Cumberland Sausage Shocker

Albert Smith's Culinary Capers #6

by Steve Higgs

Baking. It can get a guy killed.

On the trail of a master criminal, a retired detective and his former police dog expect a quiet time in the Cumbrian village of Keswick. However, when Rex picks up a scent upon arriving at their B&B …

… the discovery of a body in a shallow grave draws them into a mystery someone does not want solved.

With help from a local amateur sleuth and her dog, our mystery-busting duo set out to investigate two cases at the same time. Along the way they’ll identify a host of possible suspects and have to answer some big Who stood to gain from the victim’s death? Was it revenge or greed that motivated the killer? Just how many sausages can a German Shepherd eat in one sitting?

As they battle to reveal the truth, it’s clear someone is working to cover it up and if they don’t figure this out in time, someone might not live to see another day. In their most deadly adventure yet, can Rex and Albert sniff out the clues?

The answer will be shocking! ‘

There is one thing I have learned, and it is never underestimate Steve’s ability to weave a mystery tale that makes you feel nervous for the heroes one minute, then has you crying with laughter the next.’
‘I am yet to read any of his books in more than one sitting. I just cannot put them down!’

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Ebooks

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2020

About the author

Let'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...

Reviews

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cumberland Sausage Shocker by Steve Higgs is the 6th book in Albert Smith's Culinary Capers series. Investigating the disappearance of a champion sausage maker, retired police detective Albert Smith and his "assistance dog" Rex Harrison visit the village of Keswick, only for Rex to dig up a body just after their arrival. A very entertaining mystery with Rex starring. I love how the two of them communicate and are in tune with each other. Lots of fun and a great mystery.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had some pretty exciting and hard to put down parts, more so than some of the others in the series. Rex is so good in this one, at least he was AFTER the sausage incident. I like the interaction between Rex and the other German Shepherd. Albert went way beyond his normal old man ways and showed a bit of the cop he was a in his younger days. His interactions with Rex were better in this one too. Albert was a great hero in the book.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a classic! The body in the flower bed and Rex discovers it as soon as he and Albert arrive at their lodgings in Cumbria. In trying to find out information on a missing person Albert is immersed in another murder mystery, aided and abetted by another amateur sleuth and her German shepherd dog, Albert and Rex try to solve the mystery of who buried the body and why. And has the gastro thief struck again at the sausage factory?

Although this book has the usual strong storyline and hilarious interludes I feel there is an extra something this time. Mr. Higgs has explored advancing years and the frustration of one’s body not being able to keep pace with an active mind. The bond between Albert and Rex has grown stronger. The interaction between two dogs with the same training is also interesting as well as comical.

Just when you think you’ve read the best book in series Mr. Higgs manages to top it. I expect I will be saying this about the next one too. If you are a fan of these books you will enjoy it. If you fancy a mystery that is interesting, light hearted, something that will bring a smile to your face then dive in and be entertained.

[Sharla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is shaping up to be a series best read in order from the beginning. Many things may not make sense if read out of order. This one was my favorite so far. The plot is complex enough to be interesting and there is more action and suspense than usual. I also love the way the author presents Rex's thoughts and actions. I think he's right on target and it's great fun.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert and Rex are at it once again, giving us murder case realness.

They always seem to stumble into the darkest of dark scenarios.

Albert Smith is a retired Police officer and his trusty stomach on legs, larger than life, supposed assistance dog; the Alsatian with a bad attitude, called Rex Harrison. Rex can talk to humans, but only in his head. He solves case, after case, usually well in advance of his human owner Albert; but he finds it frustratingly hard to get anyone, especially Albert, to understand that He, Rex, has found the guilty party and wrapped up the case. So unfortunately Rex must trudge along in a Albert's wake, doing his best to advise his elderly human about just what the hell is going on.

This story is great fun! Actually they all are in this series. It contains some really fun aspects to it that make it a joy to read. Misunderstandings; misdirection; confusion; catastrophe; corruption; greed; and murder; are all parts of the whole that makes this book, and this specific series, so good. It's a great feel good shocker. Plus there is always someone who wants things all their own way. And this time, this one is going to get hurt, if Rex has anything to do with it.

Who is the criminal here? What does that person want? Will they keep track of Rex or will he prowl after them, and why doesn't anyone feed Rex the sausages, after all, they are his favourite!

These questions and many more are answered in this light hearted, joyful book.

I love the characters in these books. They are full to the brim with foibles and quirks of all types which gives them amazing depth and makes them so relatable. My all time favourite character has to be Rex! He's great fun. He's naughty like a little schoolboy, and clever in using the skills that his time with the police training gave him.
Plus He's a hard headed, pushing through anything, kind of a dog. He's just great as a character

[Sunsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auch das 6. Abenteuer des pensionierten Polizisten und seines Hundes Rex Harrison bringt uns an einen Ort einer Britischen Delikatesse, wo Albert nicht nur einen weiteren Puzzlestein zu dem wahrscheinlichen Fall zusammenträgt, den bisher nur er selbst und sein ältester Sohn erahnen, sondern auch entscheidend zur Aufklärung einer weiteren Ungeheuerlichkeit beiträgt.

Rex weiß natürlich schon vor Albert so einiges, denn eine Hundenase riecht nun einmal viel mehr als die menschliche. Es macht wirklich Spaß, Rex' Gedanken zu lesen und den beiden bei ihren Recherchen zuzusehen.

Mir hat die Lektüre sehr viel Spaß gemacht, und wären so einige Fehler nicht, könnte ich sogar die volle Punktzahl vergeben. So sind es 90/100 bzw. 09/10 Punkte.

Am Ende des Buches erwartet uns wieder die Geschichte zu der Delikatesse und sein Rezept.

https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2024...

[Doty Montgomery]

Read books in order, you don't want to miss a thing!

Well once again, Albert and Rex are on the trail of Sausage recipes-dishes and recipes. But Albert is thinking , that all the mysteries he has discovered and exposes with Rex are connected.... On arrival Rex gets out of the taxi, his nose knows that scent one he was trained to find... Albert is not on the same page... later he finds Rex was right...
They go to a sausage factory, where automation hasn't taken over -yet... a missing sausage machine and the top sausage maker are missing... could it be connected to the other missing chefs?..... Rex had more adventures in this story, a near miss with Albert, Rex helped the best he could...
You must read this series, you will fall in love with this duo.. Rex likes to "take a bite out of the bum-of bad guys"

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rex is a star! The concept of these books is interesting enough in itself- a retired police superintendent travels around Britain on a culinary tour, but it is the hilarious point of view and comments from former police dog Rex that make these books.

When Albert and Rex arrive at their B&B, Rex immediately smells a corpse and tries to tell Albert, who doesn't catch on. Workers on the B&B's new conservatory discover the body the next morning.

In this book, Rex meets Maggie, another former police dog.

Albert is investigating the disappearance of another food maker (of the famous Cumberland sausages) but spots a photo in a pub that includes the two men who Albert stopped from kidnapping someone in the previous book. Now he has proof that the incidents are related and that there is a Gastro Thief. Even his police superintendent son, Gary, now believes him.

[Jean Oakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully Fun!

A retired British investigator and his failed-police school German Shepherd, tour the English countryside getting embroiled in one murder mystery after another.

In this story, Albert forgets his advanced years as he chases the bad guy Western style, and nearly does himself in. Fortunately, Rex, with his police dog training and instincts, is able to save him.
We, the readers, get to hear Rex's snarky comments about weak human noses, diets, and inattentive owners throughout the book, but it is probably a good thing Albert doesn't. They are hilarious, however!

I would rate this book PG-13. The story only refers to language without spelling it out, but there are murders and buried bodies.

I highly recommend this book!
(Read and listened to with Alexa and Kindle Android app.)

[Jean O'Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. This is the sixth of fifteen and, so far, my favorite. I identified the "easter egg" in this one, but need to go back and think about the "pattern" Mr. Higgs hinted at in Recipe 4, Bedfordshire Clanger Calamity. Mr. Higgs writes from the pov of the human and the pov of the dog in these stories, and they fit together well. I also appreciate that his characterization of a 78 year old retired detective is believable and does not fall into aging stereotypes. Albert Smith is capable and still physically active with realistic understanding that he's not 40 any more. Can't wait to read the others. Recipe of the title dish in the back. But sausage making maybe above my patience and/or skill level. Still like to read it and the history of the dish, also provided.

[Pam Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy this series. This is number 6, Albert Smith and his former police dog Rex are traveling England in search of the original location for many culinary treats Albert has aways loved. Find out interesting food facts and has that information as well as a recipe for each story. Beside information on food Albert tends to trip over a murder here and there and feels that the local constabulary misses a few leads, He and Rex leap into the fray, and not without some danger to one or the other help solve the case. His grown children are not happy with their dad getting into this kind of trouble at his advanced age but by this book, they are much more accepting of what Albert is doing. I'm not going to cook any of the recipes, but the food sounds tasty.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Higgs's Culinary Capers series is getting better and better. This story was a good one, well paced (pun intended) with a couple of new directions for Rex. I was getting a bit tired of the big messes he created while Albert merely stood mildly by, saying "I'll pay for the damage."

I read or listen to this series at night when I'm trying to chase the worries about the world and our country's political situation from my mind so I can get to sleep. The cozy nature of the mystery, the humor, and Rex of course work as a cup of warm milk to gentle my mind to sleep.

Rex with all his doggy deeds and Albert with his kindness and intelligent perseverence in the pursuit of justice are good antidotes for stress. I highly recommend the series for the fun of reading it and as new sleep aid. :)

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were a lot of fun to read. It was especially nice to have a 75+ aged hero that hasn't lost his intelligence and is still so full of life and willing to try new things on his own. Basically living his best retirement life despite the loss of his long time wife.

The writing is humorous and the situations that Albert and his trusty former police dox Max get into are not your typical mystery scenarios. These books are very enjoyable. If you are an audiobook lover, the English narrator, Charles Robert Fox, is great and brings additional authenticity to the locations and culinary delights that drive the stories.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert and Rex arrive at their not yet opened B&B as the hosts first guests. But from the very first night, Rex knows there's someone buried in the garden that is about to be renovated. It turns out to be Sarah Fountain, the former Manager of the Sausage Factory who everyone thought had simply left her job to travel. This time Albert and Rex are paired up with Jacqueline, who's daughter is with the police. Jacqueline thinks of herself as an amateur sleuth and has her own idea of who killed Sarah. They team up until Albert decides to look at other possible suspects. The story unwraps and the real murderer is someone no one would have ever thought to look at.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a real sucker for mysteries with dogs as characters, and this series fills the bill nicely. And since I am of a "certain age" I also appreciate when older characters are featured.

Albert is a retired Detective Superintendant and his buddy Rex is a trained police dog, who never made it to the squad for unknown reasons. Albert started out on a culinary tour of Great Britain, but it has turned into a dangerous search for a Criminal Mastermind who is kidnapping chefs and stealing kitchen equipment. Great stuff, full of humor and easter eggs, such as Highclerc for a home, and complex mysteries.

[Martha R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert and Rex travel all the way across country to Keswick to follow up on a clue to what Albert refers to as the Gastrothief.  But of course they aren't even out of their cab at the B&B before Rex "smells something" and they are off in  pursuit of another mystery.  Rex befriends another retired police dog and learns some things, and Albert teams up with an amateur detective and nearly exceeds the limits of his endurance in bringing the criminal to justice.  Another wonderful mystery and at the end, another clue to the Gastrothief.  Next stop: Arbroath.

FYI:  There's a spoiler to one of the Blue Moon mysteries in this story.

[Lyn Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delighted once again by Steve Higgs fantastic story

Albert and Rex are to visit a factory that makes Cumberland sausages but on arrival to the B&B that Albert had booked Rex sniffed out a dead body. It was only the next day that the gruesome discovery was made. Lots of action and killings in this book. Enough to make you lose a few hours sleep because you’ll be unable to stop reading. Brilliant ending to the story with a hint of what’s to come in the next book. Wish I could give this ARC book more than 5 stars.

[wayne peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of this book.

This was an excellent story. There was intrigue, humor, and was written from a dog's perception. That was hilarious to read. The dog was trying to make his human understand that he could smell the clues, but his human was not paying attention to him. When his human did listen to him he jumped for joy. Finally, the mystery was solved! But it almost caused his human his life. These stories are an absolute joy to read. Anyone who likes mysteries where animals are included would love his books.

[dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this instalment in the Rex\Albert series!

This book was a funny read. It showcases the way small towns work in the way gossip flies faster than you can drive. People jump to conclusions and they can spot a stranger in a second. In a typical small town murder is rare and news travels fast. Poor Albert in town to pursue his own investigation gets caught up in the murder investigation and Rex makes new friend. It took a while for Albert to work it out but he solved the case and caught the culprit, with the help of Rex. Onward to their next adventure!

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, cozy culinary mystery. Albert and Rex have headed to Keswick for evidence of the culinary criminal mastermind. Upon their arrival, a murder mystery was uncovered. It's up to the duo to deduce the correct villain.

Fingers point in several directions. Help and hindrance occur regularly. The case is nicely wrapped up with a few clues to the mastermind.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

Part of "Albert Smith's Culinary Capers: The first 10 Recipes - A Culinary Cozy Mystery Adventure"

[Cher Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this series has not disappointed, not even close! Albert must have 9 lives

Yet another 'culinary adventure' for Albert & Rex. One that turned into yet another mystery to solve, while Red learned the hard way what happens when you overdue the scarfing down of any human food he found.
Albert & the mom of a police officer, Jaqueline, decide the police have the wrong person in the murder of a factory manager. Albert sets out on a quest to find the real killer while bodies keep piling up

[Renee Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert and Rex are at it again. This time Albert went to investigate one thing and ended up investigating another. I love the way this series is written and the way Albert and Rex interact. Naturally I got a lot of laughs out of it and thoroughly enjoyed the book. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!
I received an advanced readers copy of this book. It's up for preorder and definitely worth a read.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing hit in the Albert Smith and Rex Harrison culinary tour of the UK.
This one though wasn't exactly a stop along the way, more of a sidetrip to figure out whether a missing man was one that the Gastrothief  has taken. As always,  Albert steps into a situation.  He actually has help this time, and she has an ex police dog as her sidekick as well.
It was a funny, yet almost too thrilling adventure this time. Scared me but totally worth reading!

[Geraldine M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sausage Capers

A long train ride when Albert takes a detour with Rex fast asleep on his lap. Then a ride in a taxi to a beautiful manor house that's been transformed into a B&B. Before Albert & Rex even get in the front door, Rex is on a trail. He can smell it. Why can't his human? and the adventure begins. Lots of suspects. Zany adventures. and I laughed so hard at "Nurse Hammerthrow looked like an orc from Lord of the Rings. ". You'll have to read it to find out about it!

[Steve Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albert and Rex continue with their gastronomic adventures. This can be listened to stand alone but you’re best starting from book 1.

It’s more of the same gentle murder intrigue.

I did like that Rex now has got more of a voice than in the earlier books, that he meets another former police dog and his heroics isn’t he story a really touching.

Only very minor gripe is that Keswick isn’t a village, but in all other respects is a lovely place to be in.

[Angel Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rex is at it again!
Albert is in Cumberland to discover their wonderful sausages and explore his hunch on someone he has named the Gastrothief. Although these books are in a series, they are written in such a way that they can be stand alone and you won't feel lost at all. Even though Rex is totally on the case, he becomes so obsessed with sausages that he manages to get himself into quite a pickle! This one had me laughing way too hard!

[KathrynK · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this series!

Albert and Rex make the perfect sleuthing pair if you are looking for lightweight and humorous storytelling. This one features Rex is gastronomic distress and Albert teaming up with an amateur sleuth who also happens ton have a retired police dog as a companion. What starts out as a cautious inquiry regarding the alleged Gastrothief turns into a multiple murder investigation forthwith!

[Christine Irvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other books in the series, this one is a mystery, a whodunit, that takes place in a culinary setting. And, like the other books in the series, this one contains some typos in the text as well as some layout issues. But, also like the other books in the series, if you like this type of story (and I do), you would enjoy reading this book. I did and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

[Terry Polston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albert is on a mission to find the Gastrothief. This stop is to find out about a master sausage maker. Instead Albert and Rex find friends, Jacqueline and her retired police dog, Maggie, plus an increasing number of dead bodies Albert sustains some of his worst injuries yet, but his kids are getting on board with his Gastrothief theories
This is a very entertaining series and makes me want to take a culinary tour

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our fantastic crime fighting duo - Rex and Albert - are back with more of what we love, action-packed adventures, charismatic characters and surprising escapades that makes this twosome a much anticipated and extremely entertaining series. And let's not forget the food!
Outstanding and Very Highly Recommended.