A bright new talent makes her fiction debut with this first entry in a delicious crime set in rural South Africa—a flavorful blend of The #1 Ladies Detective Agency and Goldie Schulz series, full of humor, romance, and recipes and featuring a charming cast of characters.
Tannie Maria (Tannie meaning Auntie, the respectful Afrikaans address for a woman older than you) is a middle-aged widow who … widow who likes to cook—and eat. She shares her culinary love as a recipe columnist for the local paper—until The Gazette decides its readers are hungrier for advice on matters of the heart rather than ideas for lunch and dinner.
Tannie Maria doesn’t like the change, but soon discovers she has a knack—and a passion—for helping people. Of course she shares her recipes and culinary advice whenever she can! Assisting other people with their problems, Tannie Maria is eventually forced to face her own issues, especially when the troubles of those she helps touch on the pain of her past, like a woman desperate to escape her abusive husband.
When the woman is murdered, Tannie Maria becomes dangerously entwined in the investigation, despite the best efforts of one striking detective determined to keep her safe. Suddenly, this practical, down-to-earth woman is involved in something much more sinister than perfecting her chocolate cake recipe . . .
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I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this book at first. The pace is slow, almost dreamy in quality, and the South African setting is almost a character itself. The story is peppered with local terms unfamiliar to me, and Tannie Maria’s own way of thinking and communicating her thoughts took some getting used to as well. But then I found myself caught up in the magic of this strange world. It forced me to slow down my own frantic mind long enough to sit on the stoep with Maria, watching her chickens peck in the dirt, to scan the skies for signs of rain, and to contemplate why food is safer than love and yet how none of us can live without either.
Somehow the strange became the familiar, especially when I assimilated the local slang terms and discovered that people are pretty much the same the world over. In this time of world pandemic, I found the advice column for the lovelorn paired with recipes a unique premise that was also comforting. It also gave me a greater appreciation for food made with love instead of empty calories. The mystery itself unfolded slowly as well, only to rush to a heart-stopping climax.
Unlike some recipe-heavy stories I’ve read, the food was as much a part of the story as the setting, which is to say, almost like another character. This is a truly wonderful story that must be given time to rise to be fully appreciated. And yet it is well worth the time.
Delightful discovery… had never heard of this author/series before I picked up the 2nd in the series at the Dollar store. Grabbed this first one from the library and it was very good — loved the atmosphere of small town — actually rural South Africa village — the charming characters and modern day issues leading to crimes with plenty of red herrings.
Set in present day (or very recent) South Africa, this book feels fattening! With the twin themes of murder and cooking it’s almost too rich, and full of strong female characters in a way that seems overdone, were it not that the murder victim and the detective were both victims of domestic abuse. The book has a curiously claustrophobic, inward-looking feel which I can’t quite put my finger on. However, I warmed to it very much as it went on (I have a soft spot for anyone who uses a hotbox, or strawbox cooker) and the recipes at the end were a nice touch! I’ve read the next in the series too – a good read.
What a wonderful book! I loved getting to know Tannie Maria, Jessie, Detective Kannemeyer, and all the others in the Klein Karoo. The story revolves around the murder of one of the people who wrote to Tannie Maria for help and recipes. Maria feels responsible for not being able to help her so she throws herself into trying to solve her murder. There are lots of interesting and crazy characters and situations throughout and enough tantalizing foods to make you hungry for more! A very good book!
After a slow start, and far too many details that didn’t really pertain to the story, I am yet half tempted to buy the next one. In Recipe For Love and Murder, we find a twisted plot that takes more turns than a mountain road, intriguing characters, a bit of romance, and a heaping spoonful of South African culture.
I love a good cozy murder mystery. This one is great! I fell in love with the main characters quickly. I love that they are fallible and real. I love how recipes and food are intertwined with the story. I love that their are recipes at the end of the book that I want to try.
I loved this book! It reminded me of my time in South Africa. It was a well written, upbeat book. Move already downloaded the 2md book in the series. Very entertaining!
I loved the book. Highly entertaining and I learned a great deal about South Africa. New words, new foods, new ideas.
cute story
I love reading mysteries that were written by international authors. This one did not disappoint. Great characters and interesting information on life in South Africa.
If you love a good female sleuth, then you’ll love Tannie Maria, a South African food writer with a penchant for recipes that foster love. But when her advice column in the local paper turns up a domestic violence situation, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery of dangerous proportions.
There’s a fair amount of South African dialect here, but Andrew manages that well for even this American reader, and I adored the characters here. Can’t wait to finish the series.
This book is set in the Klein Karoo in South Africa and features an Africaans main character. The story is original – combining recipes with advice in an “Aunt Sally’ newspaper column, and an investigation into the death of one letter writer. Loved the voice of the main character, Tannie Maria. All the characters are very real, warts and all, and the setting is a character in itself. Highly recommended.
Tani finds herself involved in a complex murder investigation. She and her friends intervene in the interrogation. They interrogate themselves, risking their lives to discover the murderer’s identity. During the interrogation, Tani determines that it is never too late to gain a new love. This book recommended for such inclement weather since the end of the book also has a bonus of recipes that can be prepared.
Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew is a cozy mystery that will have your mouth watering. If is a book that is full of suspense and budding relationships and lot of food. Tannie Maria is a widow who loves to cook and feed her creations to her friends. She also works for the local newspaper and is an advice columnist giving advice and recipes to people who write to her, sort of a Dear Abby and Julia Childs combined. Maria also is an amateur sleuth who helps to solve a murder (well, more than one murder). The police officer is not happy with her involvement in his case, and he is also worried about her safety. He also enjoys her cooking! What a combination.
Some of the words in the story are South African dialect, but there is a glossary in the back of the book. Most of the words are easy to figure out their meaning. It was an educational experience!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The plot and the characters are well developed. It was a B&N serial read where a few chapters are given each day until the book is completed. It is a great way to “meet” new authors. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like cozy mysteries.