STATE OF TERROR

Narrator Joan Allen's portrayal of newly appointed Secretary of State Ellen Adams has echoes of Hillary Clinton herself. Allen's well-paced reading handily unfurls this roller-coaster thriller as Ellen contends with terrorist acts AND the backbiting and political maneuverings of White House leaders. Layers of intrigue and deception have the Secretary of State not knowing whom to trust. Listeners will wonder how much is based on Clinton's real experience. Allen, while easy to listen to, does frustratingly little to differentiate the principals. One needs to pay careful attention to keep up with the many characters and ever changing scenes. Those challenges aside, listeners will not be able to take out their earbuds. E.Q. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2021]