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.

I have read all Tim Sullivan books so far so I was grateful to get to read The Bookseller. Another book that keeps you guessing until the end.

A brilliant read on many levels and this time it's all about change.
Firstly it's fabulous to be back with the brilliant George Cross and Co. The excellent way in which George’s personality, I won’t call it a condition, is portrayed continues and I love how gradually over the series, with Ottey’s help, he's becoming more aware of the social clues that he misses and the niceties he's ‘supposed’ to respond with.
The main plot centred around the death of a bookseller, is brilliantly researched and is a fascinating world to discover.
The subplot has the main areas of change, with promotions, illness, and potential career and house moves. For a man who doesn't like change, there is a lot of it about here and it's gratifying to see how George, with a little help from his friends, responds so positively to it. At the end of this brilliant read, George is left with a bit of a conundrum, but I just can't countenance the thought of no more DS George Cross!
While this book works perfectly well as a standalone, to enjoy the wealth that George has to offer I urge you to read the earlier books in the series and I envy you the binge read.

Autistic spectrum workers helping the police to solve crime is all the rage in TV at the moment but the DS Cross series is a bit different as it is the policeman who has the condition and if anything it is played down rather than being over the top. I have read five of the series and still enjoying them very much. The police team personnel have not changed and not much of the story line is carried over from previous books so that is easy to jump into the book even if one or two of the series have been missed.
I like the way in which his colleague Josie supports George in trying to avoid too may social faux pas and will she ever take up another post when she is so vital to George functioning acceptably in society.
In this book i really enjoyed learning about the wheelings and dealings of the rare book world that i knew nothing about and it is a very thorough satisfying murder investigation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC

Book 7 in the riveting DS Criss series.
Another brilliant book, keeping the readers attention from page one.
DS Cross is a complex character, he is on the autism spectrum, his team have come to acknowledge his idiosyncrasies and accept his persistent doggedness when striving to solve a case,
A bookseller has been murdered, George and his partner Josie Ottey are to investigate, this one is a case with many layers, along side murder we have sexual harassment and attempted rape. The author is once again very clever at weaving the story lines together.
George has some personal issues during this case which do distract him, his father Raymond has been diagnosed with cancer, and he suffers a stroke following his surgery, George makes the drastic decision that once this case of the bookseller is solved, he will resign from the police and look after his father full time. Raymond is horrified by this news!
This book can be read as a stand alone, but if you haven’t read any of the series I highly recommend you read them all, this has been my favourite detective series in a long time. True brilliance. I know all Georges fans will be like me and hoping for book 8.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Aria and Aries for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This is the 7th book in Tim Sullivan's "DS Cross" series, but only the second one that I have read, what an inspired concept to make the lead character on the autistic spectrum.
DS George Cross is a complex character, his autism means that he has difficulty reacting to people, he is quite emotionless, doesn't understand jokes but his brilliant mind and lateral thinking makes him a great at unravelling problems. His partner, recently promoted DI Josie Ottey, has a great relationship and understanding of George and gently compensates for his lack of empathy.
When Ed Squires, son of bookshop owner, Torquil Squires, is found stabbed in the the bookshop a complex investigation begins, an investigation that leads into the convoluted business that is rare books, Torquil had a reputation for being able to source and purchase priceless rare books, first editions and manuscripts for international collectors but it is a cut throat business and competition is fierce, who would want Ed dead ? was it the competition, was it the strange Russians or was it closer to home ?the only other person in the shop at the time was Persephone, Ed's niece, who also had a complicated life but was she capable of murder ?
George is juggling searching for a killer with his personal life, his father, who is George's constant, has a stroke after surgery for cancer and George, seeing things in black and white was making decisions, decisions that would affect a lot of lives, decisions that his sick father would fight, thankfully, his mother, the mother who George had always been cool with, appeared once more into their lives.
This book has interactive storylines that flow well, the author has addressed some emotive issues with sensitivity and has obviously done research into autism and the world of rare books, the twists and turns and the complicated lives of the characters had me guessing to the end.
Thank you Net Gallery for this ARC, this review is my own opinion.

The Bookseller is another brilliant story from Tim Sullivan involving DS George Cross.
We’ve more of George as an individual this time alongside his work as a detective- and it makes him more human if that’s possible. I love how his mind works and how he analyses everything in front of him both personally and professionally.
The interactions between George and Alice, Swift and Ottey and their relationships with him are so important in understanding how he works and play such an important role in the stories flowing together.
The murder of the bookseller is a challenging one for George and the team and they have to work hard at investigating back stories and the history of certain relationships to gather all the evidence. Twists as usual in Tim Sullivan’s books keep me guessing til the end.

Tim Sullivan delivers another cleverly crafted and immensely engaging police procedural in *The Bookseller*. The story kicks off with the murder of a Bristol bookseller, plunging readers into a world of rivalry and dishonesty within the book trade. Sullivan expertly weaves layers of misdirection into the narrative, keeping the twists subtle yet gripping, and leaving readers constantly second-guessing.

Detective George Cross once again proves to be an outstanding lead character. His autism, paired with his unwavering dedication to logic and detail, makes him a truly unique and compelling protagonist. Sullivan portrays Cross with such depth and authenticity that it’s impossible not to feel a growing sense of fondness for him as the series progresses.

The supporting characters are equally engaging, adding richness and texture to the narrative. Sullivan’s ability to breathe life into even the minor players ensures that the story feels authentic and immersive.

For fans of the Cross series, *The Bookseller* is another triumph. Sullivan’s blend of intelligent plotting, emotional resonance, and keen observational detail has solidified this series as a firm favorite of mine. If you’re new to George Cross, this book is a perfect starting point—and it’s guaranteed to leave you eager for more. Highly recommended!

It seems to be a trend that its no longer enough to write an entertaining, twisty whodunnit, authors have to find a detective that's off the wall - ancient, pregnant, whatever. This book is no different, as DS George Cross has autism, and while initially it rather irritated, the character actually grew on me until I found his traits endearing.

He works with his partner Josie Ottey, and together they are drawn to a murder in an antiquarian bookshop - the owner's son, awaiting his return, is killed at his desk. His niece hears the murder and hides, so isn't a terribly helpful witness, as well as being rather 'off the wall' herself.

The plot is compounded as we are drawn into the cut-throat world of rare book buying, with plenty of suspects but few real leads. Meanwhile George is coping with changes in his personal life - Ottey has been promoted and his father goes in for surgery. And change is something he does not cope well with at all.

At times I found the style of writing a little precious but overall its a gripping and entertaining read. I'm sorry I'm joining the party so late, as this is book 7, but it stands alone very well.

Thank you to NetGalley , Aria & Aries and Head of Zeus for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great book to start the year with, returning to the world of DS George Cross who is ‘Enigmatically unpredictable’, (I can’t remember where I read this, but sadly not my words) an autistic and brilliantly thorough, tenacious police officer. I couldn’t think of a better way to describe this wonderfully quirky character.

If, like me, you are a devoted follower of George Cross, (incidentally you don’t have to be, this book will work well as a standalone) you will have relished watching George find ways to deals with his ineptitude in social situations, having to learn what behaviours are expected, following advice from his partner DS Josie Ottey, amongst others. Their partnership works so well that often words are not needed.

The series is set in Bristol, with this particular book taking the reader into the world of book selling. Who knew what a cut-throat world this could be? The reader is taken on a very twisty journey, trying to solve the intriguing murder, along with the investigation team. The appearance of ‘the Russians’ in the world of crime made me smile.

George can be forgiven for being slightly distracted on this case, with his father, Raymond, being taken seriously ill, his security and routines threatened. A new situation for George to face.

As always, this book is deftly plotted, with a cast of characters you really care about. It is heart-warming to see the return and development of the supporting characters alongside George, like Dr. Michael Swift, Alice, Christine (his mum) Raymond (his dad) and Stephen (the very understanding vicar). Tim Sullivan includes sensitive areas and deals with them realistically. In this case the difficulties faced reporting rape and following the case through into court.

This series would make a brilliant TV series. As a book series it is a joy to read. I would (and do) wholeheartedly recommend it to read.

Although this is Book 7 in a series, I have never read any of the previous books. I will be remedying this in due course. Suffice to say, though, this book was easy to read as a standalone! It was the title that attracted me to request.
DS Josey Ottey and DS George Cross are called in to solve the murder of a bookseller of rare books. The information about the book trade is itself very interesting and George Cross's interest in the subject and his research is interesting.
Also very interesting is the character of George Cross and how his boss and other officers react with him. There is also an interesting back story to him, I am sure when I read the earlier books in the series I will learn much more.
Add to that a clever plot and twists and turns and a great read is to be enjoyed.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Tim Sullivan/Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

First book I have read from series but was fine as a stand-alone. It had plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. Great characters. Enjoyed the style of writing.. All round great book. Look forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

I loved this book. I have read the rest in the series and was hooked from book one. The author makes it so easy to empathise with the characters. In the book you are sent one way then the other, thinking you know who did it, to being completely sure you know who did it to being not sure at all who did it. George Cross is such a different police officer that I’m sure he will be around for a long time

Who would have imagined the shady goings on in the world of antique and rare books.
These complications muddy the waters as DS Cross annd DI Ottey of the Major Crimes unit seek the murderer of a book shop owner in Bristol.
An enjoyable crime drama with several twists and turns.