Old Habits

Life caught up with me after our latest trip abroad, so it's been a while since I've sat down to blog.  Not that my reading has stalled!  I'll be trying to catch up on everything I've read since my last post, so here goes!

My brother-in-law suggested Steve Higgs' mystery Old Habits (#1,378).  Retired detective Albert Smith has decided to do a culinary tour of places whose food has always intrigued him. First on his list is Belgium - for the waffles, of course!  While exploring Brussels on a public tram, he finds himself noticing a rough looking pair eyeing a well-dressed elderly gentleman.  When he exits the tram in a nice neighborhood, so do the ruffians.  Smith's police instincts kick in, and he follows with his dog Rex.  Sure enough, an assault takes place.  Visiting the hospital the next day to check on the old man, Smith realizes that something much bigger than a simple assault is afoot.  He and Rex set out in their different ways to get to the bottom of the crime.

I found Rex's interaction with other animals quite engaging, even though he can't communicate directly with Albert Smith.  I also found the food aspect of the story quite interesting as well.  

I had never come across Steve Higgs, before, but when I checked on Fantastic Fiction I was amazed by how prolific this author is.  In fact, this isn't even his first Albert Smith mystery series!  Higgs wrote another set before Albert Smith retired his detective position.  There's plenty to catch up on here!