When people ask me what my favorite part about my first Harlequin Intrigue, Manhunt, was I usually answer with one thing. The villain. As someone who loves to read, play video games, and watch probably a little too much T.V., I’ve been seeing examples of all types of “bad guys” throughout the years. While some would argue that a good “bad guy” isn’t as important as a good “good guy,” I’d have to completely disagree!

In my opinion, villains—great villains—create circumstances that show readers who protagonists really are. What they are truly made of and how they endure. Their acts of violence, malice, and general lack of apathy for others force our heroes and heroines into a position that often makes them face a part of themselves they normally wouldn’t have to. In that way readers get to see their “true colors,” and that in itself makes any positive outcome that much more satisfying for those of us who have followed them through the good and bad.

Now, what is my idea of a great villain?

First and foremost, a terrifying and nearly unstoppable villain can be in some respect relatable. His or her origin story isn’t that different from our own. The thing that separates us from them is the few choices we made differently along the way. That’s what makes him or her so chillingly scary. The hero or heroine just as easily could have been the bad guy. They simply took an altered path for one reason or the other.

The second trait of my ideal villain is cleverness. Not just smart, but also cunning. Able to use information, people, and the situation to his or her advantage making the hero or heroine often two steps behind. Being methodical and prepared as well falls into this trait. If you want me to, as a reader, believe that a villain is dedicated to outwitting the hero or heroine, then he or she better have prepared in some way to try and achieve this goal.

Which brings me to my third ideal trait for a great villain. Her or she is determined to a fault. They want to achieve something so badly that it often blinds them to the morality issues of what they’ll do to make that happen. Or, maybe more adequately, they see the bad in what they are doing and don’t care to stop. What’s more terrifying than a bad guy who believes what he is doing is the only thing he needs to be doing? What’s more, a bad guy who believes without a doubt that his way is the right way.

In the end, to me, a villain is truly terrifying when you realize her or she was once just a normal person who now happens to believe in something so badly that they’ll stop at nothing to realize their goal.

I crave a bad guy that isn’t just this immovable object that the hero beats against until he’s won. A truly fantastic villain is fluid, adapting to change, and truly a formidable challenge, not only physically but emotionally as well.

I believe that no story can be great without a great villain and Tough Justice has that in spades! Agent Lara Grant and Co. find this out the hard way!