Simon Gervais
Simon Gervais and Ryan Steck are the authors of the new novel The Second Son. Gervais's other novels include The Elias Network. He is a former Canadian infantry officer and federal agent. Steck's other novels include Fields of Fire. He is the founder and editor in chief of The Real Book Spy.
Q: What inspired you to write The Second Son, and how did you create your character Chase Burke?
Simon: Ryan and I come from very different backgrounds, and it was fun to draw from both our life experiences. I have a military and law enforcement background, but I’m also a wine aficionado. When Ryan and I were discussing what kind of character Chase Burke could be, my wife and I were actually taking our sommelier course.
And that’s when it hit me—it would be interesting to create a protagonist who’s into wine. It’s a world I know and love, and it felt like a refreshing contrast to the high-stakes world of espionage Chase is pulled into.
Ryan: I will echo Simon on this one and say that YES, we have very different backgrounds, but that is what made this so fun. If you look hard enough, there are certainly shades of us both sewn into Chase Burke. Simon’s love for wine and military background, and my understanding and experience with family that balance with being an “every day” kind of guy.
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| Ryan Steck |
Q: How did the two of you collaborate on the novel? What was your writing process like?
Simon: Ryan and I have known each other for over a decade, but people are often surprised to learn that we’ve never actually met in person. Despite that, we work very well together. We share the same objective: to write the best book possible for our readers. And, as in any other business, when colleagues have that same goal, collaboration becomes effortless.
We always start by outlining the story. I find it’s much easier to make changes at that stage than when you’re deep into a manuscript. Once we’re satisfied with the outline, which usually takes a few months, we move on to writing.
While we try to follow the outline, sometimes the story takes us in a different direction, and we’re fine with that. By the time the book is done, we’ve both revised each other’s work so thoroughly that we often forget who wrote what. There’s no ego in the process, it’s all about what best serves the story.
Ryan: I have said, and will keep saying, that what makes our collaboration so strong is that we both leave ego at the door and enter every writing session with one singular goal: to tell the best story possible–period. I love it when I have a good idea and pitch it to Simon, only for him to one-up me and counter with something even better that I didn’t see myself.
And to Simon’s point, not only do I often times look back and feel unsure of who wrote what, but I can’t even remember who had the idea to begin with!
The goal was always to write a book together that didn’t sound like one of my books or one of Simon’s, and I’m thrilled that we were able to do that.
Q: How would you describe the dynamic between Chase and Alice Doyle?
Simon: Chase is definitely the main protagonist. The Second Son is his story. That said, Alice plays a major role. She’s a strong, capable character with her own arc, and she’s not a sidekick by any means. Her path collides with Chase’s in ways that change them both. While their dynamic is initially built on mistrust, and sure grows into something else as the story progresses.
Ryan: I don’t want to spoil the story, but in a lot of ways, Doyle represents hope for Chase, in the sense that everyone else suspects he’s secretly to blame for the tragic events early on. Neither one really trusts the other, but they’re after the same thing–the truth–and so they’re forced to reconcile their differences to reach their goal.
Q: The author Jack Carr said of the book, “Chase Burke is the kind of hero readers crave – flawed, fierce, and driven by loyalty and love.” What do you think of that assessment?
Simon: To receive a quote like that from one of the most accomplished and popular thriller writers of our generation is fantastic. Both Ryan and I have known Jack since before The Terminal List.
I remember writing to his editor, Emily Bestler, back in January 2018 after finishing the ARC Atria had sent me, to tell her I thought The Terminal List was the best debut I’d read in years. Now Jack’s one of the biggest stars in publishing, and it’s a privilege to call him a friend.
As for his assessment, I think he nailed it. Chase Burke is indeed flawed, but he’s guided by loyalty and his sense of duty. He’s the kind of man who always tries to do the right thing, whatever the cost to him. And when it comes to love…well, I don’t want to give too much away.
Ryan: Simon said it all. I’ll read anything Jack Carr writes. For my money, he’s the best author in the genre today, so I’m very thankful that he offered such a strong endorsement of our book!
Q: This is the first in a series--can you tell us what's coming next? And what else are you working on?
Simon: We just handed the first draft of The Marked Son—the sequel to The Second Son—to our editor Liz Pearsons at Thomas & Mercer. It’s scheduled for release in November 2026. Chase’s story continues, and many familiar faces return. Ryan and I are having such a blast working together, and there’s plenty left in the tank for Chase.
Beyond that, the third book in my Caspian Anderson series, The Elias Conspiracy, will be released next July, and I’m also working on a standalone thriller that’s slated for summer 2027.
Ryan: We’re very excited about book two, and I think that readers who enjoy The Second Son will absolutely love where the story goes in the next one. Expect more twists and turns!
As for my other books, Ted Bell’s Warmonger, my second Alex Hawke thriller (written for the Ted Bell estate), comes out on March 31, 2026, and then my fifth Matthew Redd novel, Target Down, will come out sometime next summer.
Q: Anything else we should know?
Simon: I really can’t wait for readers to meet Chase Burke. It’s a real privilege to have so many enthusiastic readers waiting for my books and to be able to do this as a career. I don’t take anything for granted. My goal is always the same: to push harder, write better, and make sure readers have a great time from the first page to the last.
Ryan: Same. What Simon said… I’ll just add this: buckle up! I’ve always wanted to write a book with big twists and turns, and that’s what we did here. I can’t wait to hear what readers think!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Ryan Steck.
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