Writing

Techniques

Zula's Key: Through much of Reamde Zula, unknown to her captors, has the key to the lock they are counting on to keep her in place. If she's left unguarded for even a few moments, she can escape, but that doesn't happen.

Asymmetric Knowledge: Let the reader know something important that one of the characters doesn't

Sexplanation: In the HBO show Game Of Thrones, in order to work in all the explanation from the book, they have characters do it while in bed. Leverage some form of brain candy to sweeten the necessary back-story.

Commonalities

Simple writing, nothing a middle-schooler couldn't handle
life-and-death; all these stories have nearly continuous life threatening conditions
"heroic" characters, expecting having a scenario thrust upon them
The Martian and Da Vinci Code make the reader feel like they're learning
Structure; these stories all have rigid, clear structures that serve as guides to the reader where they are in the story
most use a McGuffing
all world builders; these are set in places, environments and cultures the reader does not know

HP: Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
The Alquemist: The alchemist picked up a book that someone in the caravan had brought.
HG: when I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.
The martian: I'm pretty much fucked