I’m rather late to the party checking out the White House Chef Mystery series, but better late than never!

STATE OF THE ONION is the first in this nine-book series set behind the scenes in the White House kitchen and featuring a talented assistant chef, Olivia Paras. Ollie, as she is known to friends and colleagues, loves working at the White House and just might be moving up the ladder to head chef. Everything turns upside down when a normal day at work disintegrates into a dangerous and chaotic encounter with a potential terrorist. And, as much as she tries, Ollie can’t shake the lingering curious questions that follow her encounter with a possible killer on the White House lawn. Soon enough, she stumbles deeper into the world of an international assassin–a world where she’s no longer orchestrating menus, appetizers, and entrees but conducting a fight for survival.

STATE OF THE ONION is smart and fast-paced. A strong story with puzzling plot details. I quickly lost myself in reading, and I’m very much looking forward to continuing the series.