Take a ringside seat in the high-stakes world of international politics . . .

After a tumultuous period in American politics, a new administration has just been sworn in. Secretary of State, Ellen Adams, is determined to do her duty for her country. But she is about to face a horrifying international threat . . .

A young foreign service officer has received a baffling text from an anonymous source. Too late, she realizes it was a hastily coded warning. Then a series of bus bombs devastate Europe, heralding the rise of a new rogue terrorist organization who will stop at nothing in their efforts to develop their own nuclear arsenal.

As Ellen unravels the damaging effects of the former presidency on international politics, she must also contemplate the unthinkable: that the last president of the United States was more than just an ineffectual leader. Was he also a traitor to his country?

State of Terror is a compelling and critically acclaimed international political thriller co-written by Hillary Rodham Clinton, the 67th secretary of state, and Louise Penny, a multiple award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling novelist.

I recieved a review copy of State of Terror from the publishers. My thanks also to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for the opportunity to join the tour.

Before I say anything else I will cut to the chase…State of Terror is easily one of the most enjoyable reads I have covered on the blog this year. I started reading and I just did not want to stop. It’s the kind of story I love – political dramas, global terror threat, panic on the streets and in the corridors of power in Washington DC the politicians and their staff are trying to keep everyone safe.

On the cover of State of Terror there is an anecdote from Louise Penny which said she asked Hillary about her time as Secretary of State and what had been her worst nightmare. “State of Terror is the answer to that question”.  Before I had even opened the book I was desperate to read it.

Terrorists have detonated bombs in London, Paris and Frankfurt. US Secretary of State, Ellen Adams, is responsible for co-ordinating the American response and keeping in touch with her colleagues around the world. Knowledge needs to be shared and each country is looking out for their own interests while also ensuring no further innocent civilians are harmed but there is also a blame game taking place and America and Adams are front and centre here.

An anonymous and coded message was sent to the American state office. It was picked up by a junior communications handler who was not immediately aware of its significance. She showed it to her boss and was told to bin it as junk. But the message gave her hope as she wondered if it may have been sent by a friend so she took a copy before destroying the original.  That decision turns out to be hugely significant as, after two bombs have detonated, she understands the message and gets it in front of Adams. Her actions saves lives and a survivor from the third bomb may just hold the answer to the biggest question: Who Did This?

State of Terror is a thriller which plays out on a global scale. The pace is frenetic and the risk of failure too great to contemplate. Ellen Adams is Secretary of State and she was a brilliant lead character. Her position is a surprise to many as she opposed the new President during the elections. The administration is taking over from a disastrous Presidency where America was weakened and lost face on the global stage. It’s political intrigue and backstabbing and had me completely hooked.

State of Terror was a reading State of Bliss for me. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny have penned a cracking thriller and I could read books like this all day long. Top stuff – go get it!

State of Terror is available in hardback, digital and audiobook format.  You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08X7GL8TG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0