Recipes and Mystery
On Christmas Day I indulged in reading for pleasure. The book randomly selected was Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew.
This had been recommended by a few people – the result being I had two copies, one for each hand? to read in stereo?
Regardless, it was a light uplifting read despite there being a murder and possibly more.
The tale is set in South Africa and the recipes which the agony aunt lead shares to solve everyday issues are delectable – many I grew up with, although the selection of recipes at the end does suggest quicker and easier methods of making the gastronomic delights than what I thought.
There are many colloquialisms which transported me to a warmer clime than the one I was in when reading, but I am sure that a reader with little knowledge of South Africa would also be captivated by the tale. It’s a clean, wholesome read in similar vein to Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple.
If you’re looking for a light-hearted murder mystery, then this is a book for you.
And on the topic of recipes and mystery, it would be remiss of me to mention TSL’s very own Sir Chocolate who to date has solved 6 mysteries. He and his wife, Lady Sweet, have various adventures aimed for younger children, all taking place in the Land of Sweet. As with Hansel and Gretel, the houses and scenes are there to eat, but unlike the Grimm fairytale, our children do not go missing. Instead to keep them at home and engaged, the books contain recipes to recreate an aspect or two of the tale.
Another little sweetner about these books is they come in two sizes – Square which is for the younger reader and ideal for leaving open while baking, and A5 – for the more independent reader.
Not to be left out on the recipe front, are Silly Willy goes to Cape Town which has some accompanying recipes too, and Reading Lady Chatterley in Africa which describes the most mouthwatering dishes for dinner, although here, you’ll have to see if you can find the recipe online.
