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Albert Smith's Culinary Capers #1
Pork Pie Pandemonium
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 superintendent chooses to take a culinary tour of the British Isles, he hopes to find tasty treats and delicious bakes …
… what he finds is a clue to a crime in the ingredients for his pork pie.
His dog, Rex Harrison, an ex-police dog fired for having a bad attitude, cannot understand why the humans are struggling to solve the mystery. He can already smell the answer – it’s right before their noses.
He’ll pitch in to help his human and the shop owner’s teenage daughter as the trio set out to save the shop from closure. Is the rival pork pie shop across the street to blame? Or is there something far more sinister going on?
One thing is for sure, what started out as a bit of fun, is getting deadlier by the hour, and they’d better work out what the dog knows soon or it could be curtains for them all.‘
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.’
This series of books contain no cussing and no graphic descriptions of violence or bedroom activities.
‘When Steve Higgs writes, he hits it out of the park. I find myself laughing out loud and often.’
When a retired detective superintendent chooses to take a culinary tour of the British Isles, he hopes to find tasty treats and delicious bakes …
… what he finds is a clue to a crime in the ingredients for his pork pie.
His dog, Rex Harrison, an ex-police dog fired for having a bad attitude, cannot understand why the humans are struggling to solve the mystery. He can already smell the answer – it’s right before their noses.
He’ll pitch in to help his human and the shop owner’s teenage daughter as the trio set out to save the shop from closure. Is the rival pork pie shop across the street to blame? Or is there something far more sinister going on?
One thing is for sure, what started out as a bit of fun, is getting deadlier by the hour, and they’d better work out what the dog knows soon or it could be curtains for them all.‘
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.’
This series of books contain no cussing and no graphic descriptions of violence or bedroom activities.
250 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2020
6013 people are currently reading
2905 people want to read
About the author
Steve Higgs
540 books791 followersLet'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...
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
Displaying 1 - 30 of 477 reviews
December 17, 2021
I picked this up (because of the dog) with no expectations and ended up enjoying it and loving both Albert and Rex Harrison. It made me laugh and read passages out loud to my husband. I’m going on to the next book in the series.
November 14, 2020
This is a great book to read and relax during all the anxiety we have been bombarded with by the COVID. It will make you smile and actually laugh. This is the first in the series. Happy reading.
August 19, 2024
Pork Pie Pandemonium by Steve Higgs is the first book in Albert Smith's Culinary Capers Mystery series. Retired police detectice Albert Smith embarks on a culinary tour of Britain starting with a Pork Pie cooking class, when unfortunately a severed finger is found in the meat. I loved this book and especially Albert's assistance and ex police dog Rex Harrison and how he tries to communicate and help. An interesting and fun investigation with a pair of entertaining and capable characters.
February 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ = Good
Paperback.
An easy read and don’t expect a complicated plot… but please expect a book that involves a mystery, yet also makes you smile and feel comforted inside- well it did for me, anyway. I love a book with a dog in it, as long as the animal doesn’t get injured. Thankfully, this didn’t happen.
I’m so looking forward to reading #2 in this series.
Paperback.
An easy read and don’t expect a complicated plot… but please expect a book that involves a mystery, yet also makes you smile and feel comforted inside- well it did for me, anyway. I love a book with a dog in it, as long as the animal doesn’t get injured. Thankfully, this didn’t happen.
I’m so looking forward to reading #2 in this series.
September 2, 2021
I confess that I wouldn't normally have chosen this type of book but I am glad that I did.
I saw the cover of this recommended book as I arrived to flat/dog sit for my daughter. Lobo and Rex Harrison may look the same but whereas Rex Harrison is an adult dog with a basic discipline, Lobo is still less than a year old with puppyish behavior. Nevertheless, I recognized similarities in behaviors and perhaps now I understand more of Lobo's thoughtful glances.
In a nutshell, its the story of a retired Detective Superintendent who had started a happy retirement with his wife - then she died. His three grown children had started to worry about his failing health and memory and his lack of cooking skills. Instead of an official 'assistance' dog, he acquired a police dog school reject (because of his behavioral problems) and made him a fluorescent jacket and marked it 'Assistance Dog' so it could accompany him in places where dogs were not normally allowed.
To deal with his inability to cook , he has decided to undertake a culinary tour of UK's better know foods with Protected Geographical Status, and learn how to make them.
This first episode deals with his visit to Melton Mowbray and the problems he encounters there.
Its hard to categorize. Is it 'cozy' with all the death and the detached thumb that starts it all? Yes I believe it is and very amusing, as every dog owner will appreciate. There is also something for the armchair detective to sort out.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Not too serious, plenty to smile at. At the end a nice piece of additional pastry rounds off the story very nicely indeed.
I saw the cover of this recommended book as I arrived to flat/dog sit for my daughter. Lobo and Rex Harrison may look the same but whereas Rex Harrison is an adult dog with a basic discipline, Lobo is still less than a year old with puppyish behavior. Nevertheless, I recognized similarities in behaviors and perhaps now I understand more of Lobo's thoughtful glances.
In a nutshell, its the story of a retired Detective Superintendent who had started a happy retirement with his wife - then she died. His three grown children had started to worry about his failing health and memory and his lack of cooking skills. Instead of an official 'assistance' dog, he acquired a police dog school reject (because of his behavioral problems) and made him a fluorescent jacket and marked it 'Assistance Dog' so it could accompany him in places where dogs were not normally allowed.
To deal with his inability to cook , he has decided to undertake a culinary tour of UK's better know foods with Protected Geographical Status, and learn how to make them.
This first episode deals with his visit to Melton Mowbray and the problems he encounters there.
Its hard to categorize. Is it 'cozy' with all the death and the detached thumb that starts it all? Yes I believe it is and very amusing, as every dog owner will appreciate. There is also something for the armchair detective to sort out.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Not too serious, plenty to smile at. At the end a nice piece of additional pastry rounds off the story very nicely indeed.
November 3, 2020
A very nice, enjoyable cozy mystery. There aren't a lot of cozies that have senior adults, whether male or female, as the main characters but in Albert you have one. He is a retired police superintendent and has a flunked out police dog (Rex Harrison) as his service animal which makes for a few funny conversations between the two, especially from the dog's view point. They mystery side isn't real deep but fun to read. I'll look forward to reading more about Albert and Rex.
November 27, 2020
A delicious story
This story left me hungry for more. I let go of any realistic expectations of real dog thought and just enjoyed Sex and his older owner who is retired but not ready to go to pasture. The mystery was intriguing and I was holding my breath at one point. I enjoyed it immensely. My only regret is I don't have a pork pie to hand. Spam does not quite do it. I'm still hungry for more adventures withbAlbert and Rex.
This story left me hungry for more. I let go of any realistic expectations of real dog thought and just enjoyed Sex and his older owner who is retired but not ready to go to pasture. The mystery was intriguing and I was holding my breath at one point. I enjoyed it immensely. My only regret is I don't have a pork pie to hand. Spam does not quite do it. I'm still hungry for more adventures withbAlbert and Rex.
August 24, 2021
Oh, dear. I honestly do not understand why this book gets such high ratings. The typos, comma splices, and missing punctuation drove me to distraction. The story is decent, but the author desperately needs an editor.
April 22, 2025
One of those mysteries where the dog is actually the detective, trying to get the humans to smarten up and solve the mystery.
Not really my kind of thing.
Not really my kind of thing.
February 29, 2024
This is a culinary/cozy mystery with a bit of an edge. I love Albert and his dog Rex Harrison. Some of the crime scene descriptions were a little gross but there were a few crude references but that was as edgy as it got. The author uses an omniscient writing style which includes the mind of the dog, Rex. His thoughts add humor and insight to events as things unfold. Albert is a funny old codger and you can’t help but like him. This is not a long book and part of a series. I liked it well enough to continue the series.
January 3, 2021
Pork Pie
I found this look to be boring.
I could not come to like the main character and the whole bit of going into the dog's mind,was a bit distracting.
I usually don't give 3 stars,but this book just did not hook me
I found this look to be boring.
I could not come to like the main character and the whole bit of going into the dog's mind,was a bit distracting.
I usually don't give 3 stars,but this book just did not hook me
January 8, 2023
Very enjoyable. Onto book 2 in the series soon.
April 23, 2023
I was disappointed in this book. I had seen a facebook posting describing it as really fantastic. The premise is good--a retired policeman and dog taking a culinary tour of England and running into criminal activities. I think a good editor would have helped. There is a pretty good plot, and I liked the character of the dog. There is very little development. The characters are too single-dimensional to really get to know. A little more descriptive work on the plot would help it to develop with more depth. Anyway, I finished the book and I am going to try another in the series to see if I am wrong!
May 9, 2023
Fun, light, silly. Good escapism, positive look at aging with a very capable older protagonist.
Ok. Who am I kidding? He's not "older", he's flat out old. But still vibrant and interesting and participating in life. I liked and appreciated that.
Only gripe is the physical set up. They need to use a different font when Rex is talking. It got a little confusing.
I will read more, mostly because I got a ridiculous deal on 10 books, but they won't be a top choice. They're like candy, a light fun treat, but ultimately unfulfilling.
Ok. Who am I kidding? He's not "older", he's flat out old. But still vibrant and interesting and participating in life. I liked and appreciated that.
Only gripe is the physical set up. They need to use a different font when Rex is talking. It got a little confusing.
I will read more, mostly because I got a ridiculous deal on 10 books, but they won't be a top choice. They're like candy, a light fun treat, but ultimately unfulfilling.
August 30, 2021
This was an easy read. A lighthearted British mystery about a retired police detective and his dog on a culinary tour of England and they get caught up in mysteries that they help solve. While it was an enjoyable book, I did not "laugh out loud" per the advertisements about it. Maybe it's more suited to dog lovers?
May 1, 2021
Hardly pandemonium.....
I did read to the end to prove my point- might entertain a preteen (apart from the drugs element) but the plot was absurd and the writing style juvenile😔 - will not be ordering others in the series.
I did read to the end to prove my point- might entertain a preteen (apart from the drugs element) but the plot was absurd and the writing style juvenile😔 - will not be ordering others in the series.
May 19, 2023
Daft. I only liked the character of the dog to be honest. I read it for my book club and I won’t read any more by the same author. Not my kinda read at all.
August 7, 2023
Easy and fun to read, but I doubt I'll bother with the sequels.
April 25, 2023
Location: Agnew's Perfect Pork Pie Emporium, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Culinary Class: Learning to create the "Gold Standard" Pork Pie.
Class Participant: Albert Smith, retired detective superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, accompanied by Rex Harrison, former police dog, currently assistance dog.
A woman's scream interrupts Albert's attention listening to Belinda's directions.
A woman's scream interrupts Rex's attention on a pile of diced pork.
Why is the woman screaming? There's more than diced pork on her workstation.
I loved Albert and Rex. What a joy to welcome Albert as a senior sleuth with all his law enforcement training and experience, not ready to stay home and vegetate on the couch. Rex's commentary (not heard by humans) and annoyance at some human responses had me laughing out loud many times.
I'm so glad Rex caught my attention while scrolling on Kindle Unlimited. Rex brought wonderful memories of the forever pawprints on my heart of Nikki, a German Shepherd that needed a different forever home. My father said that different home was ours and brought her home. Albert and Rex are off to Bakewell, and I look forward to their next adventure!
A pork pie recipe and a history of the dish are included.
Culinary Class: Learning to create the "Gold Standard" Pork Pie.
Class Participant: Albert Smith, retired detective superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, accompanied by Rex Harrison, former police dog, currently assistance dog.
A woman's scream interrupts Albert's attention listening to Belinda's directions.
A woman's scream interrupts Rex's attention on a pile of diced pork.
Why is the woman screaming? There's more than diced pork on her workstation.
I loved Albert and Rex. What a joy to welcome Albert as a senior sleuth with all his law enforcement training and experience, not ready to stay home and vegetate on the couch. Rex's commentary (not heard by humans) and annoyance at some human responses had me laughing out loud many times.
I'm so glad Rex caught my attention while scrolling on Kindle Unlimited. Rex brought wonderful memories of the forever pawprints on my heart of Nikki, a German Shepherd that needed a different forever home. My father said that different home was ours and brought her home. Albert and Rex are off to Bakewell, and I look forward to their next adventure!
A pork pie recipe and a history of the dish are included.
February 16, 2022
2022 bk 35. Steve Higgs writes lighthearted mystery tales. I had a read an earlier series that left me vaguely dissatisfied - but my sister insisted I try this out. They could stand to use some editing (it's hard to tell the difference between who is speaking, the dog or Albert as it feels like the same voice). They could definitely use some assistance in formatting the printed paperback versions (Chapter Headings should never be left justified and in a lighter print than the body of the book - Chapter numbers would also be nice.) The story itself is decently plotted. The author has some knowledge of the physical differences between a 75 year old and a teenager and does a good job of accounting for those. The wrapping of the books around the famous food of different British communities, the use of a failed police dog as a service dog, and the fleshed out side characters makes for an engaging book - enough that I will try more, but will probably switch to ebook versions to see if the editorial issues are less annoying in that format.
January 31, 2021
I love how Albert Smith (a retired detective superintendent) and Rex (an ex-police dog fired for a bad attitude) get together on a culinary tour and are in the middle of a crime. I love the dog because he thinks he is smarter than humans and most dogs are smarter than humans in my opinion. Even though it was a murder mystery it brought me a smile. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 14, 2024
Pork Pie Pandemonium: The Albert Smith's Culinary Capers Recipe 1. By Steve Higgs.
My Review.
When a retired Detective Superintendent chooses to take a culinary tour of the British Isles, he hopes to find tasty treats and delicious bakes....
What he finds is a clue to a crime in the ingredients for his pork pie..
At 78 and widowed Albert has decided to learn to cook and he's going to do so from the best the UK has to offer. So with his trusty 'service' dog in tow he sets off in search of the perfect Pork Pie. Rex Harrison his German Shepherd also served as Police, until he was thrown out for having a bad attitude! On his first attempt at a Pork Pie making class Albert and the snarky Rex are immediately thrown in to an investigation involving meat pies, murder and drugs!
This was a wonderful light-hearted cozy crime read. Whilst the mystery part didn't really take a genius to figure it out, it didn't matter because this read was all about the characters. Albert is an affable, laid back seen it all before smart as a whip character, quite happy to let people misjudge him by his age. But the real fun comes from the Big German Shepherd, Rex and his attempts to alert his owner to the fact he's already solved the crime.... If only humans had better noses! Rex is a delight to read and comedy gold for anyone who loves and knows dogs. The supporting characters are well written, especially Donna. The plot moves along at a fast pace, with more humour than action. I will definitely be reading more of these
My Review.
When a retired Detective Superintendent chooses to take a culinary tour of the British Isles, he hopes to find tasty treats and delicious bakes....
What he finds is a clue to a crime in the ingredients for his pork pie..
At 78 and widowed Albert has decided to learn to cook and he's going to do so from the best the UK has to offer. So with his trusty 'service' dog in tow he sets off in search of the perfect Pork Pie. Rex Harrison his German Shepherd also served as Police, until he was thrown out for having a bad attitude! On his first attempt at a Pork Pie making class Albert and the snarky Rex are immediately thrown in to an investigation involving meat pies, murder and drugs!
This was a wonderful light-hearted cozy crime read. Whilst the mystery part didn't really take a genius to figure it out, it didn't matter because this read was all about the characters. Albert is an affable, laid back seen it all before smart as a whip character, quite happy to let people misjudge him by his age. But the real fun comes from the Big German Shepherd, Rex and his attempts to alert his owner to the fact he's already solved the crime.... If only humans had better noses! Rex is a delight to read and comedy gold for anyone who loves and knows dogs. The supporting characters are well written, especially Donna. The plot moves along at a fast pace, with more humour than action. I will definitely be reading more of these
May 21, 2024
This was the epitome of a cozy mystery. The main protagonist is an elderly gentleman by the name of Albert who is on a tour of all the best food spots in England. Albert also has his beloved German Shepard, Rex, along for the ride. When Albert is in a class, on how to make pork pies, a thumb falls out of one of the pies and Albert is drawn into the mystery. This was an entertaining mystery. I liked the team of Albert and Rex. We do get Rex the dog's thoughts on the mystery and humans in general and that was fun. Overall, a good book and I will probably continue on with the series.
August 1, 2022
Loved the characters and the mystery. It kept my interest from beginning to end! Now I'm ready to tackle the next "Albert Smith Culinary Caper": Bakewell Tart Bludgeoning".
February 28, 2023
Not the most compelling cozy mystery I’ve ever read. I’m hoping that the next book in the series will bring Rex and Albert into a tighter working relationship.
March 26, 2024
Silly, fun.
August 19, 2025
It is an easy book to read, and one I would say I would have enjoyed more if I was 50 years younger.
December 24, 2020
Quite a Refreshing Concept
New series and author for me. The idea of a late 70's, early 80's retired detective and his police search dog failure sleuthing is charming. The concept is good, and I hope the rapport between the two improves as they tour and sleuth through the UK.
New series and author for me. The idea of a late 70's, early 80's retired detective and his police search dog failure sleuthing is charming. The concept is good, and I hope the rapport between the two improves as they tour and sleuth through the UK.
June 19, 2021
What An Amusing Read!
I love this book! I can feel poor Rex’s frustration with his human friends that can’t smell what he smells and are handicapped by that shortcoming. I love that Albert is aging but not going to let life pass him by while he sits and waits to die. It’s really refreshing to have an older hero, now that us baby boomers are coming into senior citizenship. Some of the English words are strange to me, but I expect to work them out as I continue reading the series. I highly recommend this book!
I love this book! I can feel poor Rex’s frustration with his human friends that can’t smell what he smells and are handicapped by that shortcoming. I love that Albert is aging but not going to let life pass him by while he sits and waits to die. It’s really refreshing to have an older hero, now that us baby boomers are coming into senior citizenship. Some of the English words are strange to me, but I expect to work them out as I continue reading the series. I highly recommend this book!
May 6, 2021
As a fun l ight read, this scores well. The dog is delightful as he finds clues and tries to clue in his clueless human, and the human cast in enjoyable also. I will read more for sure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 477 reviews