Recipes for Love and Murder, by Sally Andrew

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 than for lunch and dinner ideas.

Tannie Maria doesn’t like the change, but soon discovers she has a knack—and a passion—for helping people. Of course a recipe is always part of the remedy she offers. Assisting other people with their problems, Tannie Maria is eventually forced to face her own issues—and, suddenly, this down-to-earth woman is involved in something much more sinister than perfecting her chocolate cake recipe.