If you didn’t catch this news yesterday, I’ll share it now. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny have joined forces to write a thriller called State of Terror. I ordered it yesterday for the library.
Here is the news release.
News from SIMON & SCHUSTER and
ST. MARTIN’S PRESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Julia Prosser, VP, Director of Publicity, julia.prosser@simonandschuster.com
Tracey Guest, VP, Executive Director of Publicity, tracey.guest@stmartins.com
#1 Bestselling Authors Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny Team Up to Write Thriller
STATE OF TERROR to be jointly published by Simon & Schuster and St. Martin’s Press in October
February 23, 2021, New York, NY—Simon & Schuster and St. Martin’s Press are proud to publish a novel written by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny. A unique collaboration by two long-time friends and thriller aficionados, STATE OF TERROR will be published on October 12, 2021.
The story follows a novice Secretary of State who has joined the administration of her rival, a president inaugurated after four years of American leadership that shrank from the world stage. A series of terrorist attacks throws the global order into disarray, and the Secretary is tasked with assembling a team to unravel the deadly conspiracy, a scheme carefully designed to take advantage of an American government dangerously out of touch and out of power in the places where it counts the most.
This high-stakes thriller of international intrigue features behind-the-scenes global drama informed by details only an insider could know.
“When it was suggested my friend Hillary and I write a political thriller together, I could not say yes fast enough,” said Louise Penny. “What an incredible experience, to get inside the State Department. Inside the White House. Inside the mind of the Secretary of State as high stake crises explode. Before we started, we talked about her time as Secretary of State. What was her worst nightmare? STATE OF TERROR is the answer.”
Hillary Clinton added, “Writing a thriller with Louise is a dream come true. I’ve relished every one of her books and their characters as well as her friendship. Now we’re joining our experiences to explore the complex world of high stakes diplomacy and treachery. All is not as it first appears.”
In a joint statement, Jonathan Karp, President and Chief Executive Officer of Simon & Schuster, and Don Weisberg, Chief Executive Officer of Macmillan Trade Publishers, said, “When we read Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton’s outline for STATE OF TERROR, it was immediately clear that when an ingenious novelist goes to work with one of the world’s most knowledgeable leaders, the results are kinetic. We are delighted to be part of this exciting publishing relationship, and we expect STATE OF TERROR to thrill legions of readers throughout the world.”
Simon & Schuster and St. Martin’s acquired World and Audio Rights from Robert B. Barnett of Williams & Connolly, who represented Hillary Clinton, and David Gernert of The Gernert Company, who represented Louise Penny in the deal, with Pan Macmillan publishing in the UK simultaneously. Jennifer Enderlin, President and Publisher of the St. Martin’s Publishing Group, will edit the novel.
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.
Photo credit: Joe McNally
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 lists. Her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels, published by Minotaur Books, an imprint of the St. Martin’s Publishing Group, have been translated into 31 languages. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise Penny lives in a village south of Montréal.
Photo credit: Jean-François Bérubé
This sounds like a book my boyfriend would like.
I think there are a lot of people who don’t usually read Louise Penny’s books who might try this one, Sandy.
I saw the news yesterday. My first thought was that this deal, both in terms of the people involved as well as the plat, made a heck of a lot more sense than some of the other pairing seen in recent years.
My second thought was that there really needed to be a pairing for me. That way the press release could say something about famous writer joins with Kevin R. Tipple, a widely known sarcastic weirdo, to create BOOK. “Kevin brings a certain sarcastic weirdness to the project that few, if any could duplicate, along with a healthy appreciation of the fact that some research will need to be conducted at strip clubs, bars, and eating establishments. As Kevin pointed out, the research should bring the details needed and yet at the same time, we must not let facts get in the way of the story we wish to tell. A tale certainly as old as the hills and yet younger than the mountains and one we shall provide a fresh perspective on in BOOK.”
Maybe John Scalzi, Kevin. I think you could work well together with your sense of humor. Or maybe Kevin Hearne. Then, you could just use the one-name icon – KEVIN. No matter which of the two authors you conspire with, the humor would be over-the-top.
The Kevining: A Great Awakening, followed by The Kevining: A Twisted Force, The Kevining: A Twisted Force Unleashed, etc.
Oooh…..thanks so much for posting this Lesa! It’s interesting because I’ve been to a number of interviews at book fests where Louise has said that she’s too busy writing the Gamache series & not really interested in writing standalones. Well I guess that changed once Hillary came calling….heh heh.
After reading your posting I went straight over to our library’s online booking site, only to be deflated, they’re not accepting requests for holds until June. Louise Penny is so popular up here that unless you’re among the first group of lucky readers, it could take a year + to get a copy. Might actually have to purchase my own copy.
Cheers!
Cannot wait!!!!!!
I’m second on the list at our library, Kaye. I told one of the staff, and he beat me to it. (smile)
You’re welcome, Anne! Well, normally, we wouldn’t order the book until September, but I ordered it yesterday. It’s going to have a lot of holds, as you know. Good luck getting on the list at your library.
I added it to my Goodreads list. I love Louise Penny’s books. This co-writing should be interesting.
I agree. It should be interesting.