I must admit that I knew nothing about State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny, I just saw that it was a Louise Penny book and wanted to read it. It turned out to be a good read but given the state of the world at the moment with Ukraine and Russia and all the real jeapordy involved in that for the universe, I would have preferred to be reading it in more settled times.
Douglas Williams is the new president of America, but the previous president Eric Dunn’s last secret actions will cause horrendous problems for everyone. When three bombs are detonated on buses in European cities it’s quickly realised that they weren’t just random buses. Is Eric Dunn just an idiot or is he a traitor to his country? Then there’s Ivanov, or should I say Putin?
The new Secretary of State Ellen Adams is thrown into a nightmare. She’s puzzled as to why the president has chosen her as Secretary of State and suspects that he has set her up to fail as she knows he really dislikes her, and the feeling is mutual. But personal feelings have to be set aside to concentrate on saving the world!
Towards the end of the book my/our beloved Three Pines features in the storyline and even Ruth Zardo makes an entrance in the shape of a book of her poems. Later yet Armande Gamache appears, which was a nice surprise.
Anyway, as I said, this is a good read but I’m planning on reading something less angst-ridden for my next book!
It sounds like it is just as well that I am putting off getting this book. I read a large percentage of comfort books nowadays.
tracybham,
I think I’ll be following you in reading more comfort books!
Glad to read about your feelings. I’ve been interested in this book but haven’t got it yet. As you say, perhaps better leave it to a time when the reality doesn’t cause nightmares. Here in Finland we are uncomfortably close to our bloody neighbour too.
Saila,
It is very unfortunate that you live so close to a Russian border, they have invaded you so often over the years. I hope that P has been so surprised by the way the Ukrainians have fought that he won’t invade anywhere else. Fingers crossed anyway.
I saw both of them interviewed about this book, so was intrigued. Though I think I might wait until the paperback comes out.
Jo,
Hopefully by the time the paperback comes out the world will be in a more stable position!
I listened to this on audio commuting to work and was enthralled! Admittedly, it hits a bit too close to home these days. I heard they are planning sequels. It is touching that their friendship has brought both comfort – Penny after losing her husband and Clinton after losing the election and seeing the country in chaos.
Constance,
I’ll definitely read any sequels, if the political situation of the world seems a bit more settled. It is quite touching that they have made such a good friendship, a support system for them both. That electoral college thing seems to be a way of manipulating results to me!