Mad, Bad or Dangerous: Anatomy of a Villain by Karen Rose

I believe the villain is the most important character in a suspense novel. Without their dastardly deeds, there would be no story. So their motivations and personality must be well understood.

Have you ever wondered why people do bad things? Of course you have, every time someone hurts a child. You might think, ‘That person must be insane. How could a normal person do such a thing?’

This is erroneous thinking, however, intended to – on some level – comfort ourselves. An insane person can be medicated. ‘Fixed’. We can then maintain control over the balance of good and evil. If we can ‘fix’ them, then we’ll be safe. It is a defence mechanism but, ultimately, a dangerous one.

Because the truth is, people with mental illnesses don’t generally hurt other people. Most of those who commit criminal acts are sane and do so because they choose to; they are, in simplistic terms, bad people. They commit such acts because, on some level, it satisfies a need. Sometimes it’s simply the pleasure of power and seeing others in pain. They are not ‘crazy’. They are in control of their actions.

You’ll find such a villain in my newest psychological thriller COUNT TO TEN. Consumed with burning rage, he is frighteningly cunning as he plots his revenge, cruelly ruthless as he methodically executes each step. He is smart, sane, and determined to win. He is in control. Yet he must be stopped. But can he be?

An effective villain is one we honestly believe may not be stoppable. That means we aren’t in control. The criminals are in control. Not us. That’s scary. That’s suspense. And that’s what draws us to the villain in a suspense novel.

 
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