Each one of Tim Sullivan’s DS Cross mysteries seem to get better as the series progresses. The Teacher, the sixth one, is the best one I’ve read so far. It combines the usual police procedural story with a behind-the-scene examination of life in the Avon and Somerset Major Crime Unit as it continues the developments in George Cross’ personal life.
Cross’ partner, Josie Ottey, has time off to move, so DCI Ben Carson accompanies George to the crime scene, a cottage in the village of Crockerne. Carson is willing to say the eighty-year-old victim fell down the stairs and died. George isn’t convinced, and, since the responding officer thought it was a murder scene, Cross will treat it that way, until he learns differently. In fact, Alistair Moreton, a retired teacher, was murdered. But, with Ottey gone, DI Bobby Warner is assigned the case. He outranks Cross, and disparages George constantly, calling him the Oddball. When Warner moves a desk into George’s office, he indicates he’s the boss, and won’t listen to Cross. In response, George finds an isolated space to work.
The victim, Moreton, was disliked in the village, and he feuded with his neighbors before they even moved in. It was easy for DI Warner to jump to conclusions and make an arrest because he’s known for closing cases quickly. But, because George and the police staff, Alice Mackenzie, along with Dr. Michael Swith, continued to dig into Moreton’s past as a headmaster, they weren’t convinced Warner had arrested the right person. Warner may have sidelined Cross, but that doesn’t mean George has forgotten the case.
The mystery itself, along with the fascinating step-by-step procedure, is always intriguing. In this book, though, it’s the office politics and events that take the story to a higher level. Warner instigates trouble throughout the office. However, it’s DCI Carson who is the biggest surprise in this story. While Carson has always tolerated Cross while misunderstanding him, the Detective Chief Inspector comes through in this case, amazing Ottey after she returns to work.
It’s the personal relationships, and the small team working together that raises this series to a higher level than some series. This book has some surprises.
NOTE: Don’t read the Acknowledgements before reading the book, but read them to see where Sullivan’s idea came from for this story.
The Teacher by Tim Sullivan. Head of Zeus, 2024. 375p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
I agree, this is a good one. I particularly enjoyed the way Josie was away and he had to deal with the obnoxious new Inspector.
I did, too, Jeff. And, that final sentence was so sad. “He was frightened.”
I’ve got a few to go before I get to this one. So nice to have four (or is it five?) to look forward to — and then whatever he writes next.
They just get better, Kim. I have one more at home, and the August release of The Tailor. That’s it. (sniff)
Very much enjoyed this one.
Have read THE TAILOR and still have to type up my review.
Do we know if any new books are planned beyond The Tailor?
I’m reliably informed there will be more after The Tailor, although I expect not until next year.
Yay!
Kevin, I was going to answer that I suspect there will be more because the publisher worked hard to release them quickly here, but Erin gave you a reliable answer before I could guess.
I just finished The Dentist this afternoon, and I find myself fully taken with Cross and several of the secondary characters. I feel kind of lucky that I only discovered this series recently because that gives me seven more books to look forward to. Sullivan is a great storyteller.
He is, Sam, and the books just get better. The Cyclist, #2, takes some patience because it’s repetitive at first about George, but that’s the only book that does that. And, those secondary characters stick around.