RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER, the sensational debut Tannie Maria mystery from South African novelist Sally Andrew, is published today in Australia by Text Publishing. This is the first of five English Language publications of the novel over the next three months, with Umuzi publishing in South Africa next month, and Canongate in the UK, Ecco Press in the US and HarperCollins in Canada in November.
RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER: A TANNIE MARIA MYSTERY marks the start of a delicious new mystery series with a lovable, unforgettable heroine. Tannie Maria used to write a recipe column for the Klein Karoo Gazette. Then Head Office decided they wanted an advice column instead, so now she gives advice. In the form of recipes. Because, as she says, she may not know much about love, but food—that’s her life.
Everything has been going well. A tongue-tied mechanic wins his girl with text messages and Welsh rarebit. A frightened teenager gets some much-needed sex ed with Tannie Maria's chocolate-coated bananas. But then there is a letter from Martine, whose husband beats her, and Tannie Maria feels a pang of recognition and dread. This may be a problem that cooking can’t solve…
Warm, funny, poignant: Sally Andrew’s irresistible heroine brings mystery, romance and amazing cooking together in the most entertaining new series in years. And all Tannie Maria’s mouthwatering recipes are right there in the book! You can read a wonderful blog about the Text team’s efforts baking Karoo Farm bread following Tannie Maria’s recipes here.
Sally Andrew divides her time between the Cape Town coast and a nature reserve near Ladismith in the Klein Karoo, which she shares with her artist partner, a giant eland and a secretive leopard. Her work is being translated into 11 languages.
Praise for RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER:
‘Vivid, amusing and immensely enjoyable read about detection (and cooking) in an intriguing part of southern Africa. … A triumph.’ – Alexander McCall Smith
‘A delightful debut, tender and funny. The mystery takes on the worldwide problem of abused women while revealing both the beauties and problems of South Africa. And the recipes will make you want to drop everything and start cooking.’ – Kirkus, Starred Review.
‘A culinary and linguistic treat … and has a pleasing bite.’ – Cathy Rentzenbrink, Editor’s Choice, The Bookseller