The Gamache series, winner of numerous mystery prizes since its debut in 2005, is notable for its sensitive characterizations and moral quandaries. Penny covered crime stories as a radio host and journalist before writing 17 Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries set primarily in the fictional Quebecoise village of Three Pines. senator and secretary of State has played out most of her storied career on the public stage and, along the way, written a shelf full of political nonfiction, memoirs and books for children. While it isn’t the first pairing of a high-profile public figure and best-selling mystery writer - and not even the first in the Clinton household - it’s not an obvious partnership. (Mother-and-son duo Charles Todd and husband-and-wife team Nicci French come to mind.) Their success raises some questions: What makes a great collaborative mystery? Is a like-mindedness born of blood or marriage essential to the process? Could partners with differing perspectives do as well, or better?Ĭonsider the new thriller “ State of Terror,” a collaboration between Hillary Rodham Clinton and bestselling mystery writer Louise Penny. Starting some 90 years ago with the pseudonymous Ellery Queen, a joint effort between cousins, some of the most successful teams have been related. Mystery collaborations are almost as old as the genre itself.

If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from, whose fees support independent bookstores. By Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny

Louise penny paris