I love reading about George Cross. This time he has to deal with some big changes in his life.
A good murder mystery with a twist.

This is the first George Cross book I have read. It is the seventh book and I have just found a new favourite murder detective. The books can be read in any order and I don’t feel I have missed out on any back story but I want to read the others anyway.

George is autistic and therefore he sees things in black and white and is unemotional, a great personality for a detective! His colleagues understand him - mostly - and know not to be offended by any comments he may make which are not quite socially correct.

I thoroughly enjoyed joining George as he investigated the murder of a bookseller in his father’s bookshop. Just as a normal investigation, there are plenty of lines of investigation to follow although mostly with dead ends. A Russian Oligarch, another bookshop owner and various other leads are thoroughly investigated by a very competent DS Cross.

As the case began to reveal the correct thread, I was so hooked I couldn’t stop reading until the last page.

During this case, George also has to deal with his father’s illness and his mother returning. An emotional rollercoaster for a neurotypical but George gets through it in his no nonsense way.

Brilliant. Loved it. Loved the storyline of the bookshop and all the book related facts. Great characters.

I only discovered this series when I read book five, The Monk, book five but straightaway I fell in love with George Cross thanks to the skill and sensitivity with which the author has developed his character. George may occasionally come out with funny things but you never want to laugh at him because, although he may be pedantic at times, he’s essentially warm-hearted, loyal and has a strong sense of justice. Like a dog with a bone, George won’t let go of a case until he’s uncovered the truth. That may cause frustration for his superiors but his results speak for themselves. And some of them are quite happy to claim the credit for them.

At the end of the last book, The Teacher, George received some distressing news about his father Raymond and its consequences are making him question where his priorities should lie. As followers of the series will know, George doesn’t react well to uncertainty so he responds in the only way he knows, by immersing himself in an in-depth search for any fact he can find on the subject. It’s the same way he approaches investigating a crime.

There’s a potential change in his professional life too. His partner, DS Josie Ottey, has received a well-deserved and overdue promotion. George fears that means getting used to working with someone new. It’s not a prospect he welcomes because Ottey is the only person who really understands the unique way George’s mind works and give him the discreet cues about how to react to others’ emotions, something he finds difficult. It’s one of George’s endearing qualities (and he has many) that he’s tries so hard to work on this. An unprompted ‘thank you’ from George means a lot.

Luckily – although not for the victim – George has a new case to occupy his mind, the murder of Ed Squire, who has taken over the running of the antiquarian bookshop established by his father Torquil. As George and Josie undertake their investigation they discover the world of bookselling can be a rather ruthless business with booksellers competing to acquire rare titles for wealthy clients or to uncover hidden gems that the owners of libraries were unaware of.

But was the murkier side of bookselling, such as forgery and price fixing, or the anger of a disgruntled client, enough of a motive for murder? As George and Josie look more closely at the Squire family they discover a history of quarrels, secrets, relationship breakdown and recrimination. For example, Josie wonders about the oddly reserved reaction of Victoria to the death of her husband. Then there’s Persephone, Ed’s niece by marriage, visibly shaken at the death of a man who took her under his wing during a difficult time in her life and gave her a job in the bookshop. She has dreams, perhaps unrealistic, of making a success of the their recent venture into selling new books, the viability of which shop manager Sam Taylor has serious doubts about.

Modern day policing benefits from the use of technology but it also needs good old-fashioned skills of observation and deduction. This is where George comes in because nothing much escapes his attention. In fact, his observational skills result in a very important detail coming to light, one that pretty much no-one else would have discovered, except perhaps Sherlock Holmes.

Does George crack the case? Oh, of course he does but if you identify the culprit before he does, I’d be surprised. (Having said that, if you’re a student of Greek mythology, one name might give you a clue to an element of the plot.)

The Bookseller is another superbly entertaining and skilfully crafted crime novel. It’s also full of warmth and some quite moving moments. Please, please don’t let this be the last outing for George Cross because as Josie observes, ‘He was impossible at times but also impossible not to love’.

The Bookseller is a captivating blend of mystery and intrigue set against the backdrop of the high-stakes rare book market. The story follows a sharp, logical, and immensely likeable detective who unravels a case steeped in deception, betrayal, and surprising danger.
The author skillfully combines a compelling plot with rich detail about the rare book trade, revealing a world far more cutthroat than one might expect. The prose is polished, and the pacing is just right, with each twist and turn pulling you deeper into the narrative.
What truly stands out is the meticulous research and insight into the book market, which adds an extra layer of authenticity and fascination. It’s a treat for both mystery lovers and bibliophiles alike but the character of George Cross is the main joy in this book.
While the conclusion might not quite pack the punch of a five-star read for me, the journey is undeniably engrossing. The Bookseller is a must-read for anyone who loves their mysteries with a dash of intellectual intrigue and a strong, likeable detective leading the way.

In this, the seventh installment, Detective Sergeant George Cross delves into the world of rare books.

Torquil Squire, the esteemed proprietor of Squire's Rare Books in Bristol, discovers his son, Ed, murdered in their shop upon returning home from an auction. A witness was present, but unfortunately, she was unable to provide a clear description of the assailant, having sought refuge in the bathroom.

Who committed this murder, and what was their motive? The investigation reveals a growing number of individuals with potential reasons to harm Ed. Cross and his partner, Detective Inspector Ottey, must try to solve the case. To add to the challenges faced by Cross, who is autistic and prefers a consistent routine, his father has been diagnosed with cancer and suffered a stroke during surgery. This has led him to reconsider his priorities.

This is another wonderful addition to the series! I love George's character, who is somewhat reminiscent of a modern-day Columbo.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

it’s easy to see why DS George Cross is such a firm favourite with readers. His autism gives him a clear cut approach to cases, searing analytical skills and focus on the truth as well as a willingness to scour evidence for tiny details that may be the key to cracking the case, however remote the chances.

In ‘The Bookseller’, DS Cross’s 7th outing , renowned bookseller Edward Squire is found murdered in his shop . The case shakes the book-selling community, who would want to kill somebody as mild mannered and peaceful as a bookseller? But the more that DS Cross and his partner Josie Ottey look into it, the murkier the question becomes.

The investigation takes us deep into the rare bookselling world and the obsessive nature of its collectors who will pay any price. There are no end of booksellers who try and meet the demand, trying to outdo the competition in deals and commission.

There’s also a subplot when George’s beloved father has a severe stroke and is hospitalised for a few days. It’s enough to make George rethink his life choices and think whether he should be spending more time caring for his dad. It’s a lovely plot line that brings out George’s more emotional side, rather than the analytical approach he brings to work.

This is another great addition to the DS Cross series and I’m already looking forward to the next one

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan and this is the 7th book in The DS Cross Mysteries series, this is the second book I have read in this series and I loved it. I love the way the author Tim writes, he always draws you into both books. I have ended purchasing the rest of the books within this series on audio. Roll on the summer when I will be in the garden listening to them.

This book was set in a bookshop in Bristol and a body of a bookseller is discovered, lying in a pool of blood. The local Police are called and they have one question: "How did the man meet such a violent, murderous end in this peaceful place?"
DS Cross's is called to the scene especially for his ability to dismiss red herrings but is challenged by a worrying development in his personal life. Hopelessly distracted, he needs to rely on those around him in a way he has never been comfortable doing before.

So who is the person who was found murdered? and why were they murdered?

But is that enough to fool the tenacious DS George Cross?

This book was full of twists and turns throughout with great red herrings that will catch you out!!!

I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for my ARC.

One would imagine that being involved in the selling of rare books would be quite a genteel occupation but the murder of one such Bookseller disproves this theory.. Edward Squire is the son of Torquil who founded Squires Rare Books many years ago. When Torquil arrives home from a day in London meeting old colleagues and friends he is shocked to discover his son dead in a pool of blood. DS George Cross and his partner, newly promoted Di Josie Ottey, are tasked with finding whoever carried out this murder and why.

This is the 7th book in the George Cross series and regular readers will know that George is autistic and somewhat unorthodox in his approach to detective work but it certainly works in his favour.. However he's rather distracted as his father Raymond is seriously ill and George is contemplating retiring to look after him, not something Raymond would necessarily want!

This is a very enjoyable read with interesting characters and a well thought out plot. It doesn't matter if you haven't read any of the previous books in the series as it works well as a standalone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an advanced copy of this book..

DS George cross is Autistic and has a different way of solving cases and his new partner DS Josie Ottey has to have a lot of patience with him as others find him difficult to work with and they investigate the murder of a local bookseller in his bookshop.
While in George`s personal life his dad has cancer.
Book 7 in the series but can be read alone.
I love George and the start of his new partnership with Josie.
Can`t wait to read the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

Another incredible book in the DCI George Cross series. Book 6 brings a couple of hard-hitting storylines - the primary storyiline of the murder and the secondary thread about women taken advantage of by a police officer, an important atoryline that has seen press coverage in UK media in recent years. The Bookseller is so well written and George is an incredible protagonist. He is neurodiverse and as a detective picks up on clues and small snippets that others miss. His relationship with his Co workers is both heartwarming and humorous. His relationship with his father Raymond is special. The make a powerful duo. The plot was fast-paced as we raced to locate the identity of the true killer of the Bookseller. Very well plotted and executed. Highly recommended. #thebookseller #timsullivan

Rare book trade - not as genteel as you might think!

Edward Squire, son of Torquil, founder of Squires Rare Books is the victim in this latest investigation by the fantastic DS George Cross. Once again his forensic analysis of the evidence and dogged persistence eventually solves the case. However on this occasion he has some ‘distractions’ particularly his father’s stroke and the promotion of his partner.

This is the seventh in this brilliant series and on this occasion, of course, we learn a great deal about the rare book market - each of the books have given us a fresh insight into some profession or activity pertinent to the murder and this is yet another dimension to the the DS Cross series, apart from his, to us, quirky character, the result of his autism.

I am such a fan of this series that I have, strongly recommended it to many friends. It is difficult to see how any regular reader of crime procedurals would not like it, and indeed, if you have not read them then you will undoubtedly want to go back and read ‘episodes’ one to six. Surely there must be a TV series on the horizon.

I read this book from a pre-publication copy kindly supplied by the publisher, but this is an honest review with no concession to

5 Star Review on Amazon, Goodreads and Fable:

“THE SETTING
The body of a bookseller is discovered, lying in a pool of blood in his Bristol bookshop. Police have one question: how did the man meet such a violent, murderous end in this peaceful place?

THE CONFLICT
DS Cross's ability to dismiss red herrings is challenged by a worrying development in his personal life. Hopelessly distracted, he needs to rely on those around him in a way he has never been comfortable doing before.

THE MURDER PLOT
It may be a quiet profession, but it's full of passionate, ambitious characters who know the value of a rare book. Their extensive reading means they also know how to get away with murder.”

I read this book on The Pigeonhole app, one stave per day over 10 days, commenting along with other readers, I was also lucky enough to get a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the second DS George Cross book I have read and I am definitely going to work my way through all the other George Cross books. The author is brilliant at giving his characters personalities and George is one of my most favourite of characters! The Bookseller sees George navigate some personal issues at the same time as trying to solve the murder of a bookseller in his unique, quirky way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Oh George how I love you!

Another fabulously written story featuring one of my most favourite detectives and his team. Although this is number 7 in the series I don't think you necessarily need to have read the previous books as enough information is given about past plots but I can guarantee that if this is your first meeting with George you will go back and read the earlier books when you've finished this one.

I don't want to say too much about the ending but if you think, like me, you've worked it out, you haven't!!

Thank you Tim for this wonderful series.

I love George Cross and Tim Sullivan's novels are amongst my favorites. The author never disappointed me and this is not the one that changed my ideas.
Gripping, highly entertaining, poignant and humorous at the same time
Take my money, give more George Cross,
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I love this series of detective novels and welcomed the chance to be back in George Cross’ world.
The crime is the murder of a bookseller, involved in the (surprisingly murky) world of antique book selling. This means that the motivations for the murder are many and take us into a world of forgery and fraud, as well as the potential of Russian involvement.
In tandem with the crime, there are things going on in George’s life, involving his parents and his partner at work, which impact on him. His unique take on the world sees the author sensitively navigating sone big emotional moments through the lens of someone who finds this stuff tricky. I love seeing Cross learn a little more about life, and how to handle it, in every one of these books.
I think this would be quite hard to read without having read any of the previous books, because there is a lot of ongoing plot development with George’s network. The crime stands alone though, and although I’d worked out some of the clues, I didn’t quite get the murderer right, which is the sign of a good crime novel to me.
Thanks to both The Pigeonhole and NetGalley for the reading opportunity, I’m looking forward to seeing where this series goes next.

Torquil, an elderly, semi-retired antiquarian book dealer, goes up to London for a sale, not to buy anythging butto see old friends and breathe in the trade. He returns to Bristol to find his son, who works with him, murdered, in a o pool of blood. DS George Cross is put on the case - he. an interesting character,- highly intelligent but clearly to a degree, autistic. He has few social skills but can cut through the crap and get to the heart of the matter. Its a terrific plot, with shaky marriages, shady dealers and reclusive kleptocrats - will George tease it out? Cracking read, I hope to see more of George.

DS Cross is back for another case - a bookseller found murdered in his office in the family owned and run bookshop, and found by his aging father.
Cross is a bit distracted as his own father is unwell, but with the help of his team, he manages to delve into the world of rare books and all the foibles associated with them - it all sounds like an old boys club!
George’s autism is very much seen as a special help to his career as a detective, but is he about to give it all up?
Well written and researched, and a good read.
Thanks to @Netgalley for the ARC.

A prominent bookseller has been violently murdered in his well renowned bookshop and there is a cast suspects to choose from.
This a perfect case for the very diligent DS George Cross, a man who loves to frustrate everyone with his tendency to unravel the truth even if it makes him unpopular.
As the case begins to develop, it appears that even Cross might have his work cut out to solve this one, but no one is like George Cross and that’s what makes him the best cop around.
Another superb story, with a brilliant setting and a great cast of characters, with an ending that is impossible to predict.
Every few years a writer comes along with a character that changes the crime genre. Tim Sullivan has done that with Detective George Cross. This truly is a great book and a wonderful series. If you like crime fiction read this series.

This was my first George Cross novel and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. Tim Sullivan is a very good writer who is able to capture his readers interest from the first page and take them on a fascinating journey seen through the eyes of his well constructed characters. Central to these is of course George Cross, a Detective in the Bristol Police Department, whose high functioning autism enhances some of his detecting skills but they also impair his ability to relate to those around him. This may seem like a familiar theme these days but I find it a refreshing approach to the murder mystery genre and I think it helps readers better understand the challenges facing neuro divergent people.
The Bookseller is a well constructed plot set in the seemingly genteel world of rare book selling where a renowned trader returns to his Bristol book store to find that his son, a partner in his business, has been brutally murdered. Cross’s investigation gets him deeper into the specialized world of rare books looking for a motive for such a vicious attack. At the same time he is struggling with his own personal circumstances including his ailing father and long estranged mother who has reappeared into his life. In all these different strands, Sullivan’s skillful storytelling, wonderful prose and lighthearted humour kept me enthralled right to the end. I would have no hesitation in recommending this for those who love a merger mystery.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing access to this book.

Another excellent book in the DS Cross series. George has a lot of trauma with his father's operation and subsequent recuperation. He also has to cope with change in the status quo with Ottey now his superior but they still make a good team with her occasionally pulling him up on the social niceties! The book deals with the intricacies of a bookseller's search for rare books and how the value increases if it is dedicated to someone famous.