Home of the Braised

December 2, 2013
In Hyzy’s action-packed seventh White House chef mystery (after 2012’s Fonduing Fathers), White House executive chef Olivia “Ollie” Paras prepares a dinner for President Parker Hyden, staff, and guests—representatives of Durasi, a nation with which the U.S. is in delicate peace negotiations. Talk is circulating that the U.S.-hired mercenaries working in Durasi are about to be recalled and the lucrative contract of their company, Kalto, terminated. Later, Ollie and her fiancé, Secret Service agent Leonard “Gav” Gavin, dash out to meet with Evan Bonder, one of Gav’s friends, who they hope will officiate at their wedding, but instead they find Evan among the victims at a horrific crime scene at his mission workplace, a homeless shelter. Meanwhile, Ollie wrestles with staffing conflicts and provides cooking lessons to the president’s son, Josh, who plays a major role in trying to stop a plot to undermine the peace talks. With grace and aplomb, Ollie juggles her job and sleuthing, receiving a very pleasant surprise of her own at the satisfying conclusion. Agent: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary Management.

January 1, 2014
The seventh in Hyzy's White House Chef series finds Ollie Paras facing an important state dinner, upcoming nuptials, personnel issues in the kitchen, and, of course, some murders to solve. The White House and government protocols give this series added interest, and the fact that numerous officials aren't pleased with Ollie's insistent sleuthing adds a realistic touch. Pacing is one of Hyzy's strengths, enabling her books to combine a cozy setting with a thriller-like feel. That's especially true this time, as the tension builds to a genuinely exciting conclusion. The addition of a new love interest for Ollie and the introduction of the president's son as a kitchen intern keep the story as fresh as the ingredients in the delicious dish descriptions. Fans of both food mysteries and D.C. thrillers will enjoy the action and the ambience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)