In this invaluable guide, thriller master Michael Newton shows you how to develop compelling plots and intriguing characters that grab readers from page 1 and won't let them go. You'll learn how to craft heroes and villains that are both believable and original and ground them in situations that push them to the limits of physical, emotional, and mental endurance. You'll also find details that will imbue your thriller with authenticity, from the specifics of using guns and knives to the inner workings of secret government agencies. From global conspiracies and knife-wielding psychopaths to ruthless cults and political schemers, Writing Thrillers will give you the tools you need to keep pulses racing, palms sweating, and readers on the edges of their seats.