“Deep State” was a political thriller with a surprising ending. Hauty successfully avoided injecting his political views into the book, ensuring enjoyment for readers across the political spectrum. While there were moments that made me roll my eyes, I found the storyline captivating and suspenseful. Overall, I enjoyed this book!

I DNF'd this.. I couldn't get into it the way it was written for sure was the reason along with just the overwritten details I was tried to keep going but I just was so distracted by the writing and it felt like it was dragging.

This is a first novel but I can see it become a series based on the main character, Hayley Chill. Hayley an ex army boxing champion now is a White House intern. President Monroe is polarizing. His chief of staff is killed minutes before Hayley arrives to deliver the daily briefing papers. Hayley figures out that the President is also in danger. But who can she trust? And so the mystery begins. What really excited me about this book beyond the twists and turns was an ending that I never saw coming! It was an exciting read and I highly recommend it.

"Deep State" by Chris Hauty is a thrilling, fast-paced novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. The plot is full of twists and turns, centering around a deadly conspiracy against the president. The protagonist, Hayley Chill, is a determined intern who uncovers a hidden agenda within the government, leading to a relentless pursuit of the truth.

Hauty does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping the reader engaged. The political intrigue is both timely and believable, making this book a compelling read. If you enjoy political thrillers with strong characters and unexpected plot twists, "Deep State" is a must-read.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

What a page turner. Great book. Suspenseful plot and interesting characters. I like hoe he interjects what happens to minor characters after the story ends. And a surprising twist at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book to review.

In "Deep State," Chris Hauty delivers a pulse-pounding thriller that delves into the enigmatic world of power, politics, and hidden agendas. Set against the backdrop of Washington, D.C., Hauty weaves a gripping narrative that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through the corridors of power, uncovering dark secrets that lie beneath the surface.

The story centers around Hayley Chill, a young and tenacious intern who unexpectedly stumbles upon a complex conspiracy that has the potential to alter the course of the nation's future. Hauty's character development is both engaging and layered, and readers will find themselves immediately invested in Hayley's journey from an ordinary intern to a determined force seeking to expose the truth.

One of the standout elements of "Deep State" is its portrayal of the intricate political landscape. Hauty's own experience in the world of politics shines through as he intricately outlines the power struggles, alliances, and betrayals that shape the narrative. The author's attention to detail and meticulous research lend an air of authenticity to the story, making the political maneuvers and machinations feel all too real.

The pacing of the novel is relentless, with each chapter unveiling new twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The narrative is peppered with suspenseful moments and unexpected reveals, making it difficult to put the book down. The tension builds steadily as Hayley inches closer to the heart of the conspiracy, leaving readers guessing at every turn.

However, while "Deep State" excels in many areas, there are instances where the plot feels slightly convoluted. The intricate web of characters, motivations, and plotlines can occasionally become overwhelming, requiring readers to pay close attention to keep up with the unfolding events.

Despite this, Hauty's writing style is engaging and evocative, effectively capturing the atmosphere of tension and mistrust that permeates the novel's setting. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with political wit, adding depth to the characters' interactions and personalities.

In conclusion, "Deep State" by Chris Hauty is a captivating thriller that offers a thrilling glimpse into the world of high-stakes politics and hidden agendas. With its well-drawn characters, relentless pacing, and intricate plot, the novel keeps readers engaged from start to finish. While it occasionally leans towards complexity, its overall impact is undeniable. Fans of political intrigue and fast-paced thrillers will undoubtedly find themselves engrossed in this thought-provoking tale of power and deception.

I loved this book up until after they got back from Camp David, not to tell anyone spoilers, but after that I felt it went on and on like it was the next book, the story should have ended shortly after Camp David.

Otherwise, the book was great! Loved the characters especially Hayley! I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, because the ending dragged on and on, otherwise it was good. I will read the next book to see how it goes from there!
Looking forward to a next in the series.

I did not finish this book. The plot was predictable and the main character was way too stiff. It was very hard to read. I did like the flash forwards when initially presenting the characters.

Deep State by Chris Hauty is such an amazing political thriller!

A page turning thriller that kept my attention from page one.
This book was fast paced and easy to follow.
Chris Hauty sucked me so deep into the story that is so believable.
This book had a cast of very strong, believable characters that I genuinely liked.
I've enjoyed this series so much and I only hope he continues writing more of these!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Big thanks to netgalley and Atria for my copy of Deep State.
I had this book on my shelf for so long and I am so mad at myself for waiting so long to read it. Let me tell you, this book kept me up all night. I didn’t want to put it down and I definitely couldn’t stop talking about it.
Whew.
Excellent read.

Thank you Atria for our gifted review copy!

Hayley Chill grows up poor in the Appalachian mountains. She joins the military to get out of the area, learns to box. I love that because the book opens with her boxing in my home state of Texas. She later leaves the military as she is recruited to be part of "The Deep State".

She is behind the scenes, basically one of the puppetmasters behind the US government. This is a great political thriller that is suspenseful throughout each and every page. And that ending!!! I can't wait for more of this series.

I am a complete novice to the political thriller genre, but I was completely entertained and totally captivated by this book. Hayley Chill is a heroine I ended up loving and I am happy to learn we will have more Hayley Chill thrillers to read. It was so easy, in today's current climate, to picture myself right in the middle of all of this drama. Reading this book was like watching an episode of Scandal and I am here for it!

So much fun! I loved the twist at the end, and it's clear that Chris Hauty has worked with movie studios. This is definitely one of the most cinematic books I've read in a while. And I can't wait to post my review of the sequel next week. Thank you!

I don't typically read political thrillers, but I couldn't ignore the reviews for this one. Deep State follows Hayley Chill, an Army veteran who has moved to DC and landed an internship in the White House. Hayley quickly uncovers a plot to assassinate the newly elected POTUS, and this discovery leads her down a dangerous path.

I'm echoing a lot of reviewers, but I will say that this book would probably be better as a movie - but that does not make it an unenjoyable read. A screen adaptation of this would undoubtedly be a blockbuster action movie perfect for summer (picture it: a cool theater, a heart-pounding movie, a giant tub of popcorn and some overpriced candy. Damn you, COVID!)

The twist is really the draw here, and it's worth it. I'm excited to read the next book in the series now that Hauty has laid a great foundation for what's sure to be a fun sequel.

Thank you Atria Books for the NetGalley ARC of Deep State!

Chris Hauty's first novel, Deep State, is a timely, politically-charged page turner. Hayley Chill's career takes a fast track to the inner circles of power as she moves from an Army base to the basement office of a congressional aides into the President's circle of trust. When she sees evidence that the President's Chief of Staff may have been murdered, she becomes a target herself.



Hauty keeps the action going with the cat-and-mouse, who-can-you-trust game. He presents a convincing, if a bit dark, view of Washington political culture. It all comes together very nicely in the final confrontation. However, not to give away the ending, but Hauty tears down a pretty good novel with his denouement. The character of the president is, in part, clearly modeled after President Trump, and I was impressed that Hauty didn't let politics get in the way of a good story. But at the end, he let stupid politics ruin a good story. This is obviously a novel and a genre that will have politics infused into the story, but in my opinion the way Hauty does it takes away from an otherwise enjoyable political thriller.





Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

I just finished this Audiobook! It is a fast paced read and do I get the sense of a series? That would be wonderful. When you thought you had it all figured out that twist at the end hits you. Great writing.

If you’re looking for an entertaining thriller I recommend giving this a try. What seems like a random beginning introduces us to the main character, Hayley Chill, boxer in the Army. Soon she arrives in Washington DC and from there we are treated to a political thriller that felt so refreshing in a genre filled with mediocre domestic thrillers about alcoholic women who’ve lost their memory. No thanks. Shortly after Hayley arrives in Washington and at the White House, there’s a murder and from there the stakes are high, the tension ramped up and the lies and secrets multiplied. I can’t ask for more from a thriller and I really enjoyed the fast paced chapters and dialogue. Did I have to suspend my disbelief regarding Hayley’s abilities and incredibly good luck at times? Yes, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. I can most definitely see this as a tv series and will be looking forward to Chris Hauty’s next book!

This compelling debut novel from screenwriter Chris Hauty takes place in Washington, D.C, following the recent election of the highly divisive President Richard Monroe. In the midst of heightening partisan tensions, the White House chief of staff is found dead. When an enterprising intern finds a clue that he may have been murdered, she realizes there may be deep state forces at play. Timely and provocative, anyone who loves a good thriller will find it impossible to put this novel down, particularly in the thrilling, twist-filled third act.

Haley Chill is a former Army boxer who is now serving her country as a government intern. She is pleased to be assigned to the White House chief of staff even if it means she is relegated to a cramped desk in the basement. The other interns access this mousey newcomer and don’t see much threat. They are more than willing to let her work the late hours and finish their work. Then they are surprised when she is called in to stand with the chief of staff for face to face work and meetings.

Haley likes the chief of staff and is only a little surprised when he warns her that if either he or the president (disruptive to the status quo) end up dead, it wouldn’t be natural or suicide. She is told, “Trust no one.” Shortly thereafter Haley finds the chief of staff dead. She discovers a single clue that indicates the death wasn’t natural. But who can she trust with this information? She doesn’t want to trust the FBI and she doesn’t plan on telling the Secret Service short term boyfriend whom she is about to break up with.

When Haley is attacked and barely escapes, she ends up sharing her secrets with a new friend, another White House staff worker. Then another man ends up dead. Haley knows the Deep State is at work and the president is in danger. She is on a race to get to the president to warn him before the killers act again.

I loved this gripping thriller. The characters are well developed and the plot has some zingers. I had to get accustomed to the writing style which presents future events in the lives of the characters. I would compare these to facts sometimes disclosed at the final credits of a movie. Although that was a bit unusual, it worked and even helped create a little extra intrigue. The story moves with action and the tension builds to exciting twists. There is some foul language and use of the Lord’s name which I didn’t like. Still, I was able to slide over those pretty quickly. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy a good thriller with twists.

Source: 2019 NetGalley.