a gun, though, and they’re not all Chuck Norris. The reality is that Rick’s in his early forties, rocks a Dad bod, and spent most of his life working a white collar job in the suburbs of New Jersey before things took a dramatic turn ten years before the novel begins. He’s quick on his feet and cunning, with a network full of dangerous people he can call on for help when things get dicey, but if he ever had to face off one-on-one against someone who knew what they were doing, he’d lose that fight.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Would a reader follow a character like that for an entire novel? Even if it’s written in the first person, so the author couldn’t cheat and cut to the POV of another character when the bullets started flying? I guess we’ll find out when the book drops on July 23rd.
In the meantime, let’s see how Rick would fare in a fight against other protagonists from the modern thriller genre by pairing him up against five, Celebrity Deathmatch style. (Shout out to all my former ‘90’s teenagers who remember that MTV claymation classic). Spoiler alert: He goes 0-5. But just to make him feel better about himself, we’ll get the hardest one out of the way first, and then make it (slightly) easier from there.
Rick Carter vs Nena Knight
Nena Knight, the Ghanian-born assassin from Yasmin Angoe’s intense, gritty, and exciting-as-hell Knight Trilogy, would make the shortest work of Rick out of anyone on this list. Sold into a human trafficking ring following the slaughter of her entire village, Nena was adopted by the Knight family and trained as an assassin for The Tribe, a clandestine group dedicated to the unification and emergence of Africa as a true world power…even if it means getting their hands dirty. That’s where Nena comes in. Once in assassin mode, she goes by her code name—Echo—and trust me when I say she does NOT eff around. Rick hits the floor after one swift throat punch. If she considered him a threat at all, she’d finish him off with one of the daggers she keeps concealed on her at all times, but watching him writhe around like a beached catfish, she’d likely feel too much pity to complete the job. Rick survives to get pummeled another day.
Rick Carter vs James Bond
We’re talking the Ian Flemming version here, just to be clear. (Although any of the movie versions could also knock Rick on his ass. Even Roger Moore in “A View to a Kill,” who was only 57 at the time but looked like he was already collecting a Social Security check). Literary Bond is truly the “blunt instrument” that Daniel Craig sought to embody during his tenure in the role. True, he’s a functioning alcoholic battling chronic depression, but so’s Rick, so that’s a wash. Even after five martinis—shaken or stirred—Bond would beat Rick down like George Lazenby’s agent after he found out his client only agreed to do one movie. It would not be nearly as smooth as Nena—book Bond is more boxer than ninja–and depending on his mood, 007 might actually put two in Rick’s head from his Walther PPK, just to make sure there are no loose ends. But there’s also a good chance that Rick would remain conscious just long enough to offer to buy the suave secret agent another round, thus preserving his own skin, while further damaging his liver.
Rick Carter vs Derek Harrington
Relatively new to the thriller scene, Derek Harrington is one of my favorite characters. Appearing in two novels (so far) by former Army tank commander T.R. Hendricks, Harrington is the heir apparent to David Morrell’s original version of John Rambo. A Marine vet trained in survival tactics, Harrington is the guy who would make the alien hunter from the Predator movies decide it’s more fun to hang in his Airbnb and drink some beer. Boasting big muscles and a bigger temper, Derek has the potential to lay the most vicious beatdown on Rick yet. His sheer mass might give Rick the chance to outrun him, but that would require Rick to actually be in shape. After a short sprint, Derek would catch him and possibly take his head off with a single punch. Rick hasn’t lived this long without being able to think on his feet, though, so before Derek can connect with his haymaker, Rick would pull out his phone and flash a picture of his ex-wife and two kids. If he’s paying attention, that would stop Derek in mid-swing, conjuring thoughts of his own son, Michael, and his ex-wife, Kim. If the fates are smiling on Rick that day, Derek’s temper subsides and the two swap sports-parent stories. Rick of his teenager daughter, Maggie’s, basketball exploits, and Derek of his son’s burgeoning Little League career.
Rick Carter vs Peter Ash
The best ongoing thriller series around right now, for my money, is written by Nick Petrie. Peter Ash, his protagonist, is a former Marine, like Derek Harrington. He’s also been compared to Jack Reacher in that both wander the earth, getting into trouble and then solving it with their own specialized brand of justice. Over the course of eight books, though, Peter has settled down, whereas Reacher is the perpetual nomad. Peter’s also more wiry then Lee Child’s hulking creation. Not that Ash’s lean frame would help Rick in any way—muscle beats man boobs any day—but this match isn’t about brawn or even brains. Much like real estate, this one is all about location. Specifically, Peter’s lingering PTSD from his time in the service, that manifests itself as a steadily increasing—and incapacitating—form of internal static whenever he finds himself indoors. Over the years, he’s gotten a handle on it, but it’s still there. The “white static,” as he calls it. If Rick can get Peter to chase him into an enclosed space and then run around for a while, letting the static do its thing, he might actually stand a chance of coming out of this one unscathed. It’s not a bet I’d lay any money on, but Rick has a knack for squeezing his middle-aged frame through the slimmest cracks of survival.
Rick Carter vs Eve Dallas
We bookend this Battle Royale with another female opponent, but that’s not the reason Rick stands the best chance against her. Far from it. Eve Dallas, heroine of nearly 60 (!) novels from romance juggernaut Nora Roberts’ alter-ego, J.D. Robb, is a cop. More than that, she’s a good cop. One of the best in NYC circa 2060. And while Eve is not opposed to dishing out violence when necessary, her primary focus is always solving the case at hand. And Rick, with his vast network of criminal operatives, is too much of a gold mine to simply blow up. So, how would she handle their encounter, assuming one or the other got their hands on a time machine? I’ll leave that one to my wife, Kristina, to answer. The In Death series is her all-time favorite, and she and Eve go waaayyyy back. Hon?
For Eve Dallas, calling someone a “good cop” is the highest honor. Found wandering the streets of Dallas, Texas at age eight and subsequently placed first into foster homes, then juvie, all Dallas ever wanted was to be a cop. Dallas has used lethal force on criminals before, but prefers that they get justice through the legal system. She was trained in martial arts by a master and is not afraid to fight dirty. Unless Rick throws the first punch, however, Dallas won’t fight him. Rick may try to run, but the long-legged Dallas will be faster and isn’t afraid to tackle him to the ground. The truth is, Dallas is going to see Rick for what he is: the weak link, not worth her time when there are worse people than him out there. Once she gets Rick into the interrogation room, she will verbally break him into giving her information on the real bad guys. Rick will be left sweating in jail, hoping his clients don’t realize who turned on them.
Beaten and bloody but alive, Rick lives to see another day. Because that’s what he does. He isn’t the best fighter. He’s not a great shot. And no one will ever mistake him for an athlete. But if there’s a way out of a sticky situation, he’ll find it.
Is that sexy?
Nope.
But it sure is entertaining. At least, it is to me. Hopefully, you agree.
