# Pork Pie Pandemonium

By Steve Higgs · Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/porkpie-pandemonium-9141c9e3/

After his wife’s death, retired detective Albert Smith sets off to learn the dishes Britain’s towns are famous for. His first cooking stop is Melton Mowbray. A human thumb among the pork-pie ingredients gives Albert and his former police dog, Rex Harrison, a reason to investigate.

## What makes it funny?

Rex can smell the clues and struggles to understand why Albert keeps missing what seems obvious. Readers hear the dog’s sarcastic thoughts as his attempts to steer the investigation repeatedly go astray.

### The comedy at work

The two viewpoints give readers information Albert cannot hear. His years of police experience carry him part of the way, while Rex waits impatiently for human reasoning to catch up with his nose.

### Try this if…

British cooking, a retired widower finding a new purpose and an opinionated dog share the attention. Rex’s internal commentary is a major part of the appeal, so a taste for an animal viewpoint will help.

### Good to know

The opening discovery involves a severed thumb, and the investigation puts the pair in danger. Higgs promises that Rex stays healthy throughout the series. A pork-pie recipe and the dish’s history appear at the back.

## What to expect

- Genre: Mystery
- On the shelf: Cozy mystery
- Kind of humor: Situational comedy
- The atmosphere: Warmhearted
- Format: Novel
- Audiobook: Available
- Published: 2020

## A few distinguishing details

- A culinary tour interrupted by a crime in the pie ingredients
- A former police dog whose thoughts the detective cannot hear

## Sources & further reading

- Reader discussion: [Reader report](https://facebook.com/groups/133072126767609/permalink/28092278807086899)
- Review: [Independent review](https://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/2026/10/25/review-pork-pie-pandemonium-albert-smiths-culinary-capers-recipe-1-by-steve-higgs)
- Author commentary: [Author bibliography](https://stevehiggsbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Printable-Book-List-032023.pdf)
- Author commentary: [Author interview](https://crimefictionlover.com/2026/04/interview-steve-higgs)