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Lee Child, 63, is a British author of more than 20 thriller novels featuring his Jack Reacher character. His latest novel is “The Midnight Line” (Delacorte). He spoke with Marc Myers.

Growing up, I had a compulsion to show off. I was quick to accept a dare, especially if I was unable to find a way out of it gracefully. So I’d often wind up doing things that were ludicrous.

On…