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Hillary Rodham Clinton
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State of Terror: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Louise Penny (Author), Hillary Rodham Clinton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 37,050 ratings
See all formats and editions
AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER​

Named one of the most anticipated novels of the season by People, Associated Press, Time, Los Angeles Times, Parade, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Guardian, Publishers Weekly, and more.

From the #1 bestselling authors Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny comes a novel of unsurpassed thrills and incomparable insider expertise—State of Terror.

After a tumultuous period in American politics, a new administration has just been sworn in, and to everyone’s surprise the president chooses a political enemy for the vital position of secretary of state.

There is no love lost between the president of the United States and Ellen Adams, his new secretary of state. But it’s a canny move on the part of the president. With this appointment, he silences one of his harshest critics, since taking the job means Adams must step down as head of her multinational media conglomerate.

As the new president addresses Congress for the first time, with Secretary Adams in attendance, Anahita Dahir, a young foreign service officer (FSO) on the Pakistan desk at the State Department, receives a baffling text from an anonymous source.

Too late, she realizes the message was a hastily coded warning.

What begins as a series of apparent terrorist attacks is revealed to be the beginning of an international chess game involving the volatile and Byzantine politics of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran; the race to develop nuclear weapons in the region; the Russian mob; a burgeoning rogue terrorist organization; and an American government set back on its heels in the international arena.

As the horrifying scale of the threat becomes clear, Secretary Adams and her team realize it has been carefully planned to take advantage of four years of an American government out of touch with international affairs, out of practice with diplomacy, and out of powerin the places where it counts the most.

To defeat such an intricate, carefully constructed conspiracy, it will take the skills of a unique team: a passionate young FSO; a dedicated journalist; and a smart, determined, but as yet untested new secretary of state.

State of Terror is a unique and utterly compelling international thriller cowritten by Hillary Rodham Clinton, the 67th secretary of state, and Louise Penny, a multiple award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling novelist.
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  1. Print length
    506 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster/St. Martin’s Press
  5. Publication date
    October 12, 2021
  6. File size
    5359 KB
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  1. He was experienced enough to know that the weak blustered, denied, lied, and struck out wildly. The powerful admitted a mistake, thereby robbing it of its hold on them.
    Highlighted by 1,364 Kindle readers
  2. Five Eyes was the name for an alliance of intelligence agencies from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and the US.
    Highlighted by 1,273 Kindle readers
  3. “I can tell you one thing, Secretary Adams. From my experience, the greater the silence, the greater the goal.”
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From the Publisher

State of Terror - S&S

State of Terror - S&S

State of Terror - S&S

State of Terror - S&S

State of Terror - S&S

State of Terror - S&S

State of Terror - S&S

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Page-Turner Part Sly, Part Sweet….Surprising...The plot is ambitious and apocalyptic…. [and] a high-speed diplomatic race... This is a romp. The authors have a great deal of fun throwing up red herrings…. Political junkies will relish the veiled insults to real-life people….The emotional cast to the writing, the tendency to dangle portents and wait some time before resolving them, the depiction of friendship, the short paragraphs, the philosophical aperçus — these are all marks of Penny’s writing....If Clinton is slyly settling old political scores, she is also, sweetly, celebrating women’s support of one another later in life." — New York Times

"To say more would rob readers of the pleasures of discovery in this taut thriller, a story made all the more relevant by the U.S.’s recent withdrawal from Afghanistan. Possessed of both head and heart, 'State of Terror’s' layering of ethical tradeoffs, political intrigue, high-level espionage and pure evil perfectly melds Clinton’s intimate knowledge of the State Department and foreign policy with Penny’s mastery of genre mechanics." — Los Angeles Times

“Consistently entertaining….Penny and Clinton demonstrate a sure hand at international intrigue and narrative pacing….The real key to ‘State of Terror,’ though, is its secret weapon: female friendship.” — The Washington Post

"Hillary Rodham Clinton pairs up with powerhouse mystery novelist Louise Penny for State of Terror, a political thriller full of action and intrigue...Clinton and Penny create a heart-pounding mystery about terrorism, corruption and diplomacy, meticulously written with the promise of details only someone on the inside could contribute." — TIME Magazine

"The real-life inspiration is clear, but this version is way more fun." — Entertainment Weekly

"State of Terror is a plot-driven concoction, featuring a classic race against time to out-maneuver international terrorists and homegrown traitors hellbent on turning the United States into a Russian satellite state...State of Terror is a giddy read, particularly for women of a certain age... All thrillers are fantasy stories — fantasies about power and ingenuity. In State of Terror, an older woman draws on her expertise, a reserve of female solidarity, and the magic of a tool James Bond never scored — a pair of Spanx — and she manages to avert disaster. As thriller fantasies go, this one feels a lot more plausible to me than most."
— Maureen Corrigan, NPR "Fresh Air"

“[W]hen a recent American presidential nominee writes a book with Canada’s most beloved mystery author, attention is due....Combining insider knowledge with high-stakes action, this is a tale of global menace on par with the best books of its type.”
— Wall Street Journal

"An utterly thrilling, mesmerizing, whiplash-inducing plot-driven story, ‘State of Terror’ will make you pull up the bedsheets as you stay up late trying to keep up with Secretary Adams and the team she assembles to crack the case." — GoodMorningAmerica.com

"A page-turning political thriller...consider this your fall escape." — CNN.com

“The thriller follows the journey of new secretary of state and main character, Ellen Adams.... Secretary Adams must navigate a terrorist plot, nuclear weapons and a Trump-like administration. Along the way, Adams battles sexist comments from her male counterparts but also finds friendship and support in the women around her...’State of Terror’ also tackles Washington's misogyny as the main character navigates jabs and sexist comments at the hands of the male antagonists. While the male characters are rude and crass, the women win by outsmarting their counterparts.” — USA Today

“State of Terror'pulses with the clever asides and turns of phrase that delight Penny’s fans (and there are surprise appearances to boot). But this is its own story. The writing duo’s well-crafted thriller doesn’t shy from profanity and sharp political stabs as it hurtles to its breathless finale.” — Christian Science Monitor

"Big, turbocharged, breathtaking...It’s one of the best political thrillers I’ve ever read....A thriller that combines the firsthand, insider knowledge of a former Secretary of State with the writing skills of a master of suspense. Bonus feature: lots of wicked humor....State of Terror keeps up a relentless pace, with more twists and turns and cliffhangers than I could count."

— Tampa Bay Times

“State of Terror, in which Hillary Clinton joins forces with Louise Penny, the grande dame of crime, is dizzying, addictive, and twisty, but what makes it wonderful—and liberating—is that it is a female fantasy thriller. For once, the saviours are an all-woman crew—not drop-dead gorgeous, but sassy and smart...the book is more than just a thriller, it is a testament to friendship.” — The Week

"Penny and Clinton make a perfect team for State of Terror, a can’t-put-it-down thriller in which a U.S. secretary of state new on the job faces a devastating worldwide crisis....an invigorating read that will get your pulse racing and even warm your heart."
— St. Louis Post Dispatch

“State of Terror is an absolutely gripping, utterly believable, heart-stopping thriller that will make readers question how much is fiction and how much is based on reality. Clinton and Penny are each a force on their own—put together they are unstoppable.” -- Karin Slaughter

“I expected a thriller written by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny to be smart, very well written, and suspenseful. But State of Terror is so much more than that. This is the book we always hope some inspired statesperson will write. But they don’t. Because they can’t reveal what they actually know in a memoir. But State of Terror is a novel. So most bets are off. Yes, this novel is a rip-roaring, brilliant page-turner, but it’s also timely, cheeky, important, and wonderfully, courageously provocative. There is much to think about in these pages—which you won’t be able to stop turning as fast as your little fingers can move. What great fun!” -- James Patterson

"With combined expertise, Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny offer a story that is not only artfully written but also rich in its deep knowledge of the complicated global mess that is international politics. With each tick of the clock, the spring is more tightly wound, and readers will find themselves breathlessly expecting in every moment that in the next moment the worst will occur. But wisely and with expert craft, across page after page of heart-in-your-throat moments, these two collaborators draw the reader inevitably toward a truly surprising conclusion. State of Terror is a feast for thriller lovers." -- William Kent Krueger

“Smart and fast and twisty, State of Terror is a dazzlingly unpredictable political thriller. I loved it.” -- Kathy Reichs

"An inspired pairing. Penny’s turn-the-page pacing and Clinton’s wealth of insider details mesh perfectly in this fast, entertaining thriller that also has knowing things to say about national—and international—politics. So authentic it feels like eavesdropping." -- Joseph Kanon

"State of Terror moves at a galloping pace all the while offering tantalizing insight into the mind of the GOAT herself. Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny have written us some truly iconic women. We are not worthy!" -- Jessica Knoll

"This is the perfect political thriller: rollercoaster action, credible heroes and villains, and a glimpse into the world of our most powerful politicians. Add into the mix flashes of humor and fine writing and we have a winning formula!" -- Ann Cleeves

About the Author

Louise Penny is an international award winning and bestselling author whose books have hit #1 on the New York Times, USA TODAY, and Globe and Mail (Toronto) lists. Her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels, published by Minotaur Books, an imprint of the St. Martin’s Publishing Group, have been translated into thirty-one languages. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise Penny lives in a village south of Montréal.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is the first woman in US history to become the presidential nominee of a major political party. She served as the 67th Secretary of State after nearly four decades in public service advocating on behalf of children and families as an attorney, First Lady, and US Senator. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author of seven previous books, all published by Simon & Schuster.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08VJL9Z5X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster/St. Martin’s Press (October 12, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 12, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5359 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 506 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 37,050 ratings

About the author

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Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton

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Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first woman in US history to become the presidential nominee of a major political party in 2016. She served as the 67th Secretary of State—from January 21, 2009, until February 1, 2013—after nearly four decades in public service advocating on behalf of children and families as an attorney, First Lady, and Senator. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
37,050 global ratings
Very good political thriller!
5 Stars
Very good political thriller!
I pre-ordered a hardcover but I wanted to continue reading while I was running on the treadmill and cooking. So I bought an audiobook, too. It was really a well written political thriller. Much superior than Bill and James Patterson thrillers. Such a great page-turner!As a novice Secretary of State, the heroine Ellen has to deal with many twisted foreign head of states. She also can't trust anyone within the administration. Hillary and Louise Penny don't use real names, but you can guess who is who. It was so much fun to imagine what Hillary experienced as Secretary of State. I felt like a fly on the wall.I also loved the strong friendship between Ellen and Betsy. A cameo appearance of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache was also fun.
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Top reviews from the United States

JLM
5.0 out of 5 stars Comforting, Frightening, and Funny
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
Read this book for the absolutely hilarious references to the “previous administration.” Cathartic, and piercingly accurate. Not quite a coup de grâce, but definitely an enjoyable bloodletting. Loved it all.

I’ve been reading Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series since the announcement of her collaboration with Secretary Clinton for this book. That announcement led me to discover Louise, and for that I am so grateful. Every Gamache book has touched me and brought me to tears, and laughter, often within the same paragraph. She is gifted. Her writing is magic. She says so much so effectively, with a few perfect words. I wish I could live in Three Pines.

Possible spoilers below:

Connecting the political suspense with the familiar beloved characters of Three Pines was awesome. I knew when I was reading Louise’s contributions because I choked up with emotion.

Hillary’s political insider info demonstrated for me those in Washington are human beings. Some are competent professionals; some are self-serving vipers. Some are honorable; some are petty. The reactions to the Secretary of State’s disheveled appearance at an important DC function are sadly specific to the impossible double social standards for women. But: she did her job.

A man returning from an overseas diplomatic assignment, who fell into exhausted sleep only to be awakened with minutes to spare, would throw some water on his face, run his hands through his hair, slip on a jacket and tighten his tie, and wala! He’s presentable and no one says boo about it. A disheveled woman politician is like chum in the water for shallow talking heads of both genders desperately circling for bloody content, clicks and likes.

I’d like to share a bottle of Chardonnay or an Irish coffee with Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton, maybe in Myrna’s bookstore, or in front of a fireplace in the Three Pines bistro. I’d so love to hear the parts describing the previous administration that didn’t make the book. Hee hee.

Highly recommended!
4 people found this helpful
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Mark Ellins
4.0 out of 5 stars Actually liked it
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023
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To be honest, I liked the book better than expected. It was a fast-paced thriller that included terrorism, mystery and a fight against time. Never thought a 60+ year old Secretary of State woman could be an action hero, but it worked. It was enjoyable. My only critique was I wanted to better understand international diplomacy and the politics behind it and less on the action. I would have loved to see more Hillary Clinton’s contribution to the story utilizing her experience and professionalism rather than Louise Penny’s talent in writing fictions. But that is me. Enjoy!!
5 people found this helpful
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Mark Gruber
5.0 out of 5 stars A Thriller Worthy of That Classification, With Smarts and Heart
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021
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My husband and I have very similar tastes in many things, including the books to which we are drawn. A few months ago, we found our way — late to the party, as the saying goes — to the novels of Louise Penny. Many years into Ms. Penny’s literary career, we were intrigued by the summary of her 2020 novel All the Devils Are Here and read it — and, in the process, found ourselves an author whose books we looked forward to savoring into the future!

We have both enjoyed the nonfiction books by Hillary Rodham Clinton, including It Takes a Village and her outstanding memoir, Living History. We have great admiration for Secretary Clinton as a woman of tremendous achievement AND profound love of her family, her country, and children and families everywhere.

When we first heard that these two women were collaborating as co-authors of a political thriller, we felt both excitement and trepidation. Excitement at the prospect of two women we admired working together on a book . . . but trepidation as well, caused by the unknown outcome of their combined efforts. Ms. Penny had made a name writing crime novels, and Secretary Clinton had never tried her hand at writing fiction of any kind. As State of Terror’s publication date neared, my husband and I hoped for the best but braced ourselves for the possibility of something between an awkwardly well-intentioned disappointment and a flat-out fiasco.

I just finished reading State of Terror, and am delighted to say that it exceeded even my highest hopes. This is a beautifully crafted thriller that takes hold of its readers from the opening pages and keeps them breathlessly turning its pages right up to its white-knuckle, highly satisfying conclusion. Every character is wonderfully developed, and the plot is all too believable and authentic from beginning to end. Penny and Clinton have provided enough well-placed red herrings throughout the unfolding of their story to keep readers guessing. In addition to their resounding success in developing an edge-of-the-seat thriller, the authors have infused this story with genuine heart in its depiction and celebration of the power of friendship and love. (And, without being a “spoiler,” I would be remiss not to say that fans of Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series will be richly rewarded by reading this “non-Gamache” book.)

Not only was my trepidation laid to rest, I reached the last page of State of Terror hoping that just maybe I was finishing the first book of a brand- new series!

I can’t wait for my husband to finish the book he is currently reading, so he can experience this wonderful collaboration by two amazing authors . . . and so we can discuss its many thrills and surprises as he encounters them!

I highly recommend State of Terror to anyone in search a genuinely thrilling reading experience.
31 people found this helpful
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Grammy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
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Novelist Louise Penny’s skills and Hillary Clinton’s experiences in international and national politics weave together for an exceptionally interessting story.
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Top reviews from other countries

Island bookie
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2021
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When the CBC News anchor, Adrienne Arsenault, interviewed the co-authors of this political thriller it was abundantly clear that thriller writer Louise Penny and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton had enjoyed their collaboration so much that the book was sure to be a winner. It is.
The plot line is made all the more believable because so much of US politics over the past six years is woven into the experience of the fictional Secretary of State, Ellen Adams. Clinton and Penny base much of their captivating story on real world events and international relationships between both allies and enemies. The authors manage to describe both former and present world leaders when introducing fictional characters. As a perfect example, one leader is described as having dishevelled hair and being an upper class nit-wit. I wonder to whom that might refer? Another character living in Palm Beach spends a lot of time playing golf.
The book tells a tale of intrigue culminating in an attempted coup resulting from right-wing activists upset by the result of a presidential election. It holds the reader’s attention from the first page to the last as the fictional Secretary of State hops around the world in her attempts to solve the political puzzles she faces.
In their respective acknowledgements both authors express apprehension about stepping outside the boundaries of their normal genres, thrillers (Penny) and non-fiction (Clinton). With this book they have clearly demonstrated that such apprehension was ill-founded.
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Claire
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast delivery and a great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2024
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I really enjoyed this - once I got going I couldn't put it down. I found some of the characters rather obviously stereotypical and wonder what the intended takeaways were but that aside it was very engaging.
If Hillary Clinton had not been involved it would have been fun fiction. The fact that she was involved makes us wonder what is realistic or not. I guess that was probably the intention.
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MB
5.0 out of 5 stars Okay
Reviewed in Germany on September 22, 2023
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Good for one time beach read.
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Rehan Khan
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the read!
Reviewed in India on August 11, 2023
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Excellent story telling, and great print and bind! Go for it!
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gozo48
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast moving thriller
Reviewed in France on May 21, 2022
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According to the author's notes, this story is based on one of the most worrying scenarios of H. Clinton whilst in office. It reflects issues well reported in the international press and one can see how the plot is based on realistic assumptions. The blend of professional mystery writing and political experience works well to entertain and also to make one reflect on real world problems.
Entertaining and difficult to put down!
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