The Why

So I'm a reading another manuscript for this agent and so far I like it. I'm about 24k in and really I have no complaints, except one thing. The writer does a great job at setting up the premise, keeping the reader interested, and getting straight into the action. The problem is the writer throws their characters into the scene as if it is their job to beat the bad guys. Thing is...I want to know why they should even care? Why are they in this position? Sometimes writers are so concerned with writing a compelling and intriguing plot and starting right where the action is that they may forget a loose end or two, like the why.

Characters need a reason for doing what they do. It's that simple.