Kent Coast Oyster Obliteration

Albert Smith's Culinary Capers #11

by Steve Higgs

‘I couldn’t stop reading or laughing!’ ‘If you love mystery and dogs, you have to read this!'

On the southeast coast of England, three wines growers have just gone missing and a fourth was found dead at the scene. Could this be the work of the master criminal Albert Smith has been chasing all over the country?

You'd better believe it. Rushing back to his home county, Albert hopes to pick up the trail once more. With trusted former police dog, Rex Harrison, at his side, the duo begins to snoop …

… but they have no idea the perpetrators are still there. Worse yet, the criminals know who Albert is and they’re not about to let him spoil their plans again.

Will Albert and Rex catch them red-handed? Maybe. Will they finally find the thread they need to unravel the Gastrothief’s deadly empire? That could happen. Will Rex make friends with the crabs at the coast? No, probably not.

Get ready for culinary adventure because it’s getting deadly again!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

631 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2022

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

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this duo - Rex and Albert - and I'm sad that the series seems to be getting to the end. This story is, as always, fun to read, entertaining, and with great descriptions of the places where the action takes place. Rex is sharper as ever, and his encounter with Devil Dog, although brief, promises a good sequel for the next book. I wonder whether Felicia will be able to talk to Rex!?!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Ellen Urness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert and Rex do it again

I wish these two would just keep having culinary adventures. I catch myself laughing out loud. All of this series are Good Reads!

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kent Coast Oyster Obliteration by Steve Higgs is the 11th book in Albert Smith's Culinary Capers series. Retired policeman Albert Smith returns home to Kent when he hears of three local wine growers who have gone missing and another killed, convincing him that the Gastrothief has surfaced in his hometown. Another superb addition to the series with Albert's neighbour Roy assisting in the chase. Rex stars as always and I love his thoughts. Plenty of action and lots of fun. An excellent and entertaining adventure.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rex and Albert
On the southeast coast of England, three wines growers have just gone missing and a fourth was found dead at the scene. Could this be the work of the master criminal Albert Smith has been chasing all over the country?
Rex and Albert get into a lot of trouble. It is all because of the Gastro thief, A person that they don't know the actual identity of.
I borrowed this book from KindleyUnlimted. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best part of this book was Albert’s friend Roy. A good sub character can really add to a story. There were some funny parts and some high action parts. If you can get past the two old guys doing more than they should be able to do at their age then it was a pretty exciting book. I don’t like the incompetence of the local police in every place that Albert goes and that almost knocked my rating down a star.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in crime fighting and enjoying Brutish cuisine
Albert, retired police superintendent, and recent widower has discovered a mystery concerning some of the British Isles' best food. Albert with his trusty failed police dog Rex are exploring ten fabulous locations for Albert's favorite foods. The problem? Someone is doing incredible damage in these locations. Murder, disappearances, and now destruction of the sites themselves. Albert and Rex stumble into the mystery and start a search for the culprits behind the destruction, but then realize there is a mastermind behind the crimes. There are now fifteen in this series, but never fear, there's another series - Albert Smith's Mystery thrillers. Great characters, plot, and intriguing recipes (one included in each book). Highly recommend!

[Sunsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wir sind nun bereits bei Buch 11 der Reihe angelangt, und mir wird es mit den beiden Ermittlern Albert und Rex noch immer nicht langweilig 😉Im Gegenteil ist jeder Band wirklich spannend, dazu humorvoll und mit dem nötigen Rätselspaß für uns heimliche Detektive versehen. Auch wenn wir die Täter schon kennen, so wissen wir ja doch noch nicht, wann, wo und wie sie zuschlagen, und ob ihnen Albert jedes Mal noch entkommen kann, und und und ...

Die Reihe und natürlich das vorliegende 11. Buch kann ich wärmstens empfehlen 😍 und gebe 10/10 Punkte.

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

[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.

If you've read any of the other books in the series, you will notice a change in the book's format, which I believe, makes it easier to read and helps to delineate the chapter headings in an easier-to-read manner.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert and Rex are investigating another factory that has been burned down, with 2 of their best employees missing. Rex knows who is doing all these things because of his powerful nose but he has a hard time telling Albert, who can only investigate using his eyes and his keen sense of what's going on. In this adventure they save another person who is being targeted by the criminals, nearly missing an abduction by using a WWII airplane (flown by Roy, formerly a pilot in the military and Albert's neighbor) to get to the individual's home faster! They arrive just in time but are not able to capture them. I loved it.

[Doty Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read books in order.
You will want to follow the adventure that leads up to this adventure.
Wow, the Gastrotheif is getting very destructive. As well as greedy.
Albert just had to meet Quinn. He wouldn’t take civilian’s word if they had pictures
And a video of the crime screen, with date, time and sound included!
Quite the little self-important “chief detective” right.
Very twisty and turning, with friends, allies, family and unexpected frenemies?
Liked how Albert and Rex are slowly finding clues and are unraveling how what
Fits together. Can't wait for the next adventure!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This newest in the Albert Smith series is quite exciting and fast paced. He and Rex,  along with a neighbor friend or two are getting ever closer to the Gastrothief. But will they catch his henchmen before someone else dies?
I always enjoy learning something new. Having never heard of Dick Barton before, being in the states, I looked it up and listened to the theme song while reading that part. Even more exciting!
And a bonus was seeing a character with the same first name as myself,  but hopefully I am not as stern as the one in the book!
All in all another excellent book from Higgs!!

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent chapter!

Albeit and Red continue their journey, though this is a brief stop at home to reset, see family, etc. Not just lo, but lo AND behold, the Gastro thieves are present, chagrined at finding Albert and Red hot on their trail yet again. Albert has human help this time from friend and neighbor, Roy (and his wife, kicking and screaming). The despicable Quinn rears his pompous, ignorant head.

A lovely and thrilling read I am sad to have finished so (and far too) soon.

[Paula Sindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the best Albert and Rex book yet. Finally our dynamic duo of Albert and Rex are getting closer to the gastrothief. Finally Albert is starting to get some real support and assistance from his children. But the gastrothief and his minions remain just a step or two ahead. What delicacies will be stolen and which artisans will be kidnapped this time. How many will die? Read it and see.

I received an arc copy of the book in return for an honest review.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gastrothief is after wine growers this time, and as usual Albert ends up trying to keep ahead of local, bumbling police who do not believe that the Gastrothief is real.

This time he takes his neighbour Roy along on the adventure and ends up in a spitfire plane.

I really enjoyed this book, as I do all of the Albert Smith books, but I will be happy when the story line ends and they move on to something else (I believe that he and Roy will end up travelling across Europe together).

[Geraldine M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Albert & Rex

Off to treasure oysters, Albert and Rex are joined this time by Alberta's neighbor Roy, retired RAF pilot in his 80s who joins Albert & Rex on their new adventure much to the chagrin or.Roy's wife. Get ready for.lots of action and Albert behind the whee of a car, a wine connoisseur who's a new target for the Gastrothief & lots more fun!! 'm not saying any more. You'll just have to.read it. You'll love it!
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[Lyn McNee · Rating 4 out of 5]

outstanding action as always

Albert Smith and Tex supported by Albert’s mate Roy have survived an outstanding tale of wine thieves, kidnapping, oyster theft, explosions, tiger moth flights, police car theft, police Inspector Quinn’s usual arrogant and shirking his community responsibilities. Culinary Capers 12 beckons loudly, I cannot put these books down. Thank you Steve Higgs 🙏

[Jean Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these books

I'll be sorry when I'm done with the series.

This book had a portion where Albert seemed a little out of character. (Dealing with the lady wine taster Albert seemed to jump to conclusions and over-react in a way he didn't usually do.) It was a little disappointing, but the book, overall, is really good!

Rate it PG - after all it IS a murder mystery. :)

(Read with Kindle Unlimited subscription and listened to with Alexa Android app.)

[Terry Polston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are heating up. The Gastrothief has three hits in Kent plus a side mission. Albert is on his home turf but it's a lot to get his head around. Maybe it's because he is home or maybe it's his new geriatric sidekick, but Albert seems a bit more spry. CI Quinn is still an inept fool. It was nice to say hello to some of my friends from other series.
Steve Higgs series are well worth reading. I do lots of laughing every time.

[Angel Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are getting dangerous!
A "fly by the seat of your pants" story that keeps the reader so riveted you just can't put it down! Pensioner Albert and his pal Roy team up to try to save a wine connoisseur with sidekick Rex along for help and protection. But things get really dangerous and all hell breaks loose! Brilliant read!

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert and Rex have a new fellow on board - Roy - Albert's neighbor. Tanya and Baldwin, the evil duo, set fires, explosions and kidnappings along the seacoast and a vineyard which makes tracking them down a difficult, but not impossible, task for the three amigos to solve. It's another witty, exciting addition to this amazing series. Detecting at it's best. Very Highly Recommended.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kent Coast Oyster Obliteration is the eleventh book in the Albert Smith's Culinary Capers series.

I love Albert and Rex. They continue their travels and are on the travel of the Gastrothief. But not before having to contend with murder and mayhem galore.
I read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation.

[Jean Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rex and Albert strike again

Albert Smith and Rex, his trusty sidekick, are still on the trail of the Gastrothief and his minions. They are getting closer and the stakes are getting higher. Another great romp, this time in Kent. Albert and Rex’s gastro tour through the UK continues apace, cannot wait for the next instalment.

[Esther Shoemake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

I love the characters Mr Higgs creates in his books. I can always think of someone I know who is just like them, except for the killers, of course! Always action packed and well thought out, these lively mysteries are exciting and laugh-out-loud funny and will have you up late at night trying to finish before sleep takes you away!

[Glenda Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Higgs has a wonderful imagination. The Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers is the 11th book I have read. The series has people heroes, doggie heroes, catty-cat heroes, and villainous-villains—both human and animal. This is an extremely humorous series dotted with some insights on aged people of which I am one.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am having a marvelous time bingeing the Albert Smith Culinary Capers mysteries, just finishing this #11. My only regret is that it's not a television series. I could envision every scene following Albert and Rex's adventures trying to track down the "Gastrothief" by following clues from one end of the UK to the other and then back to Kent Albert's home.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining series!

This series quickly becomes one you want to binge read. The characters, particularly Rex Harrison the German Shepherd, have so much personality that you quickly build a connection. I've always known my dogs had much more to say than I could understand!

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun series to read, best done in order. Rex and Albert make an odd couple yet find a way to almost communicate. Rex the dog is often frustrated because Albert misread his signs but sometimes he get it right. The writing style makes it fast and easy to read. The plots are complex enough to keep your interest.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than ever! He seems to be getting better with every book, as far as Albert and Rex go. But I'm really disliking his including the bad guys' POV in the narrative. It detracts from the fun and ruins the mystery for me--where's the "mystery" in mystery if you know who did it, why, when, where and how?

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun romp

If you believe seniors still have what it takes, this will book will be very enjoyable for you. If you also believe that animals are smarter than we think, you’ll enjoy the book even more.

[Doris Brase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this adventure into oyster land. A couple of despicable villains, an adventure craving side kick and Rex, a canine always looking for his next meal make this tale funny and action packed.