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Bakewell Tart Bludgeoning: Albert Smith's Culinary Capers Recipe 2 Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 3,049 ratings

’How Steve Higgs brilliantly comes up with page-turner after page-turner is beyond my understanding, but much to my delight.’ - Amazon customer.

On a culinary tour of the British Isles, retired Detective Superintendent Albert Smith and snarky former police dog Rex Harrison find something quite unexpected waiting for them at their B&B …

… it’s the almost-dead body of their landlady.

Refusing to believe in coincidence, Albert and Rex set out to discover why her ‘accident’ is the second terrible event there in two days. Something is stirring in Bakewell and it’s not the ingredients for a famous tart.

In trouble faster than a souffle can fall, the duo must work fast before anyone else has an accident. But the landlady’s twin sister is hiding a secret, Albert keeps calling it a tart when it’s a pudding, and their taxi driver, Asim, appears to use a language all of his own.

With Rex’s nose working overtime, you can be sure they’ll track down the bad guys responsible. Unfortunately, that might be when the real trouble begins.

Baking. It can get a guy killed.
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There are 16 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B088119SBZ
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 19, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 202 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 16 ‏ : ‎ Albert Smith's Culinary Capers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 3,049 ratings

About the author

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steve higgs
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When Steve Higgs wrote his debut novel, Paranormal Nonsense, he was a captain in the British Army. He would like to pretend that he had one of those careers that must be blacked out and generally denied by the government, and that he has to change his name and move constantly because he is still on the watch list in several countries. In truth, though, he started out as a mechanic - not like Jason Statham in the film by that name, sneaking around as a hitman, but more like one of those sleazy guys who charges a fortune and keeps your car for a week even though the only thing you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.

At school, he was largely disinterested in all subjects except creative writing, for which he won his first prize at the age of ten. However, calling it the first prize he won suggests that there were other prizes, which is not the case. Awards may yet come, but in the meantime, he enjoys writing mystery and thriller novels and claims to have more than a hundred books forming a restless queue in his mind because they are desperate to be written.

Now retired from the military, he lives in southeast England with a duo of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, he doubts he'll ever leave, the beer is just too good.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,049 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book entertaining and easy to read, with a fascinating plot that includes plot twists to solve the murder mystery. They appreciate the character development, particularly the funny interplay between characters, and one customer notes the interesting explanations about British puddings. Customers love Tex Harrison and find the book refreshing, with one mentioning it's hard to put down.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

54 customers mention "Readability"54 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy and fun to read, describing it as a delightful whodunnit.

"Book 2 is just enjoyable as the first one. Albert Smith and his dog, Rex continue learning to cook delightful British foods around the country...." Read more

"...Bake well Tart Bludgeoning was just right for a quiet thoughtful read. I'm ready for the next one...." Read more

"...Both were fun and refreshing after a series that was pretty violent. Love how the author gives the dog a voice...." Read more

"...Something easy but quite enjoyable to read. Definitely one that grows on you." Read more

23 customers mention "Plot"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, finding it fascinating and suspenseful, with one customer particularly appreciating the murder mystery elements and another highlighting the inclusion of a connecting recipe.

"...Read about Albert and Rex for a lighter but exciting mystery." Read more

"...Each story comes with a connecting recipe which adds to the charm of the book. The other thing that stuck with me was the character Rex himself...." Read more

"...Funny and suspenseful it makes for the upbeat type of summer reading people need," Read more

"...A great cozy with really memorable characters and a fascinating plot!" Read more

17 customers mention "Language"12 positive5 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer noting it's written in a British vernacular.

"...Something easy but quite enjoyable to read. Definitely one that grows on you." Read more

"Written in a British vernacular, this series is a light easy read. The author, Higgs, weaves the canine perspective into the story well...." Read more

"...I would rate this book PG-13, there's mild language, alcohol and drugs mentioned, and of course death and some violence...." Read more

"...This book has all that wound up into a nice easy to read story that will keep you amused and guessing right to the very end." Read more

12 customers mention "Character development"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, particularly appreciating their funny interplay, with one customer noting how relatable Albert is.

"...A great cozy with really memorable characters and a fascinating plot!" Read more

"...I imagine my dog thinking like this dog. The story was fun and Albert is relatable." Read more

"I love the story and Rex Harrison’s funny interplay with the characters! This is a wonderful series! Hard to stop reading in one sitting." Read more

"What a great Read, love the characters, story just keeps getting better. Starts right out and holds your attention to what is nect" Read more

5 customers mention "Recipes"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the recipes in the book, particularly the British food specialties, with one customer appreciating the history behind each treat and another finding the explanations about puddings interesting.

"...I really appreciate the history and recipe at the end. Enjoy." Read more

"...These books are like little chocolates, delicious, fun, satisfying. Again, Albert and Rex are caught up in a mystery...." Read more

"...The explanations about British puddings is interesting too." Read more

"...A fan of the British baking show, I enjoy the history behind each delicious treat, too. Looking forward to each step of the journey...." Read more

3 customers mention "Love for tex"3 positive0 negative

Customers express their love for Tex Harrison.

"Good read. Great humor. Love Tex Harrison. Good plot. Great descriptions of characters and surroundings. Fast paced...." Read more

"Great stories! Love Rex Harrison! Laugh out loud." Read more

"This is a laugh out loud 10! Love Rex Harrison, his human handler, Albert, and his 3 gown Police Officer children." Read more

3 customers mention "Refreshment value"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book refreshing, with one mentioning it kept them focused on finishing it.

"...Both were fun and refreshing after a series that was pretty violent. Love how the author gives the dog a voice...." Read more

"...Exciting and kept me focused on finishing the book. Recommend." Read more

"This whole series was fun and refreshing" Read more

Fun read
5 out of 5 stars
Fun read
Not only did I like it, I've already gone through the first 5 in a series of thirteen and just now ordered the other 7. Good fun lighthearted reading, finish most in a day or two. Hey, no judgment, I'm retired. The photo is of my 13 year old GS on the day I had to put him down. Picturing him in the book as Rex, similar antics.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025
    Book 2 is just enjoyable as the first one. Albert Smith and his dog, Rex continue learning to cook delightful British foods around the country. His son, Randall, is with him as Albert's children don't trust him to stay out of trouble. After all, Albert is 78 years old. All four of them are police officers. Of course, Albert is retired but his brain and instincts are very good. This time a murder and an attempted murder are also present. Many twists and turns occur before the crimes are solved and he is able to make a Bakewell Pudding. I really appreciate the history and recipe at the end. Enjoy.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2025
    I like to read in bed before I go to sleep. Bake well Tart Bludgeoning was just right for a quiet thoughtful read. I'm ready for the next one. Oh by the way, my cowboy corgi Roxie would love to meet him. She loves puzzles.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
    Rushed on to the second book before I stopped to give a review. Both were fun and refreshing after a series that was pretty violent. Love how the author gives the dog a voice. Having raised several GSD I can assure you those thoughts are right on target. Also, I’m in my 70s and Albert’s complaints are valid. I’m actually in awe by how much he walks. Almost makes me want to rescue a Shepherd and start walking. Read about Albert and Rex for a lighter but exciting mystery.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2023
    When I read the first book. I thought it nice but not my style. Yet the storyline nagged at me. I wanted to know where Rex and Albert went next. It also didn't help that I'm a lover of recipes and cooking. Each story comes with a connecting recipe which adds to the charm of the book.
    The other thing that stuck with me was the character Rex himself. Only a dog owner good write such good character as Rex. The mannerism of the dog and his thoughts make it so easy to picture Rex.
    This series are what I call a bit of Fluff. Something easy but quite enjoyable to read. Definitely one that grows on you.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2025
    What a dynamite duo Albert and Rex Harrison make. The family police officers don't hurt any. The kids really love their dad and want him to be happy!
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
    Written in a British vernacular, this series is a light easy read. The author, Higgs, weaves the canine perspective into the story well. Funny and suspenseful it makes for the upbeat type of summer reading people need,
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
    The second in the Albert Smith series. A retired policeman traveling with a failed K-9 as his companion, Albert is taking a culinary journey around England. Light, cozy mysteries ensue. Higgs includes recipes at the end of each book, a nice touch after the title dish is almost like a main character.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2022
    I just discovered a new series, although I’m a longtime fan of the author! Albert is a retired Detective Superintendent, now on a tour of the British Isles after his wife passed on, hoping to learn how to bake. The antics of his taxi-driver and the thoughts of Rex Harrison, his dog, make this book so much fun to read! Arriving at his B&B, he discovers one of the owners involved in a bus accident, amazingly alive. When it turns out this is the second “accident “ in just two days, he decides to investigate! A great cozy with really memorable characters and a fascinating plot!
    5 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Anne-Laure K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great follow-up to 1st book in the series
    Reviewed in France on November 15, 2020
    What a nice, almost old-fashioned cozy mystery - probably due to its unlikely detective duo = man + dog...
    There's always a gripping moment of danger thrown in as well but still good bed-time reading...
  • dorothyjoan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent author.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2022
    This will be the 4th Steve Higgs series I've started and have not been dissapointed yet. Love Albert and Rex, The blue moon detective agency, The realm of false gods and the Patricia Fisher mysteries. Well written, hugely entertaining and difficult to put down. Thank you Steve Higgs
  • Selina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not sure
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2024
    Was not what I thought it was sent back.
  • Alison
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
    Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2022
    Always amusing. Love Rex and his thoughts on things. These books are an easy read to waste away a rainy afternoon. I sometimes find myself grinning, or outright laughing at the situations. I can’t wait to start the next one!
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars These books are fun
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2024
    A couple of murders, a pudding and a dog. The dig knows who the bad guy is bit as his owner can't understand dog, you have to wait until the last pages to find out. It is fun, but a great story, told with great skill.

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