I was really excited to get to read the latest instalment of Tim Sullivan’s DS George Cross series is back with The Bookseller. I’m a massive fan of the series and DS George Cross is one of my favourite fictional detectives. DS George Cross is based in Bristol’s Major Crimes Unit. He has an impressive record in solving cases, the best in the unit.

This instalment sees DS George Cross and his partner DI Ottey investigate the murder of a bookseller in his antiquarian bookshop in Bristol.

I found the backdrop of the world of rare books fascinating and learnt a great deal! There were twists and turns and I didn’t guess ‘who did it’. It’s always nice to be surprised by the ending.

What I particularly like about his series of books are the other regular feature characters including George’s father Raymond, this mother Christine, Stephen the priest, Ottey his work partner and the other police officers and forensic experts. As the books progress through the series, these characters go from respecting George to having more of a bond based on friendship and genuinely caring for him, which is really wonderful. They all support George, who is on the spectrum, and help him navigate his way through social settings.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers, Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus, for making this e-ARC available to me to read in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another good read in the George Cross and Josie Ottey series. This latest book delves into the realms of rare book dealing. Amazing the research that Tim Sullivan goes to, in order to add that authenticity to his books. No only do we read his books for that thrilling detective series but learn something along the way.
The latest book The Bookseller presents us with a murder of the son , who is a partner , of the original owner Torquil Squire . Torquil is a well respected and revered rare book dealer . The murder has taken place in the book shop in Bristol which leads the intrepid Cross and Ottey from the Major Crime Unit who then delves into the world of rare books and the shady practices that hide behind that studious façade .

Cracking read as usual , moves with that steady pace that enables the reader to take in the nuances of the story line. Tim Sullivan has hit on a wonderful original Police series, with the autistic George Cross and his very unusual manner, that gets the pair to the answers of tricky problems.
Wonderful storyline and great read, enjoy.

I love George Cross!!!

Another excellent book in the George Cross series and just as great and the previous ones! I love that the usual characters are still here and liked that they managed to get Alice in too even though she (technically) left after the last book.

An interesting storyline as always as George tries to find out who the actual killer is when the evidence and others suggest otherwise! Unusually, there is a carry over into this book from the last (about DI Warner) although there is enough info given in this one to not have to go specifically read the last book.

Good to see Raymond and Christine feature in this book a bit more predominantly compared to the last one.

Definitely a book to highly recommend…and I would go read the previous books too because they are excellent!

This is the first one I have read in this series but it didn't detract. A good detective story, good ending and the benefit of an unusual lead detective who complements a team of more conventional colleagues.

The Bookseller

This was my first Tim Sullivan novel & I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was attracted to the title & was not disappointed, the story really delves into the world of book selling at many levels. Having been a high street retail bookseller in the past, I loved how the author introduced us to other parts of the industry in old school book selling, via the police procedural crime novel. I think bibliophiles everywhere will be fascinated & drawn to those elements of the story.

I also enjoyed getting introduced to a new Detective, I found the way that DS Cross balances & considers the positives & negatives of his autistic traits as he deals with the case to be fairly authentic. It certainly stepped away from detective cliches of chaotic personal lives & drinking problems & stood out for being different.
As this is the 7th in the series of the DS Cross novels, I will definitely be checking out more of them & have already purchased one of the previous books for my Father, who I know will enjoy this too.

Massive thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy, it has been a long time since I had a proof copy to read & it felt really good to feel part of it again, cheers 📚

An excellent addition to the DS George Cross series of crime novels. George is autistic and his dedication, perseverance and attention to detail are crucial I’ll to the team he works with. I have been a fan of this series for some time and I am never disappointed by it.
In this latest offering the team are investigating the murder of a bookseller in his shop.. There are many strands to the investigation leading to several plausible suspects before the final reveal.
This is not a blood and guts type of crime series but a really well written and well plotted one . This latest offering held my attention throughout with its twists and turns and I look forward to reading more in the future.

Anyone familiar with the series won't need an in-depth review. This is a classic George Cross novel with an intriguing murder which Cross uses his skill set to solve. There is also a continuation of George's personal struggles with the failing health of his dad, the difficulties in dealing with his mother's return (these aren't spoilers) and various other issues which George, who is on the spectrum, finds difficult to navigate.

Another great book in the series and I like the character development of not only George but also the other main, and peripheral, characters.

Thanks to Netgalley, and Aries and Aries for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another excellent book featuring D S Cross. The plot as good as always and an ever growing depth to the characters as we - and they - understand more about how Cross works. All told with a gentle and touching humour.

I’m a huge fan of this series and this is another stunningly good story. The plot, setting and the characters of the suspects are all fantastic, but George Cross, his team and family are the stars that make this book so brilliant. In this novel, George is starting to learn some social skills with the help of his notes from Ottley, and is slowly accepting the presence of his mother in his life. The acceptance of the way George works and thinks by his family and friends is heartwarming, as is his surprise when he understands that other people are important to him. I actually cried when he expresses love to his father. But, Mr Sullivan, please let us know that George wouldn’t really leave the police, as I’m hoping for many, many more of this series. As always, a wholehearted five stars.

I really enjoy these books. George is such an interesting character, and his way of seeing the world adds another element to the story.
I'd guessed the why of the murder fairly early in, if not who, but I enjoyed learning more about the world of bookselling.
Now maybe I'm just getting emotional in my old age, but the highlight for me is seeing George build up his relationships with those around him.
He has his own little gang now, and to see them all together, at work, or not just warms the heart.
More please.

Yay George is back and ready to find the guilty party with his latest case, the murder of a bookseller, with little to go on and Georges mind preoccupied with his dads health, George is pulled in several directions leading him to rethink where his priorities lie.
Tim Sullivan has written a brilliant character in DS George Cross he is complex, unintentionally rude and doesn't like change and he enjoys a good cup of tea but at no point do you dislike him, Tim Sullivan does not play on Georges's idiosyncratic ways its just the way he is and I as well as thousands of others love him. Please bring us more George stories.

A man is found killed in the flat of his father whom he was checking on after a trip away. George Cross isn't quite like any other detective, he’s one in a million. George has Asperger's which means he sees things differently to others and can't settle until the truth is found- which has made him a highly, if slightly unpopular detective with those that don’t understand him. His father is about to go for an operation and as ever George has numerous questions before he can let it settle. The case has little to go on, but as ever George and team research and find the little things that can lead to cracking the case wide open.
I can't help but love George. He says what we all think without the filter but is slowly learning courtesy of Ottey who is now a DI and George thinks that will be the end of their working together now she has been promoted, but is it?. He is concerned about his father but wants to finish the case and as ever in true George style spends hours researching the topic of books as well as his father condition. It's a clever plot with lots of twists and turns even when the reader thinks the perpetrator has been sorted, George has a lightbulb moment which often changes things. Clever, gripping, light-hearted and brilliant. Five stars really aren't enough for this series, its genius. Just like George!

I have really enjoyed this series and this book in particular. Mr Sullivan is an accomplished writer who improves with each new book. His writing has brought me into the world he has created for his characters, not only does he develop them as individuals but he has an ability to give you an impressive insight to each new character he introduces to each book, very impressive writing.

This book was a brilliant read, I enjoyed every page and can see why he is developing a host of enthusiastic readers, all awaiting his next book. I would really recommend not only this book but the series. Each can be read independently but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read his work from the very first in the series. I literally cannot wait for the next instalment!

I read a lot of reviews about this author and everyone loved his books. Me not so much. In fact I found it a struggle to finish this book. Maybe it’s because I didn’t start the series from book one and haven’t been privy to the backstory about the characters, i found it boring and the characters not likeable including Cross the main detective who has Asperger’s I am sure my opinion won’t matter for the die hard fans but I won’t be reading any more

#TheBookseller #NetGalley

I hadn’t read other books in the series, but I enjoyed this one! The protagonist? An autistic police officer solving a crime- there was immense character development and you see that reflected in the language and the semantics. An enjoyable read for those who enjoy murder mysteries.

The Bookseller is a part of the DS George Cross thriller series, which can be read in any order.

‘The Bookseller ’ is the seventh book in the highly enjoyable new detective series by Tim Sullivan. And being set in the world of book-selling is my favourite so far (and as I have loved each of the previous 6 books, that is true praise!)

For those who are new to the series, our protagonist is called ‘DI George Brunel Cross’, a single-minded and determined detective, who struggles to develop his relationship with his colleagues. It quickly becomes evident (is actually stated in the text) that Cross has Asperger’s Syndrome and is on the higher level of the spectrum with an unusual ability to decipher clues and see through the minefield of paperwork, to find the single outstanding piece of data that can point the team in the right direction.

Now, I've said this before but I feel it's important to state that highlighting an illness such as Asperger’s in a key character can often lead to the use of clichés but thankfully Sullivan is an accomplished author/screenwriter and too sensible to fall into this trap. Cross as he is portrayed here is a positive character and is treated, not as someone who is odd or peculiar but as a friend, with quirks like most people.
Cross both acknowledges his struggles and how he attempts to cope with the world around him, while his father and colleagues (Reg, Ottey, Alice, Michael etc), outline their methods of helping him – and indeed, helping each other to cope with Cross.
In previous novels, there has been a focus on some mildly amusing scenes as Cross’s colleagues ponder if “he is pulling their leg” or simply being himself. Now, we see an huge development for Cross as he has learned more about social cues and the reader can see how the support of his "social circle" ( a phrase that Cross himself would probably dislike), is both a realistic and progressive portrayal.

On this outing Cross is investigating the murder of a bookseller - a man who is either a saint or sinner, depending on who Cross speaks with, who is telling the truth.

This is a brilliant series due to the starring role of DS George Cross. He is autistic and this makes him a very good detective, noticing patterns and quirks that no-one else does.

This time a bookseller is murdered. But why? George and the newly promoted DI Ottey set out to uncover the truth. Ottey, too, has skills which complement those of George.

There is an accompanying story involving George’s parents, Raymond and Christine, and a cast of regulars including the over eager limelight hogger boss, Carson.

I enjoyed this immensely. I thought I had outwitted George by spotting the true culprit early but I was wrong. Red herring time.

I read an ARC provided by NetGalley but should add this did not affect my opinion as I had already read and enjoyed all the previous books in this series.

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan is book 7 in the DC Cross police series. George Cross is an autistic police officer, he can be very abrupt and definite in his opinions and has little or no social skills.
George has however the love of his father Raymond, the help of the local vicar and the appearance of his mother in his life. At work he and Ottley work well together and even Carson his senior officer knows that without Cross, the successful murder rates wouldn’t be as high. He also has a following at work of men and woman who have a high appreciation of DC Cross and the way he works.
This storyline involves his father, Raymond who has a tumour that needs surgery to remove it. Raymond then has a stroke during surgery, he then needs intensive rehabilitation.
Then there is also the murder of the bookseller and who is responsible for his death. We are then introduced to a number of characters, who could have been responsible for the murder and why.
A very clever and skilled story with plenty of twists and turns, to keep the reader guessing.
Highly recommended

This is #7 in the DS George Cross but can easily be read as a standalone and in any order. However, I’ve read the whole series so far and highly recommend it.

DS George Cross is based in Bristol’s Major Crimes Unit. He has Asperger’s so is not always socially aware, but his incredible attention to detail makes him the officer with the highest clear-up rate in the Avon and Somerset force.

George has a great work partner in DS Josie Ottey but she has just been promoted to DI, which George is a bit put out about because she didn’t discuss it with him beforehand. He’s mollified a little when he’s told that the team will stay the same. George is further discombobulated as his father has cancer and suffers a stroke whilst having the tumour removed. The prognosis is good and George throws himself into his father’s rehabilitation.

A bookseller is found dead in his shop, and he appears to have been murdered. A grisly murder seems at odds with the quiet, peaceful world of books. There are several likely perpetrators and George and Josie have to really dig deep through the murkiness surrounding this bookshop and business.

A very cleverly written book that kept me totally gripped.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Another fabulous read from this author.
A real who done it which kept me on my toe's.
I simply love George Cross, so many times he just makes me smile.
A crime story with personality.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my early copy.