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A desperate call for help is more than enough to get Patricia and friends in motion, especially when the call is from Patricia's socialite friend and zoo owner, the rather gin-soaked Lady Mary Bostihill-Swank.

Her husband, George, an acclaimed thriller writer, has gone missing from her home but there is no ransom note and no sign of foul play. With no crime to investigate, the police are doing nothing and that's not good enough for Patricia.

Amid a backdrop of strange occurrences, which include jewellery stolen from inside Lady Mary's mansion, a note that suggests George might have been kidnapped by Bolivian freedom fighters, and a lady tiger somehow pregnant from immaculate conception, the team must wade through a confusion of clues to find the truth.

Will they be too late? Is George dead or alive? Will Lady Mary run out of gin?

With Patricia's ability to attract trouble working overtime, every hour counts, but as she begins to close the net, the dangerous creatures that surround them reveal a far more deadly crime is taking place ...

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2021

710 people are currently reading
184 people want to read

About the author

Steve Higgs

544 books801 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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5 stars
2,437 (78%)
4 stars
539 (17%)
3 stars
128 (4%)
2 stars
13 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
Profile Image for Frieda Thompson.
395 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2021
Very good ending to this series.

I love that these are clean stories. Patricia sounds like myself when she occasionally "let's one fly", something I think we've all done. Yet Mr. Higgs leaves the accidental slip to our own imagination instead of filling the pages with expletives! Profanity, it appears, has become normal language & I appreciate the breaks from it offered by Mr. Higgs' wonderfully funny, who-done-it's! Proof that expletives are NOT necessary! I loved the way he made use of the animals in this episode of Patricia's life! SO looking forward to the new series, although I did rather enjoy her times on land! Patricia, keep on keeping on!
174 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2021
Tigers, Ostrich’s & Peacocks - Oh My!

Book #11 was well worth the wait! Talk about a change of venue ~ what FUN! If you have been anxiously awaiting this latest a Patricia book, as I have, you will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for Judy Hardwick.
631 reviews7 followers
July 23, 2023
21 books!!

I do love a good series, and these books have kept my attention and kept me guessing all along the way! I'm so happy with the conclusion of this one and that Patty gets to keep both of her favorite men in her life - and that Windsor Suite is mighty fine too!
Profile Image for Diane Gates.
345 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2023
Excellent read

All the Patricia Fisher stories are wonderful. Real life adventures and characters. Cant wait to read the next set. Great writer and stories.
Profile Image for R.
360 reviews5 followers
June 21, 2021
5 stars all the way!

This funny and pleasant story had my attention right from the start.

With a bold mixture of wild animals wandering around a mansion, a kidnapping, and a tetchy peacock who thinks he owns the place, it's quite the menagerie. Our main character, Patricia Fisher, a private detective; has been asked by her dear friend Lady Mary Bostihill-Swank,to find her husband George; who had been missing for the entire day. Of course, while Patricia was dealing with all this; her two female dachshunds were roaming here there and everywhere, naturally getting into deep trouble but having the time of their lives!

Lady Mary and her husband George, own a zoo which is open to the public. They know most of the animals by name and have close relationships with certain ones; for instance, their ostridge Octavia has the free run of the mansion, as does a boa constrictor, and a octopus! To say that Lady Mary and her husband are a tad eccentric is a bit of an understatement!

Apart from the strange living arrangements, much strangeness is occurring on the whole, not the least of which is how the family's pet is pregnant when the male partner has been dead for more than a year?

With lots of clues to sift through, but none of them explaining what has happened to Lady Mary's husband George; Patricia has way more on her plate than usual. The police have no interest in the possible kidnapping because the victim hasn't been missing very long.
But Patricia is happy to help her friend, thinking that George will be easy to track down. However, nothing could be further from the truth in this case. There is way more going on than a mere kidnapping and Patricia is determined to find out what is happening to whom, by whom, and for what reason!

I loved this quirky story, the characters are all larger than life and so lovable; they are like old friends now after I have read so many books in this series. The author is amazing; in that he is able to pull fresh new books out of the magicians hat by creating fresh ideas for them, each and every time. I don't know how he does it but I have to say I admire him for it.

This was a pleasant days reading for me between chores, and I really had fun with it. I love this authors style. He is at the top spot of my favourite cozy mystery author's list.
Profile Image for Lyn Moffett.
62 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2021
Honestly. Steve Higgs just gets better and better. Wish I could award more than 5 stars. Patricia and co are just winding down before getting ready to return to the Aurelia when she gets a call from her friend Mary. Her husband has gone missing and she fears he has been kidnapped. Off Patricia goes and what she finds at her friends home , would make many a brave persons take to their heels and run for their life!!! Mary has an honest to God menagerie of all endangered animals,, my favourite was Stretch,, you’ll understand when you read the book,,, it turns out her “zoo” keepers are not as honest as she thought and plan to rob Mary. Of course they hadn’t reckoned on Patricia, Jermaine,Barbie and Alistair foiling their plans. Steve Higgs is just going from strength to strength. I have never read a word of his that I haven’t loved. Can’t wait for the next episode. Goodness only knows how Steve will follow this but I’m sure it’ll be exceptionally good.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,036 reviews
May 15, 2023
Book #11 in Patricia Fisher series by Steve Higgs. This book is crazy. Patricia is home for a vacation from her shipboard activities. She and Alastair are getting ready to move in together when they return to the ship. Her friends from the ship are with them at her Manor House and planning a wedding for two of the people. But, she gets a phone call from Lady Mary, a ditzy woman she met on the ship on her first cruise. Both love their gin. Anyway, Mary says her husband is gone and she knows he didn’t go away on his own. Can Patricia Help? Well, everyone throws their stuff in the cars and takes off for Mary’s place. It is the zoo. She owns the zoo!!! Everything happens. There are animals loose on the property—pets of Mary. It is a delightful and crazy story but as usual Patricia saves the day. A fun read. How the author keeps the books fresh and fun when he just finished 21 in this series is amazing. Treat yourself and read them all.
1,230 reviews11 followers
January 10, 2022
A Crazy Zoo of a mystery!

I love all of the Patricia Fisher Mystery Adventures, and this one was even zanier than usual! Lady Mary has asked Patricia and her gang to come find her husband George, a writer, who has disappeared or been kidnapped she is sure. There are all kinds of animals in her family’s zoo, and it seems many of them are free to roam around her home and grounds, to everyone’s surprise! And Patricia isn’t getting any cooperation from the zoo keepers; obviously something is up. Lady Mary has noticed some of their jewelry disappearing, and when Patricia’s diamond earrings go missing, decides that someone in the household is stealing from her. A lot of mysteries going on at once, along with the regular twists and turns, but everyone is baffled. Enjoy a fun and crazy read as the detective gang tries to figure out what is going on!!
31 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2021
Hysterical

Though the book was definitely a proper mystery, what stood out were the "zingers" throughout the story. They cannot be repeated here without being spoilers of a sort.

The story begins when George, the husband of gin-swilling Lady Mary Bostihill-Swank, goes missing. The police refuse to take the case seriously because there is nothing to indicate a crime - no ransom note, no signs of foul play, etc. Lady Mary calls in Patricia to help her. The rest is baffling, often barely believable, incredibly dangerous, and most of all well salted throughout with better than ever Steve Higgs humour. And now that I've lost yet another night's sleep to Patricia Fisher, I will leave you to do the same...
Profile Image for Carlin.
1,762 reviews18 followers
October 10, 2023
This was the last book in the Patricia Fisher Mystery Series by Steve Higgs. It is the second series he has written starring Patricia Fisher, and a third one is planned called Patricia Fisher Ship Detective as she and her friends head back to the Aurelia ship and the Windsor Suite. This last book and the second series was delightful and began when Patricia's friend Lady Mary called asking for her help because George, Lady Mary's husband, had gone missing. Lady Mary and her husband George lived in a large estate on the grounds of a zoo that her family had started years before and opened to the public. This seemed like a simple mystery to solve but became quite complicated. I don't think I will say anymore about the plot because it was so good I don't want to give anything away.
43 reviews
September 20, 2021
This series is an absolute delight for fans of Cozy Mysteries. The characters seem more like friends and I found each book to just get better and better!!
Steve Hicks is a masterful storyteller who crafts his books in such a way to combine meticulous research with great characters, fun adventure and tongue in cheek humour.
With each of the books I have taken away knowledge and an eagerness to find out what’s next!!
During this time of Covid being able to enter Patricia Fishers world and share in she and her friends adventures has been nothing short of wonderful!!
Thankyou Steve Higgs, cannot wait for December and the new series.
378 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2023
Read books in order, you will want to know the who is who how they became friends.
A very rich woman who has a zoo. An unexpected accidnt made them have to return early.
Hubby went missing when he went to check on the Tiger who was expecting-a diffrent mystery there
were no other male Tigers- She called her friend Patricia to help find out where hubby was.
There were Friends, allies, people to help with information, Liars and frenimes. Just when you have the anwer... wrong. Start over, Fast pace, twisted with danger , and people who block your enery move.
Must read the ending is unexpected..... Sorry no spoilers.
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,638 reviews37 followers
June 22, 2021
I really enjoy reading Patricia Fisher´s mysteries and this book was no different. It has a scenario that would make me extremely happy if I could live in a house inside a zoo!!! Our heroine and her companions have to defeat several criminals, and at the same time, learn how to relate with the animals that run free or are in their cages whilst fighting the bad guys. The story is fast-paced, written with good humor, and has beautiful descriptions of animals, people, and places.
As a member of Steve Higgs´s ARC team, I received a free copy of this book and this is my unbiased review.
Profile Image for Diane Neri.
29 reviews
June 25, 2021
As a crafter I can appreciate the thought and effort that goes into creating a patchwork quilt or afghan and that feeling of satisfaction when the binding is on and all the loose ends are taken care of. In this long awaited (and simultaneously dreaded) last book of the Patricia Fisher Mysteries Steve Higgs has managed to tie everything together while taking us on a jolly rollercoaster ride that was quintessentially Patricia. I’m not going to spoil the story for anyone except to say that no dachshunds were harmed during the adventure.
14 reviews
July 20, 2021
Great fun.

Love the characters and the pace. The whodunit doesn't loose sight of the overall feel of the books and giving us a glimpse in the life of...making the folks believe able regardless of the exaggerated circumstances.
Now my only complaint being as a frequent reader I expect Mrs.Fisher to have gained more confidence and not constantly shrinking back,squealing and otherwise freezing up and looking to Jermaine and Alistair to save her. Patricia put on your big girl panties and take a self defense course!
Profile Image for Billie.
5,783 reviews72 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.
Profile Image for Judy Johnson.
839 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2021
If you're looking for funny, entertaining, thrilling, and engaging, mixed in with the twists and turns that keep you guessing, this book fits the bill and more. Patricia Fisher is the lead in a wonderful cast of characters that are sure to meet any mystery lover's expectations. If this is your first Patricia book, you will certainly want to read the others in this series, PLUS, go check out Steve's other books/series. You will be so glad you did!
3 reviews
June 20, 2021
Less squealing appreciated!

I appreciate the back stories of some of the plot points you provide in the author's notes. Some of the most whimsical details are fact based! I also appreciate Barbie "squealing" less, now if Patricia can only freeze less, it would be great. I notice Albert and Tempest do not have that problem. I love your books and eagerly await the new releases and the weekly updates.
Profile Image for Geraldine M.
254 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2021
Every book better than last!

I love the Patricia Fisher Mysteries. they are entertaining, endearing, humorous and serious. I usually figure them out but still very much entertained as the author takes us through the steps. Well, I.never saw this one coming! Loved the guys from Blue Moon Investigations showing up at the right.time to.rescue Sam and Patricia. The Maharaja's new present was on my mind and was a great treat! Can't wait for the next Patricia Fisher series!
Profile Image for Joan.
967 reviews
July 9, 2021
Lady Mary calls Patricia to ask for help when her husband, George, disappears. Lady Mary's huge estate includes a zoo which was started by her grand-parents and there are animals running around the mansion, such as an ostrich, a zebra and a boa constrictor. Of course all the animals are house broken.

This was the last book in this series but there will be another starting once she returns to the Aurelia and takes up her new post as Ship Detective.
877 reviews25 followers
July 11, 2021
IT'S A REAL ZOO

This story was a beautiful read! Not only does it involve Ms Fisher`s lady friend of `status` but the rest of her family,`friends`, too! This book was impossible to put down (until I feel asleep, lol)!! I keep trying to decide if this book has been the most exciting!! I guess it depends on the way it is viewed! I will let you
make that decision on your own. Good reading!!!!
Profile Image for Julie  Whitley.
207 reviews12 followers
August 31, 2021
So addictive!

I am totally hooked on Steve Higgs’ stories. I especially love Patricia Fisher and her band of friends. Out to help Lady Mary find her missing husband, Patricia becomes quickly convinced something sinister is afoot. I could barely stand to put this story down, the pages racing faster past until it reached a satisfying conclusion. Can’t wait to start Patricia’s next series of adventures.
Profile Image for Mimi.
112 reviews
August 19, 2023
Love Patricia Fisher!

This is one of the best and most fun series I ever got involved in. I encountered the first one by accident, bought the first 10, and recently bought the second 10 although I had accidentally read one or two of those individually. Steve Higgs has done such a great job with this series and all these wonderful characters. I'm looking forward to Patricia being back on the boat!
Profile Image for Christine Errington.
102 reviews2 followers
April 2, 2024
Outstanding

I do not regret a single night’s sleep that I have lost whilst reading the Patricia Fisher books long into the small hours.
The conclusion of series 2 was a riotous thrill ride and the final chapters in particular had me alternately gasping for breath and howling with laughter.
I’m about to read series 3 and as much as I am looking forward to it, I can only hope that by the time I finish it Steve Higgs will be well into writing series 4 .
6 reviews
May 13, 2024
Chaotic Characters and Confetti Plots

Count on Higgs for consistently well defined, dependable characters you would spend time with—probably in a pub. His books are mostly described as humorous, but more so they are smart, drawing on Higg’s depth of various world knowledge and his atypical grasp of human behavior and personality.

World and population ready—go! Throw any wild plot element up in the air and Higgs can land it. Over and over. Crazy you can count on. Hoorah!
1,306 reviews16 followers
June 19, 2021
When Patricia goes to help her friend find her missing husband, things turn into a more dangerous adventure than anyone bargained for. Always wonderful and charming characters in a zany romp, Mr. Higgs has crafted another superb addition in this addictive and delightful Patricia Fisher series.
Very Highly Recommended.
8 reviews
June 19, 2021
Patricia and the gang save the day yet again

I love this series and all of the characters who inhabit it. No matter if Patricia is fighting crime on land or sea you will surely have a great time reading this book and all of the Patricia Fisher books. I can’t wait to see what happens once they arrive back on the ship.
507 reviews3 followers
June 19, 2021
Another good Patricia Fisher mystery

Fun series of a middle aged woman solving mysteries. The plot and subplots move quickly, making it hard to put the book down. I like how characters from other storylines make appearances in the book. I can't wait to see how Patricia 's new position on the cruise ship develops in the next book
Profile Image for Martha R..
256 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2021
Another wonderful contribution to the Patricia Fisher canon, and a fitting conclusion to the Mystery Adventures.  It was nice that Tempest and Big Ben made an appearance in this book.  Not to provide too much of a spoiler, but the final scene with Lady Mary at the party is pee your pants hilarious!  Very much looking forward to Patricia getting back to the Aurelia and her new assignment as ship's detective.
Profile Image for Robin Resch.
651 reviews5 followers
June 27, 2021
Lifes a zoo

If you are looking at random reviews to find a book to read look no further. You need to go to book one and read them in order. I guarantee you will read them all and have a hard time putting them down! This is an awesome series done by an awesome author! Highly highly recommend! Looking forward to Patricia's next journey in our life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews

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