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Albert Smith's Culinary Capers #1-5

Albert Smith's Culinary Capers Book Set 1

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Baking. It can get a guy killed.

‘When Steve Higgs writes, he hits it out of the park. I find myself laughing out loud and often.’

When a retired detective and a former police dog set out on a culinary tour of the British Isles, they dream of tasty treats and delicious bakes …

… what they find is mystery, mayhem, and murder.

Albert’s investigator’s brain sees things ordinary people might not, and his dog, Rex Harrison, cannot understand why the humans are struggling to solve each mystery. He can already smell the answer – it’s right before their noses.

Together they lend their skills to help the people they meet, but unwittingly they’ve discovered a master criminal at work, and what started out as a bit of fun, is getting deadlier with each new place they visit.

If you are a fan of gentle, funny mystery books this series is sure to please. Grab a boxed set now and save a packet on buying them individually.

Praise for Rex & Albert:
‘This series has it all; everything I want in a story and series ... humour, suspense, and colourful characters. It’s one of my top all-time favourite series.’
'I so enjoyed this wonderfully written tale of a retired detective and his smart if independent canine companion. From the kindly interactions of Albert to the sneaky actions of his pup, the story is nonstop. I could not easily put this book down. I read far into the night.'
'Wow, this book was hard to put down. The characters come to life, you become engaged in their adventures.'
'This book is laugh out loud funny. Rex Harrison definitely steals the show. This is now my favorite author!'
'This book was such a delight to read! An aged detective on a culinary road trip finds murder, friends and a little too much excitement with his not so obedient washed out police dog. Although fast-paced the author has humor laced throughout the book that will have you laughing out loud!

This series of books contain no cussing and graphic descriptions of violence or bedroom activities.

1042 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2020

1520 people are currently reading
238 people want to read

About the author

Steve Higgs

547 books806 followers
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...

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Community Reviews

5 stars
922 (66%)
4 stars
334 (24%)
3 stars
92 (6%)
2 stars
12 (<1%)
1 star
17 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Profile Image for Carolyn Alston.
8 reviews9 followers
January 10, 2021
I love these books. They are just fun and are nicely written. I wanted to find some light reading for these difficult times. We used to have a splendid German Shepherd so I can relate to Rex. I have read other books that were centered around food and included recipes but sadly my favorite author seems to have stopped writing so the full the bill. When I finish with this series I will start another. I have a degree in English but I don’t always want to read serious topics and I do love a good mystery. I couldn’t figure these out. They are just amusing and I have learned a few things about the settings a d the food.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,784 reviews71 followers
April 9, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and this is my honest review.
261 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2022
Anyone hungry for a good read?

Well, I saw “Arthur Smith’s Culinary Capers” in a Facebook post, and thought that it looked like fun - a light read and some adventure. I bought the five book set on Amazon, and started reading about pork pies. What a delightful book, and I really enjoyed reading Rex’s thoughts and frustrations. So, episode 1 completed, and on I went, with a couple of other novels as well.
I loved the interactions between Rex and Hans as they fought to save the Clanger - quite humorous - and I have just concluded the adventure in York. I have had a Bakewell tart in Bakewell and Yorkshire puddings in Sheffield, and visited York. I live in Australia, so a long way to travel for these morsels, but the culinary journey brought memories back.
A thoroughly enjoyable series, and while working through book one, I bought the second set of 5. Just a delightful read, with imaginable characters, good story lines, and good overcoming evil - and, of course, Rex!
I have personally recommended the books to friends am happy to post this positive review in the belief that many others will receive hours of pleasure.
Well done, Steve!
Profile Image for Lyn Moffett.
62 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2021
Albert is a widower and he and his trusty companion Rex are travelling the UK in search of different foods and how they are made. In each town they visit there is a murder and it’s down to Albert and his Alsatian to solve it. Plus Albert is on the trail of a madman who is kidnapping master chef/bakers to work for him as he believes there is going to be an apocalypse or war where food will be in short supply. Hilarious antics take place and poor Rex tries so hard to communicate with Albert that he is often left frustrated but they always get their guy! I love the series of Albert and Rex and can’t wait to read the next story. You too will love each story as it comes out. I have never read anything by Steve Higgs and felt disappointed. If you haven’t tried any of his work, you really should. Laughs are guaranteed and fantastic story lines. I wish I could give more than 5 stars for his work.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,036 reviews
October 9, 2023
I first read the Patricia Fisher books by Steve Higgs. They were great BUT ALBERT SMITH CULINARY CAPERS are better. This author is just fun to read. I plan to read every book he has written. I finished the first box set of 10 and went right to the second box set of 5. Rex and Albert make a good team. They started out to visit the sites in England famous for a food product like Stilton and its famous cheese. Everywhere they go they find a murder. Since Albert is a retired Chief Inspector and Rex is a trained police dog, they find clues where the local police see none. The stories are terrific, every one is a 5 star. I hope there will be more. Both box sets are available in Kindle Unlimited or you can buy them so you can easily read them again. Treat yourself to some good writing and good humor. Steve Higgs is the author. He has lots of books under his name. Every one is excellent. ENJOY!!!
360 reviews
October 7, 2023
Interesting series

Take a 78-year-old recent widower who never learned to cook. Add a former police dog who was fired for having a bad attitude. Simmer gently with a collection of cooking lessons, thefts, abductions, and murders, and you have the Albert Smith mysteries. The author's writing style is a bit flat in places, with less sparkle (to me) than his Patricia Fisher stories, but every story turned out to be worth the slight amount of effort. The crimes, and how they are presented become pure genius as each unfolds.
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,646 reviews38 followers
December 23, 2020
I read all books in this series so far, and I really like them. They have very good humor, great descriptions of places, people, and food (as well as the history behind those foods), mystery and action, and the most incredible K9 detective anyone would like to have around. I do hope this series will have a long life and that we´ll read a lot about the trips and discoveries made by the duo Rex and Albert!
771 reviews3 followers
August 30, 2021
Fantastic

I truly loved this taster of books right from the beginning to the end. It had me turning the pages quickly to read what would happen next. The narration from Rex’s point of view was hilarious . I would thoroughly recommend this fascinating compilation of the first five books. The author has all the components to make the reader laugh out loud hence five stars awarded by me for this totally encapturing daily read. Thank you .😊
17 reviews
September 20, 2021
Humorously Brilliant

The mix of age and experience, of an ex detective and a highly trained ex police dog make a winning recipe for whodunnits in culinary settings. Very exciting conclusions AND traditional British recipes throw in to season the stories. I can't wait to read the whole series. Great for dog lovers and those of us of a certain age who refuse to grow old gracefully!
230 reviews
December 19, 2020
The adventures of an elderly retired police officer and his unruly ex police dog. A culinary tour around the UK turns into an action packed series with a murder in every town they visit. The stories are interesting, have humour and with a mystery element running through them that is yet to be solved. These are books you can escape into and be thoroughly entertained without being too serious.
885 reviews9 followers
January 4, 2021
Wonderful series!
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2020
The books in this series are excellent! Rex (the dog) and Albert (retired policeman) are a wonderful sleuth team. The adventures they have and the characters they meet are fantastic. The stories are all well written with humor and twists and turns. I recommend this series to anyone and everyone looking for a fun cozy escape.
Profile Image for Cyndy.
325 reviews5 followers
March 19, 2021
Delightful series

Retired detective Albert Smith and his support dog Rex are on a culinary tour but end up mostly solving crimes. Seventy eight year old Albert is still quite astute and Rex is a former flunked out police dog are a cunning duo. The books are entertaining and Rex's perspective on the tour and the crimes are very funny.


6 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2021
A jolly romp spoiled by.....

.... a complete lack of proofreading. Spelling and grammatical errors abound - hundreds of them. Literally hundreds. In the first book there is also a major plot error towards the end which makes nonsense of the whole thing. Authors need to have more respect for their readers.
78 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2021
A retired Detective and his German Shepherd...

Wonderful, funny and delightful culinary travel in Great Britain.
Of course, there is a weird happening or murder at each culinary event.
Rex, the dog and Albert, the 70 year old plus retiree, find themselves in the middle of the mysteriousness.
Love the recipes, history and Rex!
Profile Image for Lorraine Parker.
15 reviews
June 11, 2021
Culinary capers

This set of books is not my usual type of read, but when you put a dog, an old man and food together what more could you need to make a great story.

The dog has a mind of its own, his human is very understanding and they both love food with a but of slueth work thrown in loved the books and look forward to reading more.
Profile Image for Bonnie E Prevost-Limoges.
35 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2021
A fun read

Having a house full of dogs made this English mystery so much fun to read. The bond between both Albert and Rex working together to solve the mysteries made me laugh as we all know dogs spend their whole life training their humans. As much saying, these are fun mysteries to read.
Profile Image for MARILYN RAYNER.
151 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2021
Funny engaging capers.

A must read for all who enjoy a murder mystery.
A retired senior police officer with his retired ex police dog take a culinary visit around Britain and get mixed up in solving various misdeeds and murders. A laugh out loud read to cheer you up despite the bodies piling up.
36 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2021
Culinary mayhem for those who need diversion

The art of being understood particularly when you speak different species languages is a challenge for all yet together Rex and his owner achieve perfection. Through adventure after adventure this charming pair wrestle with the bad guys, savor life, gourmet food & life defying puzzles.
Profile Image for Angel Ballard.
771 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2021
A lovely bookset!
This set kept me happily reading for 3 weeks! I love the detective duo of Albert Smith and his canine sleuth, Rex. Together they explore England enjoying the delicious food of the various places they visit and stumble upon crimes that need solving in the process. Each story has a bit of humour, drama and sleuthing galore! Loved every minute of it!
Profile Image for Patricia L Kerr.
256 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2023
The dog makes the story

I love the antics of the dog! Albert proves over and over again that just because you're old doesn't mean you're useless. Something his kids are beginning to learn. However, it gets old that each locale he goes to has incompetent police. I hope Rex gets his squirrel one of these days though.
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,502 reviews47 followers
November 14, 2023
When a retired detective and a former police dog set out on a culinary tour of the British Isles, they dream of tasty treats and delicious bakes …
This is a great collection of books with Rex the German Shepard as the comic relief.I own this book collection. This in no way affects my opinion of this book collection.
Profile Image for Carolyn Evans.
839 reviews6 followers
November 17, 2023
Terrific

An intriguing box set involving a retired police inspector and his new assistance dog, who was fired by the police, as they take a culinary tour of Britain. Focusing on the food would be easier if the criminals would stay out of it, but it does make for 5 entertaining tales.
1 review
January 16, 2024
Fast paced, funny and suspenseful.

This series is a light hearted yet nail biting read. I laughed, I sat on the edge of my seat, and lost sleep while having to read what happened next. There’s no foul language, sex scenes or obscenities. This is truly a great series that you’ll enjoy reading. I’m off to read the next set.
30 reviews
February 8, 2024
A wonderful delight

A great idea to have a pair of such unusual heroes. Albert and his brilliant dog Rex. Rex’s battle against the evil squirrels had me in stitches. He is so like my dog in that respect. The story lines are excellent and I devoured this anthology like a good meal. It was tasty and a real treat
38 reviews
October 9, 2024
Yummy Fun Reading

At first I wasn't sure if I could get into the story of Albert and his dog Rex. But once I took a few bites of the first story, I wanted to eat it all up. Seriously though, Albert and Rex are a fun pair of sleuths.
Each mystery is very entertaining and I learn more about the main character and British food too.
Enjoy.
278 reviews
January 11, 2021
Chase & Bite

These stories are so refreshing to read. Rex is a real treat especially when he’s trying to chase squirrels Albert always gets caught in things that he’s not expecting and the two of them just fit together so well
84 reviews
February 20, 2021
Simply fabulous

Beautifully written with wonderful characters and great story lines. Very sad to come to the end and off post haste to authors website to find more! I think there is a new Patricia just released so i know all is not lost!
119 reviews
February 23, 2021
Loved the hijinks

Rex is so very smart but he cannot speak human so he is very busy teaching his owner to speak dog Sometimes it gets thru to Albert They work well together but tend to drive others crazy
49 reviews
March 5, 2021
I did not enjoy this series

I found entire series pedantic, lost interest immediately. Would not recommend, felt entire premise was lacking in believability, Dog should have been more involved
518 reviews3 followers
March 15, 2021
Love German Shepherd

If you have ever had or owned one of these dogs you have experienced the disconcerting feeling of knowing your dog is smarter than you. Seeing the stories from both the human and dog side is a riot. The humor is priceless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews

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