Customer Reviews

Affairs of Steak (A White House Chef Mystery)

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The first lady is throwing a birthday party for the Secretary of State to show the world that while her husband, the President, and the Secretary are from different political parties they get along very well. The problem starts when Ollie, the White House Chef, and the thorn in her side, Peter Sargeant, the White House Sensitivity Director, are assigned to work together to find a venue outside of the White House to hold the party. After a rough day of visiting different places, neither one of them agreeing on anything, they finally arrive a the last choice, Lexington Place. They are escorted to the banquet area and are waiting to meet with one of the first lady's assistants. As Ollie gets tired of waiting she decides to check out the kitchen where she finds the assistant, but she is very dead and when police arrive another body is found, that of the chief of staff.

With the assistant's death Ollie and Sargeant are assigned the job of organizing the party, but they are also going to have to work together to find a murderer. Their own lives are on the line. Did they see something they shouldn't have? Before they become the next victims they need to put their differences aside and find the killer.

Dollycas's Thoughts

A good portion of this book takes place outside of The White House so we see a little more of Ollie's personal life. She has the perfect neighbor. Everyone needs a Mrs. Wentworth next door. Ollie's love life is also evolving in a way both Mrs. Wentworth and I approve of.

The interplay between Sargeant and Ollie was unexpected, cleverly written, moving at times, as well as funny. Their relationship was taken to a new level that I really enjoyed. The total ineptness of the "interim" head usher just added to this multi-layered mystery. Ollie spent almost as much time in his office as the kitchen and she has a much higher patience level than this reader. I would have been so fired.

The entire story is superb. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I look forward to each and every trip to The White House with Ollie. Julie never fails to cook up a marvelous mystery and Ollie takes us right into the middle of the fray. Be sure to add the to your new year reading lists!

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.

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.

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!

How can the fifth book in a murder series, (A White House Chef Mystery) be equal to the prior four which were exceptional? It's easy if Julie Hyzy is writing it.

"Affairs of Steak" was non-stop, pulse thrumming action, from page one, when we learn Ollie is teamed up with Peter Sargeant, to multiple murders, attempted abductions, attempted burglaries, and yes, attempted murders... I still haven't caught my breath, ending on page 274 that ends with a laugh and a caution.

Added to this action, thankfully as I needed a rest, was the underlining of Ollie's love life. I can tell you that Ollie handles herself much more ladylike than I would have. This 'situation' even has her former boyfriend, Tom still involved in her life. Tom, of course, is just in a professional manner or is he? And, what is going on with Gav? Mrs. Wentworth and Stan want to know and so did I!

The complexities of life behind the White House doors and in the lives of the staff are never more dramatic than in this excellently written thriller. Yes, this novel was a mystery thriller and I would love to give actual details but, do not want to stop you from enjoying every single page. I was shocked and saddened by the outcome. Yet, I was so proud of Ollie and Peter!

Added as a Bonus for us readers and persons fond of eating, was an commanding offering of delicacies made with puff pastry. An entire meal worth! They have me placing puff pastry on my shopping list. I mean what more can a reader want... The next book is what!

Do treat yourself and get a copy quickly. Enjoy!

Affairs of Steak is the best White House Chef so far in the series, IMHO. I didn't much care for Buffalo West Wing, but again that's just me. Several people have already written extensive reviews with, again just my opinion way too much plot information. I would rather read the book itself, not in reviews of others.

This addition to the series is superb. Tight writing. Wonderful characters, good AND bad. Gav is getting annoying, though. Some tears. One LOL. Excellent job, Julie!

Ollie Paras is the executive chef at the White House, and in that capacity she travels with her work nemesis, sensitivity director Peter Sargeant, to several venues in order to scope out a location for an upcoming WH event. As usual the two aren't getting along when they find a body, which ties them to a deadly conspiracy that puts each of them in danger as well. Having to work together so closely should be a nightmare, but the two find some common ground as they investigate the murder at the same time they are doing their part to keep the WH running smoothly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fifth outing for Chef Paras. I think in the past the character has been a little TOO squeaky clean, but here we see a warmer and more human portrait. By the fifth book we should be getting a more in-depth look at this character and her relationships, and I think we do. Hyzy does a fine job of moving Paras' work life, personal affairs and sleuthing forward in a believable and interesting way.

I enjoy the series and think this was the best one so far. Because the past is referred to frequently, a reader will enjoy this book more *after* reading books 1-4, but it could hold up as a stand-alone.

At the end of the book is a menu in which each dish is prepared with puff pastry, and the recipes seem good - haven't tried any yet, but I will.

Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Woah! Coming out of left field this book is (and Yoda I talk like!) This was a really fun, fast read! It's not predictable in the least! I really loved it! I have to say I was surprised by how well it was written! The mystery is ..well mysterious. I didn't see it coming! The main character is definitely smart and witty! I even loved the secondary characters and the little details! The romance did seem a little forced at times, which is one of the reasons this didn't get a perfect rating. I will definitely read some of the other books in this series!

So I give Affairs of Steak by Julie Hyzy a rating of 4.5 out of 5.