State of the Onion.

Hyzy, Julie (author).

Hyzy wastes no time establishing a mood of tension when Olivia Paras, cook at the White House, foils an intruder on the Executive Mansion’s grounds with a swift blow from a frying pan. The chef gets to bask in the glow of her foolhardy heroism for only a brief time because she soon realizes that the man she bashed in the head is clearly not the same man whose picture appears on television’s nightly news. Moreover, as the interloper collapses at her feet, he utters a few words warning that the president is in some sort of danger. Despite Secret Service admonitions to say nothing and even the president himself personally advising her silence, she can’t help pursuing a solution to the mystery. Meanwhile, Olivia has to prepare meals for the First Family and arrange state dinners. Hyzy’s sure grasp of Washington geography offers firm footing for the plot.