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Albert Smith's Culinary Capers
Albert Smith's Culinary Capers: The Final Five and all the short stories
Baking. It can get a guy killed.
A shadowy master criminal has been kidnapping experts from the food industry and stealing both food and equipment. The crimes are so unrelated no one in the world had noticed the connections.
No one except Albert Smith, that is.
He’s got almost nothing to go on, but with every place he visits, he gets just a little closer to the truth. He’s not working alone though, his faithful sidekick, Rex Harrison the former police dog is right there with him. Can the two of them pull off the impossible and find the man Albert chose to dub ‘the Gastrothief’?
Well, maybe, but it’s not going to be easy. Not least because the nation’s police suspect Albert of the very crimes he wants them to investigate.
On the run, far from home, and almost completely alone, can they turn their darkest hour into their greatest triumph?
Titles included in this
Kent Coast Oyster Obliteration
Wedding Ceremony Woes
Eton Mess Massacre
Cornish Pasty Conspiracy
Vet’s Waiting Room
The Gastrothief
Lyme Regis Layover
The Case of the Missing Pasty
Majestic Mystery
Hell Cat
Police Day one
A shadowy master criminal has been kidnapping experts from the food industry and stealing both food and equipment. The crimes are so unrelated no one in the world had noticed the connections.
No one except Albert Smith, that is.
He’s got almost nothing to go on, but with every place he visits, he gets just a little closer to the truth. He’s not working alone though, his faithful sidekick, Rex Harrison the former police dog is right there with him. Can the two of them pull off the impossible and find the man Albert chose to dub ‘the Gastrothief’?
Well, maybe, but it’s not going to be easy. Not least because the nation’s police suspect Albert of the very crimes he wants them to investigate.
On the run, far from home, and almost completely alone, can they turn their darkest hour into their greatest triumph?
Titles included in this
Kent Coast Oyster Obliteration
Wedding Ceremony Woes
Eton Mess Massacre
Cornish Pasty Conspiracy
Vet’s Waiting Room
The Gastrothief
Lyme Regis Layover
The Case of the Missing Pasty
Majestic Mystery
Hell Cat
Police Day one
1631 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2023
664 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Steve Higgs
546 books802 followersLet's start this off with an invitation to get some FREE books. No, you didn't read that wrong, we are talking about multiple free books. I love giving away free books because once people delve into the fast-paced mystery thrills I write, they go on to buy lots more.
All I need from you is an email address to send them to. Here's the link you need - https://mailchi.mp/fd47a6eb4ae5/patri...
When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.
At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.
Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.
Links:
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Higgs/...
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehiggsau...
All I need from you is an email address to send them to. Here's the link you need - https://mailchi.mp/fd47a6eb4ae5/patri...
When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.
At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.
Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.
Links:
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Higgs/...
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehiggsau...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 27, 2024
I had previously read and reviewed the first five in this bundle when I discovered the bundle and got the last four stories. They are worth reading and it wraps up a lot, but not all, from the series. These all were more Rex focused and I prefer more of an Albert/Rex even mix but they were still good. If you have liked the series, you will like these books.,
July 6, 2024
Charming and becomes Addictive
It took a couple stories, but the characters are so darn charming and fun. Higgs is not a very skilled writer, sometimes quite clunky, but his characters are endearing, and the attention to food and British villages makes for great reading. Suggest going along for Albert's tour, taking breaks reading other things on your table or tablet. Definitely written for an older demographic, and pacing gives a long build, with plenty of mayhem.
It took a couple stories, but the characters are so darn charming and fun. Higgs is not a very skilled writer, sometimes quite clunky, but his characters are endearing, and the attention to food and British villages makes for great reading. Suggest going along for Albert's tour, taking breaks reading other things on your table or tablet. Definitely written for an older demographic, and pacing gives a long build, with plenty of mayhem.
July 18, 2023
Rarely do I rate a book as a 5-star, esp".fluff." But these are so funny I just had to give it a 5. Perhaps non-animal-lovers won't find it so funny. An older retired police officer and his dog go on trip around the U.K. and stumble over a series of crimes. The retired officer manages to insert himself into each one of them. The dog, A German Shepherd, has been kicked off the police force for his superior attitude. He thinks he's smarter than his handlers. He may be. After all he can use his nose. The police can't. And they don't speak Canine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
Amazing
Steve Higgs has written an amazing series. A highly imaginative mixture of cosy detective, police procedural and laugh out loud moments. Seventy eight year old Albert, a retired detective superintendent accompanied by his German shepherd Rex, encounter crime in every town on his culinary journey around the UK. Rex, the only dog to be fired from the police force due to an attitude problem, is the hero that solves the problems, whilst trying to convince Albert to use his nose to solve the crimes.
Steve Higgs has written an amazing series. A highly imaginative mixture of cosy detective, police procedural and laugh out loud moments. Seventy eight year old Albert, a retired detective superintendent accompanied by his German shepherd Rex, encounter crime in every town on his culinary journey around the UK. Rex, the only dog to be fired from the police force due to an attitude problem, is the hero that solves the problems, whilst trying to convince Albert to use his nose to solve the crimes.
August 16, 2023
Loved every page !!
I thoroughly enjoy Steve Higgs’ writing skills !! His way of including the dog’s conversations are just great !!! Rex is hilarious ! I can’t pick out my favorite scene because I was so into these books ! I’ve read this series non stop for about 3 weeks !! Rex’s antics are unforgettable !! I’ve told so many people about these books !! I highly recommend Steve Higgs to everyone !!!
I thoroughly enjoy Steve Higgs’ writing skills !! His way of including the dog’s conversations are just great !!! Rex is hilarious ! I can’t pick out my favorite scene because I was so into these books ! I’ve read this series non stop for about 3 weeks !! Rex’s antics are unforgettable !! I’ve told so many people about these books !! I highly recommend Steve Higgs to everyone !!!
July 19, 2024
Holy catballs Batman!!!
I simply adore the voice he gives the many animals in his stories!!! These tales are truly worth their weight in gold. Albert and Rex are a true caper crushing duo that deserve to be read in every household. Download the original set before reading this one. It will make much more sense when they reach Looe!!! Can't wait to,start another Higgs book!!!
I simply adore the voice he gives the many animals in his stories!!! These tales are truly worth their weight in gold. Albert and Rex are a true caper crushing duo that deserve to be read in every household. Download the original set before reading this one. It will make much more sense when they reach Looe!!! Can't wait to,start another Higgs book!!!
May 11, 2025
Arthur and Rex Reign Supreme
After reading the first ten books I wanted to know the ending. Steve Higgs is funny, and I laughed out loud as I pictured the riotous scenes.
Higgs needs a better proofreader or editor. I found numerous typos, and some small plot details that didn’t match. Maybe that’s on me, because I pick these things up, but they show an abundance of haste. I would rather wait a bit longer and get a finely tuned book.
After reading the first ten books I wanted to know the ending. Steve Higgs is funny, and I laughed out loud as I pictured the riotous scenes.
Higgs needs a better proofreader or editor. I found numerous typos, and some small plot details that didn’t match. Maybe that’s on me, because I pick these things up, but they show an abundance of haste. I would rather wait a bit longer and get a finely tuned book.
November 21, 2023
enjoyable
People who have a relationship with their dog will appreciate these books. This probably won’t be true of others. The stories are well written even though incredibly fiction. They couldn’t happen in real life but you just keep reading them anyway - quite a compliment to the author.
People who have a relationship with their dog will appreciate these books. This probably won’t be true of others. The stories are well written even though incredibly fiction. They couldn’t happen in real life but you just keep reading them anyway - quite a compliment to the author.
March 11, 2024
A humor-filled who done it.
I enjoyed the many adventures of Albert Smith and his dog Rex (a former police dog). The stories were well-written and always included a light touch that kept the mystery and murders from being dark. By incorporating Rex's thoughts about trying to solve the murders and his thoughts about humans was a nice touch.
I enjoyed the many adventures of Albert Smith and his dog Rex (a former police dog). The stories were well-written and always included a light touch that kept the mystery and murders from being dark. By incorporating Rex's thoughts about trying to solve the murders and his thoughts about humans was a nice touch.
May 1, 2024
Rex Rules!
These are a great series of Albert and Rex stories! These are the ending of the Culinary Capers. So if you haven't read the beginning ones go back and read those. The short stories at end are a lot of fun too!! I can't wait for the next book in the Albert and Rex stories.
These are a great series of Albert and Rex stories! These are the ending of the Culinary Capers. So if you haven't read the beginning ones go back and read those. The short stories at end are a lot of fun too!! I can't wait for the next book in the Albert and Rex stories.
May 10, 2024
The adventures continue
Albert, Rex and others continue to be entertaining in the style I have come to expect from Steve Higgs .
He put the readers inside his protagonist (s) minds whether they are human, canine or feline. I find this series remarkable in its imagination and lack of redundancy.
Keep up the excellent work.
Albert, Rex and others continue to be entertaining in the style I have come to expect from Steve Higgs .
He put the readers inside his protagonist (s) minds whether they are human, canine or feline. I find this series remarkable in its imagination and lack of redundancy.
Keep up the excellent work.
June 4, 2024
Always entertaining
The plots and characters of Steve Higgs' books are so well crafted that it's impossible to put a book down once you've started it. And when you've finished one, you want to immediately dive into the next.
Albert Smith is probably my favorite Higgs creation to date!
The plots and characters of Steve Higgs' books are so well crafted that it's impossible to put a book down once you've started it. And when you've finished one, you want to immediately dive into the next.
Albert Smith is probably my favorite Higgs creation to date!
December 23, 2024
Rin Tin Tin in the Shade
Read as final five "Culinary Capers" boxset. Climactic continuation and conclusion of Albert and Rex' showdown with their nemesis plus several entertaining short stories, as well as Rex' police dog backstory. Laugh out loud humour and surprising amount of thrills and suspense sometimes (sometimes not so) cosy crime series.
Read as final five "Culinary Capers" boxset. Climactic continuation and conclusion of Albert and Rex' showdown with their nemesis plus several entertaining short stories, as well as Rex' police dog backstory. Laugh out loud humour and surprising amount of thrills and suspense sometimes (sometimes not so) cosy crime series.
November 30, 2025
Great Reading
I loved reading Albert Smith's Culinary Capers: The Final Five. Sometimes I was sitting on the edge of my seat anxious for the outcome. Sometimes I was laughing out loud because of the situations Albert and Rex get themselves into. Steve Highs keeps the story moving and keeps the reader entertained.
I loved reading Albert Smith's Culinary Capers: The Final Five. Sometimes I was sitting on the edge of my seat anxious for the outcome. Sometimes I was laughing out loud because of the situations Albert and Rex get themselves into. Steve Highs keeps the story moving and keeps the reader entertained.
December 19, 2025
Albert Smith Final Five
These books are a hoot! Rex is wonderful, and Albert can hold his own, although Rex definitely considers himself superior! There are lots of amazing characters, many mysteries, and a very satisfying conclusion to the Gastrothief case. The short stories are great, too and the animal secondary characters are as great as the human!
These books are a hoot! Rex is wonderful, and Albert can hold his own, although Rex definitely considers himself superior! There are lots of amazing characters, many mysteries, and a very satisfying conclusion to the Gastrothief case. The short stories are great, too and the animal secondary characters are as great as the human!
April 24, 2024
Delightful read. The main characters are a retired detective and his German Shepard, both of whom you will like enough to worry about. And I’m a cat person! Stories that are hard to put down, because you want to know how it turns out, but then you are sorry to see them end.
April 25, 2024
Love Albert and Rex!
The stories are amazingly detailed and (the dog) Rex's running commentary about Albert's inability to use his human nose are perceptive and very funny. I loved all of the stories and the whole caper was very well tidily wrapped up! Kudos to Me. Higgs!
The stories are amazingly detailed and (the dog) Rex's running commentary about Albert's inability to use his human nose are perceptive and very funny. I loved all of the stories and the whole caper was very well tidily wrapped up! Kudos to Me. Higgs!
May 30, 2024
Wonderful read ..
Funny, serious and hairy ... all the ingredients for a delicious book ... and a whole set? Fantastic. When things get way too much around you, this is dose of fun.
Funny, serious and hairy ... all the ingredients for a delicious book ... and a whole set? Fantastic. When things get way too much around you, this is dose of fun.
May 17, 2025
Rex Harrison & Albert Smith.
These books are a nice light read, decent plot line with the humorous dogs view point adding to the mix. I like this different view of a detective story.
These books are a nice light read, decent plot line with the humorous dogs view point adding to the mix. I like this different view of a detective story.
June 25, 2025
wonderful series of books
I loved all the books. The talking dog and the old retired detective made a great team. The many crimes were mostly so unique that I was mesmerized by the plots! I have read all the books straight through as fast as I could.
I loved all the books. The talking dog and the old retired detective made a great team. The many crimes were mostly so unique that I was mesmerized by the plots! I have read all the books straight through as fast as I could.
December 2, 2023
Super reads! Loved Rex and his owner. Both sooooo good at solving crime. Lots of laughs.
January 4, 2024
I loved this series. The author let us know what Rex Harrison was thinking, and Albert actually started listening to his faithful partner. I also enjoyed all the different venues and characters. It was also amazing how his adult children underestimated him and he always proved them wrong!
January 22, 2024
A fun human and canine team
Rex and Albert make a great crime solving duo with an appropriate amount of humor and drama thrown in for good measure. I highly recommend this series.
Rex and Albert make a great crime solving duo with an appropriate amount of humor and drama thrown in for good measure. I highly recommend this series.
April 12, 2024
Great books, very talented author.
Delightful! One of the best series I've ever had the pleasure to read. I plan to read every book this either has written.
Delightful! One of the best series I've ever had the pleasure to read. I plan to read every book this either has written.
May 29, 2024
really good read
Such well written books, they keep you enthralled throughout… fantastic crimes maybe but the characters are so good and Rex is a joy…. Great fun
Such well written books, they keep you enthralled throughout… fantastic crimes maybe but the characters are so good and Rex is a joy…. Great fun
December 29, 2024
loved all the books of the adventures of Albert and Rex great plots , well done
February 2, 2025
Relaxing Read
I have so much fun reading these cozy mysteries. They take to a place I would one day like to visit. I enjoy the adventures of Rex and Albert.
I have so much fun reading these cozy mysteries. They take to a place I would one day like to visit. I enjoy the adventures of Rex and Albert.
February 17, 2025
HIghly entertaining
Albert Smith & Rex his german shepherd make a delightful pair solving one mystery after another keeping you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next.
Albert Smith & Rex his german shepherd make a delightful pair solving one mystery after another keeping you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next.
March 5, 2025
The old cop and Rex
Great stories, I am sure that animals do converse. They are very
Astute in these tales. Smarter than some people.
Great stories, I am sure that animals do converse. They are very
Astute in these tales. Smarter than some people.
October 18, 2025
Great series - lot of fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews