This is a visually beautiful series. I enjoy the cooking scenes and the opening intro is stunning; it reminds me somewhat of the Dexter intro. Lovely gentle scenes of the leading actress in her garden picking tomatoes, lemons and chatting with chooks/birds. The murder story is a bit silly and for me is secondary to the cooking and food scenes. Lovely to watch in these stressful times. I truly hope they continue to make further series. Whoever thought up of this gentle and pleasant series deserves an award. Sit back, relax with some coffee and cake; and just enjoy. My review appears to be too short so I am not sure what more I can add except thank you for making this series.
34 Reviews
Ready for More!
ants_co29 September 2022
My wife & I are hooked on murder mystery shows especially those based in Great Britain & the British Commonwealth. There are many that are so good and you hate it when the series ends. That's how we feel about 'Recipes for Love and Murder.' We are ready for much more. The characters are realistic with varying personalities & their own personal issues. But they meld so well. The mixes of humor, drama, mystery, and romance is perfect. Some of the humor is subtle and makes me laugh even more. Then there are the recipes & advice. Those elements set this apart from other mystery shows. We get hungry with every episode! We love the way Maria mixes the two to give the perfect blend for solving the solution to people's problems & sometimes assist with the mystery at hand! Not only are we ready for more of the series we're looking for the cooking book (wishing & hoping one might actuallybe published)!
Solid first season: more please!
ramiestudio19 October 2022
It matters that Tannie Maria (aka Maria Purvis) is the most likable amateur detective introduced in a long while because it means longevity - we look forward to seeing her again and willing to spend some of our time with her. Big credit goes to actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (who played one of the most hated characters in Downtown Abbey - Vera Bates). The series has an easy-going character driven style for the most part laced with some tension and a dash of the macabre with loads of humour, creating its own idiosyncratic take on the 'cottage-murder-mystery'. The cinematography, acting, music, story-telling and recipes work well together. Sure there is room for improvement, a bit of tweaking here and there but a solid first season worth the viewing and second helping.
Prince Albert
bradmillar27 May 2022
I am a frequent visitor to the beautiful town of Prince Albert. I was there when this was being filmed. I cannot think of a better place for the crew to have filmed this. The cinematography, acting, music, direction, story - all great. I would love to see more in this series. I hope South Africans starving for great quality South African content, show their support and watch this heartwarming and charming show. Congrats to the entire team. Great fun! Please give us more...
Beautifully filmed
sanaipatel22 May 2022
I sure hope there's a season two!
cleancupboards3 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I've said for a while that the best murder mysteries come from Australia New Zealand the the UK. No I'm going to add South Africa to the list! Scenery is beautiful, makes me want to visit that region. I could not figure out who the murderer was until they were exposed. So often you have a pretty good idea who it was, but not this time. I thought the newspaper editor was going to be a monster but in the end she was not. There were so many people who seemed like likely suspects. It actually brought tears to my eyes when they found Jesse towards the end. I know it's going to take way too long for season two, but I want to find out why sister-in-law has come from Scotland.
Very original and utterly wonderful
levydbo-0686820 October 2022
Beautifully and originally cast - excellent, natural acting, spectacular scenery, delicious recipes and totally original. We cannot recommend this show highly enough, and are holding our breath for a second season!!
Really special drama and well worth watching.
The plot keeps you guessing, the South African scenery is stunning and it's just a totally original show. Dragged it out to not binge and not get to the final episode too quickly; just wish there was a cookbook to go with it! Had to Google the recipes and try to find them; tried the first curry and want the cake recipe!! Whatever the writers and producer come up with next, it will be excellent and can't wait to see it!
Really special drama and well worth watching.
The plot keeps you guessing, the South African scenery is stunning and it's just a totally original show. Dragged it out to not binge and not get to the final episode too quickly; just wish there was a cookbook to go with it! Had to Google the recipes and try to find them; tried the first curry and want the cake recipe!! Whatever the writers and producer come up with next, it will be excellent and can't wait to see it!
An unusual setting in the company of enjoyable characters
fgerryts7 October 2022
This series is charming in many ways. Like other cozy mysteries there is a cast of characters, most of whom are enjoyable company, and some of whom have quirks that you may find annoying. Personally, I enjoyed all the characters and some I found very pleasant company. The location is another plus for the series. South Africa is certainly a different setting and one I'd like to see more often.
From the trailer I'd expected a new mystery with each episode but there is basically one case for the whole ten episodes. That was okay with me, especially as there is more than one mystery to be unraveled in that time. I do hope there's a second season in which we can get to know more about the main character, played by Maria Doyle Kennedy (excellent) and the other characters.
From the trailer I'd expected a new mystery with each episode but there is basically one case for the whole ten episodes. That was okay with me, especially as there is more than one mystery to be unraveled in that time. I do hope there's a second season in which we can get to know more about the main character, played by Maria Doyle Kennedy (excellent) and the other characters.
Where is the rest of it?
kathi-2223625 September 2022
Acorn has the first 6 episodes, but there are 10 in the season. And it looks like they aired earlier this year. So will we be getting the rest?
I've given it 10/10 because I love what I've seen so far: Fun and intriguing mystery, quirky characters, entertaining script, and great performances. But I'm a lot disappointed that we don't have the other 4 episodes.
Maria Coyle Kennedy (Tannie Maria) reminds me a lot of American actress Mary McDonnell, who I also love. Kylie Fisher is brilliant asJessie, and Arno Grieff's Regardt is clueless, sweet, and adorable. I've fallen in love with those three characters.
I've given it 10/10 because I love what I've seen so far: Fun and intriguing mystery, quirky characters, entertaining script, and great performances. But I'm a lot disappointed that we don't have the other 4 episodes.
Maria Coyle Kennedy (Tannie Maria) reminds me a lot of American actress Mary McDonnell, who I also love. Kylie Fisher is brilliant asJessie, and Arno Grieff's Regardt is clueless, sweet, and adorable. I've fallen in love with those three characters.
Some recipes to die for....
gee-1530 January 2023
A newspaper recipe columnist in a small South African community has to take over the advice column of said paper and gets swept up in a criminal investigation when one of her letter writers is murdered.
This series is a mixed bag overall but I would still recommend watching it. The investigation of the abused wife's murder is spread across all 10 episodes and is a bit tepid as murder mysteries go. I had figured out who the murderer most likely was by around the second or third episode. I think you could have jettisoned the whole crime angle and focused on Tannie Maria and her food-laced advice column and it would still have been a satisfying series. The somewhat violent climax in the last two episodes felt at odds with the series' overall gentle, somewhat humorous tone. (And the murderer's actions at the end make absolutely no sense anyway but I won't say more than that)
What works in this series is the unfamiliar context (South Africa...I'm from the U. S.), a skillful use of flashbacks, the beautifully filmed scenery and food, and the actors. Maria Doyle Kennedy makes for an unusual detective. She's soft spoken, sweet-natured, introverted and even a bit passive at times. Tony Kgoroge is appropriately brusque as the chief detective (and love interest). Kylie Fisher as the fiery young journalist (Maria's fellow investigator) is very good as a young woman with a lot of stuff on her plate. And Arno Greef is very likable as her good-natured, kinda-lunk-headed, boyfriend. And all the other actors are enjoyable as well.
To sum up: The series has an uneven tone overall but I think with some script-tightening, it could be something special. I enjoyed watching it.
This series is a mixed bag overall but I would still recommend watching it. The investigation of the abused wife's murder is spread across all 10 episodes and is a bit tepid as murder mysteries go. I had figured out who the murderer most likely was by around the second or third episode. I think you could have jettisoned the whole crime angle and focused on Tannie Maria and her food-laced advice column and it would still have been a satisfying series. The somewhat violent climax in the last two episodes felt at odds with the series' overall gentle, somewhat humorous tone. (And the murderer's actions at the end make absolutely no sense anyway but I won't say more than that)
What works in this series is the unfamiliar context (South Africa...I'm from the U. S.), a skillful use of flashbacks, the beautifully filmed scenery and food, and the actors. Maria Doyle Kennedy makes for an unusual detective. She's soft spoken, sweet-natured, introverted and even a bit passive at times. Tony Kgoroge is appropriately brusque as the chief detective (and love interest). Kylie Fisher as the fiery young journalist (Maria's fellow investigator) is very good as a young woman with a lot of stuff on her plate. And Arno Greef is very likable as her good-natured, kinda-lunk-headed, boyfriend. And all the other actors are enjoyable as well.
To sum up: The series has an uneven tone overall but I think with some script-tightening, it could be something special. I enjoyed watching it.
I loved this...
caronbc1 November 2022
This charmingly witty "who dunnit" from South Africa is so many things. The characters have depth; the cast is well chosen; the script is clever and witty, which raises important issues, but without weighing down the lightness of it's beauty.
The setting is quite spectacular and the food is amazing (I truly hope they release a cookbook!).
The soundtrack is fantastic and combined with the photography in the opening credits; a work of art!
I can't wait for the next series!
If you love "who dunnits"; truly beautiful comfort food; great music and wonderful eclectic characters; then this is for you...and the setting is the icing on the cake.
The setting is quite spectacular and the food is amazing (I truly hope they release a cookbook!).
The soundtrack is fantastic and combined with the photography in the opening credits; a work of art!
I can't wait for the next series!
If you love "who dunnits"; truly beautiful comfort food; great music and wonderful eclectic characters; then this is for you...and the setting is the icing on the cake.
Quirky set up but a bit more intense than Darby & Joan
SunnyDaise18 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There are several fun, quirky moments in this dramedy crime saga, with a good range of characters. Like Acorn TV's Darby & Joan and Channel 5's Madame Blanc, the season-long story arcs are complimented by episodic tales. Also like these shows, and most, there is an LGBT storyline which I'm generally now bored of for being repetitive and predictable but this series is different being a minor tale of unrequited love. As this show covers misogynistic South African abusers, something I've unfortunately experienced, I almost had to give up a couple of times, but I'm glad I hung in there for the multi-faceted conclusion - although I'm not quite sure what the final scene meant - was it a set up for S2? Overall, this show really packs everything in, so there's surely something for everyone.
Charming premise, weak script, too many episodes
altereggo12330 September 2022
(I wrote the review below after 6 episodes. After watching all 10, I feel even more strongly that ten episodes was too many, the caricatures of white men are too ridiculous, and the characters are thrown together with no chemistry (e.g. Tannie Maria and Khaya). If there is a Season 2, I won't be watching it.)
This is a "cozy" mystery, in the spirit of Queens of Mystery, Pushing Daisies, Agatha Raisin and others--charming setting, nostalgic sets and props (though apparently on a much lower budget), quirky characters, star-crossed lovers. AcornTV has added homey recipes to its formula, and that part of the show works. Maria Doyle Kennedy's performance is also excellent.
Unfortunately, I agree with others who noted that there is far too much emphasis on LGBT themes. I would add that there is a lot of shallow caricaturing of straight men. It's a Lifetime Channel mystery (where men are no damn good) with a more woke edge.
More importantly, for mystery lovers, the pace is far too slow. I've watched six episodes so far, and it feels like four too many for this story. It would be nice if they could move to a new case every episode or two. Instead, the season seems to have ten episodes-- too big a time commitment, given the low budget sets, weak plot and less-than-compelling writing.
This is a "cozy" mystery, in the spirit of Queens of Mystery, Pushing Daisies, Agatha Raisin and others--charming setting, nostalgic sets and props (though apparently on a much lower budget), quirky characters, star-crossed lovers. AcornTV has added homey recipes to its formula, and that part of the show works. Maria Doyle Kennedy's performance is also excellent.
Unfortunately, I agree with others who noted that there is far too much emphasis on LGBT themes. I would add that there is a lot of shallow caricaturing of straight men. It's a Lifetime Channel mystery (where men are no damn good) with a more woke edge.
More importantly, for mystery lovers, the pace is far too slow. I've watched six episodes so far, and it feels like four too many for this story. It would be nice if they could move to a new case every episode or two. Instead, the season seems to have ten episodes-- too big a time commitment, given the low budget sets, weak plot and less-than-compelling writing.
Enjoyable
hazangel-899103 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I found this a fun watch. To me it is different than most murder mysteries. I enjoyed the uniqueness and watching Maria cook in her rustic way. I must admit I didnt feel any chemistry between her and Kaya (police chief) but we will see what further episodes hold.
I love Jessie. Her relationship with her boyfriend is so sweet. Everyone played their roles well. I cant wait for the next series. I hope they release all episodes at the same time. I prefer to binge watch!
To the reviewer who asked about the coming episode, two episodes were released on Mondays so the last two went up today. I'm sure you have already figured it out.
I am interested to see what the two from Scotland are up to. No good I imagine. I hope we dont have to wait too long for season 2. Happy cooking in the meantime!!
I love Jessie. Her relationship with her boyfriend is so sweet. Everyone played their roles well. I cant wait for the next series. I hope they release all episodes at the same time. I prefer to binge watch!
To the reviewer who asked about the coming episode, two episodes were released on Mondays so the last two went up today. I'm sure you have already figured it out.
I am interested to see what the two from Scotland are up to. No good I imagine. I hope we dont have to wait too long for season 2. Happy cooking in the meantime!!
Slow and steady story with great acting and writing
wendyfair-4872215 March 2023
I really enjoyed the storyline, writing, the location, characters and acting...even the music was great and offered something distinctly unique to this show. I want to learn more about the characters and I'm hopeful that there will be more seasons to come. Very charming show in spite of the fact that it's an intriguing murder mystery!
The photography is beautiful and I enjoyed the look of the scenes, like stage settings, with thoughtful color schemes...the setting in South Africa is also appreciated by this viewer as we rarely see shows depicting African countries.
Please continue with this creative and worthwhile series...I never write reviews so with luck, it will be received well!
The photography is beautiful and I enjoyed the look of the scenes, like stage settings, with thoughtful color schemes...the setting in South Africa is also appreciated by this viewer as we rarely see shows depicting African countries.
Please continue with this creative and worthwhile series...I never write reviews so with luck, it will be received well!
Wonderful and quirky characters, gorgeous scenery. Lovely series.
bay-770085 October 2022
I loved this gentle murder mystery mixed with a little romance, comedy and a lot of cooking. I was mesmerized by some of the magnificent scenery. The food is luscious. The characters are varied in culture and likable. This is the type of series that you can just sit back and totally relax watching. There's little to no violence and vulgarity, but not devoid of a necessary amount to be current. I wanted to step into Caroo, the town and to move right into Tannie Maria's home. If your looking for fast action, lots of blood and gore with little substance this is not for you. But if you love character development this is it.
Charming and Perfect
greenasphodel5 October 2022
Charming, gloriously inclusive and just damn gorgeous. You have to accept some things about Tannie Maria. She doesn't answer questions in as straightforward a way as some would like. She solves problems by cooking her way through them and can't always articulate her solutions any other way. But if you change the pace of your expectations and indulge the complexity of the story being carefully unfolded for you, you will be introduced to deeply crafted characters portrayed by an incredible cast in a breathtaking location that (if you're not South African) you may know nothing at all about. For the people complaining about the plot (surrender to the pace because it's worth it) or diversity of characters (the horror), I am not sure what you're watching. It's a story about a place where murder is kind of the least interesting thing going on and people form genuine connections with one another. The murders don't drive the plot of every storyline or even the majority of each episode. There are simultaneous storylines happen at once. This isn't Vera (Bless her in all her glory). It's Recipes for Love and Murder and that's exactly what it's about. Plus the food looks luscious. It took me a minute (as a former farmer) to enjoy Morag, the chicken, in the kitchen but Tannie Maria's hen would never. Give yourself a treat and check this one out.
Fun but no finish
dananunes-182801 October 2022
A light, fun, engaging series, with quirky characters and interesting storylines. The scenery is beautiful, the cooking shots are enough to make me feel really bad about whatever it is I might be making for dinner that night, and the head of the police constabulary is fine enough to make me want to find myself in the arms of the law. I watch it with subtitles, and unfortunately when they speak Afrikaans, the dialogue is obscured by "speaking foreign language!"
Don't expect depth; there are other series I can get that from. What I haven't been able to get from this one is completion: where are the last two episodes?! Does anyone know?
Wonderful Series - hope there's a Season 2 & 3 & .............
suzpomz2 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I have not seen programs that are based in South Africa, so I was very happy to try this one when I stumbled upon it!
A murder mystery with a cooking show mixed up together? What could be better!!
Loved the whole series, especially the interaction between the citizens of that small community. Secrets? Always! But good friends helping each other? Even better...
I really hope there's a Season Two - after all, we have to find out several things: 1) Will Jessie move to Cape Town to become a big city journalist or will she settle down with Regardt (or maybe he'll move with her)?
2) Will Tannie Maria and Khaya get together or was that nice warm scene a "one-off"? I hope it's the former, as I think they are "made for each other"!
3) Will Hattie become president of the Forum, changing the "Face" of the business scene there? Good on ya, Hattie, for putting Marius in his place!
4) And what about those two from Maria's past in Scotland? What are they doing in South Africa and what do they expect from her?
So many questions that can only be answered in Season 2... which will, undoubtedly bring us more questions and more great recipes, and, maybe, a Season 3!
A murder mystery with a cooking show mixed up together? What could be better!!
Loved the whole series, especially the interaction between the citizens of that small community. Secrets? Always! But good friends helping each other? Even better...
I really hope there's a Season Two - after all, we have to find out several things: 1) Will Jessie move to Cape Town to become a big city journalist or will she settle down with Regardt (or maybe he'll move with her)?
2) Will Tannie Maria and Khaya get together or was that nice warm scene a "one-off"? I hope it's the former, as I think they are "made for each other"!
3) Will Hattie become president of the Forum, changing the "Face" of the business scene there? Good on ya, Hattie, for putting Marius in his place!
4) And what about those two from Maria's past in Scotland? What are they doing in South Africa and what do they expect from her?
So many questions that can only be answered in Season 2... which will, undoubtedly bring us more questions and more great recipes, and, maybe, a Season 3!
Almost good.
ronaldalamascus-9050619 October 2022
This show is "interesting" given the unique location, quirky characters and different cultural perspectives and has some good to great moments sprinkled throughout. Again, the writers weren't just satisfied to spin a good yarn but had to take same sex relationships from innuendo to perversion with the level of intimacy. Totally unnecessary and quite disgusting. Hopefully that nonsense is kept to a minimum. No deep mystery or intriguing situations but just good overall everyday relationships and interactions with a South African twist. The intertwining of food recipes and preparation (beautiful, delicious looking concoctions) gives an additional twist that's a bit different but welcome. Light hearted violence and murder if there is such a thing.
A Little Gem
jt-3584430 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was a slow starter for me with the first episode focusing on a storyline around domestic violence, which was hard to watch, but as the main characters of Tannie Maria, Jessie, Hattie, the Chief Detective and officers started to develop, I was hooked.
As a new series, the storylines are different, unexpected, and woven together to get to a satisfying series end conclusion -- in and of itself, a welcome development! But that's not all -- it's beautifully filmed, the actors are terrific, and the food, oh the food ... you wish you were there to have a sample! A pet chicken debuts as a delightful companion to the main character, so there's that as well!
I hope this series generates enough interest for it to have follow-on seasons.
As a new series, the storylines are different, unexpected, and woven together to get to a satisfying series end conclusion -- in and of itself, a welcome development! But that's not all -- it's beautifully filmed, the actors are terrific, and the food, oh the food ... you wish you were there to have a sample! A pet chicken debuts as a delightful companion to the main character, so there's that as well!
I hope this series generates enough interest for it to have follow-on seasons.
Dreadful
kpassa6 November 2022
We are fans of mysteries, no matter where in the world they are produced, so when I found one from South Africa I didn't hesitate to download it. Other reviewers have commented on the nice scenery and it's hard to disagree with them. Unfortunately that is the only thing I can find to agree with. As a mystery series this is terrible. The storyline is too stuffed with unnecessary subplots that might not be so bad if they weren't so tedious and boring. The acting is amateurish and it struggles to find an identity. Is it a love story? A comedy? A mystery? A cooking show? Whatever it's supposed to be it fails. The scenery is the only thing going for it. If we wanted a travel show it would be okay but as a mystery it flops.
Brokenwood Mysteries & My Life Is Murder had a perfect lovechild!
nanniemom31 July 2023
I'd skipped over this series when first advertised thinking it would be cheesy like "Agatha Raisin", but finally binged this weekend and enjoyed it tremendously! To me, "Recipes for Love and Murder" is the perfect lovechild of "Brokenwood Mysteries" and "My Life Is Murder". There's humor, melancholia, music, gorgeous scenery, and of course food, with interesting characters that simmer and sizzle in each successive episode. I'm terrible about fast forwarding through scenes that are too contrived to me, the only fast forwarding during this series was getting past the too-long intro, but I'm so charmed by this series that I couldn't deduct any stars for that minor inconvenience. I really hope there are more seasons filled with these amazing actors bringing to life the stories the series writers crafted from the original author's books, and definitely with the entire cast (sans the murderer and victims, of course). This series deserves a re-watch to pick up nuances I've missed during this first viewing. Thanks to the entire team of professionals who worked together to produce this enchanting series.
More please! I need this!
gemmamul15 September 2023
I really had zero expectation starting this-I thought it would be some aesthetically pleasing fluff piece but I really underestimated it. The casting was fantastic and not just the leads, though I do wish I had a Tannie Maria to work with and have cooking lessons from!
I completely binged the whole series in 2 days and was devastated there isn't a second to start. It's gorgeously, beautifully picturesque, especially having never seen south africa. I love the recipe element and the musical choices.
My mental health is dependent on another series SOON!! Please don't leave a sad girl hangin'....!
I completely binged the whole series in 2 days and was devastated there isn't a second to start. It's gorgeously, beautifully picturesque, especially having never seen south africa. I love the recipe element and the musical choices.
My mental health is dependent on another series SOON!! Please don't leave a sad girl hangin'....!
Beautifully filmed and a good story line
thejdrage11 September 2023
This is a great "who done it" South African style. With a bit of Scots thrown in for spice. And the scenery in South Africa, alone with some of the culture (Not enough for me) was great fun and interesting.
It's a fun romp with delicious food and characters. And one of the best "who done its" I've seen in ages. The last two Episodes do not allow you to keep your guard down at all.
Is is a bit long by one or two episodes? Yes. But when something is done this well, it's easy to let it go a bit over.
Back to the last two episodes - can't say too much but they will keep you wondering what's really happening and who is doing what to whom!
It's a fun way to binge a gray day away. It will not disappoint.
For some viewers, it does need a real cook book.
It's a fun romp with delicious food and characters. And one of the best "who done its" I've seen in ages. The last two Episodes do not allow you to keep your guard down at all.
Is is a bit long by one or two episodes? Yes. But when something is done this well, it's easy to let it go a bit over.
Back to the last two episodes - can't say too much but they will keep you wondering what's really happening and who is doing what to whom!
It's a fun way to binge a gray day away. It will not disappoint.
For some viewers, it does need a real cook book.
See also
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