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Reaching the British Unions Isles, the passengers and crew arrive in time for the annual pirate festival. It’s party time! But when Patricia and friends leave the ship, they find an eccentric millionaire waiting to hire them …

… and his fireside spooky ghost story is too good not to investigate.

Patricia expects to figure this one out before happy hour arrives, but when the sun goes down and her client goes missing, the game gets downright scary.

Are there ghosts on this island? Has the client been snatched by vengeful spirits?

The locals certainly thinks so and they seem to know why.

Facing an unknown adversary, and the very real possibility that they trying to catch perpetrators who died hundreds of years ago, Patricia and her team need help. This kind of mystery calls for a specialist, so it’s a good thing Patricia knows one.
I wonder who that could be?

247 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2022

408 people are currently reading
153 people want to read

About the author

Steve Higgs

546 books802 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
1,206 (69%)
4 stars
406 (23%)
3 stars
118 (6%)
2 stars
14 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Rhona Crouthamel.
86 reviews6 followers
May 17, 2022
Just a tad much

I have been a huge fan of this series from book one and anxiously awaited each new one. However I think there's been a show trend of the stories becoming a bit "much", over the top. And this one really hit that for me. First, too much going on...too many story lines. Second, overly complicating the first one and then ending with a rather harsh cut off of the Edward Teach character. Felt unsatisfying. Finally, this evil nemesis from back home who seems to have quite suddenly gone from just the neighborhood condescending, judgmental rich snob to complete psycho overnight, a little much in the first place, is being drug out too long. I'm so over her.
I did however really enjoy seeing Tempest and Big ,Ben brought into the story. Cross overs are always fun.

I'd love to see the books return to just the good fun detecting that was their origin.
Profile Image for Terry Polston.
815 reviews3 followers
June 7, 2022
This one was too much. The cops, the mayor, the local gang are all after Patricia and friends. The corrupt crew member is revealed (I think) and the crazy man hunting for the gems s getting frustrated and a little sloppy.
Profile Image for Rosemarie Quagliata McMahan.
3 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2025
Author is way too wordy for me! I skip multiple paragraphs that ultimately have nothing to do with the adventure.
I won't be reading any more.
This last book barely touched on what the lead in was from the end of the 2nd book. Very disappointing.
Profile Image for Tracey.
77 reviews
April 24, 2022
Not my favorite

Too many things going on in this one. And the Angelic part is getting boring. Only need of Sam kept me going. My brother is Downs too!
Profile Image for Terri Borkgren.
793 reviews6 followers
July 25, 2025
Death by Pirates

Visiting an island Patricia and her friends encounter ghosts and gangsters as well as bad men in charge. Join Patricia, Sam, Barbie and Jermaine and an assortment of friends in solving these puzzles as you turn each page.
Profile Image for Grace.
536 reviews
July 5, 2025
story is pretty good but the reader's voice is too shrill.

I still feel like Patty's age is middle aged since she talk about her joints making noises when she gets up.
131 reviews
April 18, 2023
Another great Patricia escapade.

During a rare day off, Patricia and her team decide to go ashore to a former pirate island. Keen to put distance between her team and the nonsense her nemesis Angelica has been up to they are looking forward to exploring somewhere new. As they get off the ship they are approached by an ancestor of the infamous Black beard, Edward, who offers them an huge sum of money to protect him from the ghosts of the pirates, his ancestor betrayed centuries ago. When they are all attacked shortly after arriving at his home, leaving some of the team injured and Sam and the Edward missing, all they know is that something weird us going on and the police are likely involved. This throws them into what seems to be their craziest case yet. With many of the Islanders seemingly involved to some degree, Patricia doesn't know who she can trust. With only 24 hours til the ship sails again, can they solve the latest mystery and find Sam?

With a great, fast paced story with plenty of twists and turns, not to mention bullet dodging, close calls and humiliating scenarios, that will have you laughing out loud, this is another great read.
Profile Image for avid reader 1.
819 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2022
Another great and exciting read!
Death by Pirates is an excellent continuation of this series. The characters are well placed, and the storyline flows steadily along. There is plenty of humor to balance out the drama of the investigation, and I love the unique cases that end up in Patricia's lap. The connection between members of her team and the friendships that have grown from that gives me the warm fuzzies. And the romance between Patricia and the Captain, while understated, is lovely to see.
I look forward to more from this author.
514 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2022
I ended up liking this book. It started out slow but picked up the pace. Ship is docked at British Union Isles. Patty and crew have planned for an entire day of relaxation and exploring, but their plans change when a very rich islander (Edward) offers them a million dollars to investigate who is trying to scare him. The island is rich in pirate history and the ship has landed just in time for a 3 day festival where everyone dresses up like pirates.
When Edward and Sam go missing, it is up to Patty and crew to find them. Patty is determined that Sam will be found.
19 reviews
December 13, 2024
I'm really hooked!

Mrs. Fisher really has me hooked. What a group of really delightful stories here, with a great deal of humor and a delightful collection of characters. The mysteries are of a quality that makes you wonder: could this really happen? I often times find myself thinking I know who the perpetrator is, only to find a new twist that points to someone else, with the original suspect still being guilty of something nefarious; just maybe not the original crime. In any case, a very fun and relaxing read.
Profile Image for Angel Ballard.
771 reviews5 followers
April 10, 2022
A tropical paradise full of ghosts!
And these ghosts are not the friendly kind! There is madness and mayhem, along with deadly ghosts and vicious pirates! Add a good amount of knights in shining armour - not the literal kind - and you've got a mystery that will keep you turning the pages to get to the bottom of things! This is an action-packed story that I could not put down! Job well done, Mr. Higgs!
378 reviews2 followers
April 15, 2022
WOW, what a twisted adventure, so many suspects, frenemies, allies, enemies and friends.
An old rival that never got over high school grudges. Who would think that someone is so unhinged that they would go to so many extremes?
Not only failing to do what they wanted only to have it fail-again?
The poor computer hacker has bitten off more than he can chew, and now is hoist by his on ‘petard “ so to speak. So are the pirates ghost? or ...?
Profile Image for Kerrie A Summers.
158 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2022
Pirates that are Ghosts Death by Pirates

A man approached Patricia that he was in danger and needed our help. Oh and the police are corrupt. The crew and Patricia were taken up a big mountain to an enormous house . The man was talking to Patricia when lights went out and then ghosts came and were fighting the crew and Sam disappeared. Police came and now I say read the story too. Love your book Steve Higgs
16 reviews5 followers
April 28, 2022
Patricia and the gang, plus Tempest and Big Ben!

Such an amazing story, with nonstop action, pirates, romance, remote islands, and dachshunds! The plot is intriguing and complex, but believable and, eventually I was able to figure out most of the criminals before the denouement. The last scene of the book is suspenseful, and I'm still trying to figure out why/how Patricia's old enemy went bonkers... The next book is out soon, and I'm looking forward to it!
Profile Image for L Kate.
1,275 reviews6 followers
November 7, 2022
This series is such fun. And finally a protagonist who is a middle aged lady (almost as clumsy as I am) who still solves the mystery (or mysteries) that get her entourage out of the fixes that seem to always find them. As they are all aboard the world’s biggest luxury cruise ship touring the world, how do they always find bodies, get kidnapped, etc? Join the fun and laughter, or start with her first series and get the backstory.
239 reviews3 followers
April 15, 2022
Another great book from Steve Higgs. Patricia and some of her crew gets into trouble again. This time with pirates, not so much as a millionaire and maybe a mobster. But please Steve can you do something about that woman on the boat. I really would like to slap her silly, she’s really getting to be a pain. If you read his books you will be hooked.
Profile Image for Karen Stubbington.
6 reviews
April 18, 2022
Are Ghost Pirates real?

Another great adventure by a masterful storyteller.

I love these Patricia Fisher Mysteries. They are a mix of mystery, comedy, murder and mayhem!

Steve Higgs is fast becoming my favourite author.

Definitely a must read, as are all the books in this series.
Profile Image for Geraldine M.
254 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2022
Pirates!

There's ghosts in Patricia's immediate future & they're trying to kill her. Sam is kidnapped , Patricia and friends are thrown in jail. The Blue Moon guys are called to come help. There's a lot more adventures going on including Professor Noriega, or is he? You'll love the story and what about the girls??? Gotta read this book!
182 reviews6 followers
June 3, 2022
I really like all of The Steve Higgs series and this book was another winner. The characters are great, there is plenty of action, and there are always several intertwined plot lines. All of this keeps the story moving and makes me eager for the next book in the series. Read this!

I received an arc copy of the book in return for an honest review.
1,090 reviews7 followers
January 22, 2023
In this book, third in ship detective series, Patricia finds herself in the mid-Atlantic on a small island. Arriving during a pirate festival, she finds herself called Into the middle of a new mystery. When one of her team goes missing, she has to really work to put all of the pieces together. Ghosts, crooked cops and a criminal all make this a non-stop action read.
61 reviews
April 3, 2023
it’s time that the bitch was dead

So Patricia Fisher fights off jewellery thieves and murderers and even dead pirates when taking a couple of days break with her Team on a beautiful island. Only to return to the ship to learn the dreaded Angelica has invaded the privacy of her cabin and dog napped her precious dashies. This Angelica needs to go down.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,784 reviews71 followers
April 15, 2022
This is another great adventure with Patricia.
Wonderful characters that you can't help but laugh with.
Great mystery plot that will keep you til the end.
Can't wait for the next adventure.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Mary Baker.
629 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2022
Pirates and mayhem

A descendant of Black Beard hires Patricia to help him find who's trying to kill him, Sam is kidnapped and the ghosts of dead pirates are hunting them down.
Great story with a twist at the end. Looking forward to the next chapter in Patricia's saga.
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,641 reviews38 followers
April 20, 2022
Another very good and entertaining story with Patricia Fischer ad her gang, they just do not seem to blink in view of any peril and always have the best way out! They are addictive!!!
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
119 reviews
April 27, 2022
Ghost pirates,, oh my!

I really enjoyed this story with the commingling of other lead characters from other stories. This story has several threads running through it and I can’t wait to see how two them wrap up.
98 reviews
May 24, 2022
Another winner


I love all of Mr. Higgs' books! This one had so many plot twists, it was like a giant roller coaster. I loved what Patricia did to Edward. Now she has to catch her arch nemesis and the other creep.
17 reviews
September 24, 2022
REAL PAGE TURNER!

Steve Higgs never lets you down! His books are something I just can 't put down until the last page. Always captivating, challenging and fun!!! Y A Y Y Y STEVE!!!!
164 reviews
Read
October 24, 2022
No disappointment

Any Patricia Fisher novel is just plain fun to read and kept me on the edge of my seat. This cozy mystery has it all - clever plotting, superb crafting, feisty characters, a colorful contemporary background, and lots of romance. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Mary Corso.
1,146 reviews
November 7, 2022
the plot thickens

Now there are two groups after Patricia aside from the many people on the island that they are pursuing. The story continues. I’m getting confused but this story is complete and could’ve read independently.
Profile Image for Frieda Thompson.
396 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2023
Death By Pirates

Yet another fun book from Steve Higgs! This time Patricia leaves the starting line right at the beginning! A new day, a new place, the same old dangers! Somehow she manages to find danger the moment she steps off the ship! Or, should I say, danger finds her??
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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