The Monk

LoveReading Says

When a monk turns up dead in the woods, Detective Sergeant George Cross with his unusual methods and dogged determination, is left to solve the mystery of his murder. The Monk is the fifth book in the DS George Cross series by Tim Sullivan featuring  Cross, a detective on the autism spectrum with an unimpeachable record, but with eccentric preferences (see his love of loose leaf tea served in bone china) and awkward interactions with other people.

He likes things as he likes them, and the monastery—a place of order and silence—appeals to him greatly. “The Monk” of the title is Brother Dominic Augustus, a rare book expert who didn’t appear to have any enemies in the monastery. 

If you’ve read other books in the series, you will already know and appreciate Cross’s supporting cast of characters, including Cross’s partner DS Josie Ottey, who has the patience of a saint; Dr. Michael Swift, the goth who is also a forensic scientist; and Raymond, George’s father.

Sullivan succeeds at making the supporting characters interesting, no matter how minor their role. For those new to the DS Cross series, know that reading any of the previous books in the series isn’t necessary to understand what’s happening in this taut police procedural. 

As in all good mysteries, nothing is as it first appears. But Cross’s single-minded pursuit and his idiosyncratic nature—not to mention a well-timed tea or three—results in another closed case.

Reviewed by Maureen Stapleton
Maureen Stapleton, a writer and journalist, has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Radio Times, Heat, and many others.
More reviews by Maureen Stapleton

About The Monk

Don't miss THE TAILOR, the brand new mystery in the million-copy-bestselling George Cross series - OUT NOW.'George Cross is becoming one of my favourite detectives.' ELLY GRIFFITHSA victim with no enemies. A murder with no motive. When the body of a monk is found savagely beaten in woodland near Bristol, DS George Cross discovers that nothing is known about the man's past.How can he unpick a crime when he doesn't know anything about the victim? And why would someone want to harm a monk? His past reveals that he had no enemies, although George learns he was exceedingly wealthy, 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...Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Ann Cleeves and Joy Ellis, The Monk is part of the million-copy-bestselling George Cross Mystery series, which can be read in any order, by the 2026 winner of the Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award.ALSO IN THIS MILLION-COPY-BESTSELLING SERIES#1 THE DENTIST#2 THE CYCLIST#3 THE PATIENT#4 THE POLITICIAN#5 THE MONK#6 THE TEACHER#7 THE BOOKSELLER#8 THE TAILOR CROSS CHRONICLE SHORT STORIESTHE LOST BOYSTHE EX-WIFETHE HUNTERTHE BASKET CASE 'In DS George Cross, Tim Sullivan has created a character who is as endearing as any I've ever come across in this genre. His quirks are his gift, and with Sullivan's tremendous plotting and superb writing, this series is a gift to readers.' Liz Nugent'The ultimate conjuring trick: an absorbing plot with an engaging detective I'd follow to the ends of the earth. Just brilliant!' Marion Todd'A brilliantly old-school detective with a modern twist . . . from the complex emotion of his private life to the razor-sharp detail of the police investigation. Spot on!' Russ Thomas'Tim Sullivan's detective, DS George Cross, is autistic. His approach to investigations is unorthodox…he works surprisingly well as a fictional character, processing clues in a way that recalls Poirot's "little grey cells".' Sunday Times'Another tour de force . . . If you're looking for a great crime series you can't do much better than this. George Cross is an absolute delight.' Bishop Stortford IndependentWhy readers love George Cross . . .'Compelling, full of twists and turns, I couldn't put this down. Sullivan has created a truly original and endearing detective in George Cross.' Simon McCleave'DS George Cross is as arresting as the cases he solves.' Richard E Grant'The fact that Cross has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder makes him just as intriguing as the murder mystery' The Times 'A British detective for the 21st century who will be hard to forget' Daily Mail 'Can't wait for the next in the series!' Reader review

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