State of terror by Hilary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny

This combined effort by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny is a political thriller based around the experience of a U.S. Secretary of State trying to defuse global terror attacks. It is a taut and tense fight against time to discover the whereabouts of nuclear bombs, and track down the mastermind behind them.

Secretary of State Ellen Adams and her counsellor, best friend Betsy, work together in an environment where it is impossible to know who is trustworthy and who is suspect, as it becomes apparent there is a high level leak in the government.

Followers of world politics will enjoy the references to former President Dunn (or Dumb) whose foolhardy policies have jeopardised U.S. security, and the British Prime Minister Bellington with hair askew. There are probably many more inside jokes for those in the know. What the novel does reveal is the high level of clever diplomatic strategy required working in foreign relations. Ellen Male is incredibly astute, calm and calculating in her exchanges with world leaders. She and Betsy are two strong women of intelligence, working together to outmanoeuvre their enemies.

Penny’s writing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, as the clock ticks down, and Ellen and her offsiders desperately try to put the clues together, following twists and turns of subterfuge. And while the major villain seems to be an international terrorist, there is possibly an even greater evil within America itself, radical right wing groups who see themselves as true patriots, neo-Nazis, willing to destroy the country in order to perpetuate their vision.

State of terror will be of interest to readers who enjoy a good thriller, and also to those interested in world politics. The issues are very relevant to current times.

Themes: World politics, U.S. politics, Terror, Secret intelligence, Extremism, Revenge.

Helen Eddy