Reviews

Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew

jazzthecat's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

beckimoody29's review against another edition

5.0

I liked this book. Its a cozy mystery with lots of cooking and some romance mixed in where I usually prefer psychological thrillers and true crime. Despite that, I really enjoyed the characters and I liked how the culture was intrinsically woven throughout the book. I'm not a cook at all but the recipes sounded delicious and I'm tempted to try them anyway. There were enough red herrings that the mystery held my interest and I felt the ending was deserved. I didn't know this was a series and may try to find it.

catinatreehouse's review

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

emmy9937's review

emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

pickpoppies's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I want to read cozies from around the world and I found this South African one and half way through it I thought I have to make some soentjies for company when I read the next book (there are recipes at the end of the book, 2 chocolate cakes! But none for soentjies.)

Tannie Maria is adorable and has conversations with her food. She used to have a recipe column in the local paper but higher ups says they need to have an agony aunt so she gets the job but combines it with her love for food. One letter writer decides to leave her abusive husband and when a dead one is reported Tannie Marie knows it’s the same woman and along with her friends at the paper they investigate the murder.

Charming and fun and I will read the rest. There’s also a TV series that I will look into. There’s a little cursing in this one.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cursing

miasmuts's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

nkhensani_m's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this! Only problem is, I skipped 100 pages to read the final act because I had a related writing assignment to do -- so I still don't know who the culprit is! Will be reading again.

selinayoung's review

3.0

So for the first 20-30% this was a single star, maybe two. It was slow burning and so much talk of food made me hungry. Around 30% it picked up and had so much heart and connection for the rest of the story.

abhaskar's review against another edition

3.0

A wonderful array of characters and what a nice idea to put at the center a slate of female protagonists- Tannie Maria, Jessie, Hattie, Anna, Candy, Georgie. This murder mystery is a cozy read and pulls in ample South African flavors making it a well cooked dish. Moves at a predictable pace but would have been good to make it slightly more spicier. Overall, a good summer, beach side read!

spoekcookie's review

emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Stalking, Murder, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse