GREAT READS

State of the Onion

Julie Hyzy.

Cozy mysteries often involve repetitive elements (spunky heroines, small towns, splash of romance here and there), so to write this genre inventively takes a lot of talent. Mystery fans, take note: Julie Hyzy is a name you're going to want to remember.

The State of the Onion is a refreshing take on the culinary mystery genre. The story's heroine, Olivia Paras, works as a chef in the White House kitchen. Like all mysteries, there's a murder, but this isn't the typical whodunit. Olivia is the only witness and she knows who the killer is - a legendary assassin who has escaped capture time and time again. And unlike the typical cozy lead, Olivia doesn't set out to play detective; coincidences outside her control and her charming tendency to over-analyze keep sucking her back into the drama. She is smart, sassy, but also wonderfully believable.

The plot has more suspense and substance than your typical light mystery, and I found myself flipping pages to get to the satisfying end. While some readers may be disappointed that romance is only a minor ingredient to the tale, Hyzy makes up for it with simmering political intrigue and a fascinating look at the day-to-day lives of White House staff. For the cooking crowd, Hyzy does a lovely job of detailing elaborate State dinners, providing readers with delicious recipes at the end.

This book is a satisfying choice for mystery lovers, as well as fiction readers looking for a light, but well-written read.

Recommended by Erica Jesonis