Home of the Braised

In Hyzy’s action-packed seventh White House chef mystery (after 2012’s Fonduing Fathers), White House executive chef Olivia “Ollie” Paras prepares a dinner for President Parker Hyden, staff, and guests—representatives of Durasi, a nation with which the U.S. is in delicate peace negotiations. Talk is circulating that the U.S.-hired mercenaries working in Durasi are about to be recalled and the lucrative contract of their company, Kalto, terminated. Later, Ollie and her fiancé, Secret Service agent Leonard “Gav” Gavin, dash out to meet with Evan Bonder, one of Gav’s friends, who they hope will officiate at their wedding, but instead they find Evan among the victims at a horrific crime scene at his mission workplace, a homeless shelter. Meanwhile, Ollie wrestles with staffing conflicts and provides cooking lessons to the president’s son, Josh, who plays a major role in trying to stop a plot to undermine the peace talks. With grace and aplomb, Ollie juggles her job and sleuthing, receiving a very pleasant surprise of her own at the satisfying conclusion. Agent: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary Management. (Jan.)