State Of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton & Louise Penny: Book Review
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State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny was a highly anticipated read for me.
I love fast-paced mystery books and thrillers, and this book seemed like it would shape up to be one of those.
OMG, these two women have outdone themselves with this book.
My Take: State of Terror is a smart, extremely fast-paced political thriller with international stakes, likable characters, plenty of suspense, and just enough humor to break the tension. If you enjoy globe-spanning thrillers like Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon novels, this one is absolutely worth reading.
My Review Of A State Of Terror
To the best of my knowledge, State Of Terror is the first collaboration between Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny. I sure hope it’s not the last!
Here’s the book (published October 12, 2021) in case you haven’t seen it yet.
Not surprisingly, one of the main characters in the book is a female U.S. Secretary of State. From the very first sentence of the book which started with someone speaking to “Madame Secretary”, I was hooked.
At almost 500 pages, this seemed like a long book that would take a while to read. But in reality, it was so fast-paced I was surprised by how quickly I finished it.
I liked the characters. Immensely. Sure, there were some dastardly ones (essential to the story) that I wasn’t too fond of. But that’s as it should be.
In fact, by the time I finished this book, I was so immersed in the characters who comprised the current U.S. White House administration, that they felt real to me. I was somewhat surprised I didn’t see them being interviewed when I turned on CNN.
The fast-paced narrative takes us from continent to continent, country to country, and head of state to head of state in a race to right the wrongs (NO, I’m not going to give you any spoilers) that need to be righted. To find out any more than that, you need to read this marvelous page-turner.
For me, this action-filled book was somewhat reminiscent of the pace of the Gabriel Allon series written by Daniel Silva, one of my all-time favorite book series!
All I can say is, that “Madame Secretary” (along with Louise Penny) has done a fabulous job writing about “Madame Secretary”.
I hope they are planning another thriller collaboration soon.
And, I must admit that I haven’t previously read any Louise Penny mysteries, but her most respected Inspector Gamache series is now on my To Be Read list. I’m excited to see what the Inspector has in store for me!
State Of Terror – Read, Reread, or Reconsider?
And now for my 3 R’s of book reviews. Read, Reread, or Reconsider?
What is my opinion of State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny?
A definite READ.
Frequently Asked Questions About State Of Terror
What is State Of Terror about?
State of Terror follows newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Ellen Adams as a series of terrorist attacks sends her into an international race to uncover a conspiracy and prevent an even greater catastrophe. It’s a fast-moving political thriller that draws on Hillary Rodham Clinton’s firsthand knowledge of international diplomacy and government.
Is State Of Terror part of the Gamache series?
No. State Of Terror is a standalone novel that doesn’t really have any connection to the Gamache series.
Is State of Terror Worth Reading?
State of Terror was one of those books that reminded me exactly why I love a good political thriller. It was fast, smart, suspenseful, and nearly impossible to put down – and despite its almost 500 pages, it never felt long.
The combination of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s political experience and Louise Penny’s storytelling worked remarkably well for me. I went into this collaboration with high expectations and finished it hoping they’d write another one. Until then, my verdict stands: Read it.
What To Read Next
If State of Terror sounds like your kind of thriller, I’d head in one of two directions next. Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series offers a more traditional mystery experience with rich characters and a long-running series to sink into, while Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon series delivers more of the international intrigue and globe-spanning suspense that I loved about this book.
You can also browse the Mystery & Thriller hub for more suspenseful reads, author guides, and book recommendations.
