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Julie Hyzy's Buffalo West Wing Reviewed By Lavanya Karthik of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lavanya Karthik
- Published January 4, 2011
- Crime & Mystery
Lavanya Karthik
Reviewer
Lavanya Karthik: Lavanya is from Mumbai, India and is a licensed
architect and consultant in environmental management. She lives in
Mumbai with her husband and six-year old daughter. She loves reading
and enjoys a diverse range of authors across genres.
Author: Julie Hyzy
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
ISBN: 978-0-425-23923-0
Click Here To Purchase Buffalo West Wing (A White House Chef Mystery)
Ollie Paras, executive chef to the most powerful man in the world, is back and what a soup she is in this time!
With ‘Buffalo..’, Julie Hyzy, one of the foremost names in that delectable genre they call the culinary mystery , brings us yet another action packed installment in the life and misadventures of her heroine Olivia Paras in the fast, and often dangerous, lanes of the White House kitchens . Fourth in this popular award winning series, ‘Buffalo..’ cranks the drama up several notches, as Ollie finds herself in her toughest case yet, battling external threats to the POTUS, even as she fends off internal coups to usurp the job that is her whole life.
This time around, a mysterious package of chicken wings nearly ends Paras’ career, when her adherence to safety protocols is mistaken by the First Lady – and Kids – for arrogance. Never mind that the wings are found to be poisoned , and clearly part of a serious terrorist attack on the President’s children ; Ollie soon finds herself out of favor with the First Lady and her future in the White House endangered by an opportunistic rival, while overbearing Secret Service agents – including her ex – swarm her kitchen .
Hyzy’s writing crackles with wit, energy and an unmistakable love for food – this is a book you could read just as much for the lip smacking descriptions of meals (and a section of recipes) as for its very well plotted, impeccably paced mystery. She also cooks up great characters ; in her skillful hands, Ollie Paras is more than just an accomplished chef – she is a woman negotiating a highly competitive, male-dominated field without losing her moral compass or grace. What a relief that Ollie also keeps her wits about her in dangerous situations, handling threats to her life as coolly as she does a wire whisk. For sure enough, an unscheduled trip to the First Son’s school rapidly spirals into a kidnapping when the terrorists strike again, and it’s up to Ollie to save the day, the First Son , all of America – and her job, while she’s at it .
Taut drama, strong characters , a dependable no-nonsense hero - oh, and did I mention the food? - Buffalo West Wing’ is terrific holiday fare for mystery buffs and gourmands alike.
Click Here To Purchase Buffalo West Wing (A White House Chef Mystery)