RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER, the sensational debut Tannie Maria mystery from South African novelist Sally Andrew, is published today in the US by Ecco Press and Canada by Harper Collins. The novel is already published in Australia by Text, South Africa by Umuzi (see more on Sally’s Cape Town launch here) and on special ebook pre-release by Canongate in the UK, with the print edition out in January. The UK audiobook will be released on 19 November and Good Housekeeping has already picked it as one of their ‘Hot Reads’.
The novel has already received some brilliant reviews in the US, with a starred review from Kirkus, who called it ‘a delightful debut, tender and funny’. Shelf Awareness wrote: ‘With a dash of South African history and a pinch of social consciousness, Tannie Maria's first adventure serves up a satisfying mix of romance, humor and crime solving.’ Library Journal also gave the novel a starred review, writing:
‘Take a pinch of Alexander McCall Smith, a dash of Diane Mott Davidson, and add a smidge of the wild veld and you’ll get a taste for this lekker story (that’s “delicious” in Afrikaans). While the tone is heartfelt, Andrew doesn’t shy away from the realities of spousal abuse or the shadow of South Africa’s tumultuous history. With a fascinating setting, engaging characters, and a full complement of drool-worthy recipes, this is sure to leave readers craving more.’ – Starred Library Journal
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!
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 culinary and linguistic treat … and has a pleasing bite.’ – Cathy Rentzenbrink, Editor’s Choice, The Bookseller
‘Sally Andrew’s Karoo is where miscreants, moskonfyt and murder are all on the menu. Thank heavens for Tannie Maria who cooks up a storm in the kitchen - but she’s just as good at cracking crime. RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER is a delightful debut.’ – Christopher Hope