Reading Matters (week 23) June 2 2026

Effervescent Sally Andrew, author of the internationally acclaimed Tannie Maria murder mysteries (always accompanied by delightful delicacies) is back with her best book yet: Wild Things Never Die (Penguin).

She and her partner Henk Kannemeyer go undercover in a luxury game lodge, as a honeymooning couple, to save endangered succulent plants from evil poachers. It’s full of rip roaring danger, murder and tight tension. Sally Andrew sings on my show.

I talk about two stunning book / literary festivals – Kingsmead Book Fair and Franschhoek Literary Festival. I had the most fun I’ve ever had at both, probably ‘cos I could see with both eyes and my daughter Amy Marshall was no longer on crutches. I kid you not!

At FLF Mike Nicol hosted the funniest literary panel I’ve yet witnessed – joined by Deon Meyer and Tony Park, chatting about their hilarious failures and eventual stunning successes – with an openness and wit that was pure magic.

At Kingsmead, debut author (she’s a vet) Dr Caitlin Venniker (Unleashed) and Trends analyst Dion Chang (A Pawfect Life) had a standing-room only audience refusing to let the couple go as it was pelted with questions about dogs, cats and… oh yes, writing.

I cornered well known author Paige Nick in the FLF Green Room about her new novel, Book People. It’s a riveting read, and we had a riveting chat.

Reading Matters with Sue Grant-Marshall