Listen as Larry speaks with Bestselling author Brad Thor regarding his new book, “Use of Force”.
During the interview, Thor revealed who inspired Reed Carlton’s character:
O’Connor: You have a new story arc, I’m not going to give anything away on the story arc, but there is a very significant story arc for one of your central characters, Reed Carlton. He is a guy who runs basically a private contracting intelligence firm that the government sometimes uses and sometimes doesn’t. Where was the brainchild of this character because he is a fascinating one.
Thor: And he’s actually based on a real person. In fact, I dedicated this book to him, he’s actually based…
O’Connor: Wait, Reed Carlton is actually a real dude?
Thor: He’s a real dude. His name, the real life character, is Dewey Clarridge, Duane Clarridge. Who was a CIA veteran, unbelievable American, helped stand up the counterterrorism center there and always fascinating … This is interesting, he, I’m doing air quotes for people, he passed away “last year” and the reason I do that …
O’Connor: Wait, what do you mean? You either die or you don’t…
Thor: So here’s the deal. Allegedly his ashes were put in this shell that is a kind of mortar shell…The first question Dewey ever asked me when I met him was, “Thor”, he had this New England accent, “You’re a writer, how would you fake your own death? How would you do it and make sure people could believe that you were really dead. Tell me.” That was the first thing he ever asked me. So when I heard that he had “passed away” and I’m like did anybody see the body and all this kind of stuff. He’s the kind of guy though that would fake his own death. So I dedicated this book to him. “Use of Force” is dedicated to Dew Clarridge.
Watch an excerpt of the interview via Facebook Live below:
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