Synopsis
Recipes for Love & Murder is a South African dark comedy mystery television series based on the novels by Sally Andrew. The series follows Tannie Maria, a recipe columnist and advice columnist who lives in a small town in the Karoo region of South Africa. When a woman who wrote to her column is found murdered, Tannie Maria and her young colleague, Jessie, team up to solve the crime. Along the way, they uncover dark secrets about the people in their town, and Tannie Maria learns some valuable lessons about love, loss, and murder.
Cast and Director
- Maria Doyle Kennedy as Tannie MariaOpens in a new windowwww.tvinsider.comMaria Doyle Kennedy as Tannie Maria in Recipes for Love & Murder
- Kylie Fisher as JessieOpens in a new windowwww.tvfanatic.comKylie Fisher as Jessie in Recipes for Love & Murder
- Tony Kgoroge as Detective KhayaOpens in a new windowareathirtythree.comTony Kgoroge as Detective Khaya in Recipes for Love & Murder
- Tessa Jubber as MartineOpens in a new windowwww.imdb.comTessa Jubber as Martine in Recipes for Love & Murder
- Brendon Daniels as PietOpens in a new windowwww.imdb.comBrendon Daniels as Piet in Recipes for Love & Murder
- Shauna Macdonald as IngridOpens in a new windowm.imdb.comShauna Macdonald as Ingrid in Recipes for Love & Murder
- Iain Glen as DouglasOpens in a new windowwww.amazon.comIain Glen as Douglas in Recipes for Love & Murder
The series is directed by Michael Imison and produced by Rebecca Rycroft.
Premiere Date
The first season of Recipes for Love & Murder premiered on Acorn TV on September 5, 2022.
Story Plot
When a woman who wrote to Tannie Maria’s column is found murdered, Tannie Maria and Jessie are determined to solve the crime. They soon discover that the woman had a lot of enemies, and they must untangle a web of lies and secrets in order to find the killer. Along the way, they learn some valuable lessons about love, loss, and murder.
The Book
A bright new talent makes her fiction debut with this first entry in a delicious crime set in rural South Africa—a flavorful blend of The #1 Ladies Detective Agency and Goldie Schulz series, full of humor, romance, and recipes and featuring a charming cast of characters.
Tannie Maria (Tannie meaning Auntie, the respectful Afrikaans address for a woman older than you) is a middle-aged widow who likes to cook—and eat. She shares her culinary love as a recipe columnist for the local paper—until The Gazette decides its readers are hungrier for advice on matters of the heart rather than ideas for lunch and dinner.
Tannie Maria doesn’t like the change but soon discovers she has a knack—and a passion—for helping people. Of course, she shares her recipes and culinary advice whenever she can! Assisting other people with their problems, Tannie Maria is eventually forced to face her own issues, especially when the troubles of those she helps touch on the pain of her past, like a woman desperate to escape her abusive husband.
Critical Response to the Series
Recipes for Love & Murder has received positive reviews from critics. The series has been praised for its humor, its suspense, and its portrayal of South Africa. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a charming and engrossing mystery with a delicious South African flavor.” The New York Times said it was “a delightful series that will leave you wanting more.”
Life Lessons
Recipes for Love & Murder teaches us a few valuable life lessons, including:
- Never judge a book by its cover.
- Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.
- Family is everything.
- Love is the most important thing in the world.
Conclusion
Recipes for Love & Murder is a heartwarming and suspenseful mystery series that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. It is a must-watch for fans of murder mysteries, foodies, and fans of South Africa.
