Affairs of Steak (A White House Chef Mystery)

As were the books that came before, the white House Chef Mystery number five was a pleasure. The plot was engaging throughout the entire story (I won't summarize it for you -- I really don't like spoilers!). The characters were well developed and interesting -- I found myself caring for people usually considered distasteful. That's no easy feat!

The one surprise for me was that the book did stray from it's predecessors in that Ollie does not discuss the food she prepares much. Most of the book is set outside the White House. I'm not sure if it takes a little away from the flavor of the series. It wasn't until the end that I realized that the food preparations were much more summarized than in previous books. I enjoyed the story so much, I didn't notice until it was over. Don't let this stop you from reading the book, it's just an observation.

I still loved it and will enjoy reading it again and again.

As were the books that came before, the white House Chef Mystery number five was a pleasure. The plot was engaging throughout the entire story (I won't summarize it for you -- I really don't like spoilers!). The characters were well developed and interesting -- I found myself caring for people usually considered distasteful. That's no easy feat!

The one surprise for me was that the book did stray from it's predecessors in that Ollie does not discuss the food she prepares much. Most of the book is set outside the White House. I'm not sure if it takes a little away from the flavor of the series. It wasn't until the end that I realized that the food preparations were much more summarized than in previous books. I enjoyed the story so much, I didn't notice until it was over. Don't let this stop you from reading the book, it's just an observation.

I still loved it and will enjoy reading it again and again.

Ollie Paras returns again as White house Chef in a new mystery from Julie Hyzy. At the request of the First Lady, Ollie has to work with prissy Sensitivity Director, Peter Sergeant, to arrange a birthday party for the Secretary of State. On their way to the venue, they are stopped by Peter's ne'er do well relative, Milton, who is pushing Peter for a White House job. They also have a brush with a rude stranger. When the duo gets to the Lexington, they discover the bodies of two White House staffers in some kitchen equipment. Thus begins Ollie's wild ride.
Ollie tries not to get involved but the fates conspire against her. First the head usher, Ollie's friend Paul, takes an indefinite leave which puts an inexperienced guy in his place. Then she somehow gets involved in a kidnapping of a family member of the Secretary of State. Finally, if working with Peter isn't annoying enough, she gets saddled with Wyatt, a protocol aide who is a big blowhard know -it-all. Add to all of this the need to keep most of the situation a secret for security's sake and the ongoing feud with the First Family's private chef, the situation just keeps getting worse.
Ollie's personal life isn't any calmer. Her romance with Secret Service Agent Tom is a fading memory and her new romance with SAC Gavin is seemingly going nowhere. Poor Ollie, it seems as though she has no peace in her life at work, at home, or in her love life. Ms. Hyzy does a great job of depicting the ins and outs of DC life and the way the White House hierarchy works. The situations that Ollie finds herself in aren't so farfetched as to be unbelievable. The book is suspenseful from beginning to end with plot twists galore.

If there is one person in the White House that Executive Chef Ollie Paras would not want to work with one-on-one, it would be Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant. Since day one, the two have butted heads. Unfortunately, they have no choice but to work together when the First Lady asks for their help in scouting locations for the birthday party that she is throwing for the Secretary of State.

On the way to the final venue to be checked out, they run into Peter's cousin, Milton. It's obvious that Peter wants nothing to do with Milton, but Ollie doesn't want to be rude and just brush him off. All Milton wants is for Peter to put in a good word for him at the White House so that maybe he can get a job there. He is so proud that Peter works there that when a guy bumps into him in the street he threatens him with arrest for assaulting a White House employee. Peter knows that Milton is not the right fit for the White House and pushes Ollie along, telling Milton they're late for their meeting and he'll be in touch.

They arrive at Lexington Place and go up to assess the kitchen area and function room to see if it would work for the birthday party. Expecting to find Patty Woodruff, assistant to the First Lady, waiting for them, they are surprised to find that she hasn't arrived yet. The two poke around and get a good feel for the place. They realize it could be a good place for the party. Upon closer inspection Ollie notices a thin red line on the floor she can't help but investigate. And the red stain leads her right to the tilt-skillet and the body of Patty Woodruff. As the secret service, DC police, and just about everyone else in DC converges on the scene, they make an even more gruesome discovery - the body of Chief of Staff Mark Cowley, stuffed into the tilt-skillet right next to Patty's.

And once again, Ollie finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a murder investigation. How can it be that the normally meddling chef, who isn't being her nosy self, still seems to find herself in the thick of it all? First, she is dealing with head usher Paul taking a leave of absence to tend to his ill wife, leaving the not-so-experienced Doug temporarily in charge. Then there is Virgil, the recently hired personal chef to the first family, who, much to the kitchen staffs liking, helps them out when not needed by the First Family. They just can't stand his, "I'm better than you" attitude. Who can blame them? And there is Peter - her nemesis. It seems that someone is out to get Peter, get him right out of the White House. Things are happening that are making it appear that Peter is making mistakes, and everyone knows that Peter does not make mistakes. And Ollie, G-d help her decides to help him find out who is behind it. Finally there is the matter of her love life; Tom, her ex and the head of the Presidential detail, seems to have moved on. And maybe Ollie has too? It seems there could be someone special in her life, but can they make a go of it? Will their mutually demanding jobs keep them apart? Or will something else come between?

Ollie is more than capable of dealing with the double murder, the 24 hour secret service protection, the ever annoying Virgil and his big head, and believe it or not, even Peter. But can she deal with the fact that it appears some very high-ranking public figure wants her, Ollie Paras, Executive Chef at the White House, dead?

Affairs of Steak, the fifth book in the White House Chef Mystery series (see State of The Onion, Hail To The Chef, Eggsecutive Orders & Buffalo West Wing) once again brings you into the heart of the house - the kitchen. And so what if that house just happens to be the most important house in the United States - the White House? Julie Hyzy has created a culinary delight that will appeal to all of your senses, making this an affair to remember.

As mystery novels go this one is `soft'. Just right for a cozy night in front of the fire. The White House kitchen is an interesting setting for a mystery novel, but in this case I'd have to say it seems more innocuous than interesting. Chef Ollie is very likable with no apparent flaws. The confrontations in her life are mere squabbles. A little romance here & there. This was a pleasant little novel with not much else to recommend it. This is my first White House Chef Mystery so maybe I missed something by not reading the previous ones. Not being much of a cook myself I could have done without the recipes, but I'm sure they would be of interest to anyone who likes to experiment in the kitchen.

The latest White House Chef mystery was riveting.I couldn't put it down.This book mostly took place outside of the White House kitchen.There was more emphasis on the people in story than on the food.This is a good thing.

The story held my attention from beginning to end.The characters were more highly developed and I felt I got to know and understand their motives better.

I highly recommended the book.

I got hooked on the White House Chef Mysteries this past summer after seeing Julie Hyzy's name mentioned in the Chicago Tribune by their literary writer. The latest book in the series has a good balance between the crime and the main character, Ollie's personal life. They overlap quite a bit which makes the books all that more fun to read. I also was amused at the character Virgil, who is the personal chef to the first family. He's such a goof! I liked learning about a new department (the calligraphy department) in the White House. Would like to see even more glimpses of other areas in the future. I can't wait to see what happens in 2013 when the next book is released. Will Ollie and Gavin's relationship progress as planned? Will Paul come back or is Doug here to stay? Will Virgil leave his position for bigger things? Will Tom's girlfriend make an appearance? So many questions.

"Affairs of Steak" is the fifth book in the White House Chef Mystery series. Ollie, the White House Executive Chef and her arch nemesis Peter Sargeant, the White House Sensitivity Director are assigned to work together. They are to find a place to hold a birthday party for the Secretary Of State. Instead they come upon a double murder of two White House employees. They might have seen the murderer. When threatening events start to occur, they are drawn even more into the investigation.

What I like about "Affairs Of Steak" was the relationship between Ollie and Peter as it progressed in the book. There is no love lost between the two and they are a thorn in each other's side. So it was enjoyable reading about how they handled the job related task of working together. The reader starts to get some understanding of Peter Sargeant life other than his work place personality. I enjoyed keeping up with the likable characters of Bucky, Cyan and Mrs. Wentworth. This series seems to have several unlikable characters too in each book.

Bucky and Cyan took over a lot in the kitchen for Ollie as she spent more time in the investigation. So there was less working in the White House kitchen in this book than the other books in the series. It did not take away for me my enjoyment of the book. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

I found this author a few months ago and quickly read through her White House chef series and couldn't wait for the next in the series to be released. She didn't disappoint! I really enjoyed this book and love the characters. The story was well written and left me hoping that Julie publishes the next in the series very soon.

There is nothing like a Julie Hyzy book to pull you deep into the mystery and put a smile on your face! I have been hooked on the White House Chef Mysteries since they started and eagerly await each new installment. I love how when Julie writes as she makes you feel as if you are a part of the book yourself. Great authors can do that for you. I am not going to go into details suffice to say that Ollie's escapades never cease to amaze me by how she gets into 'trouble' so quickly. She defines "girl power" and if had the opportunity to meet her we would admire her for her fortitude and self reliance. Ollie is someone you could be friends with. I appreciate Ms. Hyzy's talent and thank her for sharing it with the rest of us. If you need further testament to how much the White House Chef Mysteries are appreciated, my 93 year old grandmother cannot wait to read Affiars of Steak!