Julie Hyzy’s White House Chef series was always fun. My sister, Christie, and I used to discuss each of these books as we read them. Here’s Sandie Herron’s review of the audiobook Buffalo West Wing. Thank you, Sandie.
*****
Buffalo West Wing
White House Chef Mystery, Book 4
Written by Julie Hyzy
Narrated by Eileen Stevens
Unabridged Audiobook
Audible Studios (February 11, 2014) originally published 1/4/2011
Listening Length: 8 hours, 47 minutes
Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original (2012)
White House Executive Chef Olivia “Ollie” Paras prepares for the start of a new administration. While the new President is inaugurated, the staff moves the former first family out and the new family in. This first family has two children, Josh and Abigail, who host a sleepover for friends their first night in the White House. Ollie and her staff are preparing family favorites when suddenly a box of take-out chicken wings appears in the kitchen. No one knows who brought it, so Olivia follows protocol and refuses to serve it. When the kids participate in a scavenger hunt, Josh finds the chicken wings and is crushed when he cannot have them. The first lady cannot understand why Ollie withheld them either. Even Cyan, one of Ollie’s chefs, has trouble with Ollie’s decision and gives the wings to the White House laundry ladies and butlers.
Ollie arrives at the White House the next day to reports of a hostage situation at the nearest hospital. Several White House staffers were ill with suspected food poisoning and have been taken hostage. The Secret Service is searching for answers when Ollie and Cyan explain. The discarded box from the wings is found and tested, confirming that the poultry was tainted. The Secret Service knows that the intended victims had been the “first kids” and that it would have been them taken hostage if Ollie had served them the wings. Ollie is infuriated that they do not share this with the first lady.
Ollie is given more bad news; the new first family has decided to keep their family chef to prepare the family meals. Ollie is fearful she will lose her job, always a risk with a change in administration. The new cook, Virgil, thinks he has been appointed head of the White House kitchen, and becomes belligerent when he discovers Ollie is still executive chef. Virgil reveals that he doesn’t even like kids and refuses to help Josh learn about food preparation even though Virgil promised to do so.
Josh’s school is hosting a career day and has made special arrangements for Josh to bring in Virgil, because Josh also wants to become a chef. Virgil calls in sick on the appointed day leaving Ollie to take his place. As Josh and Ollie prepare to leave the school, shots are fired. They are rushed away in the waiting limo, but they are not safe. They have both been taken hostage!
This fourth entry in the White House chef mysteries is taut and suspenseful with multiple plot lines crossing each other. Ollie’s level head and charm bring the storyline along at a steady pace. I stayed up way too late to finish this book, so gripping the action. Author Julie Hyzy has enthralled me yet again. Narrator Eileen Stevens skillfully bring us many different characters with total believability. I would absolutely recommend this book and the entire series
