The trick to winning and losing

The one thing in writing both equally ridiculous and entirely necessary is the villain's monologue. "How I did what you failed to stop me to do but by my taking the time to explain it to you I have in essence given you the extra time to succeed in stopping me". In real life this never happens but in the imaginary world of a book, the reader expects it, craves it. And this is how our heroes win. They are given the edge most often because of the villain's pride and desire to celebrate too soon. And there is your book.