The Monk by Tim Sullivan

 The Monk by Tim Sullivan

The Monk by Tim Sullivan is published on 27th April 2023 by head of Zeus/ Aries.    My thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a copy to review and to Random Book Tours for inviting me to take part on the tour.

Synopsis

To find a murderer, you need a motive . . .

THE DETECTIVE
DS George Cross has always wondered why his mother left him when he was a child. Now she is back in his life, he suddenly has answers. But this unexpected reunion is not anything he's used to dealing with. When a disturbing case lands on his desk, he is almost thankful for the return to normality.

THE QUESTION
The body of a monk is found savagely beaten to death in a woodland near Bristol. Nothing is known about Brother Dominic's past, which makes investigating difficult. How can Cross unpick a crime when they don't know anything about the victim? And why would someone want to harm a monk?

THE PAST
Discovering who Brother Dominic once was only makes the picture more puzzling. He was a much-loved and respected friend, brother, son - he had no enemies. Or, at least, none that are obvious. But looking into his past reveals that he was a very wealthy man, that he sacrificed it all for his faith. For a man who has nothing, it seems strange that greed could be the motive for his murder. But greed is a sin after all...

My Review

To those of you who are encountering DS George Cross for the first time you  may find, like I did, that he takes a while to get used to due to his adult diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. however, this is an expertly written story that draws you in to the crime and the characters that are involved. Cross' blunt manner of questioning is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, with Ottey as his sidekick instead of  Dr Watson. 

Due to the nature of how Cross leads his life, with routine and rigour being paramount, and his natural tendency to be absolutely methodical in all that he does ensures that all avenues are covered and meticulously pieced together down to the smallest detail, until the last piece of the jigsaw can be accurately placed to complete the picture.

The themes throughout the book are like the different strands on a spider's web, coming together and then going off in a different direction whilst all being an important part of the finished web of deceit and lies that DS Cross uncovers. His unique way of thinking through the details of the case and the different links are intriguing - and at times breath stopping- which is when DS Ottey tends to jump in and soften the comment or defuse the situation. However, it is also these autistic traits that get DS Cross the answers he often needs and make him and ideal DS , though his work colleagues and boss may not always agree.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it was really refreshing to come across a Detective with a difference rather than just another name in a different story. I for one will be going back to read the four previous DS Cross novels, whilst also eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. 

An incredible 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read.

About the Author

Tim Sullivan is a crime writer, screenwriter and director who has worked on major feature films such as the fourth Shrek, Flushed Away, Letters to Juliet, A Handful of Dust, Jack and Sarah, and the TV series Cold Feet.

His crime series featuring the socially awkward but brilliantly persistent DS George Cross has topped the book charts and been widely acclaimed.

Tim lives in North London with his wife Rachel, the Emmy Award-winning producer of The Barefoot Contessa and Pioneer Woman.

To find out more about the author, please visit TimSullivan.co.uk.