What Makes a Great Thriller? | Intelligence Expert Rick Steinke and his new book, Sicilian Nexus | Author in the Headlights episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 28, 2026 · 13 MIN

What Makes a Great Thriller? | Intelligence Expert Rick Steinke and his new book, Sicilian Nexus | Author in the Headlights

from Author in the Headlights · host Strider S. R. Klusman

What makes a great thriller?For Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke, it starts with a credible threat.Rick brings an unusual perspective to fiction. His career in the U.S. Army and Department of Defense took him from West Point to work involving Afghanistan, Kosovo, Ukraine, and high-stakes intelligence. Today, he draws on that experience as the author of the Major Jake Fortina global thriller series.Rick joins Strider S.R. Klusman on Author in the Headlights to discuss his newest novel, The Sicilian Nexus, how real-world intelligence experience influences his fiction, and what separates a believable thriller from one that doesn't quite work.We also talk about Rick's writing process, the Jake Fortina series, his new covers, how long it takes him to write a novel, the people he relies on during the writing process, and what comes next.If you enjoy military thrillers, international suspense, espionage fiction, or the craft of writing suspense, meet the man who's been there—and now writes about it.Author in the HeadlightsDiscover authors, books, and the stories behind the stories.#RickSteinke #ThrillerBooks #MilitaryThriller #AuthorInterview #AuthorInTheHeadlights

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What Makes a Great Thriller? | Intelligence Expert Rick Steinke and his new book, Sicilian Nexus | Author in the Headlights

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