Buffalo West Wing (A White House Chef Mystery)

A new incoming administration brings not only the stress of a new President, but a new staff, and even more terrifying for a chef (just watch Top Chef), a family with notoriously picky school-age children who aren't shy about voicing their opinions about their food.

On the first day that the White House welcomes the new President and his family Ollie notices an unauthorized delivery of the children's favorite meal, Buffalo Wings. Despite being called paranoid (how could anything dangerous get past all the security?) and disappointing both the children and the First Lady, Ollie refuses to serve the Wings and orders them to be thrown out. When it's discovered that the wings were indeed poisoned and led to an attempted hostage situation, Ollie is sworn to secrecy by the Secret Service which unfortunately leaves a poor impression on the First Family. The arrival of a new personal chef requested by the First Lady has Ollie fearing for her job and navigating the nasty political rumors surrounding her kitchen.

Who knew the politics of running the White House kitchen would be as complicated and precarious as the that in the Oval Office? With her ex-boyfriend running the investigation and a new interest arriving to help, Ollie's personal life is as tenuous as her professional one.

Hyzy's White House Chef mysteries continue to entertain as they not only provide complicated, politically-themed plots but also allow a fascinating glimpse into the complicated machinations that are involved in producing meals for both the president and the White House functions. Ollie herself has become much more confident in both her chef skills and her detection insights. I love these mysteries that are tasty, insightful, humorous, and entirely original. Here's to hoping for the next installment of this series that is both political and delectable.

I love the White House Chef Mysteries! This book was probably one of Hyzy's best yet, and I really enjoyed seeing how Ollie was able to successfully navigate the difficulties associated with a changing administration in the White House, a chef vying for her position, and a recent break-up with a secret service agent who works in the White House. In the end, despite the concerns of the new first family, Ollie proved to be invaluable as the White House Chef, and also demonstrated how she is there to protect the first family, no matter what it takes!

"Buffalo West Wing" is probably one of the most suspenseful books yet in the White House Chef series. I could barely put it down, especially in the end where Ollie ends up in a situation that could mean the end is she's not careful. Always ingenious, Ollie fights to the end and wins using a series of moves that ultimately saves her life, and that of an important member of the White House family.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Sounds like romance may be in store for Ollie!

The idea of mysteries in the White House is intriguing, and Julie Hyzy is an interesting writer, but this one is pretty dreary almost up until the end.

The continual theme of Ollie fighting to keep her job has much more print than the actual crime. If I remember correctly, this theme of fighting for her job has been going now for four books, and I would rather see Ollie secure and fighting for new causes. More mystery, less job stuggle.

One character who has been there since, I believe, book one should be retired. Peter Sargeant is not interesting; he's irritating, and I hope that in the next book, he is fired as he deserves.

I do enjoy the interesting facts about the White House. I'm hoping that they are all true.

Note: This review originally appeared in The Season E-Zine's January mystery section.

For fans of: Diane Mott Davidson and Phyllis Richman

It's Inauguration Day, and White House Executive Chef Olivia "Ollie" Paras is doing everything she can to make a good impression on her new employers; after all, she was hired by the outgoing administration, and it's no guarantee President and Mrs. Hayden will decide to keep her on. Everything's going smoothly until a box of chicken wings from a local take-out chain mysteriously appears in Ollie's kitchen with a note indicating they're for First Kids Abigail and Josh. The wings are the children's favorite, but because Ollie doesn't know where they came from, she follows proper security protocol and refuses to serve them -- upsetting not only Abigail and Josh, but the First Lady, as well. Ollie is sure they can put the incident behind them, but when it's announced that Mrs. Hayden has decided to hire a personal chef to cook all of the family's meals, she begins to wonder if her days in the White House kitchen are numbered.

To add to Ollie's problems, it soon comes to light that the mystery wings were, in fact, poisoned. The box could only have been put in the kitchen by someone with clearance, but who? And why would anyone want to harm Abigail and Josh? The Secret Service decides to keep the plot from Mrs. Hayden and her children until more information is known, putting Ollie in one heck of a tough spot. Can she discover who planted the poisoned food in her kitchen and prevent any further attacks, all the while fighting to get back into the good graces of the First Family and fending off the chef who's now gunning for her job?

Buffalo West Wing is the fourth in Julie Hyzy's White House Chef Mystery series, and it's one of the best books I've read this year. Hyzy's latest is everything you hope for when you crack the cover of a novel: the plot is intricate, the mystery is clever, the dialogue is witty and natural, and the prose is a joy to read. And if you like your books to hurtle along like a rollercoaster at top speed, boy howdy, are you in for a treat.

Buffalo West Wing starts with a bang. It then grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. I became so quickly and so thoroughly invested in this story that I found it practically impossible to put down. (Note: Do not try to mop your floors while reading a book; I can tell you from experience, it won't end well.) By setting this series in the White House, Hyzy has essentially guaranteed that the stakes will always be high, but with Buffalo West Wing, the stakes start out high and then get astronomical. You start out worried Ollie will lose her job, but you quickly end up worried that Ollie will lose her life.

In my opinion, a big part of what makes Hyzy's books so compelling is her pitch-perfect character development. Hyzy's created a first-rate heroine in Ollie; ambitious and talented yet thoughtful and caring, you'll find yourself rooting for her from page one. The First Family's personal chef, Virgil Ballantine, is the perfect arch-rival; arrogant, self-centered, and slimy, he's a villain you'll love to hate. And the book's minor players are no slouch, either; from assistant chefs Cyan and Bucky to First Kids Abigail and Josh to Ollie's awful date Reggie, each character has his or her own distinct personality; there are no cardboard cutouts to be found here.

Hyzy also does a marvelous job developing the relationships between her characters. I especially loved Ollie's scenes with ex-lover (and Secret Service Presidential Protective Division Head) Tom MacKenzie and potential love interest Special Agent in Charge Leonard "Gav" Gavin; most authors use romance to create drama and conflict, and Hyzy's no exception, but what makes Hyzy stand out from the pack is her ability to successfully convey the complex emotions that come with falling in and out of love.

In sum, I can't praise this book highly enough. It's tense and twisty and fabulous. Start your New Year right and go out and buy it ASAP; you'll be happy you did.

Ollie's day with the new first family doesn't go well. As head chef, she rules the kitchen. When a box of chicken wings appear in the kitchen without going through the proper channels of protocol, Ollie refuses to let them be served.

When her assistant delivers the chicken wings to the laundry room for a late night snack, several laundry room workers and butlers become deathly ill. They're immediately rushed to the hospital. When terrorists take over the hospital, things in the White House become tense.

Secret Service launches an investigation. Ollie tries to keep out of the plot, but fails miserably.

On top of the terrorist plot against the new First Family, who isn't apprised of the situation, Ollie must deal with heat from the First Lady. She's not pleased her children were denied their gift. She brings in her personal chef to prepare all the family meals. Ollie's worried her job might be in jeopardy.

This is the fourth book in the White House Chef series. Ollie commands her kitchen and her sharp observations command the attention of the Secret Service. Ollie and her assistant Cyan are both newly single. Cyan decides they both need a little romance in their lives. Ollie deals with juggling work issues, a threat to her job, keeping her kitchen operational in times of a crisis all while trying to understand the new First Family. The plots of the terrorists take twists and turns adding lots of danger. The action packed final climax leaves me breathless. I devoured this book. I couldn't stop reading, I HAD to know what happened.

Ok, let me get this straight. Terrorists have targeted the new First Children BEFORE their father has even finished his maiden speech to the nation. Great, Ollie the Executive Chef confiscated the poisoned food but then puts it in a refrigerator in the White House kitchen, after sending a message to the Secret Service. Did she even put a note on it that says, 'oops this food came from an unknown source, leave along' or maybe actually take the food to the Agent in Charge? And then the First Kids come into the kitchen, spot the food and start whining for it? Then her assistant takes this food, that she KNOWS is undocumented as to safety and gives it to White House employees. Guess what, they all get sick. Then the terrorists try and take over a phony DC hospital that the sick employees are sent to. Then some random congresswoman is chosen as the hostage negotiator. And somehow the First Lady isn't told that some unknown person or persons has targeted her children. And Ollie the Chef is somehow made the fall guy (or girl) for this? Doesn't really ring true to me. And to make matters worse, there is unrest and possibly treachery among the ranks of the Secret Service and then the new First Family decides to bring in the personal chef to make their personal meals (prune yogurt and fish quiche)? And then we spend many pages and many chapters with Ollie unsure of her new role. Is she still the chef or is the interloper going to be chef? And then the terrorists strike again---some little bit of tension there and them BOOM. Book is over.

What a delightful addition to this series. I've read every one and enjoyed each, though I don't think you need to have read the previous to enjoy this. I love seeing Ollie's personal story unfold. The story is packed with pace and emotion and drama. Ollie is facing a nemesis with a huge ego. She is also dealing with the end of one relationship and the possible beginning of another and up to the challenge. (I enjoy romance!) It's delightful seeing how the White House kitchen runs and watching how she deals with a new administration. I can't even imagine how it really is at the White House, but I think author Hyzy catches the spirit. I loved the relationship between Ollie and the president's young son, Josh. What a pistol he is. The ending is satisfying. The recipes included look terrific. My mouth is watering. Great job.

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this novel as I so enjoyed the last three titles in the series so much. Ms. Hyzy did not let me down. Not one iota.

This book, however, had the new perspective of adding school-aged children to the normal demands of the White House kitchen. As anyone can attest, when you add children to a situation, it becomes quite fluid. This was shown in the character, Josh. I liked Josh and became concerned for him. I had to laugh when the First Children 'told' on Chef Ollie to their Mother. How real is that?

I did feel the author was constrained by the amount of pages, in other words, I felt she had more to say but was concerned that the book would be too long. I have no way of knowing this but Ollie's personal life was touched upon but not explored. Just a quick scene here and there.

One thing I especially enjoy with Ms. Hyzy's novels is her ability to make action scenes come alive. You can ride along with Ollie and experience her fears and solutions. Also, there are excellent recipes in the rear of the book. Try them!

My only dislike is of the character, Peter and I'm sure I'm not alone.

I eagerly await the next book in this series. Oh and Ms. Hyzy also writes a terrific series "Grace Under Pressure" that I truly enjoy as well.

Another very enjoyable installment in the White House Chef Mystery series. Interesting day to day workings of the food service in the White House from the presidential family to State Dinners! Have learn numerous facts that are amazing! Just the protocol involved is mind boggling! Always a well crafted mystery with many twists and turns, secret service agents, diverse personalities, not to mention culinary ideas and tips. A little romance, hope it stays "just a little", strong relationships, and of course the location is so interesting. Talk about spending your work days on the edge of history. Highly recommend this series!
[[ASIN:0425218694 State of the Onion (White House Chef Mysteries, No. 1)]]

In her latest culinary thriller Buffalo West Wing, Julie Hyzy concocts a perfect blend of excitement and nail-biting suspense with the terrifying concept of terrorism thrown in together amid a delicious array of food. As everyone's favorite White House chef Ollie Paras makes an exciting comeback, Hyzy cleverly plots out yet another roller-coaster adventure within the four walls of the official home of world's most powerful man and his family. You won't have time to prepare for what's coming as Hyzy will grab your attention before you know it and keep you hooked until you have seen it to the very end.

White House executive chef Olivia Paras is busier than ever as she prepares for a new First Family to move into the White House. While Ollie recounts the good times she had had with the previous First Family, Ollie is also excited to win over the new residents with her culinary magic. Before she could start on her mission, an ugly turn of events sends things spiraling downwards. It all started with the delivery of a mysterious box of take-out chicken wings to the White House explicitly addressed to the First Kids.

Not having a clue about who the sender was or how did the take-away box made its way into her kitchen, Ollie thinks it is strange for someone to anonymously send the kids their favourite take away snack. Ollie being Ollie, she politely refuses to serve it to the First Kids until she knows for sure - even when the kids asked for it. Ollie suddenly finds herself in a tough spot as she steps on the wrong foot with the First Lady, whose approval she has been counting on.

When the trust has apparently evaporated between Ollie and the First Lady, the family's personal chef was brought in to prepare the meals for the First Family. Ollie fears that her much-loved position as the executive chef is threatened and she might be replaced by the obnoxious new arrival. Then the chicken turns out to be poisoned and soon it becomes clear that the First Kids are the targets of what appears to be a terrorist attack. How did it land inside White House? The nagging thoughts at the back of her mind have been right all along and Ollie finds herself involved in a messy situation. Will she emerge heroic once again?
A scrumptious slice of a novel, Buffalo West Wing is as delectable as a box of buffalo wings. From the fast-pacing plot to the headstrong yet lovable protagonist, this is the kind of book that you will crave for more even long after you have finished reading it. Just like the way you crave for your favourite snack or you go for a second or even a third helping of your beloved dishes you would be begging for more. Those of you who had high expectations and hopes will not be disappointed. Dive right in!