Foreign Éclairs
A White House Chef Mystery #9
By Julie Hyzy
ISBN#9780425262405
Juliehyzy.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis: 
White House executive chef Ollie Paras has served plenty of meals to foreign dignitaries from around the world. But someone is ready to serve her an ice-cold dish of revenge…
Things are about to really heat up for Ollie. News of a bombing and attempted breakout at a federal prison reveals that the brother of a terrorist she helped defeat is back with a vengeance. And after she gets mugged on her way home from work, the Secret Service won’t leave her side, fearing she is now a target.
When a White House staff member is murdered, officials rush to action over a possible security breach. It may be time for Ollie to trade in her apron for a bullet-proof vest as she becomes part of a bold strategy to make sure this terrorist gets his just desserts…(Goodreads)
Review:
Foreign Éclairs, the ninth and final White house Chef mystery written by Hyzy, is a tense ride and bittersweet adieu to Ollie and company.
Ollie is busy, as always, working in the White House kitchen, trying to figure out what is bothering the president’s son, looking for a replacement assistant chef, and adjusting to married life with a frequently absent husband. When Ollie is mugged shortly after a Wisconsin prison escape and bombing, it appears that the two events may be related. Then when a member is of the White House staff is discovered obviously tortured and subsequently murdered, and Ollie and Gav narrowly miss a second bombing, it is determined that Ollie is the target of terrorists and in some serious danger. After Gav’s cover is blown, they both become targets. Leaving the kitchen behind for most of the book, Ollie finds herself in one life threatening situation after another. Can she and Gav ever again have their normal lives or will everything change?
The White House Chef series is one of my favorite series, and I am sad to see it come to an end. Ollie is a likable, smart, and realistic heroine, even though she finds herself in some pretty far-fetched situations. Along with her husband Gav and the other members of the White House staff and residents, I have come to consider them all friends. The look at life behind the scenes at the White House is always interesting, and the recipes included always mouth watering.
Julie Hyzy knows how to mix intrigue, danger, and mystery deftly and succeeds at fitting her heavier material in the often lighter cozy mystery mold. The story starts off solid and builds to its climactic conclusion. Ollie goes out with a bang, and we readers are left to decide for ourselves what the future holds for Ollie and Gav. It is a fitting goodbye to such beloved characters. Even though there is the possibility that another author may continue on with the series, I do not think anyone can fill Hyzy’s shoes. I will miss my White House friends.
I highly recommend Foreign Éclairs to fans of the series and to anyone who enjoys a heavy addition of suspense and intrigue to their cozy mysteries.
