Recipes for Love and Murder

A Tannie Maria Mystery

By: Sally Andrew

Narrated by: Sandra Prinsloo

Tannie Maria (Tannie meaning Auntie, the respectful Afrikaans address for a woman older than you) is a middle-aged 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....

©2015 Sally Andrew (P)2015 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"Narrator Sandra Prinsloo is perfect as Tannie Maria.... Prinsloo is excellent at portraying the story's many diverse characters and perfectly captures the serious scenes as well as the comedic ones. The South African/Afrikaans words and accent are a delight to listen to.... The audiobook is completed by a reading of Tannie Maria's recipes, which all sound delicious." ( AudioFile)

Great Mystery

Great mystery mixed with some comedy and lots of twists and turns. I felt the author really took me back to South Africa with such colorful descriptions of the places, people, and food.

Very different - delightful.

I watched the first series on Acorn and am eagerly awaiting the sequel. After listening to the first book, I also bought the Kindle book for the glossary and recipes. I also bought the paperback so friends could read it and pass it around.

lovly

I've watched the show also great not enough season though. anywho it was great to hear it and imagine the characters in my mind.

Light and Cozy Murder

The story developed over time. It was light and easy to listen to yet serious in other parts.

Recipes for a great experience

This is one of my favorite Audible books yet. The book isn't just a great story with an engaging mystery and wonderful characters - it comes together completely as a beautiful work of art when read out loud. Not one note out of place. The descriptions of the Karoo - it's weather, animals, plants, landscape, recipes - make the place itself a lovable character that I couldn't help but care about deeply. And Tannie Maria just stole my heart. It is lovely to find a protagonist who is simple and complex, trustworthy and unpredictable, loving but just, utterly sane and yet has great conversations with her food. She is the perfect heroine to take on human evil. In a crazy world, this book just gave my soul a safe place to settle. Sandra Prisnloo's delivery is like an opera singer with perfect pitch - again, not one note out of place. Her voice, her accents, and her obvious love for the characters, deliver a complex story in a believable way that kept me completely engaged. I tried to read this book before I listened to it, and had a hard time getting into it, but the reader's voice was beautiful and I was hooked. The TV show is great, but again, the book is perfect, so why the heck did they change anything? Loved loved loved this book. I will be going back to listen to it again. Thanks, Audible! :)