A review of State of Panic by Lori Gordon

First, please ignore the cartoonist cover of this thriller. I have no idea why the publisher decided to use a cartoon-type drawing for a book as thrilling and suspenseful as this one. As a person who's read thousands of novels over the last five decades, I can tell you that this novel is not a cartoon and its cover should be one that entices you pick it up, rather than to pass over it.

Anyway, State of Panic is Ms. Gordon's first mainstream piece of fiction, and it has an intricate storyline that's woven like a spider's web. The protagonist of the novel is a young woman by the name of Sierra. One night, while making love to her finacee, an intruder breaks in and murders the man she loves by setting him on fire. Barely escaping with her life with no money and dressed only in a bathrobe, Sierra finds herself on the run, not knowing whom to trust. She's afraid to go to the police, suspecting the killers might be able to find her through them. Sierra is also aware of the fact that the cops will more-than-likely suspect her of the crime, since she was the victim's significant other and hightailed it from the scene.

Against all odds, Sierra will have to navigate her way through a sea of lies, betrayal, murder, and cold-hearted people who are willing to do whatever it takes to finish the operation. Getting rid of Sierra is their number one priority, and she has to stay one step ahead of them.

Like more first-time novels, State of Panic, does have a string of coincidences which stretches the imagination of the reader. Still, Ms. Gordon is able to keep you on track to the end with the many harrowing twists and sharp-edged turns the story takes when you least expect it. You never quite know what's going to happen, and that's the fun of reading this novel. I like to be suprised, and State of Panic achieved that with full colors and dazzling fireworks. Another thing this story does is prepare you for future novels by this rahter gifted author. Her talent as a writer can only increase with each exciting endeavor. Lori Gordon is definitely an author to keep an eye on!