This is the seventh book in the engaging DS George Cross series – thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.
‘The Bookseller’ takes us into the (who knew?!) murky world of antiquarian bookshops. When a bookseller is discovered dead in his store, it seems unlikely that brutal murder would strike at the heart of the sleepy, bookish community in Bristol. However, DS George Cross soon discovers that the book world is packed with shifting allegiances, hidden secrets and bitter rivalries – all he has to do is work out who has the motive to kill, picking from a pretty packed field. Add in the multi-generational nature of the family-run bookstores and there’s plenty of simmering resentments for him to examine…
I’ve read a few of the other George Cross books, but they work well as standalones – don’t be put off if you haven’t met George before. All you really need to know is that he brings his own idiosyncratic policing methods and extreme logic to his cases. He’s a brilliant detective, even if he isn’t the best at building personal relationships.
Here, the mystery unfolds as George Cross scrutinises the family and business relationships surrounding the murder victim. This is solid police procedural territory, with lots of checking and cross-checking, which is interesting but quite slow paced. There’s even a few times when George hits a dead end and reflects on the fact that investigations often have calms before the storm of the final denouement. It feels authentic, but perhaps not as pacy as some of the other crime novels in this space.
What it lacks in speed, it makes up for in characterisation. Our lead, DS Cross, is quirky and likeable, struggling to operate in his usual efficient, calculated way as he grapples with events in his personal life. There’s even a gentle humour in the way that George has to adjust his personal relationships and navigate tricky interviews. Additionally, DS Cross’ parents, his policing partner and the various booksellers are all vividly presented and interesting in their own ways.
I’d definitely read more books in this series – this one has a a decent mystery, lots of well-drawn characters and a protagonist who I’d be happy to read more about. If police procedurals are your thing, Tim Sullivan is worth investigating.
Header photo by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash
