Ellen Adams, the newly appointed US Secretary of State, is woken by her Chief of Staff, Charles Boynton, at 2 am with the news that an explosion has occurred in London, England. Terrorists are suspected and her presence is requested in the Situation Room at the White House. Two more explosions occur, both in Europe. The President is fearful that a city in the United States will be next.

A terrorist organisation intent on accessing materiels to develop their own nuclear arsenal is more than likely behind the attacks. Also, a baffling text received by a junior clerk in Ellen’s department turns out to have been a hastily coded warning of the three explosions. It is decoded too late; the death count is high.

Ellen Adams is determined to prevent further bombings, annihilate the terrorist organisation, and find the person who sent the warning.

State of Terror is an exciting geopolitical thriller that had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath. It oozes authenticity. It’s not flawless. More than once, I put the book down in disgust and went for a walk around the block. Ellen and Betsy Jameson, her highly intelligent long-term friend and counsellor, dazzle with their brilliance. There are times, though, where a lapse of judgment will surprise those readers intently following developments.

I predict this will be made into a television series. There’s too much in the book for a film to do it justice. State of Terror is entertaining, humorous and gory. A good scriptwriter will be able to iron out the anomalies.

Reviewed by Clive Hodges