Rating: 3.75⭐️
Yes, the German Shepherd on the exquisite cover trapped me once again, along with the “must have” note that the dog doesn’t die.
The setup is really good .
There are multiple terrific aspects of this book. Higgs does a wonderful job in bringing his main character of Albert Smith to life.
Higgs has crafted Albert Smith’s character so beautifully that we see him . A once tall man, now stooped in his age, struggling with his aged body and his retirement. But it’s as a recent widower of one year, the loss of his beloved wife of decades that’s left him with an empty house that’s prompted him to set off.
Albert, when we meet him is engaged in a cooking class. Aged 75, a retired detective superintendent from Kent, he decided after his wife’s death to attack his bucket list of taking a trip to learn to make his favorite foods , some of the British Isles famous meals.
He’s in Melton now learning to make their famous pork pies. And he’s got company. A recently acquired German Shepherd dog called Rex Harrison.
Part of getting away from home and away from his grown children’s oversight was the acquisition of an assistance dog to accompany him, that ensure that his family would be agreeable to his plans.
I liked the murder, the location, the investigation and even learning how the famous Molton pork pies are made. Interesting and it makes the whole story credible in this aspect.
Less believable and more problematic is how the author uses a two character perspective and, unfortunately, an unrealistic view of an assistance dog, especially one who was once a trained in police work.
Albert Smith is great as the narrator of his new journey through baking adventures but to include Rex’s perspective is a error, imo, of the author’s that the story and more likely the series doesn’t recover from.
Rex is never treated like an assistant animal. Here in the US, people who are lucky enough to have one, go through extensive training, as does the animal. Separately and together. It’s an extraordinary partnership.
Here Rex, a police dog, who’s dismissed after training because of his attitude ( another poorly written element) is purchased online. I have no words for this. No training whatsoever. Here’s your dog. Which is not only dismissive of the actual trained dogs but the service they provide for the people and organizations.
The entire story has Albert ignoring Rex’s “tells” about the crime and criminals which the reader hears from Rex’s pov. And we also then have repeated as well as Albert stumbles away from whatever Rex is trying to direct him to. Consistently frustrating for dog and reader.
Does this change? No. This relationship stays much the same. I’m not sure why. Does Britain not have the same level of respect or training with assistance animals that we do here?
Anyway, I was less interested in the fact that it was about British food than about how the investigation was handled and the dog/human interaction between Rex and Albert developed.
So this has its good points and those that made it clear that it’s probably not for me.
Elements that are of interest to others include the fact that each book visits a new location to learn about and cook a different famous dish.
Lancashire hotpot, Eton mess, Eccles cakes, Cumberland sausages . And The Melton Mowbray pork pie .Each book includes a different location and dish. As well as a murder and recipe at the end.
If the dog aspects don’t bother you as much as they do me, check it out.
Along with writer Steve Higgs’ note about how the book came about and the inspiration behind the characters, he’s added a real plus for those fond of British food.
Don’t miss out on the recipe and history of The Melton Mowbray pork pie at the end of this book. Great idea.
I do love the covers although I can’t find an artist credited.
Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers (16 book series) complete series
Pork Pie Pandemonium #1
Bakewell Tart Bludgeoning #2
Buy link
Pork Pie Pandemonium: Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers Recipe 1
Blurb
When a retired detective with a nose for trouble wanders into a town hiding a deadly secret …
‘When Steve Higgs writes, he hits it out of the park. I find myself laughing out loud and often.’
** Complete Series. Read every book (the dog doesn’t die) **
Melton Mowbray is world famous for its pork pies, but beneath the façade lies an undercurrent of lies and deceit, and Albert Smith just saw something that made him curious.
The operation hiding in plain sight is worth a lot of money. The kind of money people will kill to protect and now they need to make him vanish.
Quietly. Permanently.
Good luck with that. Albert spent decades taking down criminals and his mind is as sharp as it ever was.
Get ready for pandemonium.
‘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 contains no cussing and no graphic descriptions of violence or bedroom activities. It is suitable for all ages.
May 29, 2020
Language
English
Print length
218 pages
Book 1 of 16
