Synopses & Reviews
When it comes to gardening, Cassandra “Casey” Calhoun isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. But when it comes to murder, she’s not the kind of gal to let any killer get away clean... Despite cooler fall temperatures in Washington, D.C., tempers flare at the White House when important historical documents go missing from the curator’s office and the gardeners are blamed. As if that isn’t bad enough, Casey has started receiving death threats, the president’s pooch is digging unsightly holes all over the South Lawn, and the curator has been found dead. All evidence for the murder points to Gordon Sims, the chief gardener. His fingerprints are on the murder weapon, and witnesses saw him arguing with the curator shortly before her death. With the help of Special Agent Jack Turner, her reluctant sidekick and new flame, Casey works to clear Gordon’s name. Along the way she finds herself in a deadly race against time to discover if there’s a link between the stolen papers, the dog’s holes in the South Lawn, and a rumored two-hundred-year-old treasure—before the killer strikes again...
Review
Praise for the national bestselling White House Chef mysteries:
"Pulse-pounding action, an appealing heroine, and the inner workings of the White House kitchen combine for a stellar adventure...delightful." --Carolyn Hart, national bestselling author of Death Comes Silently
"[A] unique setting, strong characters, sharp conflict, and snappy plotting...Hyzy's research into the backstage kitchen secrets of the White House gives this series a special savor that will make you hungry for more." --Susan Wittig Albert, national bestselling author of Widow's Tears
"A compulsively readable whodunit full of juicy behind-the-Oval Office details, flavorful characters, and a satisfying side dish of red herrings." --Publishers Weekly
"The backstage look at the White House proves fascinating." --Booklist
Review
Praise for the White House Gardener Mysteries:
“A bright blossom in the garden of cozy mysteries.” —Jacklyn Brady, author of Cake on a Hot Tin Roof
“Credible characters, a fast-paced plot, and a light look at political life in Washington, D.C., will delight cozy fans.”—Publishers Weekly
“[A] delightful debut mystery…just the ticket for all us flustered and withered gardeners… Fans of cozy mysteries will adore this new series, and are sure to find themselves anxious for the next installment!” —Fresh Fiction
"A potboiler of homicide, blackmail, journalism, power and sex—but one that St. James handles with taste as well as verve —The Scarlet Pepper fulfills the promise of last year's series debut, Flowerbed of State, and then some."—Richmond Times-Dispatch
Review
“Readers will love Grace.”—
Chicago Sun-Times
"Grace Wheaton is the type of sophisticated Southern sleuth that cozy fans will adore!”—Feathered Quill Book Reviews “Hyzy creates the well-researched and believable estate of Marshfield Manor, part mansion and part museum . . . Well-drawn characters like busybody secretary Frances, handsome landscape architect Jack, and stalking wannabe PI Ronny are supported by lively subplots, laying series groundwork to rival Marshfield Manors own elaborate structure.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
Praise for the New York Times Bestselling White House Chef Mysteries
“[A] unique setting, strong characters, sharp conflict, and snappy plotting…Hyzys research into the backstage kitchen secrets of the White House gives this series a special savor that will make you hungry for more.”—Susan Wittig Albert, national bestselling author of The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star
“[A] clever plot and fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in the White House.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch
“[A] compulsively readable whodunit.”—Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
Introducing White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras, who is rising-and sleuthing-to the top. Includes recipes for a complete presidential menu! Never let them see you sweat-that's White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras's motto, which is pretty hard to honor in the most important kitchen in the world. She's hell-bent on earning her dream job, Executive Chef. There's just one thing: her nemesis is vying for it, too. Well, that and the fact that an elusive assassin wants to see her fry.
Synopsis
This first in a new series introduces White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras, whos hell-bent on earning her dream job of Executive Chef. Theres just one thing: her nemesis is vying for it, too. Well, that and the fact that an elusive assassin wants to see her fry. Includes recipes for a complete meal. Original.
Synopsis
White House executive chef Olivia Paras has enough on her plate. But after gaining new information about her father’s death, the First Family isn’t the only family Olivia is concerned about… Olivia has always believed that her father was an honorable man—until a trip to visit her mother reveals that he was dishonorably discharged from the army. Olivia is even more shocked to learn that he was brutally murdered because someone at his company suspected him of selling corporate secrets. Refusing to believe that her father was a scoundrel, Olivia won’t rest until she proves his innocence.
Enlisting the help of her boyfriend, Gav, Olivia must reach out to her father’s colleagues to discover the truth behind his murder. What she’s about to discover may not only put her at risk, but threaten national security as well…
Synopsis
A trip to Italys Tuscan countryside is a dream come true for curator and manager of Marshfield Manor, Grace Wheaton. At least until her bossand benefactor of this whirlwind excursionbecomes the target of a murderer
When Grace and her boss, Bennett Marshfield, turn up at the Italian villa of one of his oldest friends, theyre troubled to discover that most of his friends impressive art collectionincluding a prized bronze skull crafted by Picassois fake. Someone has been selling the real deals and replacing them with skilled forgeries.
Unfortunately, Grace and Bennett have to fly home the next day, so theres no time to investigate. But their troubles are hardly over. On the plane, Grace catches a woman trying to poison Bennett. The woman, of course, isnt talking, but by the end of the flight, there are two dead bodies. Now Grace has to wing it to find a mile-high murdererespecially since she suspects Bennett is still in danger
Synopsis
With the pressure of an upcoming state dinner that could make or break the presidents foreign policy, White House executive chef Olivia Paras has precious little time to focus on her wedding plansor to catch a murderer
Tensions are running high as the White House staff adjusts to a new chief usher and prepares for a high-stakes state dinner, where everything must be perfect. But as the date for the event approaches, things go disastrously wrong when the secretary of defense is found dead in his home, seemingly killed during a break-in.
At the same time Olivias fiancé, Gav, is looking into the mysterious murder of an old friend. Is there a connection? Despite an increase in security following the secretarys death, Ollie learns the president is in imminent danger at the dinner and must do everything in her power to get to himbefore its too late
Includes Recipes for a complete presidential menu!
About the Author
Dorothy St. James lives a charmed life at the beach just outside Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, two slightly needy dogs, and a contemplative cat. She earned her bachelor of science in aquaculture, fisheries, and wildlife biology from Clemson University’s School of Agriculture, graduating at the top of her class. She went on to receive a master of public administration from the University of Charleston with an emphasis on environmental urban planning.