Publishers Weekly

In Hyzy's diverting if preposterous fourth White House Chef mystery (after 2010's Eggsecutive Orders), nothing goes well for Olivia "Ollie" Paras, the White House's first female executive chef, on the arrival of the newly inaugurated U.S. president, Parker Hyden, and his family. First, Ollie stops a box of take-out chicken wings of unknown origin from reaching the Hyden children, 13-year-old Abby and nine-year-old Josh, much to the new First Lady's annoyance. The five White House staff members who eat the chicken wings, however, wind up violently ill in the hospital, where terrorists later take them hostage. To add to Ollie's woes, the Hydens' egotistical personal chef expects to be the boss in the kitchen. Ollie befriends Josh, and their developing bond, reinforced during a kidnapping incident, is one of this cozy's highlights. Recipes include a kid-friendly chicken meal. (Jan.)