I'd read two of Tim Sullivan's series starring DC George Cross, and enjoyed them both immensely. The problem is, in my mind, is that once you've read one, you have, effectively, read them all - as I discovered halfway through my third Cross book, 'The Bookseller'. Same story, same premise, same structure, just different victims and suspects. Each one I've read seems to give more space to George's private life and his relationship with his father - which I'm never bothered about. Nearly every detective novel we read, or watch on TV, the author feels obliged to delve into the main character's private life because, I suppose,. they feel an obligation to 'fill out' their main character and make them more relatable to us. Frankly, it's a trend I'm not keen on. Agatha Christie never did it!

So, yes, another fine novel by Tim Sullivan. How can it not be, when, really, it's just a carbon copy of his previous ones?

Very good crime story set in the world of books. Engaging characters, good plot line. I enjoyed the story and didn’t guess the perpetrator.
Recommended.

George Cross is a wonderful detective, but his world collapses when his father has a CVA and is taken to hospital.
George sees things as black or white, and he tries to over compensate for his failings as a dutiful son by trying to give up the one thing that makes him a good detective, he tries to hand in his notice. Luckily, his boss refuses to accept this resignation, and gives George a murder to solve, set in the rarified world of booksellers. George finds out just how cut throat the world of rare books can be. Family relationships are the key to solving the mystery of who killed the bookseller and why, but also shows George that not every family lives happily ever after, George realises that some family truths have to be acknowledged in order to make sense of the murder and his own complicated family relationship.
George is a character who keeps developing book by book. He is loved by his father, but has been noticeably lukewarm towards his mother, but she has been gradually reintroduced to his life.
I liked this novel. George seems more fallible as he deals with personal issues and his many shortcomings as being on the Autistic spectrum.
George is improving socially and becomes more aware of his behaviour towards others. He remains dogged, determined and full of social awkwardness, but his work colleagues accept that this is what makes him such a good detective.
I love George, he makes me laugh, whilst I shudder at his misguided attempts at humour and trying to fit in with his work mates. George is George, and what more do we need ?
Book number 7, and I am looking forward to the next book. George is portrayed as a very sympathetic character and I love the approach to inclusivity within these novels. A five star read.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Aria and Aries for my ARC, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leeave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

I am always pleased when a new DS Cross police procedural is published. George Cross is one of my favourite detectives and this series is almost as much about his life as it is about the mysteries he and his team are working on. This new case involves the murder of a seller of rare books found dead after hours by his father in the shop, and Cross uncovers a series of other crimes associated with characters in the rare book trade. Whilst he is following the investigation, there are serious developments in his family life which George, who is most likely autistic, has to navigate.

This is a great read with a gripping plot, and interesting character development, even of minor characters.

You should get a prize if you guess the ending! This is a compelling read. A family owned bookstore in Bristol, specialising in old and very valuable books gets involved in conflict with other booksellers as they compete to get the most profitable deals. This results in vicious attempts to exclude competitors. So when the son, Ed, of the owner is found murdered in the shop, attention obviously concentrates on the rivals, in particular a rich Russian oligarch. The pursuit of the killer is complicated by family squabbles as well. The main detectives are known from previous books. Ottey has just been promoted which doesn’t please her partner George Cross whose surname describes his permanent attitude to life. Several suspects are considered and dropped then the whole focus shifts and surprises the reader. This is a very good read-murder with a difference! I strongly recommend it.

The Bookseller - Tim Sullivan published 16 Jan 2025

Torquil Squire is a 90 year old, who owns Squire’s Rare Books in Bristol. His son Ed runs the shop helped by his niece Persephone. George is called to the shop following a murder. and proceeds in his usual way to confound everyone in eliminating all the possible suspects to get to the real murderer. George being on the spectrum has his very own way of solving each case alongside his colleagues. George also has to deal with issues in his personal life surrounding his father Raymond's health and his developing relationship with his mother who has not been back in George's life very long.

I love these books George is such an interesting complex character and how he manages to navigate the world, form and hold onto relationships is funny and fabulous to read. The characters of Josey, Stephen, Raymond, Christine, Dr Swift and Mackenzie are well drawn and add to the richness of the plot.

I could not work out who the murderer was in this one again. A thoroughly enjoyable read, can't wait for the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

Once again, George Cross and his team had me hooked. I couldn't get my nose out of this book.
It's helpful but not essential to have read the other books in the series.
George Cross is trying to negotiate the changes to his home life while solving the murder of a local bookseller. Not everything at the murder scene is as it seems and George Cross, as usual, keeps investigating until everything meets with his satisfaction.
I cannot wait for the next installment.

I love George Cross and he is fast becoming one of my favourite detectives.

This is the 7th book in the series and it's just as well paced as the previous books. I live in Bristol where the books take place, which is why I picked up book 1, and I'm so glad I did!

This book was a good police procedural novel with an intriguing crime at the centre of the story, but I also enjoyed the lighthearted (and often quite heartwarming) moments like Raymond's birthday party.

Would definitely recommend if you enjoyed the other Cross books!

Another superb read in the George Cross series, one of the best in the detective genre! What is not to love from George, with his individual style and endearing ways in this cleverly plotted thriller. I love the character development within the team and the relationship George has with his father, albeit rather strained at times. The plot is filled with twists which kept me interested right until the last page and I highly recommend the series. I wonder what is next in store for George! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

The seventh in the DS Cross series sees George and his partner DI Josie Ottey, both part of Bristol’s Major Crimes Unit, investigating the death of bookseller Ed Squire. Squires father Torquil returned from a trip to London to find his son murdered, and bookshop assistant Persephone (Percy) locked in a cupboard. For anyone who hasn’t read any of the previous books George is on the spectrum. He does things his way and the team have come to understand his foibles and help him when needed, particularly Josie. He is also an exceptionally good police officer and has earned their respect.

Briefly, Percy was only able to give a brief description of the intruder and whilst it appears that the murder is to do with a stolen manuscript all may be not as it seems. The list of suspects grows including a Russian Oligarth and another bookshop owner but George is distracted with personal matters and his usual instincts are not in peak form.

Books, Bristol (my home), crime and an unusual lead character ticks all my boxes so this was a perfect read for me. I love George, his idiosyncraties and his brilliantly agile brain are so well crafted on the page I feel like I know him. Could be read as a stand-alone but I really feel reading the whole series in order will make this so much more satisfying. Great character, fabulous storyline with great twists and turns and a surprise conclusion. Enjoyable and entertaining read.

This is the seventh book in the DS George Cross series and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. This book revolves around the death of a bookseller in a bookshop in Bristol, with lots of twists and turns

I was so excited to get the latest copy of Tim Sullivans DS Cross series. He is one of my favourite fictional detectives who has the best record of solving cases - the best !

Highly recommended. Can’t wait for the next book

Thank you to Netgalley

Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for an advance reader copy. If you want a synopsis, click on the book.

I'm always pleased to read another George Cross story. He's a great character – a Detective Sergeant on the Autism scale. The author provides lots of twists to keep George and the reader on their toes and it's good to find George evolving and coping with new circumstances.

Overall, this is an unusual police procedure whodunit and a really enjoyable read.

For anyone on the spectrum DS George Cross is like a calming tonic. Tim Sullivan gets him almost perfect except he does occasionally have outbursts of empathy. Anyway, like other books in the series, through the endeavours of DS Cross we get inside information on a particular aspect of life and the book's title gives away the subject matter for this exposé. A murder in the book world seems implausible but that's what George is faced with when the body of Ed Squire is found in the shop by his father.
A fascinating piece of detective work ensues.
I enjoyed the novel immensely and the social slights Cross meters out, completely innocently, are well explained by his partner Ottey.

What a fabulous read ,set in Bristol a book seller is found murdered in his own shop but why ?George Cross and Ottey investigate and uncover conspiracy ,theft and fraud in the rare book world .Great characters George especially is very likeable.A fast paced story with some great twist and turns .I look forward to reading more books in the series .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC .

Oh, George Cross, my favourite detective! This particular novel finds George at a virtual crossroads in his life: lives around him are affecting his ordered world and it's not just the Wednesday takeaway with his father that is changing. His dependable work colleagues, who try so very hard to accommodate and understand his spectrum personality, are growing into their roles in the force as time passes. His father is ageing, his once absent mother is now a part of his life - a small part, but present, still. At least he can depend on the Vicar's home baking. Another hit novel, weaving together lives of crime, family idiosyncracies, the puzzles in a murder case - all the colour of the Spectrum that is George Cross. Not forgetting the strong and intelligent, insightful Ottey.

This is a great story, and I was interested to learn more about the world of selling rare books, but I find the author's writing style very wooden and unnatural, which makes reading this book a bit of a chore.

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.