Affairs of State is pure and simple a good story, but it's not a simple story, rather an intricate adventure involving politics, religion, crime, sex, and love, with rich and detailed side dishes of cybersecurity, trimaran yacht sailing, and cycling, throughout the hills, beaches, and waters of the Bay Area of California. The main characters face dangers and difficult personal issues, which reflect larger issues in this layered narrative. I enjoyed reading this book and looked forward to each chapter. Bravo!