Hail to the Chef (A White House Chef Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: family dining room, tap shoes, floating neutrals, White House, First Lady, Secret Service (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

White House executive chef Ollie Paras has to put her own interests on the back burner when a kindly electrician is electrocuted to death, and the First Lady’s nephew dies in an apparent suicide less than 24 hours after cleaning shrimp with Ollie. Ollie suspects something fishy is going on. She’ll have to watch her back—and find a killer unlikely to be pardoned.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (December 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425224996
• ISBN-13: 978-0425224991
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,426 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars for Holiday Atmosphere........, December 8, 2008

By	Ms. Jessica - See all my reviews

But I did not find the story as interesting and fun as the first book. There are a few different mysteries going on during the book that are somewhat hastily tied together at the end. The explanations and resolutions were not very tight or believable. Without giving too much away, lets just say that Ollie is not only a chef but more capable and intelligent than most of the Secret Service. The holiday happenings at the White House are so much fun that they do much to make up for the unsatisfying elements of the storyline. I really enjoyed Ollie's new role as executive chef, and her interactions with the First Lady were great. I wish Olivia would tell Bucky to stick a sock in it, but for the most part Ollie is very likeable. I also missed the Ollie/ Tom interactions, he is pretty non-existent in this book. But the possible new love interest was interesting and made for some funny moments. Overall, this is a light, fun, holiday read and I will stick with the series to see how it develops.
PS- That info in another review about Sean being "busy" and not wanting to give Ollie "false hope" is inaccurate and not in any part of the book that I saw. Sean is not the "love interest" I am referencing in my review.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a Pleasant Surprise, April 5, 2009

By	Linda K. Dix "bibliofanatic" (Dayton, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It seems lately the mystery market is inundated with books of a culinary nature. Noticing Hail to the Chef, I made the assumption, "here we go again with another slightly amusing food mystery." I was quite wrong in my assumption.
Ms. Hyzy does a first-rate job in this mystery of keeping your attention riveted not only to the food but to the behind-the-scenes kitchen action of the White House. She has obviously done her research and done it well.
I pride myself on figuring out ahead of time "who done it". I was nowhere close in this one.
If you enjoy well rounded characters, a pinch of political intrigue, a smattering of cuisine humor, and a soupcon of wit and sarcasm, then get this book -- it's a sure recipe for success.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What's not to love?, August 24, 2009

By	Cathy J. Weinmann - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have chosen this book to share with my book club buddies as an entertaining read for the holidays. Julie incorporates any number of fun plots, and who doesn't love the food talk? Can't wait for the next installment of Ollie's adventures.