The Bookseller

By Tim Sullivan

The Bookseller is the latest DS Cross series. I have been hooked on these for quite some time. If you haven’t started, I highly recommend them. Once started, each one is like meeting an old friend in feel. They are that pleasing to keep joining DS Cross in his life and crime solving.
You can read them in any order. If you liked Ludwig or Grace on TV/books, this is a bookish thriller series that you’ll like too. Discover more about The Bookseller in the blurb and review below… a bit later than planned due to being busy with work matters.

Blurb

SOMEONE’S ABOUT TO TURN THEIR LAST PAGE…

‘One of the most iconic British fictional detectives of the 21st century.’ DAILY MAIL
‘These are must-read detective novels.’ MARK BILLINGHAM
‘One of my favourite detectives.’ ELLY GRIFFITHS

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.

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

Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Peter James and Joy Ellis, this is the seventh book in the bestselling series, which can be read in any order.

Review

Raymond, DS. George Cross’s dad has some health news to break to him. What’s striking is how DS. Cross reacts to it, with questions, minus some of the perhaps more expected emotion and the balance tipped far more towards the matter of fact of the situation.
For those who don’t know, DS. Cross is on the autism spectrum. The characterisation can totally be captured within the writing, giving you a real feel for DS Cross.

Ed Squire is meanwhile worried about his dad’s whereabouts. Little does he know that he went back from a day in London to Bristol after a satisfying day, all to find something amiss in the bookshop, “Squire’s Rare Books”…

The window into the world of antique books is fascinating, coupled together with a crime, creates a deep world to explore full of mystery and intrigue.

As the investigation into the murder gets deeper, there are increasing suspicions and some shady characters about and complex relationships, emotive issues to delve into that keep readers gripped and guessing.

The end twists are seriously not ones I was expecting and were brilliantly executed.

I am now looking forward to seeing what comes next by Tim Sullivan. This is a series I highly recommend.