
The Monk
The twisty gripping mystery featuring an unforgettable detective in 2026
Tim Sullivan(Author)
Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book (Publisher)
Published on 27. April 2023
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-1-80454-560-7 (ISBN)
Description
Don't miss THE TAILOR, the brand new mystery in the million-copy-bestselling George Cross series - available to pre-order now.
'George Cross is becoming one of my favourite detectives.' ELLY GRIFFITHS
A 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 2025 Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award longlistee.
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 STORIES
THE LOST BOYS
THE EX-WIFE
THE HUNTER
THE 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 Independent
Why 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
'George Cross is becoming one of my favourite detectives.' ELLY GRIFFITHS
A 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 2025 Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award longlistee.
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 STORIES
THE LOST BOYS
THE EX-WIFE
THE HUNTER
THE 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 Independent
Why 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
Reviews / Votes
Tim Sullivan has pulled off 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 * An extremely accomplished, traditional mystery in the PD James mode . . . this well-plotted and paced novel is an absolute treat * The Irish Times * Sullivan writes in a grounded style with an eye for detail that makes you pay attention . . . an intriguing and entertaining read and we don't often see Bristol and the West Country as a setting for crime. * Crime Fiction Lover * Another tour de force... The Monk is the fifth George Cross novel - which can be read in any order - and 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 Independent * Top-notch Brit crime * Peterborough Telegraph * I loved The Monk. A clever mystery full of tension but also humour and compassion. George Cross is becoming one of my favourite detectives. * Elly Griffiths * 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 A gripping, atmospheric police procedural with an intriguing detective and an excellent foil in the shape of his longsuffering partner DS Josie Ottey. * Guardian *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN-13
978-1-80454-560-7 (9781804545607)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
11/2023
Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book
€13.00
Available immediately

E-Book
04/2023
1st Edition
Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book
€5.99
Available for download
Person
Tim Sullivan is a crime writer, screenwriter and director, whose film credits include Shrek, Flushed Away and Jack and Sarah. His crime series featuring the 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