24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
good fun, March 10, 2008
This review is from: State of the Onion (White House Chef Mysteries, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
Despite the 3 star rating, I really enjoyed this book. The three stars is on a comparative basis. The most interesting feature of the book is the White House kitchen setting. Most of us have probably not ever thought about the White House Kitchen, and Ms. Hyzy makes it very interesting. On the negative side, there wasn't much to the plot - we read on because we enjoy the characters and the setting. Finally, no one else has mentinged it, but I really disliked Ollie's super-bossy FBI boyfriend, who basically threatened to break up with her because she didn't automatically do what he told her to do. Hope Ollie gets rid of him.
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasurable read, May 6, 2008
This review is from: State of the Onion (White House Chef Mysteries, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
Sometimes, with genre fiction such as mysteries, all I really expect is to not feel irritated by anything as I read the book. I want the writing, the plotting and the characters to be written with an accomplished enough hand that I can lose myself in the story instead of cursing as I encounter something that interrupts the flow. "State of the Onion" gets full marks for not having any annoying stumbles. The White House kitchen is a fresh and interesting setting and a new twist on the cooking mystery angle. The writing and especially the character development is better than I've found in some other long running, popular mystery series and that is very refreshing. I liked "State of the Onion" and will read more in the series. I think the author is well on her way to creating a good series that will get even better.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cooked up a good mystery, January 18, 2008
This review is from: State of the Onion (White House Chef Mysteries, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
Olivia "Ollie" Paras is the White House Assistant Chef, a job that she loves but she'd also love to be promoted to Executive Chef since her boss is retiring. There are just a couple of problems: first, the other candidate for the job is a TV chef and Ollie's least favorite person, and second, Ollie accidentally got involved in stopping a man fleeing the Secret Service and now it appears Ollie is in danger.
Tom, Ollie's Secret Service boyfriend, tries to convince Ollie to stay out of the mystery of the fleeing man and let the Secret service do their job-but Ollie's curiosity keeps putting her right in the middle of things. Will Ollie's involvement in the mystery spell the end of her relationship with Tom, or even worse, cost her the job of Executive Chef? When Ollie figures out that she is the only person alive who can identify an international assassin, will she even live long enough to be offered her dream job?
I have really enjoyed several "culinary" mystery series but I think this is my favorite. State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy is the first book of a new White House Chef Mystery series, and this series is off to a wonderful start. This isn't just a book for people who like the mixture of recipes, cooking, and a mystery-this is a first-rate thriller that is filled with interesting tidbits of Presidential history, White House trivia, and of course cooking tips and secrets.
Ollie, the main character in State of the Onion, is intelligent, curious, ambitious, tenacious and fun. I would love to know her personally. Several wonderful secondary, support characters help round out the story too. Tom, Ollie's Secret Service boyfriend, is an interesting character although I wanted to kick him a time or two for being so stubborn and not being there when Ollie needed him.
State of the Onion is an exceptionally well done first book of a new series. Author Hyzy keeps the reader in suspense, entertained, and wanting more throughout the entire story. She is a talented author and one that will be on my favorite author list from this point forward. I can't wait for the next installment in this fantastic new series!
Armchair Interview says: Highly recommend this series to those who love a good mystery, whether you are interested in cooking or not.
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