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A White House Chef Mystery #5
Affairs of Steak
White House chef Olivia Paras and her arch nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, must work together to solve the double murder of one of the First Lady's assistants and the Chief of Staff-before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2012
122 people are currently reading
888 people want to read
About the author
Julie Hyzy
46 books874 followersNew York Times bestselling author, Julie Hyzy, has won the Anthony, Barry, Phobos, and Derringer Awards for her fiction.
Novels include:
Virtual Sabotage
The White House Chef Mystery series
The Manor House Mysteries
Deadly Blessings
Deadly Interest
Dead Ringer
Artistic License
Playing With Matches
Visit:
www.juliehyzy.com
Novels include:
Virtual Sabotage
The White House Chef Mystery series
The Manor House Mysteries
Deadly Blessings
Deadly Interest
Dead Ringer
Artistic License
Playing With Matches
Visit:
www.juliehyzy.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
June 21, 2019
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This was a very interesting and informative tale of the life of the White House kitchen staff. As always the main focus is on Olivia Paras, who demonstrates the ability to keep her wit and uses whatever is available to protect herself and others from danger. This time Ollie is focused o work hand in hand with the sensitivity director and arch nemesis. After the discovery of two dead bodies, their lives soon became in danger. It captivates and compels readers to jump in and enjoy the strenuous experiences first hand.
Introducing White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras, who is rising-and sleuthing-to the top.
White House chef Olivia Paras and her arch nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, must work together to solve the double murder of one of the First Lady's assistants and the Chief of Staff-before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda.
This was a very interesting and informative tale of the life of the White House kitchen staff. As always the main focus is on Olivia Paras, who demonstrates the ability to keep her wit and uses whatever is available to protect herself and others from danger. This time Ollie is focused o work hand in hand with the sensitivity director and arch nemesis. After the discovery of two dead bodies, their lives soon became in danger. It captivates and compels readers to jump in and enjoy the strenuous experiences first hand.
Lori Caswell: 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! 👍
Julie Hyzy did an incredible job in drawing the reader into the story and compelling them to stay focused as long as possible as they rode on her roller-coaster adventure of a lifetime. This was a cozy mystery that didn't seem to be formulaic at all. This heroine is observant, inquisitive, and determined when puzzled by something.
I would recommend this choice to anyone interested in a clean and wholesome cozy mystery and/or the life of service in the White House. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This was a very interesting and informative tale of the life of the White House kitchen staff. As always the main focus is on Olivia Paras, who demonstrates the ability to keep her wit and uses whatever is available to protect herself and others from danger. This time Ollie is focused o work hand in hand with the sensitivity director and arch nemesis. After the discovery of two dead bodies, their lives soon became in danger. It captivates and compels readers to jump in and enjoy the strenuous experiences first hand.
Introducing White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras, who is rising-and sleuthing-to the top.
White House chef Olivia Paras and her arch nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, must work together to solve the double murder of one of the First Lady's assistants and the Chief of Staff-before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda.
This was a very interesting and informative tale of the life of the White House kitchen staff. As always the main focus is on Olivia Paras, who demonstrates the ability to keep her wit and uses whatever is available to protect herself and others from danger. This time Ollie is focused o work hand in hand with the sensitivity director and arch nemesis. After the discovery of two dead bodies, their lives soon became in danger. It captivates and compels readers to jump in and enjoy the strenuous experiences first hand.
Lori Caswell: 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! 👍
Julie Hyzy did an incredible job in drawing the reader into the story and compelling them to stay focused as long as possible as they rode on her roller-coaster adventure of a lifetime. This was a cozy mystery that didn't seem to be formulaic at all. This heroine is observant, inquisitive, and determined when puzzled by something.
I would recommend this choice to anyone interested in a clean and wholesome cozy mystery and/or the life of service in the White House. I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 22, 2024
Wonderful book! Lot of fun, a cheesy romance and a good twist at the end!
September 19, 2017
Love this series! This one was interesting with Ollie teaming up with her usual adversary Peter Sargent. The mystery kept me guessing and as always there was an exciting finish.
January 18, 2025
Author Julie Hyzy cooked up a complex mystery with loads of humor! I hardly wanted to put this one down! I highly recommend this series beginning with book one.
March 13, 2019
Book number five in the White House Chef mystery series featuring chef Olivia (“Ollie”) Paras. Ollie and colleague/nemesis Peter Sargeant are checking out venues for an event to honor the Secretary of State. As they go to check out one location, the find the First Lady’s assistant and the chief of staff in the banquet hall’s kitchen – both murdered.
Cozy mysteries are my go-to brain candy. I enjoy this series though some of the situations Ollie finds herself in seem rather implausible. In addition to the central murders there’s also the apparent kidnapping (?) of the Secretary of State’s father-in-law, and Sargeant’s rather odd nephew who seems to be stalking Ollie in hopes of landing a job at the White House. There are plenty of suspects, some romantic/sexual tension, workplace drama, and a great cast of supporting characters.
As a bonus, the author includes some recipes at the end of the book. In this episode the focus is on puff pastry and all the delectable dessert, appetizer, or main dish treats one can make using it.
Cozy mysteries are my go-to brain candy. I enjoy this series though some of the situations Ollie finds herself in seem rather implausible. In addition to the central murders there’s also the apparent kidnapping (?) of the Secretary of State’s father-in-law, and Sargeant’s rather odd nephew who seems to be stalking Ollie in hopes of landing a job at the White House. There are plenty of suspects, some romantic/sexual tension, workplace drama, and a great cast of supporting characters.
As a bonus, the author includes some recipes at the end of the book. In this episode the focus is on puff pastry and all the delectable dessert, appetizer, or main dish treats one can make using it.
March 3, 2012
Where I got the book: freebie at networking event.
This is the first book I've read of Julie Hyzy's White House Chef series, so once again I began in the middle of a series with no knowledge of any of the characters. This wasn't a problem, though, except as stated a bit later.
White House head chef Olivia Paras and a co-worker make a grisly discovery in a restaurant kitchen, and once again (for, like all mystery series heroines, she has a knack for getting involved where she shouldn't), Ollie is in trouble. Add into the mix an unexpected task, unpleasantness and rivalry among co-workers, and a couple of fragile relationships (ex- and current), bake for 277 pages in the high heat of the Presidential residence, and the result is a crisp, enjoyable mystery read.
The book started out pacy, slowed down a little bit in the middle, but then kept up the action pretty well right to the end. Hyzy is not one of those writers who strains credulity by piling up increasingly impossible situations, and she keeps all the action within plausible bounds, so there was less life-and-death drama than I am accustomed to as a regular reader of historicals. I learned quite a few things about White House protocols, which was pretty interesting, although I'm distressed to think that relationships between staff members could possibly be quite as conflict-ridden as Ollie's are. She may die of work-related stress before one of the bad guys gets her.
As I found when I read Grace Interrupted, I had a bit of trouble getting to know Ollie. This, as with Grace, could simply be because the first books of the series are more loaded with character development, leaving room for more action in the others.
Also, I wish I'd seen more food in the novel. After all, Ollie's a top chef. At least I'd have liked to have glimpsed one truly spectacular dish. There are a handful of intriguing pastry-related recipes at the end of the novel, though.
Final verdict is that I'd wholeheartedly recommend this series to mystery fans. Hyzy's a good writer, and delivers her story with clarity and directness.
This is the first book I've read of Julie Hyzy's White House Chef series, so once again I began in the middle of a series with no knowledge of any of the characters. This wasn't a problem, though, except as stated a bit later.
White House head chef Olivia Paras and a co-worker make a grisly discovery in a restaurant kitchen, and once again (for, like all mystery series heroines, she has a knack for getting involved where she shouldn't), Ollie is in trouble. Add into the mix an unexpected task, unpleasantness and rivalry among co-workers, and a couple of fragile relationships (ex- and current), bake for 277 pages in the high heat of the Presidential residence, and the result is a crisp, enjoyable mystery read.
The book started out pacy, slowed down a little bit in the middle, but then kept up the action pretty well right to the end. Hyzy is not one of those writers who strains credulity by piling up increasingly impossible situations, and she keeps all the action within plausible bounds, so there was less life-and-death drama than I am accustomed to as a regular reader of historicals. I learned quite a few things about White House protocols, which was pretty interesting, although I'm distressed to think that relationships between staff members could possibly be quite as conflict-ridden as Ollie's are. She may die of work-related stress before one of the bad guys gets her.
As I found when I read Grace Interrupted, I had a bit of trouble getting to know Ollie. This, as with Grace, could simply be because the first books of the series are more loaded with character development, leaving room for more action in the others.
Also, I wish I'd seen more food in the novel. After all, Ollie's a top chef. At least I'd have liked to have glimpsed one truly spectacular dish. There are a handful of intriguing pastry-related recipes at the end of the novel, though.
Final verdict is that I'd wholeheartedly recommend this series to mystery fans. Hyzy's a good writer, and delivers her story with clarity and directness.
February 13, 2018
It was a fun read. I liked Ollie being forced to work with Peter Sargent-- the fussbudget! And yes, Gav is growing on me... ;]
June 10, 2018
This edition of the Whitehouse Mystery had a lot of characters to follow and it was interesting to see the different aspects that pulled out from it. I am happy that Virgil is being put in his place, I'm shocked no one has punched him in the nose yet. I loved seeing Ollie and Peter hash things out, it was wonderful. Gav...💕💞💕
February 5, 2021
I always seem to take ages between reading the book sin this series - and then always enjoy them when I do.
January 27, 2012
So, I debated between 3 and 4 stars. Still can't decide. I really do enjoy this series. I wish, though, that the titles were different. Somehow these titles imply pretty mindless, fluff books you can read with only half your brain. And that really isn't the case with these. The silly titles almost do a dis-service to the books.
This series has been fun. The characters are fairly real, the dialogue interesting and the plot complex enough that you really want to keep reading to find out "who-done-it". I enjoy the fact that the books are clean without being sappy and require a bit of mental investment to follow all the threads. And if you pay attention, you can surely see that most everything that happens has a purpose. I've liked these books enough to read all 5 in the series.
Interestingly, I chatted some months ago with a lady from another state who was bemoaning the lack of these - and similar - books at her local library. How fortunate I am to live in an area that places distinct value on public libraries and acquiring all kinds of books for people to read.
Anyway, I'll be for sure looking for more of Ms. Hyzy's books to read.
This series has been fun. The characters are fairly real, the dialogue interesting and the plot complex enough that you really want to keep reading to find out "who-done-it". I enjoy the fact that the books are clean without being sappy and require a bit of mental investment to follow all the threads. And if you pay attention, you can surely see that most everything that happens has a purpose. I've liked these books enough to read all 5 in the series.
Interestingly, I chatted some months ago with a lady from another state who was bemoaning the lack of these - and similar - books at her local library. How fortunate I am to live in an area that places distinct value on public libraries and acquiring all kinds of books for people to read.
Anyway, I'll be for sure looking for more of Ms. Hyzy's books to read.
October 26, 2014
After discovering a body at a venue being considered for a White House event, the White House's Executive Chef finds herself once again in the firing line and needs to team up with the persistent thorn in her side, Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant.
Nothing particularly new or original but this series is consistently entertaining and at book #5 is still pretty good fun. Onto #6.
Nothing particularly new or original but this series is consistently entertaining and at book #5 is still pretty good fun. Onto #6.
March 12, 2021
Just what I was looking for. Once again our intrepid White House executive gets caught in a strange murder, and uses her genius sleuthing skills to help find the culprit.
The series is fun because it’s all around White House staff and the secret service. I’m learning a lot of behind the scenes of the White House. Ollie even has a budding romance with a service agent and an ex with one too. Her sleuthing is both respected and exasperating for the secret service.
In this one, on a routine venue hunting for the First Lady, Ollie and the sensitivity aide find two dead bodies in the kitchen. Suddenly Ollie is being hunted, and there’s something a bit off about an event planning aide that tings her somethings off antennae. Maybe this is also surrounding the Secretary of State as well. Who knows until Ollie figures it out. Which she does. Obvi.
Of course all is well in the end, and possibly Gav will give into his feelings and they can finally date.
The series is fun because it’s all around White House staff and the secret service. I’m learning a lot of behind the scenes of the White House. Ollie even has a budding romance with a service agent and an ex with one too. Her sleuthing is both respected and exasperating for the secret service.
In this one, on a routine venue hunting for the First Lady, Ollie and the sensitivity aide find two dead bodies in the kitchen. Suddenly Ollie is being hunted, and there’s something a bit off about an event planning aide that tings her somethings off antennae. Maybe this is also surrounding the Secretary of State as well. Who knows until Ollie figures it out. Which she does. Obvi.
Of course all is well in the end, and possibly Gav will give into his feelings and they can finally date.
December 27, 2020
Julie Hyzy wrote another great cozy mystery involving Chef Ollie Paras, and I enjoyed reading it.
July 16, 2022
Another solid entry in this series. Quick easy read.
February 28, 2021
AFFAIRS OF STEAK is the fifth book in Julie Hyzy's White House Chef cozy mystery series. In this installment, Chef Olivia "Ollie" Paras is paired with her nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, to work on throwing a birthday party for the Secretary of State. When they find the dead bodies of two members of the White House staff, however, their party planning takes a back seat to sleuthing as they try to figure out whodunit.
Food-themed cozy mysteries are plentiful, but this series stands out above the rest for its unique setting and consistently excellent writing. The fact that DC is local to me always makes it fun when DC landmarks turn up in the books, and though I know almost nothing about cooking myself (my husband is our household chef) I really love the way Hyzy describes Ollie's kitchen and all the steps involved in making various dishes. Ollie's rivalry with the first family's personal chef also adds an interesting dynamic to the series.(Also, kudos to the publisher for collecting all the recipes at the back of the book. I really dislike it when the recipes are at the end of every single chapter!)
I read AFFAIRS OF STEAK all in one sitting, and it was a solid four-star read for me. I have the rest of the series on my unread shelf, and I'm tempted to devour them all, but I also have other books waiting for me so I probably need to prioritize those first.
This review first appeared on my Instagram.
Food-themed cozy mysteries are plentiful, but this series stands out above the rest for its unique setting and consistently excellent writing. The fact that DC is local to me always makes it fun when DC landmarks turn up in the books, and though I know almost nothing about cooking myself (my husband is our household chef) I really love the way Hyzy describes Ollie's kitchen and all the steps involved in making various dishes. Ollie's rivalry with the first family's personal chef also adds an interesting dynamic to the series.(Also, kudos to the publisher for collecting all the recipes at the back of the book. I really dislike it when the recipes are at the end of every single chapter!)
I read AFFAIRS OF STEAK all in one sitting, and it was a solid four-star read for me. I have the rest of the series on my unread shelf, and I'm tempted to devour them all, but I also have other books waiting for me so I probably need to prioritize those first.
This review first appeared on my Instagram.
February 16, 2012
Affairs of Steak is the fifth book in the White House Chef Mystery Series by Julie Hyzy. She is another of my very favorite authors and I love reading her books.
This book finds Ollie being teamed with Peter Sargeant, you remember the guy who hates her, in helping the First Lady plan a birthday party for theSecretary of State of the President. They are looking at locations for the event, off-site, not at the White House and they have visited four places. As they are walking to the last location they run into Peter's nephew, although Peter is none to happy about it, and once they make the final location, they find that the assistant that was suppose to met them is nowhere to be found. As they are looking through the venue and the kitchen, Peter notices something that looks like blood, and Ollie opens a hugh tilt-skillet only to find the missing assistant, dead. They call the police and as they are showing the police the body, they hear talking which turns out to be a cell phone, upon opening the second tilt-skillet they find the President's Chief of Staff, also dead.
As we follow along the story, we learn more about Ollie and her relationship with Gav is explored and the reality of weather they are going to be able to have a relationship or not, or are they only going to be good friends because of their respective jobs. Also, the tension between Ollie and the first-family's personal chef, Virgil that started in the last book when a new first-family was installed in the White House, continues. Even so far that Virgil leaks information to a newspaper that puts Ollie and Peter's lives in danger!
So many things occur in this book, and this series, we learn about the workings of the White House and the Secret Service, I am sure not the true workings, but so many things that are wonderfully written and explained, like the changing pins that each Secret Service Agent wears on his lapel, that can be changed each day, or if on Presidential detail as often as each hour, to keep outsiders out, even comes into play in this story.
I love the story. I love Ollie and Gav. originally, in the first book Ollie was dating a Secret Service Agent, Tom, but he just could not understand or back her knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and her ability to figure out what was going on long before the secret service or other police agencies did. I could never understand why Tom was so put off by this, or why he couldn't understand her, but I am glad that she was introduced to Special Agent in Charge Leonard Gavin, or Gav as she comes to call him. He is able to understand her, and to even appreciate her abilities, so much so that he teaches her and encourages her, which I find attractive.
I am looking so forward to more books in this series and to the relationship with Gavin. I love the series. Another awesome author. I actually have two books in another series by this author in my to-read pile.
This book finds Ollie being teamed with Peter Sargeant, you remember the guy who hates her, in helping the First Lady plan a birthday party for theSecretary of State of the President. They are looking at locations for the event, off-site, not at the White House and they have visited four places. As they are walking to the last location they run into Peter's nephew, although Peter is none to happy about it, and once they make the final location, they find that the assistant that was suppose to met them is nowhere to be found. As they are looking through the venue and the kitchen, Peter notices something that looks like blood, and Ollie opens a hugh tilt-skillet only to find the missing assistant, dead. They call the police and as they are showing the police the body, they hear talking which turns out to be a cell phone, upon opening the second tilt-skillet they find the President's Chief of Staff, also dead.
As we follow along the story, we learn more about Ollie and her relationship with Gav is explored and the reality of weather they are going to be able to have a relationship or not, or are they only going to be good friends because of their respective jobs. Also, the tension between Ollie and the first-family's personal chef, Virgil that started in the last book when a new first-family was installed in the White House, continues. Even so far that Virgil leaks information to a newspaper that puts Ollie and Peter's lives in danger!
So many things occur in this book, and this series, we learn about the workings of the White House and the Secret Service, I am sure not the true workings, but so many things that are wonderfully written and explained, like the changing pins that each Secret Service Agent wears on his lapel, that can be changed each day, or if on Presidential detail as often as each hour, to keep outsiders out, even comes into play in this story.
I love the story. I love Ollie and Gav. originally, in the first book Ollie was dating a Secret Service Agent, Tom, but he just could not understand or back her knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and her ability to figure out what was going on long before the secret service or other police agencies did. I could never understand why Tom was so put off by this, or why he couldn't understand her, but I am glad that she was introduced to Special Agent in Charge Leonard Gavin, or Gav as she comes to call him. He is able to understand her, and to even appreciate her abilities, so much so that he teaches her and encourages her, which I find attractive.
I am looking so forward to more books in this series and to the relationship with Gavin. I love the series. Another awesome author. I actually have two books in another series by this author in my to-read pile.
January 16, 2016
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!
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!
July 19, 2013
AFFAIRS OF STEAK is the fifth "White House Chef Mystery" by Anthony and Barry award winner Julie Hyzy. In this episode, executive chef Olivia "Ollie" Paras has to put personal feelings aside when she's paired up with Peter Everett Sargeant, the unlikeable White House sensitivity director, to help choose a location for Secretary of State Gerald Quinones' White House sponsored birthday party. Ollie and Peter are told to meet the First Lady's personal assistant, Patty Woodruff, at Lexington Place, a glittering banquet hall not far from the White House that might prove to be the most suitable place for the party. Ollie and Peter arrive on time for the meeting, but when Patty is nowhere to be found, the two set off to survey the hall by themselves. While doing so, they stumble across not one, but two bodies. The first victim is Patty Woodruff. The second is the President's chief of staff
While the media plays on an imagined love affair involving the two, the Secret Service investigates a much more complicated scenario linking their deaths to threats against Secretary of State Quinones and his family. Who kidnapped the Secretary's father-in-law? Is there a conspiracy to kill Quinones? If so, does Sargeant's much despised nephew Milton know who's behind the plot? Why is someone trying to get Sargeant fired? And who is the man who followed Ollie into the subway?
A temperamental chef, a conceited social aide, and an unresolved romance add to Ollie's problems as she strives to keep her head above water in this highly entertaining culinary whodunnit. Hyzy's knowledge of White House protocol and Secret Service SOPs keeps the plot on track and humming down the line to a surprising but satisfying conclusion. The puff pastry recipes at the end of the book only add to the fun. This one is highly recommended for fans of political intrigue, amateur sleuths, and romantic suspense, not to mention lovers of fine food and wine. (And yes, I fully intend to try the recipe for cranberry pecan brie en croute and chocolate sundae vol-au-vents. My mouth was watering just reading those recipes!)
While the media plays on an imagined love affair involving the two, the Secret Service investigates a much more complicated scenario linking their deaths to threats against Secretary of State Quinones and his family. Who kidnapped the Secretary's father-in-law? Is there a conspiracy to kill Quinones? If so, does Sargeant's much despised nephew Milton know who's behind the plot? Why is someone trying to get Sargeant fired? And who is the man who followed Ollie into the subway?
A temperamental chef, a conceited social aide, and an unresolved romance add to Ollie's problems as she strives to keep her head above water in this highly entertaining culinary whodunnit. Hyzy's knowledge of White House protocol and Secret Service SOPs keeps the plot on track and humming down the line to a surprising but satisfying conclusion. The puff pastry recipes at the end of the book only add to the fun. This one is highly recommended for fans of political intrigue, amateur sleuths, and romantic suspense, not to mention lovers of fine food and wine. (And yes, I fully intend to try the recipe for cranberry pecan brie en croute and chocolate sundae vol-au-vents. My mouth was watering just reading those recipes!)
January 14, 2012
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" 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!
June 17, 2019
What I enjoyed most about book 5 in this series was the character development. This book pits Ollie against Sargeant, her biggest nemesis. The two are paired together to plan a birthday party for the secretary of state. This is not normally their jobs but there are changes going on at the White House and they are asked to fill in. They do so grudgingly but professionally. At least until they discover the bodies of two White House personnel in one of the restaurant spaces they are surveying for the party. If that wasn't bad enough, a wastrel nephew of Sargeant's is pestering him for a WH job and may have been a witness to the murder or at least the people who are following Ollie. Sargeant is convinced that someone has it out for him at the White House. This is true but narrowing the suspect list is a job in itself and why should Ollie involve herself. It isn't as though Sargeant has made Ollie's life very easy. The deeper they get, the more committed the enemy gets even if they don't know who that is. It was a good story and nice to see everyone not looking at Ollie as though she was the problem. There was growth in all of her relationships which made me want to read the next book.
November 5, 2012
I love this series. This time, Ollie is forced to work with Sargeant (who she does not get along with at all) for a large birthday party for the Secretary of State. When checking out locations, they fins two bodies hidden in the kitchen of the potential venue site. And those two are White House employees. Once again, Ollie is involved in mysterious doings that threaten her life.
The story is paced very well and the characters keep me interested. I like that Ollie does not play victim - she fights. AND she passes info along to the authorities as she should. An admirable trait in an amateur sleuth IMHO!
The story is paced very well and the characters keep me interested. I like that Ollie does not play victim - she fights. AND she passes info along to the authorities as she should. An admirable trait in an amateur sleuth IMHO!
March 30, 2015
Overall an enjoyable read. I'm excited to see what happens next with Gav and Ollie and I loved Sergeant in this one, let's hope he stays that way. The setting was good, there were some tasty recipes in the back, too. However, I didn't think this book built suspense like the other books,and I didn't feel the mystery was the best I've read. There were next to no clues, in my opinion, leading me to believe that the person behind all of the murders was really behind all of the murders. Overall, however, a good book.
June 6, 2018
White House Execute Chef, Olivia Paras, has to work together with the one person she can not get along with, Peter Sargent, the White House Sensitivity Director. Together they are tasked to plan a birthday party for the Secretary of State when things take a turn. They discover something in the tilt skillets that once again gets our chef involved in matters that may have been best left to the Secret Service. Can these two work together or will tension of this situation tear them further apart. Another fun read. Job well done!
December 7, 2019
Peter and Ollie join forces to solve a crime, making for quite an unusual duo when one considers their friction-filled working dynamics! I was also happy with the relationship developments between Ollie and Gav. That one has been a while in coming. Overall, good mystery, great recipes, and some very interesting dynamic changes in the White House.
August 31, 2016
As always, I enjoy this series of books. The characters are becoming so familiar and the anecdotes about their lives make them believable and real. The recipes at the end of each book are interesting and fun.
December 5, 2019
This is a pretty good cozy mystery, though not quite as good as Buffalo West Wing. It's got the familiar trope of the protagonist finding a couple of bodies in an unlikely place during an early scene. The rest of the book has her revealing clues one by one, as tertiary characters also die under mysterious circumstances, but not before revealing tantalizing bits of information which will lead the protagonist to be the one that discovers things.
The good thing about this novel is that I liked the protagonist, though it's been a few weeks since I finished it so I have already forgotten her name. Setting it in the White House was a novelty which I also appreciate. I liked that she had a bit of a romance on the side, and I like that her personality was all about professionalism and discretion. Some of her daily conflicts involve soothing the emotions of people she can't stand, just so that they can all work together on a common goal.
The bad thing about this novel is its formulaic nature. That's only moderately a bad thing; fans of the genre will find it comforting and, as they say, "it's a cliche because it works." I really couldn't care less about the murder itself. The characters were unknown to me, their motivations uncompelling, the reason for the murders flimsy as best. The protagonist, having been the sleuth in four previous novels, now has a reputation for getting involved in messy/dastardly events. Having other characters comment on that just made me lose the fourth wall. In cozy mysteries, the killer kills someone for a dumb reason like "I wanted the inheritance faster so I could marry Miss. Blakeley" and then they kill witnesses with abandon, and the bystanders of this horrific and ultimately unsuccessful serial-killer like behavior kind of shrug and tut their heads with disappointment when they find out that charming Mister Haverford was the murderer all along. Since this happens in every cozy mystery, I don't know the reason why I found this unbelievable. I've read cozy mysteries and liked them. Maybe it's because I read this after Buffalo West Wing and had different expectations. In the previous novel, the plot involved a plot against the president's family for political reasons, which I found plausible. Political thriller! Yes! But the murders in this seemed more Agatha Christie kind of pointless, and for some reason I just couldn't get into it. I just didn't care about the victims because they just weren't real people to me, and the murders didn't make much sense. I guess most murders don't make much sense, so fans of true crime might adore this.
So, this book is a solidly written cozy mystery. It's pretty well done and it wasn't bad reading, but it doesn't enhance the genre as much as the previous one did. Or maybe I just liked the novelty of being in the White House in the last one and it's worn off. Or maybe I am suddenly over cozy mystery and it's been a long time coming and it wasn't Hyzy's fault that this was the one that broke the camel's back. I liked the characters and wanted to spend more time with them, but this plot just didn't engage me as much as I'd hoped. Honestly, I'd probably prefer a book that was just about a White House Chef and her daily life without murders and sleuthing.
The good thing about this novel is that I liked the protagonist, though it's been a few weeks since I finished it so I have already forgotten her name. Setting it in the White House was a novelty which I also appreciate. I liked that she had a bit of a romance on the side, and I like that her personality was all about professionalism and discretion. Some of her daily conflicts involve soothing the emotions of people she can't stand, just so that they can all work together on a common goal.
The bad thing about this novel is its formulaic nature. That's only moderately a bad thing; fans of the genre will find it comforting and, as they say, "it's a cliche because it works." I really couldn't care less about the murder itself. The characters were unknown to me, their motivations uncompelling, the reason for the murders flimsy as best. The protagonist, having been the sleuth in four previous novels, now has a reputation for getting involved in messy/dastardly events. Having other characters comment on that just made me lose the fourth wall. In cozy mysteries, the killer kills someone for a dumb reason like "I wanted the inheritance faster so I could marry Miss. Blakeley" and then they kill witnesses with abandon, and the bystanders of this horrific and ultimately unsuccessful serial-killer like behavior kind of shrug and tut their heads with disappointment when they find out that charming Mister Haverford was the murderer all along. Since this happens in every cozy mystery, I don't know the reason why I found this unbelievable. I've read cozy mysteries and liked them. Maybe it's because I read this after Buffalo West Wing and had different expectations. In the previous novel, the plot involved a plot against the president's family for political reasons, which I found plausible. Political thriller! Yes! But the murders in this seemed more Agatha Christie kind of pointless, and for some reason I just couldn't get into it. I just didn't care about the victims because they just weren't real people to me, and the murders didn't make much sense. I guess most murders don't make much sense, so fans of true crime might adore this.
So, this book is a solidly written cozy mystery. It's pretty well done and it wasn't bad reading, but it doesn't enhance the genre as much as the previous one did. Or maybe I just liked the novelty of being in the White House in the last one and it's worn off. Or maybe I am suddenly over cozy mystery and it's been a long time coming and it wasn't Hyzy's fault that this was the one that broke the camel's back. I liked the characters and wanted to spend more time with them, but this plot just didn't engage me as much as I'd hoped. Honestly, I'd probably prefer a book that was just about a White House Chef and her daily life without murders and sleuthing.
October 16, 2022
White House Executive Chef Olivia “Ollie” Paras has been called upon to help the First Lady’s assistant plan a surprise birthday party off-site for the Secretary of State. To do so, Ollie is paired with her least favorite White House official, Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant. Approaching the fourth possible locale, a voice cries out. The man is Sargeant’s nephew Milton whom Sargeant does not get along with. After a quick visit, Ollie and Sargeant go inside the building, where they find the assistant and the White House Chief of Staff‘s bodies! After calling local and White House authorities, they realize an assassin was on the loose and might come after them. Sargeant has another quick conversation with Milton upon leaving, when a man runs past them, bumping into them. Could that have been the killer?
On her way home on the Metro that evening, a man named Brad continually tries to start up a chat with Ollie. Ollie spots an older man asleep in his seat and wakes him so he can exit at his stop. He is confused and nowhere near his home. Ollie uses him as her excuse to exit and gets him to safety.
Once the Secret Service learns of Ollie’s adventures that evening following the day’s discoveries, they assign an agent to her. Multiple incidents over the coming days of loitering or break-ins to Ollie’s building and then her apartment follow. Could it be Brad? Could it be the assassin? Then Ollie’s role in discovering the murders is leaked to the press, threatening her further. Special Agent in Charge Gavin takes a special interest in Ollie’s protection, with their friendship blossoming.
Back at work, plans go forward for the birthday party since it may bring the men of different political parties together in forthcoming agreements. With no guidance from the First Lady’s assistant any more, Ollie and Sargeant must do their best to work with a social secretary for the large guest list, plan the menus, and facilitate the evening as interim organizers until a new assistant could be found. They are even assigned a social aide on leave from his military position who is more hindrance than help.
Having never gotten along, as witnessed in earlier entries to this series, it is comical to watch Ollie and Peter Sargeant come to rely on each other. With so many details going wrong, we do begin to wonder if this party will ever be held. Author Julie Hyzy keeps the plot moving, delving into much more than kitchen duties. It is fascinating to learn more about the White House as well as the Secret Service. Narrator Eileen Stevens continues to wow me with different characterizations, never letting the pace slow. This fifth entry in the White House chef mysteries is excellent, entertaining, and full of suspense.
On her way home on the Metro that evening, a man named Brad continually tries to start up a chat with Ollie. Ollie spots an older man asleep in his seat and wakes him so he can exit at his stop. He is confused and nowhere near his home. Ollie uses him as her excuse to exit and gets him to safety.
Once the Secret Service learns of Ollie’s adventures that evening following the day’s discoveries, they assign an agent to her. Multiple incidents over the coming days of loitering or break-ins to Ollie’s building and then her apartment follow. Could it be Brad? Could it be the assassin? Then Ollie’s role in discovering the murders is leaked to the press, threatening her further. Special Agent in Charge Gavin takes a special interest in Ollie’s protection, with their friendship blossoming.
Back at work, plans go forward for the birthday party since it may bring the men of different political parties together in forthcoming agreements. With no guidance from the First Lady’s assistant any more, Ollie and Sargeant must do their best to work with a social secretary for the large guest list, plan the menus, and facilitate the evening as interim organizers until a new assistant could be found. They are even assigned a social aide on leave from his military position who is more hindrance than help.
Having never gotten along, as witnessed in earlier entries to this series, it is comical to watch Ollie and Peter Sargeant come to rely on each other. With so many details going wrong, we do begin to wonder if this party will ever be held. Author Julie Hyzy keeps the plot moving, delving into much more than kitchen duties. It is fascinating to learn more about the White House as well as the Secret Service. Narrator Eileen Stevens continues to wow me with different characterizations, never letting the pace slow. This fifth entry in the White House chef mysteries is excellent, entertaining, and full of suspense.
January 5, 2018
The book opens with Olivia Paras, aka Ollie, the Executive Chef of the White House rushing to finalise a venue for the First Lady. Mrs Hyden plans to hold a birthday party for Secretary of State, Gerald Quinones.
Quinones was known to be a genius and one of a kind. He was a rare combination of brilliant strategist and all-around great guy, though the President and him belonged to two different political parties.
There was only one hitch: she had to work with her greatest adversary of all times - the White House Sensitivity Director, Peter Everett Sargeant. Ever since he joined, he has only created trouble for Ollie and the two never got along.
As Ollie and Peter scour venues, they come across Milton (Peter’s nephew), who is looking for an entry into the White House and bump into strangers.
Once they reach their final destination, Lexington Place, and search for their point-of-contact, Patty Woodruff (the First Lady’s newest assistant), the duo are traumatised to discover her dead body, alongwith that of Mark Cawley, the Chief of Staff.
News reports insinuate that Patty and Mark were having an affair, but no one believes the gossip. With their lives in peril, Ollie and Peter must rely on each other to uncover who murdered their associates and why before they endure the same fate.
In the interim, the Chief Usher, Paul Vasquez retires and hands over the reins to Doug Lambert; who is not only inadept in dealing with matters of the country; but has lesser tolerance and favourites.
Ollie feels she is getting stalked.
She happens to rescue Mr Bettencourt, from a failed kidnapping, and it is revealed that he is Mrs Quinones father.
The Quinones are indebted to Ollie - however, she cannot shake off the eerie feeling of being watched, at all times.
She is put under the direct supervision of the Secret Service, making her life claustrophobic.
Can Agent Gav help?
When Milton makes efforts to constantly get in touch with her, regarding information of the murders; she’s baffled.
Is he making these claims just to get into the White House?
Ollie’s fastidious nature leads you to a tale of inventiveness and perception.
Hyzy has woven the twist, keeping in mind what the readers want.
Brilliantly crafted characters in the series, leave you craving for more.
This is the fifth book in the White House Chef Mystery series - and I’m sad that I’m approaching the end.
Quinones was known to be a genius and one of a kind. He was a rare combination of brilliant strategist and all-around great guy, though the President and him belonged to two different political parties.
There was only one hitch: she had to work with her greatest adversary of all times - the White House Sensitivity Director, Peter Everett Sargeant. Ever since he joined, he has only created trouble for Ollie and the two never got along.
As Ollie and Peter scour venues, they come across Milton (Peter’s nephew), who is looking for an entry into the White House and bump into strangers.
Once they reach their final destination, Lexington Place, and search for their point-of-contact, Patty Woodruff (the First Lady’s newest assistant), the duo are traumatised to discover her dead body, alongwith that of Mark Cawley, the Chief of Staff.
News reports insinuate that Patty and Mark were having an affair, but no one believes the gossip. With their lives in peril, Ollie and Peter must rely on each other to uncover who murdered their associates and why before they endure the same fate.
In the interim, the Chief Usher, Paul Vasquez retires and hands over the reins to Doug Lambert; who is not only inadept in dealing with matters of the country; but has lesser tolerance and favourites.
Ollie feels she is getting stalked.
She happens to rescue Mr Bettencourt, from a failed kidnapping, and it is revealed that he is Mrs Quinones father.
The Quinones are indebted to Ollie - however, she cannot shake off the eerie feeling of being watched, at all times.
She is put under the direct supervision of the Secret Service, making her life claustrophobic.
Can Agent Gav help?
When Milton makes efforts to constantly get in touch with her, regarding information of the murders; she’s baffled.
Is he making these claims just to get into the White House?
Ollie’s fastidious nature leads you to a tale of inventiveness and perception.
Hyzy has woven the twist, keeping in mind what the readers want.
Brilliantly crafted characters in the series, leave you craving for more.
This is the fifth book in the White House Chef Mystery series - and I’m sad that I’m approaching the end.
November 13, 2025
I am still enjoying this series about the White House Chef sleuth. This particular entry is somewhere between on par for the genre (3 stars) and thoroughly enjoyable (4 stars).
It is similar to the rest of the series in terms of excitement and White House atmosphere, but the excitement begins at an earlier part in the story. There is not as much focus on the details of the food, or as much description of the lavish rooms and decor of the White House.
What lifted this from 3 stars to 4 stars for me is the attempts at reconciliation, unity, and support, and the way Ollie usually rises above the negative behaviors of those around her. One reviewer of the last book said they didn't know how many different disagreeable people could be gathered together. I suppose it is the cut-throat nature of those climbing political and business career ladders.
Ollie did let Wyatt get on her nerves. I think it would've been better to address the problem in a complimentary way, saying something along the lines of, "I can see how the gift of gab can be helpful/important/crucial for a social aid in the context of a party, but I need you to focus on business at hand." That would've significantly cut down on his self-aggrandizing stories.
I will be interested to see if Ollie's business relationship with the sensitivity director continues to improve, if there is any character growth there. Although I would probably have helped him some, I would not have done so to the extent that she did.
I wish she had been more patient with Gav.
The children from the last volume did not appear in this one. I had hoped to see their characters develop, but that may still happen in the rest of the series.
Ollie's guilt over Milton is a false guilt. Something bad happened, so she feels like she caused it, although she didn't.
I didn't guess whodunit.
My favorite quote, that it was a good day because "Everyone was fed. No one died."
It reminds me of the time I told one of my kids that it was a good day because no one got shot, hit, or bitten. That's probably a story in itself.
It is similar to the rest of the series in terms of excitement and White House atmosphere, but the excitement begins at an earlier part in the story. There is not as much focus on the details of the food, or as much description of the lavish rooms and decor of the White House.
What lifted this from 3 stars to 4 stars for me is the attempts at reconciliation, unity, and support, and the way Ollie usually rises above the negative behaviors of those around her. One reviewer of the last book said they didn't know how many different disagreeable people could be gathered together. I suppose it is the cut-throat nature of those climbing political and business career ladders.
Ollie did let Wyatt get on her nerves. I think it would've been better to address the problem in a complimentary way, saying something along the lines of, "I can see how the gift of gab can be helpful/important/crucial for a social aid in the context of a party, but I need you to focus on business at hand." That would've significantly cut down on his self-aggrandizing stories.
I will be interested to see if Ollie's business relationship with the sensitivity director continues to improve, if there is any character growth there. Although I would probably have helped him some, I would not have done so to the extent that she did.
I wish she had been more patient with Gav.
The children from the last volume did not appear in this one. I had hoped to see their characters develop, but that may still happen in the rest of the series.
Ollie's guilt over Milton is a false guilt. Something bad happened, so she feels like she caused it, although she didn't.
I didn't guess whodunit.
My favorite quote, that it was a good day because "Everyone was fed. No one died."
It reminds me of the time I told one of my kids that it was a good day because no one got shot, hit, or bitten. That's probably a story in itself.
November 3, 2022
Olivia Paras works as the Executive Chef at the White House. When she is asked to help select, along with Sensitivity Director Peter Sargeant, a venue for an upcoming birthday bash for the Secretary of State they set off on a walking tour of possible options. The final venue option, and the First Lady's favored, is where she is supposed to meet Patty the First Lady's assistant. But Patty's a no-show. While poking around the kitchen they make a gruesome discovery, Patty in a large kitchen appliance, dead, probably murdered. After calling for assistance, a second body is discovered--the Chief of Staff at the White House. Now Olivia (Ollie) is pulled into the middle of another mystery when she feels there are too many unanswered questions that are not being addressed. Then she's followed, her apartment is broken into, someone is overly friendly on the subway, and she's now assigned a secret service guard. The entire time, she is still having to plan the birthday bash for the Secretary of State while working with Sargeant for whom no love is lost and another social aide who grates on both of their nerves. Through luck, persistence, and a fair amount of courage Ollie uncovers quite the convoluted plot involving people even at the top and within her own fellow White House coworkers.
My first book by this author, I was entranced, reading the book in only a couple of days. It was a fun story, with lots of twists and turns, and a unique setting. While this book is part of a series, it is not necessary to read the others before this one.
My first book by this author, I was entranced, reading the book in only a couple of days. It was a fun story, with lots of twists and turns, and a unique setting. While this book is part of a series, it is not necessary to read the others before this one.
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