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Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers Books in Order

17 Books
2020 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers

For the best experience, you should start with the very first book, Pork Pie Pandemonium. The series features an ongoing development of the relationship between Albert Smith, a retired police superintendent learning to cook to honor his late wife's memory, and Rex Harrison, his sarcasm-prone ex-police German Shepherd. There is also a long-running, overarching plotline concerning a master criminal known as the "Gastrothief" that builds across multiple books, making chronological reading highly recommended.

Culinary Capers Publication & Reading Order

Here is the complete list of Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers in their recommended reading order:

  1. Pork Pie Pandemonium (2020)
  2. Bakewell Tart Bludgeoning (2020)
  3. Stilton Slaughter (2020)
  4. Bedfordshire Clanger Calamity (2020)
  5. Death of a Yorkshire Pudding (2020)
  6. Cumberland Sausage Shocker (2021)
  7. Arbroath Smokie Slaying (2021)
  8. Hellcat (2021) – A free short story available on the author's official website.
  9. Dundee Cake Deception (2021)
  10. Lancashire Hotpot Peril (2021)
  11. Blackpool Rock Bloodshed (2022)
  12. Kent Coast Oyster Obliteration (2022)
  13. Eton Mess Massacre (2022)
  14. Cornish Pasty Conspiracy (2022)
  15. The Gastrothief (2023) – This book serves as the climax and wrap-up of the major Gastrothief storyline.
  16. Lyme Regis Layover (2023) – Also published under the title Lyme Regis Layover - Rex Takes the Biscuit.
  17. Majestic Mystery (2023) – A short story featuring Albert and Rex attending a royal knighthood ceremony.

Chronological and Reading Caveats

  • The Gastrothief Arc: The main narrative arc involving the thief who steals regional British culinary secrets concludes in the 15th book, The Gastrothief. The subsequent stories (Lyme Regis Layover and Majestic Mystery) function as new adventures.
  • The Short Stories: Hellcat is a short story that fits perfectly between Arbroath Smokie Slaying and Dundee Cake Deception. Majestic Mystery is the 17th entry and is also a shorter format story.

The Next Chapter: Albert Smith’s Mystery Thrillers

In 2024, Steve Higgs launched a spin-off series titled Albert Smith’s Mystery Thrillers. While these books still feature Albert and Rex, they shift from the cozy, culinary-focused mysteries of the Culinary Capers series to faster-paced, high-stakes thriller plots. You should read these after finishing the main Culinary Capers series. The thriller books in order are:

  • Old Habits (2024)
  • Old School
  • Old Fashioned
  • Old Testament
  • Old Score to Settle
  • Old Enough to Know Better
  • Old Wives' Tale

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting book for the series?

You should start with the first novel, Pork Pie Pandemonium, as it introduces Albert and Rex and begins the overarching Gastrothief plotline.

QWhere can I find the short story Hellcat?

The short story Hellcat (Book 8) is available as a free download on Steve Higgs's official author website at stevehiggsbooks.com.

QWhich book concludes the main Gastrothief storyline?

The primary story arc involving the mysterious "Gastrothief" wraps up in the 15th installment, The Gastrothief.

QWhat is the difference between Culinary Capers and Mystery Thrillers?

Culinary Capers are cozy mysteries centered around British food and regional cooking. The spin-off series, Albert Smith’s Mystery Thrillers (starting with Old Habits), features the same characters but focuses on faster-paced, action-oriented thriller plots.

QIs Lyme Regis Layover a full novel?

Yes, Lyme Regis Layover (also titled Lyme Regis Layover - Rex Takes the Biscuit) is a full-length cozy mystery novel that follows the conclusion of the main Gastrothief arc.

QAre there recipes included in these books?

Yes, keeping with the culinary theme, the books feature traditional British recipes corresponding to the regional dishes Albert learns to cook in each story.