The protagonist of crime thriller fiction is the lifeblood that enables readers to traverse through mystery, jeopardy, and suspense. For this genre to become a masterpiece, it has to be carefully crafted with an eye for detail, deep knowledge of human nature, and relentless pursuit of truth.
This blog will help you understand the intricacies of creating a perfect protagonist in the crime thriller genre.
Complex and Multi-Dimensional
In the crime thriller genre, the protagonist’s complexity defines all. One-dimensional heroes are things of the past; today’s audience desires characters who possess depth, nuance, and inner struggle. A protagonist should have a rich history, including moments of glory, failures, and hidden secrets from their shadowy pasts. Introduce human flaws that make your protagonist imperfect yet relatable, enhancing the audience's ability to connect with them on a deeper level. A haunted detective grappling with a dark past or a seemingly ordinary individual thrust into extraordinary circumstances, a dash of complexity adds layers to your protagonist, elevating them from archetypes to fully realized characters.
Relatable Motivations
To write a gripping crime thriller, your protagonist is usually pushed by strong motivations. What keeps your character going? Is it the hunt for justice, solving mysteries, or battling personal demons? Whether it's a strong sense of justice, a need for redemption, or a thirst for revenge, your hero's feelings should hit readers in the gut. This way, readers will feel a strong bond with them throughout their journey.
Moral Ambiguity
In crime and thriller novels, a border that separates wrong from right often lands in a ‘gray area’; hence, the main characters must draw maps filled with ethical dilemmas and moral compromises. As you explore moral ambiguity in your character’s dyslexic compass, permit them to make tough choices and bear the consequences of their actions. Avoid portraying your main character as an immaculate idol; instead, shed light on their sexual desires and meaner side, depicting the internal struggles within their mind that lead to such choices. Adding moral ambiguity helps bring depth into the character’s development, making it even more fascinating to the readers.
Resilience and Determination
In crime thrillers, the central character typically embodies qualities of unyielding courage and relentless determination. These traits are essential for steering danger and deceit. However, it is within the nuanced relationship of strength and vulnerability that the protagonist truly comes to life. These moments of doubt and insecurity humanize the character, fostering a deeper connection with the audience. Yet, it is the resilience and determined spirit that ultimately push the protagonist forward, ensuring a journey that captivates readers until the final page.
Compelling Relationships
A protagonist does not exist in a vacuum but rather within the context of a relationship with other characters, which adds depth to any narrative. The allies they have gained or fierce rivals they face off against might serve as windows into their personality, thereby advancing the story unexpectedly. Take time to create dynamic, believable relationships that shape your protagonist’s path to maturity. From heated disagreements to soft bonding moments, such connections can turn an individualistic figure into a part of something else.
Creating the perfect protagonist for the crime thriller genre requires a delicate balance of complexity, relatability, moral ambiguity, resilience, and compelling relationships. Knit the narrative threads but leave some unanswered questions to create a twist like Bob Kelly’s “Chicago Detective Jack Fallon in the Mystery of the Exotic Escort Murders.” The novel showcases an enthralling fight-and-chase sequence between the protagonist, Detective Jack Fallon, and the villains in the story. Imbue your protagonist with these essential traits to create a character and captivate readers until the end.
So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to breathe life into your perfect protagonist with Bob Kelly’s mystery murder series, “Chicago Detective Jack Fallon in the Mystery of the Exotic Escort Murders.” The book is now available on Amazon.
