still loving this series! ( )

I think it's a four, I got wrapped up in the action part of it, not so much so the mystery- which yes, I had guessed about 1/3 the way through, but hey- I was a third of the way through.. ;]
so the action, twisty-turny, stuff was interesting, but I don't know how I feel about these "guys" who run a form of shadow government- even if it is for OUR government, within OUR government. It reminds me of the guy who says to ya, "I gotta guy", and your response naturally is "you gotta guy?" to which his reply, "I GOTTA guy..." and backing down, you shrug your shoulders and nod,"ok." ( )

Fonduing Fathers is the sixth book in the A White House Chef series by Anthony Award wining author, Julie Hyzy. I think Fonduing Fathers is the best one yet.

Hyzy has written this book to center around the murder of Ollie's father, some 20 years earlier and his supposed Dishonorable Discharge from the Army. Information her mother has never shared with anyone, ever. Ollie and Gav have taken a vacation to visit her mother and Nana. Her mother realizes that it is time to finally share with Ollie, what information she knows about Ollie's fathers death.

Now that Ollie knows about her fathers discharge, the first question she needs answered is: How did he get buried in Arlington National? Ollie and Gav still have a few days of vacation left and set out find out what really happened. Ollie finds Eugene Vaughn, who was instrumental in getting her father interred at Arlington, but he is unwilling to give much information other than it was a well deserved honor. She learns that there are a couple co-workers still alive and they too are unwilling to discuss the past. Then Gav sets up a clandestine meeting with someone high up in government security and he also strongly suggests that her investigation should stop for reasons of national security. The book ends with a very touching ending.

The reader does get to meet up with, Cyan, Bucky and Virgil, the White House kitchen staff a little bit. And Virgil is as irritating as usual.

While most of the time spent in the White House centers around the First Family. I thought it was a nice how Hyzy focused on the First Family as just a normal family. Yes, they really are, but sometimes I think people forget that. First Son, Josh, has taken an interest in becoming a chef when he grows up. Even though he is young and will probably change his mind, his father would rather he learn more about public service. The First Lady feels that he should go ahead enjoy growing up. I thought it was a nice touch bring the First Family in on a personal level. What I found particularly interesting was to read what Ollie and Josh to go through to visit a Food Expo that was going on in the District.

So looking forward to the next book to see what will happen next with Ollie and Gav. A wonderful non-political series about the White House chef. ( )

This series stared out fairly strong - some good things, some bad things, but more good than bad, with interesting characters and solid plots. But the last three books, and this book in particular - outstanding! This story builds a bit slowly, but there's a lot of character development - not only on the part of Ollie and Gav, but in a few of the secondary characters as well and I found that kept the story moving along really well. I love the relationship building between Ollie and Josh and I'm not normally a fan of small children in my books. Authors tend to make them too exaggerated, but Ms. Hyzy makes Josh likeable without being obnoxious or precocious. Very little exposure to Virgil made the story pleasant without the bitter aftertaste.

The story line/plot about Ollie's father and the truth about his military career and death was convoluted and interesting and Ms. Hyzy doesn't give a single thing away until she does. The ending was climatic and was like an action movie in my head: when Ollie lost the plot at the end, I could see it clear as day and felt her fury and terror. That almost never happens to me with a cozy mystery.

The very very end of this book was just fabulous, leaving me with a grin on my face as I put the book down. I really can't wait for the next book, although I must admit to being a bit unsure about what could possibly top this book. ( )

This was the first of her books I have read and I do plan on reading more. ( )