Steve Higgs Books in Order: Every Series, Every Standalone, Complete 2026 Guide

Because Steve Higgs has written scores of books spanning multiple genres, navigating his bibliography can feel overwhelming for new readers.

The easiest approach is to pick a main series—such as Patricia Fisher for cozy amateur sleuth mysteries or Albert Smith for cozy culinary/dog detective adventures—and follow that specific character’s journey from Book 1. While his major series occasionally feature light character crossovers, each sub-series operates with its own self-contained story arcs. Reading within each series in chronological publication order guarantees you won’t miss recurring jokes, evolving companion dynamics, or long-term character development.

Series 1: The Patricia Fisher Mysteries — The Flagship Cozy Series

The Patricia Fisher series is Higgs’ most popular universe. It follows Patricia Fisher, a 50-something British woman whose comfortable life is turned upside down when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. Instead of crumbling, Patricia buys a ticket for a round-the-world luxury cruise—only to discover a knack for solving murders. As the universe expanded, her adventures moved from cruise ships to cozy English villages and urban mystery avenues.

Sub-Series 1: Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries

• The Best Is Yet to Come (2018) — Book 1
• Murder on the Seven Seas (2018) — Book 2
• Death on the Nile (2018) — Book 3
• Killed in the Caribbean (2018) — Book 4
• Assassination in the Atlantic (2018) — Book 5
• Peril in the Pacific (2018) — Book 6
• Disaster in Down Under (2018) — Book 7
• Tragedy in Tokyo (2018) — Book 8
• Homicide in Hawaii (2018) — Book 9
• Crime in the Mediterranean (2018) — Book 10

The Best Is Yet to Come (2018)

Fifty-two-year-old Patricia Fisher arrives aboard a luxury cruise liner heartbroken and terrified of the unknown after her husband abruptly ends their marriage. Her plans for a quiet, reflective voyage vanish when a fellow passenger is murdered and Patricia finds herself framed for the crime. Forced to step up and clear her name, she uses her sharp eye for detail to catch the real killer, discovering a newfound sense of purpose and adventure in the process.

Murder on the Seven Seas (2018)

Now officially settling into her new life as an accidental sleuth, Patricia’s cruise continues into international waters. When a high-profile guest disappears from a locked stateroom, the ship’s captain reluctantly accepts Patricia’s assistance. Alongside her loyal butler Jermaine, Patricia digs through a web of secrets among the ship’s wealthiest travelers.

Death on the Nile (2018)

Exchanging the high seas for the ancient wonders of Egypt, Patricia’s river cruise takes a deadly turn when a historian researching Pharaohs’ tombs is found poisoned. Surrounded by suspicious tour group members and ancient lore, Patricia races against time to uncover the killer before the riverboat reaches its final destination.

Sub-Series 2: Patricia Fisher Village Mysteries

After her epic journey at sea, Patricia settles in a quiet English village, bringing her crime-solving skills to land alongside her trusty companion, a giant dog named Barbie.

• The Village Murders (2019) — Book 1
• The Body in the Barn (2019) — Book 2
• The Murder at the Manor (2019) — Book 3
• The Death at the Cottage (2019) — Book 4
• The Crime at the Church (2019) — Book 5
• The Killing at the Mill (2019) — Book 6

The Village Murders (2019)

Looking for a peaceful, quiet retirement, Patricia moves into a quaint British village. However, rural life proves anything but quiet when the local fete is disrupted by the discovery of a body in the village square. Joined by her loyal butler Jermaine and a giant, unruly Neapolitan Mastiff named Barbie, Patricia proves that small-town secrets can be just as deadly as international plots.

Sub-Series 3: Patricia Fisher Mystery Avenues

Continuing her adventures on land, Patricia takes her detective agency on the road, investigating mysteries across bustling towns and scenic countryside locations.

• The Mystery of the Missing Bride (2020) — Book 1
• The Mystery of the Stolen Painting (2020) — Book 2
• The Mystery of the Haunted House (2020) — Book 3
• The Mystery of the Dead Billionaire (2020) — Book 4
• The Mystery of the Poisoned Wine (2021) — Book 5

Series 2: Albert Smith Culinary Culinary Mysteries — Cozy Dog Detectives

The Albert Smith series features Albert Smith, a retired British covert operative in his late sixties, traveling the UK with his highly intelligent, pastry-loving German Shepherd, Rex Rex. Ostensibly searching for the best local culinary treats across Great Britain, Albert and Rex constantly stumble into murder mysteries that require Albert’s military background and Rex’s extraordinary instincts to solve.

Complete Reading Order:

• Frenzy in France (2019) — Book 1
• Treachery in Torquay (2019) — Book 2
• Asylum in Abergavenny (2019) — Book 3
• Brimming with Blood in Blackpool (2019) — Book 4
• Chaos in Cornwall (2019) — Book 5
• Danger in Durham (2019) — Book 6
• Evil in Edinburgh (2020) — Book 7
• Fear in Frome (2020) — Book 8
• Grief in Grimsby (2020) — Book 9
• Havoc in Hastings (2020) — Book 10
• Intrigue in Inverness (2021) — Book 11
• Jeopardy in Jersey (2021) — Book 12

Frenzy in France (2019)

Ex-soldier Albert Smith sets off on a relaxing culinary holiday in France with his faithful German Shepherd, Rex. However, his dream of enjoying fine wine and delicious pastries is shattered when a local chef is murdered. Using his old military training and Rex’s incredible scent-tracking skills, Albert steps in to solve the crime before their holiday turns completely fatal.

Treachery in Torquay (2019)

Back on British soil, Albert and Rex visit the seaside town of Torquay for a famous cream tea competition. When a judge dies after eating a poisoned scone, Albert must wade through jealous bakers, rival chefs, and local rivalries to find the culprit—all while keeping Rex from eating the crime scene evidence.

Chaos in Cornwall (2019)

While exploring the dramatic coastline of Cornwall in search of the perfect pasty, Albert and Rex stumble upon a dead body washed ashore near an old smuggling cave. What starts as a simple investigation quickly escalates into a conspiracy involving modern smugglers, hidden treasures, and local folklore.

Series 3: Blue Moon Investigation — Paranormal Urban Fantasy

For readers who prefer a mix of urban fantasy, supernatural monsters, and laugh-out-loud humor, the Blue Moon Investigation series follows Tempest Michaels, an ex-soldier turned paranormal investigator in Winchester, England. Tempest doesn’t actually believe in the supernatural—he believes every paranormal case has a logical, human explanation—which makes his encounters with vampires, turned dogs, and local cults hilarious and action-packed.

Complete Reading Order:

• Paranormal Pupil (2017) — Book 1
• Vampire Hunter (2017) — Book 2
• Warlock Master (2017) — Book 3
• Werewolf Pack (2017) — Book 4
• Demon Slayer (2018) — Book 5
• Ghost Buster (2018) — Book 6
• Angel Slayer (2018) — Book 7
• Witch Finder (2018) — Book 8
• Zombie Killer (2019) — Book 9

Paranormal Pupil (2017)

Tempest Michaels sets up Blue Moon Investigations to solve “supernatural” claims for gullible clients, convinced that ghosts and vampires are complete nonsense. But when his first official case involves a series of strange animal attacks and a client convinced she’s being stalked by a real vampire, Tempest is forced to re-evaluate his skepticism—armed only with his military training, two oversized dogs, and his nagging mother.

Vampire Hunter (2017)

When a string of dead bodies turning up drained of blood rocks Winchester, the local media panics over a vampire on the loose. Tempest dives into the city’s dark underground to prove the killer is just a disturbed human, only to find himself tangled in an ancient conspiracy that tests his martial skills and wits.

Series 4: The Shadow Bureau — Action Thrillers

Moving away from cozy mysteries, The Shadow Bureau series is a high-octane action thriller series. It follows covert agents tackling black-ops missions, national security threats, and shadowy cabals operating in the background of global power.

• Shadow Bureau Book 1 (2021)
• Shadow Bureau Book 2 (2021)
• Shadow Bureau Book 3 (2022)

What Makes Steve Higgs Unique?

Steve Higgs has carved out a massive following across cozy mystery and urban fantasy communities due to three key elements:

• Unbeatable Humor & Animal Companions: From Rex Rex the pastry-obsessed German Shepherd to Barbie the giant Mastiff, animal sidekicks play major roles in solving crimes and generating constant laugh-out-loud moments.
• Prolific Pacing: Higgs writes with astonishing speed, keeping his plotlines tight, his dialogue snappy, and his mystery resolutions immensely satisfying.
• Relatable, Mature Protagonists: Rather than twenty-something sleuths, Higgs highlights resourceful retirees, middle-aged women finding second chances, and seasoned ex-military veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Steve Higgs book to start with?

For cozy mystery fans, start with The Best Is Yet to Come (2018) (Patricia Fisher #1) or Frenzy in France (2019) (Albert Smith #1). For urban fantasy and comedy fans, start with Paranormal Pupil (2017) (Blue Moon #1).

Are Steve Higgs’ book series connected?

While each series focuses on different main characters and settings, they all exist within a light shared universe. Characters occasionally make fun cameo appearances in other series, but each franchise can be read completely independently.

Does Steve Higgs write cozy mysteries or action thrillers?

He writes both! The Patricia Fisher and Albert Smith series are lighthearted, clean cozy mysteries filled with humor and dogs. The Shadow Bureau series offers high-stakes action thrillers, while Blue Moon combines urban fantasy action with comedy.

What is Steve Higgs’ newest book?

Steve Higgs releases multiple books a year across his main series. Check his latest additions to the Albert Smith and Patricia Fisher Mystery Avenues series for his most recent 2025/2026 releases.

Final Recommendation

Whether you want to solve cozy murders aboard a world-class cruise liner, travel the UK tasting delicious pastries with a clever German Shepherd, or hunt supernatural threats in Winchester, Steve Higgs offers an endless library of fun, fast-paced entertainment.

Pick up The Best Is Yet to Come or Frenzy in France today, settle in with a cup of tea, and enjoy one of the most delightfully prolific storytellers in modern mystery fiction!

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.