Recipes for Love and Murder: A Tannie Maria Mystery    by Sally Andrew Order:  USA  Can Ecco, 2016 (2015) Hardcover, Softcover, CD      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Sally Andrew's Recipes of Love and Murder is a debut novel that offers a fascinating look into rural South Africa with all its interesting characters, as well as the culture and diversity of the different tribes that make up the area. Tannie (a word of respect, pronounced Tunnie) Maria, the protagonist, is an absolutely delightful personality with a knack for whipping up luscious foods with accompanying recipes. Tannie Maria uses her cooking skills as a means to repel loneliness. She had a marriage of desperation to a man of violent tendencies. Not interested in putting herself in the position of being a battered wife again, she relishes her solitary life. Needing to augment her small income, Tannie accepts a job as a columnist in a local newspaper, dispensing advice on affairs of the heart as well as sharing her recipes. The advice is a great hit and she receives letters that she allows to become important and personal. She decides to investigate the apparent murder of a woman. Detective Henk Kannemeyer, who is working on the case, advises her to step back and not put herself in danger. He is also in a quandary because he finds her company very important to him. Recipes for Love and Murder is a three-for-one bargain. The reader gets to meet Tannie Maria, while being able to cook the foods popular in another culture, as well as sharing the thrill of tracking down a killer. Can't beat that. I look forward to a sequel of Tannie Maria's adventures. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews