Customer Reviews

Buffalo West Wing (A White House Chef Mystery)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Buffalo West Wing is the fourth book in the White House Chef Mystery series, but it's the first I've read. Culinary cozies are a favorite of mine. I love the cooking, the menus, and the descriptions of the foods. Buffalo West Wing did not disappoint. It included three very different menus at the end of the book, each tying nicely different scenes in the book.

I particularly loved that Buffalo West Wing, and I'd assume the previous books in the series as well, mixes something most of us know at least the basics of (cooking) with a less familiar topic. Life in the White House, particularly behind the scenes, is something I never much considered and was delighted to find how truly interesting it is. The different procedures relating to security, especially how it relates to every aspect of the way a White House staffer does their job, is fascinating.

The mystery in Buffalo West Wing was puzzling and built to a unexpected and thrilling conclusion. Olivia Paras makes a wonderful amateur sleuth and has a valid reason to be involved in the mystery and its investigation, which is a big plus.

This was an exciting read. It kept me on the edge of my seat and often made me feel rather hungry. Buffalo West Wing has certainly peaked my interest and I'm anxious to go back and read the previous novels in the series.

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.

This latest effort in the series is as delightful as it's predecessors.

These culinary mysteries are deftly plotted, often with events clearly inspired by real-life headlines. Executive chef Ollie is a wonderful protagonist -- smart, capable, and brave, but with an unfortunate tendency to wind up in the thick of events no matter her determination to do otherwise. The new First Family adds an interesting tension to the novel.

Much as I liked the book overall, I felt there were two minor failings.

Firstly, the story line regarding the new First Family's personal chef seemed not to be resolved; it just seemed to drop out. I suspect it will be picked up again in future volumes, but it would have been nice to have some sort of closure on it, however limited.

My other quibble is one that all the books in the series have shared. While the author has clearly researched the white house kitchen quite extensively (that behind-the-scenes quality is one of the most fascinating aspects of the these novels), she obviously has done far less to get a sense of the DC region outside the white house grounds. To some degree, that's natural, since most of the scenes are set within the white house. But to anyone who lives in the DC area, as I do, her lack of familiarity with the region is clear, and a little distracting. She has people zipping about the region -- often at rush hour -- and getting from place to place FAR more quickly than would ever happen. Our constant, grinding, traffic doesn't seem to be a factor in this fictional DC. (Would that that were true in real life!) Also, she repeatedly, in this novel, references an "Expressway." Context suggests she's almost certainly referring to the Beltway -- but in real-life, that's always referred to as such, or simply as I-495. She mentions a dirt frontage road off the expressway -- there are no such frontage roads. She has people driving through rural areas just a few minutes off the Beltway to the northwest -- there are virtually no rural areas close to the Beltway, since suburban sprawl wraps around the city in all directions, and especially on the northwest side. These things may sound trivial -- indeed, they ARE trivial -- but to someone familiar with the region, they're obvious, and tend to pull the reader out of the story.

The author has made a clear choice not to reference real places, outside of the White House and major landmarks -- all restaurants, bars, the local hospital, and so on all seem to be purely fictional -- and I accept that. But the portrait she paints of the region just rings false. And that's a shame, in what are otherwise terrific and delightful mysteries.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm eagerly awaiting the next book! And I recommend the series to anyone who likes the genre.

In this edition a new family, including two children, are welcomed to the White House, but the transition did not go smoothly by any means, especially between the White House Kitchen Staff and the new First Lady. In fact, it only took a few days for her to bring in their own personal family chef to prepare the family meals. The new chef believed he was hired to be the new executive chef of the entire White House, and was very disappointed to learn that Ollie (Olivia Paras) would retain her position but her load would be lightened as she would no longer be preparing the family meals. To say the kitchen was tense is an understatement. Adding to the stress was a package of Buffalo Wings delivered for the children's first night in their new home, but because the package did not go through proper channels Ollie could not serve them to the children. This was not well received by the First Lady and Ollie believes her days as White House Chef are numbered.


Unfortunately some staff ate the wings and became terribly sick. It is then the Ollie and certain secret service agents start to put together that the family was in danger, but they must keep mum about their suspicions to keep the first family safe and determine if they have someone on the staff working with the group targeting the First Family.


I absolutely positively loved this book, just as I did the other books in this series. We get a look at what goes on behind the scenes at the White House. Julie Hyzy did an exhaustive amount of research and you can see it in her writing. She takes us to a place you can't even see on a tour and divulges the inner workings, it is quite fascinating.

I immediately fell in love with Ollie, Cyan, Bucky and Henry. The new First Family with children added to the mix, brings in a whole new element to the story and the White House, the same way the Obama girl's have done in real life. I was touched by the Wisconsin reference, even though it was the location of a prison. The story could definitely be a "ripped from the headlines" saga. I understand how closely guarded our President's family is, and why the protocols are in place. This story is an edge of your seat mystery but also an excellent example of why the protocols are in place and what a dangerous world we live in today.

Julie, I am so glad I started this blog and found your marvelous work. Those nice little cliffhangers always leaving me wanting more. All the White House Chef Mysteries are a pure delight and I give all 4 books 5 stars and consider them a must read for every mystery lover!!!!

To find out more about Julie, this series, the Manor House Mystery series and her other mysteries be sure to check out her website.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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!

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.

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!

BWW is the fourth in the White House Chef Mystery series. I would have to rate it the best so far in the series.

A box of chicken wings delvered to the White House for the First Families children has put things in an uproar. Ollie, following procedures, refuses to give them to the children and then one the of assistant chefs gives them to some workers in the laundry room of the White House. The wings have been tainted with arsenic and some of workers go to the hospital. Soon Ollie learns that the First Family has hired a personal chef. Not sure whether she is being just replaced or if it is tied to the chiken wing episode. Frustrations run high for Ollie is the kitchen as the Secret Service is unwlling to explain to the First Family about the tainted chicken. In the middle of all this Ollie manages to spend some time with an old friend and hopefully a little romance will be in the aire for her. The book ends with an action packed finish.

A nice collection of recipes are also included with the book.

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.

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.