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Hayley Chill Thriller #1
Deep State
Apple "Best of 2020"
New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
2021 Barry Award nominee for Best First Novel
Recently elected President Richard Monroe—populist, controversial, and divisive—is at the center of an increasingly polarized Washington, DC. Never has the partisan drama been so tense or the paranoia so rampant. In the midst of contentious political turf wars, the White House chief of staff is found dead in his house. A tenacious intern discovers a single, ominous clue that suggests he died from something other than natural causes, and that a wide-ranging conspiracy is running beneath the surface of everyday events: powerful government figures are scheming to undermine the rule of law—and democracy itself. Allies are exposed as enemies, once-dependable authorities fall under suspicion, and no one seems to be who they say they are. The unthinkable is happening. The Deep State is real. Who will die to keep its secrets and who will kill to uncover the truth?
New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
2021 Barry Award nominee for Best First Novel
Recently elected President Richard Monroe—populist, controversial, and divisive—is at the center of an increasingly polarized Washington, DC. Never has the partisan drama been so tense or the paranoia so rampant. In the midst of contentious political turf wars, the White House chief of staff is found dead in his house. A tenacious intern discovers a single, ominous clue that suggests he died from something other than natural causes, and that a wide-ranging conspiracy is running beneath the surface of everyday events: powerful government figures are scheming to undermine the rule of law—and democracy itself. Allies are exposed as enemies, once-dependable authorities fall under suspicion, and no one seems to be who they say they are. The unthinkable is happening. The Deep State is real. Who will die to keep its secrets and who will kill to uncover the truth?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 748 reviews
December 2, 2019
As a resident of the suburbs of Washington D.C. in Virginia, I'm all too familiar with the setting portrayed in most political thrillers, but Deep State included so much more than the typical congressional drama. After recently becoming hooked on different tv shows of the same nature, such as Jack Ryan, I figured it was time to see if books in this sub-genre would tickle my fancy, and this one in particular struck a home-run. This stand alone novel gives the reader a strong connection to its leading lady before the action even begins, and I think that is why I found this book so difficult to put down once it got going. If you're looking for twists on twists followed by more twists, and a story featuring a strong female lead without committing to a 92 book series, I strongly urge you pick up Deep State in the new year. Hayley Chill is a force to be reckoned with, and I can easily see this being turned into a film or limited series.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy. #TrustTheBus
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy. #TrustTheBus
December 25, 2019
Chris Hauty writes a good political thriller for his debut which I very much enjoyed reading. However, I gather he is a screenwriter and this is plainly transparent in the narrative. Whilst the plotting is excellent, his writing drains the levels of tension, suspense and immediacy that make thrillers such great, compulsively addictive, fast paced reads, which is such a shame. The United States have elected a popular ex-military man into the White House, Richard Monroe, he is proving to be both controversial and divisive as he upturns strategic historical alliances and concentrates instead on China as the primary enemy of the country. Hayley Chill is an ex-military new intern working for Monroe's Chief of Staff, Peter Hall. To the dismay of the other ambitious interns keen to make their mark, Hall takes to Hayley, despite her outsider status, she proves to be capable, dependable and remains unruffled in the face of any crisis. To the consternation of many, she catches the eye of the President, who is impressed by her abilities.
25 year old Hayley is blessed with an eidetic memory, something she doesn't advertise, and is a gifted boxer, trained by the army. She discovers the Chief of Staff, a loyal consigliere to the President, orchestrating the implementation of Monroe's policies with a ruthless efficiency, dead at his home on arriving to deliver briefing papers. Peter Hall has ostensibly suffered a heart attack, but Hayley sees evidence of a more sinister cause of death. However, she is merely an intern, a woman with no power, she decides to keep quiet about her suspicions for the moment but nevertheless begins to investigate. Hall had warned her about the power of the Deep State, a shadow government and Hayley knows this conspiracy emanates from some very powerful players who will think nothing of having her taken out. She finds herself elevated to work in operations, a promotion that is viewed as a threat by some. However, Hayley gets on well with her co-worker, a gay man from a privileged background, Asher, who believes her but is terrified of the repercussions. Suspecting that the conspirators have their eyes on an even bigger target, Hayley finds herself in extreme danger yet still determined to uncover the truth and foil a deadly plot.
Hauty certainly knows how to put together and plot a terrific thriller with some fabulous twists, but he needs to get to grips with the art of writing a thriller as opposed to a screenplay, they have different demands, purpose and do not have the same audience. He is well equipped with some necessary skills required in the process but needs to focus on fine tuning how he delivers the end product in terms of his writing and character development. Having said all that, I did find this an entertaining and absorbing read. The character of Hayley, from her poor background in West Virginia, was a great central protagonist that interested me right from the beginning when she is preparing to fight a boxing match in the army. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.
25 year old Hayley is blessed with an eidetic memory, something she doesn't advertise, and is a gifted boxer, trained by the army. She discovers the Chief of Staff, a loyal consigliere to the President, orchestrating the implementation of Monroe's policies with a ruthless efficiency, dead at his home on arriving to deliver briefing papers. Peter Hall has ostensibly suffered a heart attack, but Hayley sees evidence of a more sinister cause of death. However, she is merely an intern, a woman with no power, she decides to keep quiet about her suspicions for the moment but nevertheless begins to investigate. Hall had warned her about the power of the Deep State, a shadow government and Hayley knows this conspiracy emanates from some very powerful players who will think nothing of having her taken out. She finds herself elevated to work in operations, a promotion that is viewed as a threat by some. However, Hayley gets on well with her co-worker, a gay man from a privileged background, Asher, who believes her but is terrified of the repercussions. Suspecting that the conspirators have their eyes on an even bigger target, Hayley finds herself in extreme danger yet still determined to uncover the truth and foil a deadly plot.
Hauty certainly knows how to put together and plot a terrific thriller with some fabulous twists, but he needs to get to grips with the art of writing a thriller as opposed to a screenplay, they have different demands, purpose and do not have the same audience. He is well equipped with some necessary skills required in the process but needs to focus on fine tuning how he delivers the end product in terms of his writing and character development. Having said all that, I did find this an entertaining and absorbing read. The character of Hayley, from her poor background in West Virginia, was a great central protagonist that interested me right from the beginning when she is preparing to fight a boxing match in the army. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.
September 29, 2019
DEEP STATE by Chris Hauty is the best political thriller that I have read in a long time. It is hard to believe that it is Hauty’s debut novel. The story takes place mostly in Washington D.C., but starts out in Texas.
Our protagonist, Hayley Chill is an ex-Army boxing champion and has become a White House intern. The new President is Richard Monroe who is controversial and divisive making for a polarized political situation. When the White House Chief of Staff is found dead in his home by Hayley, she finds a clue that suggests he may have been murdered. With this scenario the author’s story line progresses at a rapid pace.
We get to know Hayley well. Her character has depth and is extremely likeable. I became emotionally invested in seeing her succeed in life. She is a patriot above all else. Additionally, the secondary characters were well fleshed out. The author portrayed the right atmosphere for the story line. There are several twists and turns in the plot, but the twist near the end caught me completely by surprise. Wow! I did not see that coming.
The author lets us know what happens in the future to some of the secondary characters throughout the course of the book. Some readers may not like this. Some of this could have been done later in the book. However, it worked okay for me.
I can’t wait to read this author’s next book. Overall, it was action-packed, engaging, thought-provoking, suspenseful and compulsively readable. It contained the elements that I look for in a political thriller. Will this become a series focused around Hayley? I sincerely hope so.
Many thanks to Atria Books and Chris Hauty for a digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Our protagonist, Hayley Chill is an ex-Army boxing champion and has become a White House intern. The new President is Richard Monroe who is controversial and divisive making for a polarized political situation. When the White House Chief of Staff is found dead in his home by Hayley, she finds a clue that suggests he may have been murdered. With this scenario the author’s story line progresses at a rapid pace.
We get to know Hayley well. Her character has depth and is extremely likeable. I became emotionally invested in seeing her succeed in life. She is a patriot above all else. Additionally, the secondary characters were well fleshed out. The author portrayed the right atmosphere for the story line. There are several twists and turns in the plot, but the twist near the end caught me completely by surprise. Wow! I did not see that coming.
The author lets us know what happens in the future to some of the secondary characters throughout the course of the book. Some readers may not like this. Some of this could have been done later in the book. However, it worked okay for me.
I can’t wait to read this author’s next book. Overall, it was action-packed, engaging, thought-provoking, suspenseful and compulsively readable. It contained the elements that I look for in a political thriller. Will this become a series focused around Hayley? I sincerely hope so.
Many thanks to Atria Books and Chris Hauty for a digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
March 10, 2023
Finally. A second 5 star listen for 2023. 10 of 10 stars
December 17, 2019
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Chris Hauty, and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
In his debut novel, Chris Hauty takes the reader on a ride with this political thriller. While the premise is there, the book exemplifies that Hauty is a screenwriter and much of the needed impact was missing throughout. Hayley Chill has done well while serving her country. Stationed in Texas, Chill bided her Army time boxing and showing that she ought not be taken for granted. When she is discharged, she scores a coveted position in Washington, as an intern to the President’s Chief of Staff, Chill receives many of the unwanted jobs, but keeps a stiff upper lip. Saving her boss (and POTUS) on one occasion earns her the gratitude of the Commander in Chief. When Chill discovers the Chief of Staff dead in his home one morning, she cannot help but wonder if it was murder. Soon thereafter, she is targeted by someone close to her in an apparent attempt to shut her up. Chill cannot help but wonder if there is a conspiracy being run by Deep State, the faceless group that actually pulls the strings in DC. The more she probes, the closer Chill feels she is to the truth, but only helps to reveal how vast and all-encompassing the threat is, with POTUS at the centre. An ultimate strike is in the works, though Chill will have to be neutralised in order for it to be effective and rid America of a controversial leader. Hauty has a good framework here for a wonderful thriller, but there are some issues that I cannot ignore. Some may enjoy the political nature of this book, while others might want to wait for the movie (as this book reads like a film adaptation).
I loved the premise of this book when I read the dust-jacket cover, hoping that it would be a real poke at the circus that is Washington these days. Things began well, with a nice protagonist in the form of Hayley Chill. She has a backstory that ingratiates the reader to her, with a poor childhood and a gritty determination to succeed. Arriving in Washington, Chill does not know what to expect and tries to fit in where she is already an outcast. As the novel progresses, the reader learns a little more about Chill’s sleuthing abilities, but also how she can make poor choices that will sink her if she is not careful. Others find themselves serving as interesting place-markers in a piece that tries to be political and a thriller with an evil cast of characters. The story had the makings of a successful novel, but needs a great deal more meat to keep the narrative moving at a break-neck pace. More politics, added deception, and slow reveals would have made this book so much better. It may have taken 500-600 pages, but something of that caliber would be worth the read. The twist at the end was surely redeeming, but does not save the overall mediocre quality. I found it difficult to process the present tense narrative, as Hauty uses it throughout and then adds odd ‘this activity would come to haunt X a decade down the road’ sentiments at various points. Perhaps another shortcoming when a screenwriter tries to move to novels. There was so much potential here and I was hoping for a great deal more. I can only hope that Hauty can find new ideas and expand on them, or turn this into a movie, where brevity is sometimes an asset.
Kudos, Mr. Hauty, for the interesting story. I cannot say that I ‘stayed up all night’, as your editor mentioned in the ARC I read, but there is some potential.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
In his debut novel, Chris Hauty takes the reader on a ride with this political thriller. While the premise is there, the book exemplifies that Hauty is a screenwriter and much of the needed impact was missing throughout. Hayley Chill has done well while serving her country. Stationed in Texas, Chill bided her Army time boxing and showing that she ought not be taken for granted. When she is discharged, she scores a coveted position in Washington, as an intern to the President’s Chief of Staff, Chill receives many of the unwanted jobs, but keeps a stiff upper lip. Saving her boss (and POTUS) on one occasion earns her the gratitude of the Commander in Chief. When Chill discovers the Chief of Staff dead in his home one morning, she cannot help but wonder if it was murder. Soon thereafter, she is targeted by someone close to her in an apparent attempt to shut her up. Chill cannot help but wonder if there is a conspiracy being run by Deep State, the faceless group that actually pulls the strings in DC. The more she probes, the closer Chill feels she is to the truth, but only helps to reveal how vast and all-encompassing the threat is, with POTUS at the centre. An ultimate strike is in the works, though Chill will have to be neutralised in order for it to be effective and rid America of a controversial leader. Hauty has a good framework here for a wonderful thriller, but there are some issues that I cannot ignore. Some may enjoy the political nature of this book, while others might want to wait for the movie (as this book reads like a film adaptation).
I loved the premise of this book when I read the dust-jacket cover, hoping that it would be a real poke at the circus that is Washington these days. Things began well, with a nice protagonist in the form of Hayley Chill. She has a backstory that ingratiates the reader to her, with a poor childhood and a gritty determination to succeed. Arriving in Washington, Chill does not know what to expect and tries to fit in where she is already an outcast. As the novel progresses, the reader learns a little more about Chill’s sleuthing abilities, but also how she can make poor choices that will sink her if she is not careful. Others find themselves serving as interesting place-markers in a piece that tries to be political and a thriller with an evil cast of characters. The story had the makings of a successful novel, but needs a great deal more meat to keep the narrative moving at a break-neck pace. More politics, added deception, and slow reveals would have made this book so much better. It may have taken 500-600 pages, but something of that caliber would be worth the read. The twist at the end was surely redeeming, but does not save the overall mediocre quality. I found it difficult to process the present tense narrative, as Hauty uses it throughout and then adds odd ‘this activity would come to haunt X a decade down the road’ sentiments at various points. Perhaps another shortcoming when a screenwriter tries to move to novels. There was so much potential here and I was hoping for a great deal more. I can only hope that Hauty can find new ideas and expand on them, or turn this into a movie, where brevity is sometimes an asset.
Kudos, Mr. Hauty, for the interesting story. I cannot say that I ‘stayed up all night’, as your editor mentioned in the ARC I read, but there is some potential.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
December 19, 2019
Well, yesterday I wrote that the tag line for this book ‘The Most Addictive Thriller Of The Decade’ was a brave one to have, now I have read it all I would say its definitely one of the most addictive thrillers etc
Its a cracking read it really is
Meet Hayley Chill who leaves the Army to follow her dream to be a ‘staffer’ in the White House, once there she discovers things she shouldn’t and is on a full on mission to save the President’s life
But nothing is quite as it seems and the last extraordinary chapter of the book left me tizzing with excitement at how the story had fooled me and drawn me in and then BANG completely got me and I am willing to bet would any reader!
Its unique, fresh and the word ‘twist’ is just not acceptable to cover what happens
Great descriptive writing, excellent insight into the workings of the West Wing and characters straight from a TV programme ( in fact would make a brill film or tv series ) this book is in a word wonderful and worthy of any readers time
SUPERB!
10/10
5 Stars
February 10, 2020
Excellent debut! I am beyond exhausted rooting for the main gal Hayley Chill in Deep State.
To be honest after reading the preface I decided I'm not going to like this book because I didn't like the character. You see, I don't like boxing or any sport similar to it with two people beating each other on stage or in cages for entertainment. Thank goodness that was only in the beginning. Once I get to know this young woman with little means from a small town WV trying to make it in DC among coworkers from elite families, I just can't help myself but hope she kick butts. I hope she saves the good guys. But in Deep State you don't know who the good guys are. It drives me crazy!
There is a jaw dropping twist beyond belief and the book should've end there without any explanation. But then Chris Hauty would need to hide from his followers for a while. 😂
To be honest after reading the preface I decided I'm not going to like this book because I didn't like the character. You see, I don't like boxing or any sport similar to it with two people beating each other on stage or in cages for entertainment. Thank goodness that was only in the beginning. Once I get to know this young woman with little means from a small town WV trying to make it in DC among coworkers from elite families, I just can't help myself but hope she kick butts. I hope she saves the good guys. But in Deep State you don't know who the good guys are. It drives me crazy!
There is a jaw dropping twist beyond belief and the book should've end there without any explanation. But then Chris Hauty would need to hide from his followers for a while. 😂
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April 11, 2023
4-Stars - "I really liked it!"
Chris Hauty - Hayley Chill, #1 - Deep State
Audiobook: 08:52 Hours - Narrator: Marin Ireland
This audiobook, a political thriller expertly narrated by Marin Ireland, was a greatread listen and very hard to put down turn off. There were twists and turns galore, culminating in a quite dramatic surprise in the final stages.
From my Reading Activity:
March 23, 2023 @ 24.0% : "I am a little unsure about this novel - I know: surprise! surprise! The writing seems a bit erratic at times; maybe this is related to the author's being a screenwriter by trade and this is his debut novel? In the meantime I am enjoying the novel and it's narration."
Chris Hauty - Hayley Chill, #1 - Deep State
Audiobook: 08:52 Hours - Narrator: Marin Ireland
This audiobook, a political thriller expertly narrated by Marin Ireland, was a great
From my Reading Activity:
March 23, 2023 @ 24.0% : "I am a little unsure about this novel - I know: surprise! surprise! The writing seems a bit erratic at times; maybe this is related to the author's being a screenwriter by trade and this is his debut novel? In the meantime I am enjoying the novel and it's narration."
November 4, 2019
Buried underneath layers upon layers of career bureaucrats and politicians, there exists a Deep State of ex-military, intelligence spooks, and counter-intelligence agents who manipulate our government at the highest levels, all for the benefit of powerful private puppeteers and foreign interests. Haley Chill, an inexperienced White House intern, stumbles across a plot by senior staffers to kill the President, and has no choice but to confront these deep state forces. But she learns very quickly that there is no one who can be trusted with this information, as the conspirators run deep within the government. A series of mysterious occurrences, murders disguised to be accidental deaths, raise suspicions. Relying on her background in the Army, Haley begins to piece together the clues of the conspiracy, while staying only one step ahead of the bad guys who have discovered her involvement. But can a lowly intern stand up to the power of the Deep State?
A page-turner from start to finish, the plot of Deep State is not such a stretch as to be unbelievable, and indeed feels like something that could occur, yet is packed with enough drama to maintain suspense throughout the book. And just when the reader feels the major tensions have been resolved, the ending is a jaw-dropper. I also felt the character development was perfect - just enough background as to understand the character motivations, without getting sidetracked with too much detail. Well-written and nicely edited.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
A page-turner from start to finish, the plot of Deep State is not such a stretch as to be unbelievable, and indeed feels like something that could occur, yet is packed with enough drama to maintain suspense throughout the book. And just when the reader feels the major tensions have been resolved, the ending is a jaw-dropper. I also felt the character development was perfect - just enough background as to understand the character motivations, without getting sidetracked with too much detail. Well-written and nicely edited.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
October 1, 2019
Huh. I was really ready to destroy this book in the review, but then damned if the ending wasn't actually really entertaining and interesting.
Does that save the book? No, it doesn't, the first 90% of it is really a slog. There are a few main issues.
1.) The writing itself is pretty bad. It has no flow and relies on a few ridiculous crutches, the most annoying is the tendency to provide several paragraphs of information about tertiary characters' later life. So one of the interns starts a cult 20 years later? Why do I care? I don't? Okay then.
Also, for a female fronted book, the female characters are all really poorly written. Cringeworthy passages about sex and their appearance. The kinds of passages I read aloud to my wife and simply enjoyed the horrified look on her face.
2.) It is actually pretty boring! For a short book with a relatively simple premise (bad people want to kill the President), not much happens. There is an awful lot of exposition that goes nowhere, and frankly a lot of the book and the character interactions don't really make any sense in light of the ending.
On the bright side! The ending is pretty good! It is rare I don't see a twist coming and the final twist? Didn't see it at all. Every twist to that point was obvious to the point of hack which made the final twist such a gem. It gets an extra star there because I actually came away smiling.
Is it worth it to get there? No, probably not. But Hauty does show he is at least capable of surprise and that could serve him well in future, better books.
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
Does that save the book? No, it doesn't, the first 90% of it is really a slog. There are a few main issues.
1.) The writing itself is pretty bad. It has no flow and relies on a few ridiculous crutches, the most annoying is the tendency to provide several paragraphs of information about tertiary characters' later life. So one of the interns starts a cult 20 years later? Why do I care? I don't? Okay then.
Also, for a female fronted book, the female characters are all really poorly written. Cringeworthy passages about sex and their appearance. The kinds of passages I read aloud to my wife and simply enjoyed the horrified look on her face.
2.) It is actually pretty boring! For a short book with a relatively simple premise (bad people want to kill the President), not much happens. There is an awful lot of exposition that goes nowhere, and frankly a lot of the book and the character interactions don't really make any sense in light of the ending.
On the bright side! The ending is pretty good! It is rare I don't see a twist coming and the final twist? Didn't see it at all. Every twist to that point was obvious to the point of hack which made the final twist such a gem. It gets an extra star there because I actually came away smiling.
Is it worth it to get there? No, probably not. But Hauty does show he is at least capable of surprise and that could serve him well in future, better books.
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
September 15, 2019
I adored this book and it’s main protagonist Hayley Chill, it was a page turning addictive read with a cadence and rhythm to the prose that was genuinely engaging.
The story itself, a political and moral minefield, was utterly gripping, as Hayley leaves the army and enters the hallowed halls of the White House, where she uncovers a plot against the President and ends up in isolated hot water.
The setting is brilliantly described, the plot is taut and clever, Hayley is unique and strangely likeable with her odd demeanour and her extensive experience. It is so much fun, definitively unpredictable, flooring me at the end with a cleverly done resolution.
Definitely one to watch in 2020, if you like your political thrillers layered, intelligent and ultimately authentic then Deep State is for you. Here’s wishing Hayley Chill many more adventures.
Highly Recommended.
The story itself, a political and moral minefield, was utterly gripping, as Hayley leaves the army and enters the hallowed halls of the White House, where she uncovers a plot against the President and ends up in isolated hot water.
The setting is brilliantly described, the plot is taut and clever, Hayley is unique and strangely likeable with her odd demeanour and her extensive experience. It is so much fun, definitively unpredictable, flooring me at the end with a cleverly done resolution.
Definitely one to watch in 2020, if you like your political thrillers layered, intelligent and ultimately authentic then Deep State is for you. Here’s wishing Hayley Chill many more adventures.
Highly Recommended.
May 24, 2023
Hayley’s character lessens the realism of the story. Throughout, she is utterly invincible and infallible. I was rolling my eyes big time.
August 26, 2020
I think I read this one based on Kay’s review. Thank you, Kay. Haley Chill might be the next ONE. Hauty surprised, or maybe I should say, shocked me at least twice.
This must be a series starter because the potential to be a great one is all over this book. I really love a book like this. It sounds like it will be good. A review by a like minded reader tells you it will be good. You read it and it’s great. Pick it up if you haven’t. I can’t wait for the next one. I’ll never put a spoiler in one of these reviews. That said, I’ll stop right here.
This must be a series starter because the potential to be a great one is all over this book. I really love a book like this. It sounds like it will be good. A review by a like minded reader tells you it will be good. You read it and it’s great. Pick it up if you haven’t. I can’t wait for the next one. I’ll never put a spoiler in one of these reviews. That said, I’ll stop right here.
March 15, 2021
On the description of this book it's is stated that it's the most addictive thriller of the decade and it got some pretty good reviews. The premise sounded like something I would enjoy. A political thriller that starts with White house chief is found dead at his home and former solider Hayley Chill is suspecting foul play, she investigates it and then come on a lead where an organization is plotting to kill the president. Sounds both thrilling and exciting. But I was severely underwhelmed and pretty much bored reading it. Didn't get attached to the characters.
September 28, 2019
So many twists and turns that I had to backtrack a few times to make sure I’d read it correctly! The definition of a great political thriller!
July 7, 2022
Deep state is the first book penned by Chris Hauty. It is a political thriller with an intriguing plot and suspenseful climax. While the storyline does build steadily, the tension does not. It simply does not evoke the “thriller-chiller “ factor until close to the end.
Upon reflection, suspense wanes and pace sputters due to too many unnecessary details that should have been trimmed. I detected the pattern: when anyone or anything is introduced, there is a lengthy description. At first, one isn’t sure if the character/scenario will be of import or not, but once I figured out the pattern, I skipped/scanned the inconsequential details. This helped greatly to move the plot along.
There is a writing technique the author employs that is irksome and exemplifies the unnecessary and numerous details: telling about characters’ end of life scenarios in the distant future. This forth-telling is not relevant to the plot and is an example of the too many unnecessary details of nonessential characters. They aren’t important to the story, so why do I even care about how they turn out after the story is over?? I don’t!Thus, more skimming. The downside is I wasn’t sure who was an important character or not. I thought surely one of the first characters introduced would be playing a major role in the book as so much effort was spent on developing him ( to the point of telling what he did decades in the future) only to find out he played a short scene in the beginning of the book, never to resurface again. This happens too often to too many characters and is my biggest criticism.
On a positive note, the characters are well rounded, multi- faceted and dynamic! Excellent character development! Even the nonessential ones! 🙄 The protagonist, Hayley Chill, is a unique individual and the author piqued my interest with her complex personality. I hope her character will be featured in subsequent installments! The character is VERY different and appealing!
Not only is the plot unique with an explosive climax, but the denouement is DYNAMITE! Talk about a twist you didn’t see coming! You absolutely, positively, won’t. see .it. coming!!! The climax was good enough in and of itself, but the ending!!!!! It had my heart racing even more! I am aching for a sequel!
The author needs to fine tune his writing techniques to reach the “stay up all night, edge of your seat” thriller status. There is tremendous potential, as evidenced by the characterizations, unique plot, and jaw-dropping twist(s). I look forward to more from Mr. Hauty, especially if Miss Hayley Chill is featured!
Upon reflection, suspense wanes and pace sputters due to too many unnecessary details that should have been trimmed. I detected the pattern: when anyone or anything is introduced, there is a lengthy description. At first, one isn’t sure if the character/scenario will be of import or not, but once I figured out the pattern, I skipped/scanned the inconsequential details. This helped greatly to move the plot along.
There is a writing technique the author employs that is irksome and exemplifies the unnecessary and numerous details: telling about characters’ end of life scenarios in the distant future. This forth-telling is not relevant to the plot and is an example of the too many unnecessary details of nonessential characters. They aren’t important to the story, so why do I even care about how they turn out after the story is over?? I don’t!Thus, more skimming. The downside is I wasn’t sure who was an important character or not. I thought surely one of the first characters introduced would be playing a major role in the book as so much effort was spent on developing him ( to the point of telling what he did decades in the future) only to find out he played a short scene in the beginning of the book, never to resurface again. This happens too often to too many characters and is my biggest criticism.
On a positive note, the characters are well rounded, multi- faceted and dynamic! Excellent character development! Even the nonessential ones! 🙄 The protagonist, Hayley Chill, is a unique individual and the author piqued my interest with her complex personality. I hope her character will be featured in subsequent installments! The character is VERY different and appealing!
Not only is the plot unique with an explosive climax, but the denouement is DYNAMITE! Talk about a twist you didn’t see coming! You absolutely, positively, won’t. see .it. coming!!! The climax was good enough in and of itself, but the ending!!!!! It had my heart racing even more! I am aching for a sequel!
The author needs to fine tune his writing techniques to reach the “stay up all night, edge of your seat” thriller status. There is tremendous potential, as evidenced by the characterizations, unique plot, and jaw-dropping twist(s). I look forward to more from Mr. Hauty, especially if Miss Hayley Chill is featured!
December 14, 2019
Haley Chill has decided to leave the army.she moves to Washington DC so that she can become an intern at the White House. Haley makes a few new friends ut then one of them is murdered. Peter Hall was the president's chief of staff. Haley tries to sol e the murder. She doesn't k ow who she can trust.
It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. The plotline is current gripping, fast paced and it will have you on the edge of your seat. There is multiple twists and characters you will love and others you wont like at all. I'm not really into political thrillers ut I loved everything about this book. And WOW, the ending did not disappoint. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster and the author Chris Hauty for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. The plotline is current gripping, fast paced and it will have you on the edge of your seat. There is multiple twists and characters you will love and others you wont like at all. I'm not really into political thrillers ut I loved everything about this book. And WOW, the ending did not disappoint. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster and the author Chris Hauty for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2023
Loved it and can't wait to read the rest of the series. Hope it keeps several cast members for the next book.
October 14, 2020
1 stars
Man where to start on this one. I'm pretty conflicted. It was a fast read and a page turner (less than 300 pages total), but there was really a lot to not like about this book.
This is a debut novel so maybe later books will be better, but so much here was amateurish. The entire book is written in a present-tense style that is usual enough to make it less enjoyable. There's a reason why most books aren't written that way. The characters, even the main protagonist, seem paper thin. Sometimes the author gives strange exposition about the future fate of some of these (even ancillary) characters that seems to attempt to be a replacement for actual development. The main character, Haley Chill, is really nothing more than a bad ass Mary Sue with only the most general development. Third the plot itself as a whole completely far fetched even for the thriller genre. The plot elements themselves are also completely implausible, and that twist that everyone is talking about is kind of a shocker but is immensely dumb in my opinion. The explanation after said twist seems to be an effort to make things make more sense, but it just seemed more ridiculous.
A ridiculous twist and a completely absurd plot will never make up for poor characterization and writing.
Edited this review to revise the rating down. Really the worst book I've read this year, and upon thinking it over it was definitely below other 2 star books I read. I would actively recommend against reading it.
Man where to start on this one. I'm pretty conflicted. It was a fast read and a page turner (less than 300 pages total), but there was really a lot to not like about this book.
This is a debut novel so maybe later books will be better, but so much here was amateurish. The entire book is written in a present-tense style that is usual enough to make it less enjoyable. There's a reason why most books aren't written that way. The characters, even the main protagonist, seem paper thin. Sometimes the author gives strange exposition about the future fate of some of these (even ancillary) characters that seems to attempt to be a replacement for actual development. The main character, Haley Chill, is really nothing more than a bad ass Mary Sue with only the most general development. Third the plot itself as a whole completely far fetched even for the thriller genre. The plot elements themselves are also completely implausible, and that twist that everyone is talking about is kind of a shocker but is immensely dumb in my opinion. The explanation after said twist seems to be an effort to make things make more sense, but it just seemed more ridiculous.
A ridiculous twist and a completely absurd plot will never make up for poor characterization and writing.
Edited this review to revise the rating down. Really the worst book I've read this year, and upon thinking it over it was definitely below other 2 star books I read. I would actively recommend against reading it.
February 10, 2020
I am on a good roll I just read another good book. I have never read this author before but he has talent. The story was pretty good and made sense for the most part. The pace of the story flowed pretty good. Most of the characters in the book were pretty good. It had a good feel to it. I just had a few problems with the book. One I do not like my hero to be to perfect, in this book she was not but it was a close call. I felt at the some times the whole for this book was going to be for the great ending, this author wanted to wow you with a great ending and I feel sometimes the rest of the story is sacrificed sometimes. My last problem which almost caused the book to get three stars lol . The first part of the ending was good and made sense but the 2nd part of the ending went of the common sense track. I said oh come on to many times. One it was not plausible and two it just did not mesh with the story just told. I blame the editor for letting the author do this. It is a book where you do not have to be in a rush to get it but if you have time I do say go out and give it a spin.
February 9, 2020
Screenwriter Chris Hauty has "weaponized" the English language in creating an original political thriller in a page turning "what if" scenario. Lots of strong female characters in thrillers these days but Army Veteran Hayley Chill is unquestionably one of the most interesting. Working diligently as a White House intern, she inadvertently stumbles on what she thinks might be a plot to assassinate the President. Her dilemma is she doesn't know who in government she can trust. The coup plotters and their hit team underestimate Hayley's capabilities as they all move forward on a literary chessboard to an absolutely stunning end game.... I highly recommend this auspicious debut novel.
January 5, 2020
A so so thriller about a deep state conspiracy. Got bad reviews.
July 24, 2020
Goodness, if you care about writing you will not enjoy this paint-by-the-numbers thriller. It deals in stock characters and offers very little in the way of suspense. Once you know the characters, you will be able to predict what will happen. Will the West Virginia redneck girl whose Dad died at Fallujah...find a crusty father figure? Serve her country? Take no nonsense? Win the day? The strange inclusion of details about...the brand of desk a minor character considers buying...or, in a climactic scene late in the novel, about how a couple has owned some stools for nearly four decades...was, among many other weaknesses in the writing, a recurring point of frustration.
Had I not gotten the book for free and was I not doing a GoodReads challenge, I wouldn’t have finished it. I took some small pleasure in being able to annotate my digital copy with running commentary on the badly written bits. That, and finishing the book, were the only enjoyable parts.
Had I not gotten the book for free and was I not doing a GoodReads challenge, I wouldn’t have finished it. I took some small pleasure in being able to annotate my digital copy with running commentary on the badly written bits. That, and finishing the book, were the only enjoyable parts.
June 24, 2019
I thought this book was terrific! The 21 year old female protagonist just left the Infantry and had been a boxing champion there. From there she took a year off and then went to Washington DC to become a White House Intern for one year. The internal politics of the White House were discordant, but not so much so as the political climate within the country. During her brief tenure, she learns of a plot to eliminate the President, a former military hero, and install the individual this cabal wants into the White House. The characters are very believable as is the plot. It is complex and has continual twists and turns in it. The ending (which one hopes is really a beginning) is amazing and makes the reader hope for more of the same. The author’s background in screen writing only adds to the plot. Thanks to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC for an honest review.
January 20, 2020
Deep State is a political thriller that follows ex-military boxing champion Haley Chill turned White House intern. With the death of the White House Chief Of Staff and a clue that points to who the culprit might be, Hayley sets off on her journey for the truth.
I found the first half of this book didn't really have my attention and I considered a DNF. Glad I stuck it out as the second half is fast paced and engaging with a twist that made my jaw drop!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my review copy!
I found the first half of this book didn't really have my attention and I considered a DNF. Glad I stuck it out as the second half is fast paced and engaging with a twist that made my jaw drop!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my review copy!
February 23, 2021
Enjoyable political thriller. If you’re skeptical, rest assured I was too, for a few reasons.
One, I have mixed feelings about “White House thrillers” in general. Why is it that so many political and spy thrillers are automatically set in the White House? We have a republic and Congress is supposed to be the first branch of government. But OK, I’ll give the palace intrigue a chance…
Here comes an aw-shucks intern, disarming co-workers with her West Virginia accent and non-Ivy League credentials. She’s able to run circles around the other interns and quickly impresses the president. Which is an element that turns me off in some thrillers, when we have superman/superwoman protagonists like Hayley who is a trailblazing soldier, a Rocky-style boxer with the heart of a tiger, has a photogenic memory, and impeccable instincts. Enough already!
She becomes embroiled in danger as the lone witness to evidence that the president’s chief of staff didn’t die, he was murdered. But rather than tell the authorities, she keeps it a secret. Which is yet another turnoff for me, when characters in thrillers fail to report the truth to investigators.
But in spite of my earlier reservations, the plot really did pull me in. Hayley grew on me to the point where I enjoyed seeing her show up the West Wing staffers around her, because they are a bunch of devious and smug climbers, while Hayley exhibits a good work ethic and a healthy attitude of respect for democracy.
The story becomes plausible as she and co-worker Asher determine that it’s too difficult to know who to trust, so they keep the truth to themselves while working inside and outside the White House to unravel the conspiracy.
The middle and much of the end kept me riveted to the page. It was a fun ride. Give it a shot and it will win you over too.
One, I have mixed feelings about “White House thrillers” in general. Why is it that so many political and spy thrillers are automatically set in the White House? We have a republic and Congress is supposed to be the first branch of government. But OK, I’ll give the palace intrigue a chance…
Here comes an aw-shucks intern, disarming co-workers with her West Virginia accent and non-Ivy League credentials. She’s able to run circles around the other interns and quickly impresses the president. Which is an element that turns me off in some thrillers, when we have superman/superwoman protagonists like Hayley who is a trailblazing soldier, a Rocky-style boxer with the heart of a tiger, has a photogenic memory, and impeccable instincts. Enough already!
She becomes embroiled in danger as the lone witness to evidence that the president’s chief of staff didn’t die, he was murdered. But rather than tell the authorities, she keeps it a secret. Which is yet another turnoff for me, when characters in thrillers fail to report the truth to investigators.
But in spite of my earlier reservations, the plot really did pull me in. Hayley grew on me to the point where I enjoyed seeing her show up the West Wing staffers around her, because they are a bunch of devious and smug climbers, while Hayley exhibits a good work ethic and a healthy attitude of respect for democracy.
The story becomes plausible as she and co-worker Asher determine that it’s too difficult to know who to trust, so they keep the truth to themselves while working inside and outside the White House to unravel the conspiracy.
The middle and much of the end kept me riveted to the page. It was a fun ride. Give it a shot and it will win you over too.
March 21, 2023
I don’t review books until I’ve finished (or given up on) them. Chris Hauty’s Deep State is an exception because it’s the kind of book I’d usually avoid (no political thriller fan here) but am setting aside my prejudices on the say-so of a Goodreader* whose opinions have impressed me. I have already deduced that the protagonist is Jack Reacher in drag - strong, fearless, invincible, unselfish, uncannily intuitive, and (needless to say) adamantly moral. Any page now I expect her to reveal her folding toothbrush.
If this flawless human being doesn’t turn out to be a modern Manchurian Candidate I’m going to be seriously disappointed, because I can’t see any other purpose for an author’s creating so unreal a hero outside of a comic book. But I’m only half through - watch this space for a Final Evaluation of Deep State’s author and protagonist (and, by inference, recommender), probably tomorrow.
*you know who you are, Tim
OK, folks, here’s my highly-anticipated DNA-verified, twice-audited Final Opinion on Chris Hauty’s Deep State: It is easily read and contains no animal suffering (virtually no human suffering for that matter). Its engine is an old favorite - a lone individual must quell an International Plot which is gradually revealed to involve everyone she encounters. Please disregard my earlier comparisons to Reacher or Bond; the heroine cares less about individuals than the former and is less well-equipped technologically than the latter. She actually resembles the fictional Oliver North as imagined by his real-life historical counterpart, both in character and plausibility. To call these characters two-dimensional would flatter their creators.
Haute is no Iowa MFA. His writing is perfectly intelligible but annoyingly discordant with literate English. There are far too many examples to cite, but typical are
“ Contained in its storage mediums ”
“ space for an arriving medical team to administer to President Monroe ”
“ two lovers … neither of whom were … ”
But from my point of view these are more than balanced by some very well-observed and -expressed passages, a just a couple of which are:
“ Presidents come and go. The men and women who run federal agencies and departments, they survive in one capacity or another from one administration to the next, … The deep state is the US government ”
“ Working in Washington, DC, one becomes accustomed to bizarre incidents and deranged actions. As seat of the federal government, the city is destined to draw lunatics from every corner of the country. Whether angry about their farm’s foreclosure or mother’s untreatable cancer, citizens with a loose grip on their sanity are inclined to take out their frustrations and rages on the edifices and public servants that populate the nation’s capital. ”
As for the denouement … suffice it to say that it was better than what I had hoped for or feared. So I’m going to read the next book in the series and report back (more briefly, I promise). In fairness I suppose I should somehow acknowledge Tim but the fact is that writing this took longer than did reading the darn book because Goodreads arbitrarily deleted* parts of it THREE SUCCESSIVE TIMES, so net he’s still done me no favor.
*But for Hauty’s snarkiness** I would’ve taken this matter straight to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
**I could easily have written “haughtiness.” But that would be wrong.
If this flawless human being doesn’t turn out to be a modern Manchurian Candidate I’m going to be seriously disappointed, because I can’t see any other purpose for an author’s creating so unreal a hero outside of a comic book. But I’m only half through - watch this space for a Final Evaluation of Deep State’s author and protagonist (and, by inference, recommender), probably tomorrow.
*you know who you are, Tim
OK, folks, here’s my highly-anticipated DNA-verified, twice-audited Final Opinion on Chris Hauty’s Deep State: It is easily read and contains no animal suffering (virtually no human suffering for that matter). Its engine is an old favorite - a lone individual must quell an International Plot which is gradually revealed to involve everyone she encounters. Please disregard my earlier comparisons to Reacher or Bond; the heroine cares less about individuals than the former and is less well-equipped technologically than the latter. She actually resembles the fictional Oliver North as imagined by his real-life historical counterpart, both in character and plausibility. To call these characters two-dimensional would flatter their creators.
Haute is no Iowa MFA. His writing is perfectly intelligible but annoyingly discordant with literate English. There are far too many examples to cite, but typical are
“ Contained in its storage mediums ”
“ space for an arriving medical team to administer to President Monroe ”
“ two lovers … neither of whom were … ”
But from my point of view these are more than balanced by some very well-observed and -expressed passages, a just a couple of which are:
“ Presidents come and go. The men and women who run federal agencies and departments, they survive in one capacity or another from one administration to the next, … The deep state is the US government ”
“ Working in Washington, DC, one becomes accustomed to bizarre incidents and deranged actions. As seat of the federal government, the city is destined to draw lunatics from every corner of the country. Whether angry about their farm’s foreclosure or mother’s untreatable cancer, citizens with a loose grip on their sanity are inclined to take out their frustrations and rages on the edifices and public servants that populate the nation’s capital. ”
As for the denouement … suffice it to say that it was better than what I had hoped for or feared. So I’m going to read the next book in the series and report back (more briefly, I promise). In fairness I suppose I should somehow acknowledge Tim but the fact is that writing this took longer than did reading the darn book because Goodreads arbitrarily deleted* parts of it THREE SUCCESSIVE TIMES, so net he’s still done me no favor.
*But for Hauty’s snarkiness** I would’ve taken this matter straight to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
**I could easily have written “haughtiness.” But that would be wrong.
August 3, 2021
White House intern saves Estonia?
Review of the Simon & Schuster Audio audiobook edition (2020)
Ok, my lede is somewhat exaggerated for effect, but it was the reason that I listened to this audiobook. As Estonia is my heritage country, I am always interested when it plays a cameo role in fiction and non-fiction. In Deep State (and also in Savage Road, which I've already listened to as well) it plays the role of a straw dog. It is a target for when Russia wants to sabre rattle and threaten the West. I stress that it has only a small cameo role, but it was of heightened interest to me.
Deep State's set-up is a U.S. President who is a fictionalized mashup of Donald Trump, George Patton and Stanley McChrystal i.e. a populist President who once was a general who led a tank charge and was subsequently fired for indiscrete remarks against a former President. White House intern Hayley Chill is a former Army recruit who sidelined as a boxer in various internal armed forces competitions. Her job at the White House is with the office of the President's Chief of Staff. After the CoS dies of an apparent heart attack under suspicious circumstances, it appears that the President may also be under threat. Chill proceeds to investigate further. Meanwhile Russia is making threatening moves on the West by attacking Estonia, and the President appears reluctant to intervene.
What follows is pretty farfetched but is certainly something along the lines of a Hollywood action thriller (Author Hauty was previously a screenwriter with several films to his credit) and the capabilities of Chill are in superspy territory for what is at first an unexplained reason. There is a very shocking dramatic twist at about the 90% point of the book that explains a lot of that. Saying much more would be a severe spoiler so all I can say is that it was effectively done.
Although the Russian Army is reported to have taken Narva and Tartu, Estonia in the later part of the book, it becomes evident by the conclusion that Estonia is saved. In fact (mild spoiler), .
The narration by Marin Ireland was excellent in all voices (and languages!) in this audiobook edition.
Trivia and Links
Hayley Chill returns in Savage Road (2021) and Storm Rising (expected 2022).
Review of the Simon & Schuster Audio audiobook edition (2020)
Ok, my lede is somewhat exaggerated for effect, but it was the reason that I listened to this audiobook. As Estonia is my heritage country, I am always interested when it plays a cameo role in fiction and non-fiction. In Deep State (and also in Savage Road, which I've already listened to as well) it plays the role of a straw dog. It is a target for when Russia wants to sabre rattle and threaten the West. I stress that it has only a small cameo role, but it was of heightened interest to me.
Deep State's set-up is a U.S. President who is a fictionalized mashup of Donald Trump, George Patton and Stanley McChrystal i.e. a populist President who once was a general who led a tank charge and was subsequently fired for indiscrete remarks against a former President. White House intern Hayley Chill is a former Army recruit who sidelined as a boxer in various internal armed forces competitions. Her job at the White House is with the office of the President's Chief of Staff. After the CoS dies of an apparent heart attack under suspicious circumstances, it appears that the President may also be under threat. Chill proceeds to investigate further. Meanwhile Russia is making threatening moves on the West by attacking Estonia, and the President appears reluctant to intervene.
What follows is pretty farfetched but is certainly something along the lines of a Hollywood action thriller (Author Hauty was previously a screenwriter with several films to his credit) and the capabilities of Chill are in superspy territory for what is at first an unexplained reason. There is a very shocking dramatic twist at about the 90% point of the book that explains a lot of that. Saying much more would be a severe spoiler so all I can say is that it was effectively done.
Although the Russian Army is reported to have taken Narva and Tartu, Estonia in the later part of the book, it becomes evident by the conclusion that Estonia is saved. In fact (mild spoiler), .
The narration by Marin Ireland was excellent in all voices (and languages!) in this audiobook edition.
Trivia and Links
Hayley Chill returns in Savage Road (2021) and Storm Rising (expected 2022).
December 14, 2019
Deep State is a fantastic edge-of-your-seat thriller that resonates with today’s world of paranoia and politics. Hayley Chill, the fearless protagonist, is a strong, well-founded character that will definitely serve as an inspiration to the readers with her determination, wits, will-power, and sheer badassery.
With every praise pouring in for Deep State, I still found myself in awe of the Mr. Hauty’s incredible writing, excelling from establishing Haley Chill as a relatable hero, giving readers a front row seat to her instincts and emotions that shape her into a fearsome one woman battalion.
The political climate in Deep State closely mirrors today’s political climate with US and Russia conflict, giving the book an even more authentic stamp.
The events of the narrative all line up to form perfect shapes with clear meanings by the end, with a final plot twist that I could not have even imagined, but looking back at the events, I realize the narrative definitely had dropped certain hints, all of which would only make sense when looking back at the narrative after finishing the book. Deep State is a novel that hooks you in with the first chapter and sticks with you long after the last chapter. I definitely am looking forward to more of Hayley Chill. Pick this book up in stores in January 2020. You won’t regret it.
With every praise pouring in for Deep State, I still found myself in awe of the Mr. Hauty’s incredible writing, excelling from establishing Haley Chill as a relatable hero, giving readers a front row seat to her instincts and emotions that shape her into a fearsome one woman battalion.
The political climate in Deep State closely mirrors today’s political climate with US and Russia conflict, giving the book an even more authentic stamp.
The events of the narrative all line up to form perfect shapes with clear meanings by the end, with a final plot twist that I could not have even imagined, but looking back at the events, I realize the narrative definitely had dropped certain hints, all of which would only make sense when looking back at the narrative after finishing the book. Deep State is a novel that hooks you in with the first chapter and sticks with you long after the last chapter. I definitely am looking forward to more of Hayley Chill. Pick this book up in stores in January 2020. You won’t regret it.
August 6, 2019
I just could not get into this one... I was invited to review it but declined, then when I saw it on here and heard good things, I decided to request it. In hindsight, I should have gone with my gut. It opens with an extended bout of boxing that seems unnecessarily long and descriptive and frankly lost me, and from there the build-up remained plodding and I never connected with the characters. It was hardly the fast-paced propulsive thriller advertised in the blurb and quotes... It looks like the author is a screenwriter, and I have to be honest, this reads nothing like what I've come to expect from other screenwriter - turned - novelists. It felt forced throughout, and I never felt like I found my way into the story. I've lived and worked in DC, so maybe that's part of it, but the DC bits felt like eight things I'd read before. This one just wasn't for me...
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