The Monk by Tim Sullivan DS Cross Mystery #5 Brilliant, socially awkward, orderly, puzzle solver, seeker of justice, intriguing~ George Cross is a character that never fails and never lets me down ~ What I liked: *George Cross: police detective sergeant, sees the world a bit differently as he is ‘on the spectrum’, never knowingly offends, literal, concrete, solves every case, complex and yet simple, organist, repairs old organs, growing in social awareness, prefers routine & quiet * Josie Ottey: detective sergeant partnered with George, single parent, mother of two, paired with George because she “gets” him, has an impact on him, has big decisions to make * Alice MacKenzie: police staff investigator, younger, eager, enjoys working with George, interested in Swift * Michael Swift: forensic specialist, professional, focused, admires George, has a place for everything and everything in its place, a bit quirky, interested in Alice * Raymond: George’s father, retired, raised George alone, has secrets that come out gradually * Christy: George’s mother, finding out why she left when George was five, would like to know more about her * Joseph: a local priest in the church George practices/plays organ in one hour per week, brother of murdered Monk in this story * The time spent with George in the Abbey both repairing the organ and when on the case * The plot, pacing, setting, and writing * The police procedural aspects of the story that move methodically till all of the puzzle pieces fit together and the case was solved * Knowing that there is another book to look forward to Did I like this book? Yes Would I read more in this series? Yes Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars