Buffalo West Wing

Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy (Berkley Prime Crime Mystery, 2011)(A White House Chef Mystery)

With a new First Family, White House executive chef Olivia Paras can't afford to make any mistakes. But when a box of take-out chicken mysteriously shows up for the First Kids, she soon finds herself in a "no-wing" situation. After Olivia refuses to serve the chicken, the First Lady gives her the cold shoulder. But when it turns out to be poisoned poultry, Olivia realizes the kids are true targets.

Hail to the Chef

Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy (Berkley Prime Crime Mystery, 2008)(White House Chef Mystery)

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.

Eggsecitive Orders

Eggsecutive Orders by Julie Hyzy (Berkley Prime Crime Mystery, 2010)(A White House Chef Mystery)

When NSA big shot Carl Minkus dies right after eating the dinner Olivia Paras's staff had prepared, all forks point to them. Now the Secret Service is picking apart the kitchen-and scrutinizing the staff's every move. The timing couldn't be worse with the White House Lawn Easter Egg Roll to prep for without access to a kitchen. Olivia must find the real culprit-before she cracks under pressure.

State of the Onion

State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy (Berkley Prime Crime Mystery, 2008) (White House Chef Mystery) (#1)

White House Chef Olivia Paras is trying to earn her dream job - Executive Chef of the White House. She has to contend with a former chef cum tv cooking diva who is also trying to get the job. However, while on her way back from picking up the current Executive Chef's retirement gift, a frying pan, she stops an intruder on the White House grounds who was evading the Secret Service agents to get to the President. Try as she might, she can't wash her hands of the matter once she becomes a witness to a murder. Then her Secret Service boyfriend warns her the killer is a world class assassin - and she might be the only person alive who can recognize him.

Julie Hyzy writes a mean mystery. This is the first of a four book series based around the position of Executive Chef to the White House. Exciting read.

Awards: 2009 Lovey Award for Best Traditional Mystery, 2009 Anthony Award winner, 2009 Barry Award winner for Best Paperback