Photo: Steven Higgs, bestselling cosy mystery author and creator of the beloved Albert Smith and Rex adventures.
The Creator Of Albert Smith And Rex On Craft, Creativity, And A Remarkable Writing Journey
Steven Higgs discusses his prolific writing career, the inspiration behind Albert Smith and Rex, cosy mystery storytelling, his creative process, and offers valuable writing advice for aspiring authors.
S teven Higgs has established himself as one of the most energetic and imaginative voices in modern cosy mystery fiction. With more than one hundred books written across multiple series, Higgs has built an extraordinary literary career grounded in creativity, humour, and a genuine love of storytelling. His novels invite readers into lively adventures filled with intriguing mysteries, colourful settings, and unforgettable characters.
Among his most beloved creations are Albert Smith and the wonderfully perceptive ex-police dog Rex, whose adventures have delighted readers with their wit, warmth, and clever storytelling. In books such as Pork Pie Pandemonium, Higgs combines British culture, culinary charm, and gripping puzzles to craft stories that feel both comforting and exciting.
In this thoughtful interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Higgs reflects on the early passion for writing that guided him from his years in the British Army to becoming a prolific author. He shares how ideas constantly emerge from the world around him, explains the inspiration behind his characters, and offers honest advice for writers hoping to build a successful career. Insightful, humorous, and refreshingly candid, Higgs’ reflections reveal the mindset of a writer who continues to delight readers with every new story.
Steven Higgs is a brilliantly prolific storyteller whose charming cosy mysteries, humour, and memorable characters have captivated readers across the world.
What first inspired you to begin writing novels while still serving in the British Army?
There was never a time when I didn’t want to write. At school it was the only subject that interested me, or for which I displayed any particular aptitude. My head was always filled with ideas for stories, but it took a long time for to believe writing a book was something I could actually do.
How did your 25year military career influence your approach to storytelling and discipline as a writer?
I don’t know how to answer this. I don’t think it had any influence at all.
With more than 100 books across ten series, how do you manage and organise the many story ideas you say are “queuing in your head”?
I find myself influenced by what I see and hear. All around me there are cues that deliver another story idea. I have titles jotted on a white board in my office, there are handwritten A4 pages pinned to the wall, and I have notebooks filled with fleshed out ideas. Some are for future stories in series I am already writing and others are for characters that currently exist only in my head. As I finish each book and must consider which project to tackle next, there are many factors that come into play, but for the most part I am guided by whimsy.
“There was never a time when I didn’t want to write.” – Steven Higgs
What drew you to the cosy mystery genre, and what do you think makes it especially appealing to readers today?
You may find it entertaining to learn that I had never heard the term ‘cozy mystery’ until I had published several books in that genre. Readers were saying how much they liked my cozy mysteries which prompted to find out what it meant.
My readers like them because they are fun and they can open each book knowing they will not be bombarded with foul language or overly descriptive adult scenes. Like watching a murder mystery on the Hallmark Channel, you can predict what you are going to get and that, in itself, is comforting.
Can you tell us how the idea for Albert Smith and his ex-police dog Rex first came about?
The original spark came from an article I read in National Geographic in the 90s. An elderly man’s dog was injured and rendered quadriplegic. Rather than submit to the vet’s practical solution, the ownerbought a mobile home, built a contraption to support the dog, and set off across America.
Man and dog toured landmarks together like two mismatched detectives on a final case. Eventually the dog declined and the inevitable happened, but the story stuck with me. Years later, when considering what new series I could start, the story resurfaced. Naturally, I changed it, making the dog whole and brilliant, but the concept of human and canine adventuring together remained.
“My stories are fast-paced and filled with action.” – Steven Higgs
Pork Pie Pandemonium is set in Melton Mowbray and revolves around food—how important is food and place in shaping the atmosphere of the series?
The food provides a backdrop, the scenery if you like, around which the mystery plays out. When I read agood book, I find myself transported, whisked through time and space to a location of the author’schoosing. The more colour they provide, the more clearly defined the setting becomes. Favourite dishes, served in quaint British public houses with the smell of an open fire to tickle the nose, provides a welcoming, if not familiar, atmosphere.
Your books often combine humour, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural—how do you balance those elements while keeping the story engaging?
I set out to write the books I would want to read and nothing pleases me more than to have a serious situation interrupted by a moment of unexpected levity. My stories are fast paced and filled with action as the central characters attempt to unravel the clues and save the day. Whether the mystery is supernatural in nature or not, my stories all benefit from the addition of humour.
Having been hugely successful as an independent author, what has it been like working with a traditional publisher such as Vinci Books?
It’s different, but that was the attraction. While I have enjoyed success publishing eBooks, 75% of all books read are still print copies. To get my books into global bookshops and other outlets required connections I will never possess. The people at Vinci have proven to be easy and fun to work with.
With Albert Smith’s Culinary Capers travelling around the British Isles, did you research the local dishes and locations in detail before writing?
When I set out to write the series, I jotted a list of National dishes, reaching thirty in a matter of seconds.Knowing that was too many, I whittled it down to achieve a blend of sweet a savoury, familiar and obscure. Then, as I wrote each book, I made the dish myself. Much of the series was written during lockdown, which made travelling to visit the places impossible, but in attempting to recreate each dish and researching the history behind them, I felt that I was better able to deliver the reader to the locations involved.
Readers love Rex’s canine perspective what is the most enjoyable part of writing scenes from a dog’s point of view?
As the owner of many dogs over many years, I have often considered what they might be thinking. I’m sure we all do that. With Rex, I get to put the words in his mouth. Albert can’t hear them, but that makes their adventure’s all the funnier. Rex can despair of his human. He can express his affection. But most of all, he gets to have all the best lines.
What writing tips would you offer to aspiring authors who are trying to develop their first novel?
Write with abandon. Don’t worry that it’s not good enough and don’t convince yourself that you are writing a bestseller that will break all the records. Enjoy it, and then see what happens. But at the same time, understand what genre you are writing and be familiar with the successful books in it. This will help you to understand the tropes and reader expectations. Those are important if you want to write something engaging.
More broadly, what advice would you give to aspiring authors who hope to build a long and successful writing career?
Stick with it. It’s a long road with very few rewards along the way. I meet authors all the time and few willboast overnight success. In fact, the common theme is that they wrote for many years and produced multiple books before they began to see noteworthy sales. However, the important takeaway is that they all persisted. They enjoyed writing and refused to give up.
