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ajamwelch's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Loved loved loved this book! I’ve been needing a good cozy mystery. Throw in lots of food and some murder and you got yourself a great time. Characters were wonderful and it was a nice insight to small town South African culture.
clementina_lima's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.75
Such a sweet and funny story. Set in rural South Africa, with a multigenerational set of character. I loved the culinary references. A lovely book to listen to, great job by the reader.
hay_how's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
stephmcd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
kingkiara's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Audible read.
A very a funny & relatable read. I especially enjoyed that the killer wasn't obvious until close to the end, so much more fun that way. I would run to the next one but just like our MC, I also don't believe in running.
A very a funny & relatable read. I especially enjoyed that the killer wasn't obvious until close to the end, so much more fun that way. I would run to the next one but just like our MC, I also don't believe in running.
amkozy23's review
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
3.5
I found the concept of this to be exciting and interesting. The characters were very lovable and the villains were easy to hate. Simple and easy to follow for anyone interested in the mystery genre. The only thing I really did not like was how many characters there were, it was a little hard to keep straight. I also found myself a little annoyed with Tannie Maria because she kept bringing up food when people had real things to talk about. I know it was a book about recipes but people can want to have serious conversations without having food pushed on them. Overall, a good read though.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
4.0
An appetizing murder mystery set in rural South Africa.
It reads both like and unlike the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books - certainly they are both set in Southern Africa (No. 1 set in Botswana) and both are wholly immersed in the culture and language of their settings. Both series also humorously, lovingly even, portray well-rounded, fascinating characters. But while No. 1 Ladies books are incidentally mysteries, this Recipes is much more focused on the mystery and murder. Add in delicious food descriptions (and recipes), chuckle-worthy capers and thrilling twists, and you have one delectable read.
Cover note
I like this edition's cover better than the paperback I have, although both editions feature, in different amounts, a red-headed white person. Since the protagonist and the majority of the characters are black or mixed race, this is confusing to me. My only guess is that the murder victim was red-headed (maybe I missed that? Because who cares?), but she's not the person I would have picked for the design.
*Reread note : I may have misread Maria, she may be a white or multi-racial Afrikaans. But I still feel strange about such a contrast of color on the cover.
It reads both like and unlike the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books - certainly they are both set in Southern Africa (No. 1 set in Botswana) and both are wholly immersed in the culture and language of their settings. Both series also humorously, lovingly even, portray well-rounded, fascinating characters. But while No. 1 Ladies books are incidentally mysteries, this Recipes is much more focused on the mystery and murder. Add in delicious food descriptions (and recipes), chuckle-worthy capers and thrilling twists, and you have one delectable read.
Cover note
I like this edition's cover better than the paperback I have, although both editions feature, in different amounts, a red-headed white person. Since the protagonist and the majority of the characters are black or mixed race, this is confusing to me. My only guess is that the murder victim was red-headed (maybe I missed that? Because who cares?), but she's not the person I would have picked for the design.
*Reread note : I may have misread Maria, she may be a white or multi-racial Afrikaans. But I still feel strange about such a contrast of color on the cover.
coppercrane2's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
bubblescotch's review against another edition
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
3.5
vivian_li's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0