STATE OF TERROR

By Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny

Reviewed by Susan Barron

Searching for diversion from the news of the world, I was struck by the jacket of this book written by the former United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and the renowned author of mysteries, Louise Penny – an unlikely duo.  How could I resist?  

State of Terror debuted in October 2021 as number one on the New York Times bestseller’s list.  As noted in the New York Times review, “the plot in ‘State of Terror’ is ambitious and apocalyptic,” threatening the future of the world.  Ellen Adams is a novice secretary of state, appointed by the president whose candidacy she had opposed.  Needless to say, although this book is billed as fiction, it seems glaringly clear that it was written as a “political assassination” of Secretary Clinton’s arch enemy and former rival for the presidency. 

Secretary of State Adams, unwittingly finds herself involved in a multinational terrorist intrigue with a variety of interesting characters and suspense-filled twists and turns. Although on close examination the plot may seem completely ridiculous, it manages to keep one riveted on the printed page, thus fulfilling its purpose:  diversion from the affairs of OUR state.