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cstaude's review against another edition
5.0
Holy smokes! What an intense final installment of this series! I promise, no spoilers! However, this last edition kept me flipping pages as fast as I could. Hyzy gave us an ending worthy of the books and one from which (I hope!) a new series could spring!!! In any case, thanks to Ms. Hyzy for a delicious series complete with recipes and a ton of fun with Chef Ollie, Agent Gavin, Bucky, and the rest of the gang. This is a series I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish- or should I say, from the first course to the dessert? Bravo!!!!
jb16772's review against another edition
2.0
Perhaps the rating of two stars is a bit unfair, as it is primarily driven by my disappointment in this book, the books ending, and as such the series ending.
This is the ninth and final book in the white house chef mystery series. I've thoroughly enjoyed this series, even if at times the mysteries themselves were not the most interesting aspects of the series. The series main character, Chef Ollie Paras, is a very likable character, as are her friends and colleagues. That is why it is disappointing that most of the secondary characters of previous books are not a part of this book. Apart from the mystery itself, there was always a lot going on in the white house kitchen; which is not true in this book either. With a very simple suspense plot, such a b story is missed.
The ending of the book effectively means the ending of the series, and although it is a happily ever after ending of sorts it is not the happy ending I had expected or one that fits the character of Ollie.
I really hope the author changes her mind and revisits this series to ensure Ollie, and us readers, get a more worthy ending.
This is the ninth and final book in the white house chef mystery series. I've thoroughly enjoyed this series, even if at times the mysteries themselves were not the most interesting aspects of the series. The series main character, Chef Ollie Paras, is a very likable character, as are her friends and colleagues. That is why it is disappointing that most of the secondary characters of previous books are not a part of this book. Apart from the mystery itself, there was always a lot going on in the white house kitchen; which is not true in this book either. With a very simple suspense plot, such a b story is missed.
The ending of the book effectively means the ending of the series, and although it is a happily ever after ending of sorts it is not the happy ending I had expected or one that fits the character of Ollie.
I really hope the author changes her mind and revisits this series to ensure Ollie, and us readers, get a more worthy ending.
dkamada's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable as the rest of the series but I hate an ambiguous ending
librarianlinda82's review against another edition
4.0
I am going to miss this series. I have enjoyed Ollie's adventures. This one had some exciting moments. I guess we will never know what Ollie's choice finally was.
sarful's review against another edition
4.0
I’m so sad to see this series end! I could spend books and books with Ollie and all the characters. I loved the inside the kitchen, behind the scenes aspects of day to day White House activity and how Ollie ends up saving the day. I’m very happy I found this particular series.
yabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this series! This installment of the series reminds me of the show 24. I liked that every time they thought the revenge plot was finished, the book took another turn. Lots of action, danger, and plot twists in this one. I devoured this book, not wanting to let go of the world and these characters. I needed to know what happened!
I liked how Gav and Ollie worked together to figure out and attempt to untangle this mess.
As always, I love the background bits in the White House and I really enjoyed the search for a new chef. The interviews and candidates were entertaining.
I really liked the scenes between Ollie and Josh. I like how she helped him and how he talked with his parents. I think being a kid/teen in White House would be very difficult.
A wonderful series!
Final Thoughts: Reading this series is like getting together with old friends. I shall be very sad next January without them.
I liked how Gav and Ollie worked together to figure out and attempt to untangle this mess.
As always, I love the background bits in the White House and I really enjoyed the search for a new chef. The interviews and candidates were entertaining.
I really liked the scenes between Ollie and Josh. I like how she helped him and how he talked with his parents. I think being a kid/teen in White House would be very difficult.
A wonderful series!
Final Thoughts: Reading this series is like getting together with old friends. I shall be very sad next January without them.
paperbackstash's review
2.0
I can't say I enjoyed the end to the series. Much of it is spent outside the White House again, revisiting an earlier terrorist association. I foresaw several endings to the book - where for the time being Ollie would stay on as chef and Gav in the service, with possible retirement later. Or they would retire in the vineyard as they discussed, with the going away party type Henry received, making Bucky the new Chef. Could have been a surprise metal for her service all the years. Instead we get a bleak type of ending I didn't see coming, and an open-ended almost cliffhanger instead of a resolution. It didn't fit the series. Yes, I know terrorism isn't pretty and it can't all be sunshine and rainbows, but to be fair, the situation in the first place wasn't realistic and that the Secret Service continues to be this inept.... A good series, but I would have liked a different finale.
nutti72's review against another edition
4.0
Is this the end of the series? I'm not sure. We are several months out from President Dalton's reelection? Will he be reelected? Also added to the mix Ollie getting mugged & Margaret getting murdered. Things do tie up nicely, but I'm wondering where the author will go from here.
jventer's review against another edition
Probably my favorite of the series - so far. Action packed from page one and it just kept getting better. Given the cliff hanger-ish ending, I'm really hoping there are more coming.