Reviews

Eggsecutive Orders by Julie Hyzy

setaian's review against another edition

3.0

When a heavy hitter from the NSA dies suddenly at a White House dinner, suspicion immediately falls on the kitchen and Executive Chef Olivia once again finds herself investigating.

Eggsecutive Orders is another entertaining murder mystery set in the White House's kitchens. These books don't offer any real surprises but they're easy reading and good fun.

sheltzer's review against another edition

3.0

This one is my least favorite of the series so far. I liked meeting Ollie's family, but did not enjoy the relationship angst between her and Tom. There wasn't enough depth to their relationship in this book for it to matter. I enjoyed the mystery, but I had this one figured out.

kathyscottage's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

smiley7245's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Cute, fast read. White House chef Olivia once again finds herself in the middle of a mystery; this time a guest dies not long after eating dinner at the White House. She and her staff are under suspicion; did their food kill him. Secret Service boyfriend Tom is tasked with keeping Olivia out of the investigation. She tries, really she tries. In fact, her mom and nana are in town to visit and she is not even allowed at the White House so she's staying out of things. But, while visiting Arlington, where her dad is buried, she accidentally runs into the grieving widow and son of the dead guy; the widow is mean to her because right now everyone thinks the food killed him. But later she calls to apologize for being mean to her. How is any of that Ollie's fault? It's not. Two of her friends, celebrity chefs, were in the kitchen filming that day and they gave her the footage; they also reached out to her because the press had been following them around. Again, not Ollie's fault. Craig, Tom's boss, doesn't care. He doesn't like Ollie and so it doesn't matter that she's not intentionally doing anything. This is also right before Easter and the White House Egg Roll. Ollie, her mom and nana, and Cyan, go to Bucky's house to boil and dye the eggs so they are ready for when they are allowed back into the kitchen. In the kitchen Ollie gets questioned again, this time by the sensitivity director, which leads her to a google search, that leads her to figuring out just how the guy was killed. Again, she wasn't getting involved, just being curious. So, when, at the Egg Roll, who we originally are led to believe is the killer ends up with similar symptoms, we know what the poison is and are able to get the medics and save him. I was very surprised at who the killer was; their motives made sense once they were laid out, but I was still surprised. Oh, and Ollie broke up with Tom for a lot of reasons, but mostly because she feels like she can't be herself with him. After the Egg Roll, the original killer has only killed one of her targets and accidentally killed herself, and Ollie is questioned by Craig. He thinks Tom is the one who told her about the poison; he didn't she asked after she figured it herself and she can honestly say that she figured it out after being questioned by the sensitivity director. What she can't say is that before meeting with Secret Service she met with the CIA and the informed her that the dead guy was selling government secrets to China; the guy her mom has been flirting with during her trip is undercover CIA. Craig says he's going to demote Tom and get Ollie fired, but he can't; the head of the Secret Service demotes him and gives Tom his job instead. But Ollie and Tom are still broken up. I really enjoy this series and am looking forward to the next book.

lunifur's review against another edition

4.0

What I absolutely love about this series that even though it takes place at the White House, it isn't political. I really enjoyed how this book was full of surprises. Not only with the mystery, but with character revelations, too. With Ollie's Mom and Nana visiting, and Ollie, Cyan and Bucky away from the White House kitchen, we really get a chance to see a different side of them.

whewtaewoon's review

lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

imbookingit's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars

I really have an issue with Tom, the love interest that disappears any time Ollie gets into a difficult situation.

jventer's review against another edition

4.0

Best of the three I've read so far. It started with a bang and never let up. A fun read.

raingirl's review against another edition

2.0

I honestly found it annoying that it took them so long to clear the kitchen and its staff. But still want to read the other book, so I guess it means it's not bad

crazyoverbooks's review

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0