Today, it’s time for one of Sandie Herron’s audiobook reviews. This one is in Julie Hyzy’s White House Chef series, Home of the Braised. Thank you, Sandie.
Home of the Braised
White House Chef Mystery, Book 7
Written by Julie Hyzy
Narrated by Eileen Stevens
Unabridged Audiobook
Audible Studios (10/17/14) originally published in pb on 1/7/14
Listening Length: 8 hours, 15 minutes
White House Chef Olivia “Ollie” Paras couldn’t be happier. She and her boyfriend Gavin have decided to marry, and to do so quickly. When applying for the license, which would only take 3 days, they learn that getting a date with the justice of the peace was projected at 8 weeks. Gavin remembers a friend is a minister, so the two go to visit him. What they find is shocking. Five men, including Gavin’s friend, are dead, bound and gagged, lying on the floor. The duo rapidly notices a foul odor and turn to find fresh air when they encounter two people in biohazard suits who whisk them outside to a waiting van. Gavin, who knows one of the men as a previous Secret Service agent who is now working for a private security firm, is angry when he and Ollie are interrogated at length.
Ollie returns to the kitchen to begin preparations for a state dinner for a delegation from long-term enemy Durasi in the US to discuss peace with the President. Ollie must get everything right to promote the peace talks. Virgil, the chef brought in by the first family to prepare their meals, continues to plague Ollie with resentment, anger, and malice. Since her own efforts at peace in the kitchen have not worked so far, Ollie tries a different approach. She has Virgil host the tastings for the state dinner, but he handles it poorly. Virgil continues to badger Ollie until she loses her temper with him, just as the First Lady walks in!
On Ollie’s way home, she waits with a jostling crowd for the next train. Suddenly she finds herself pushed onto the tracks. Miraculously she finds a way to survive the train’s arrival. First son Josh is especially happy when Ollie arrives in the kitchen to give him another lesson. He is excited to learn that he can help with the state dinner too. Across town, the secretary of defense isn’t so lucky; he is dead, and agents smell something strange in his home.
The kitchen is humming nicely, and even Josh is working hard to prepare for dinner, when Ollie finds the speech her private security agent escort is to give that evening at the state dinner. Ollie must warn the President, but dinner has begun!
Taut only begins to describe this seventh entry in the White House chef series. Emotions of joy turn to fear turn to shock and dismay. Author Julie Hyzy takes us on a rollercoaster ride of ups and down and twists and turns. Narrator Eileen Stevens does an excellent job of keeping up, her voice oscillating with the action. The suspense does not let up until the very last paragraph. Highly recommended.
