Review & Giveaway: Buffalo West Wing by Julie Hyzy

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Paperback: 320 pages

• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (January 4,2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425239233
• ISBN-13: 978-0425239230

Well, Julie has done it again! She has come up with a new culinary thriller adventure featuring Ollie Paras, the White House executive chef, that not only grabbed my attention from the beginning but held it throughout the entire book.
It's inaguration day at the White House and Ollie and her staff, not to mention the secret service, are run off their feet. It's a big production when the new president and his family move into the White House. This time it's a little different as the new family, the Hydens, have two young children.
When a box of chicken wings from a popular chain shows up with a note saying they are for the new first kids, Josh and Abby, Ollie follows protocol and does not allow them to have the treat until she finds out where they came from.When they turn out to be poisoned, Ollie and the secret service wonder if the wings were part of a plot against the incoming president. The big question is how did they come to be in the kitchen and how did they get past security. Could it be someone with a hidden agenda? Has there been a security breach?
Not only does Ollie have to worry about security threats and  preparing for a big state dinner but now she is worried about her job. The new first lady has brought in her own personal chef. Unfortunately, he is a kitchen diva who likes to throw hissy fits which really throws everyone off their game. What will Ollie do?
This is the fourth book in the White House Chef series. It's not necessary to have read the preceding three but I would recommend starting with State of the Onion, the first in the series and winner of the Anthony and Barry awards for 2009. With the addition of some new characters, Julie has kept this series fresh and exciting. It's obvious how much research Julie has put into this series. I really enjoyed seeing how the White House staff operates on a day to day basis and how much is involved in putting on a big state dinner.
The twist at the end, which I never saw coming, led to a heart thumping thrill ride of an ending. Great job, Julie!  If you are a fan of cozies or culinary thrillers, this one will definite suit your taste. Recipes are included at the end of the book. I can't wait for the next adventure for Ollie and her friends in the White House kitchen. Such wonderful characters!
If you would like to know more about Julie, you can find her at her website, at Mystery Lovers Kitchen  or at Killer Characters where Julie and several other culinary cozy writers discuss their books, their characters and post some really terrific recipes. There's always something fun going on at all three sites!
Disclosure:  A review copy of Buffalo West Wing was provided by Berkley at no charge for my honest opinion.
To celebrate today's release of Buffalo West Wing, Berkley is allowing me to give away a copy of the book.  To enter: leave me a comment telling me why you would like to read this book.
Be sure to include an e mail address in your comment. Open to US only. Deadline to enter is Jan 14th  at 5 PM (est)  As always, bonus entries can be earned by:
+ 2 being a follower, Tell me under what name you follow
+3 tweeting  or posting about and linking to contest (sidebar is ok) Just be sure to give me the link in a comment. Good luck!