The Monk by Tim Sullivan [6/10]

I have come late to British crime writer Tim Sullivan’s series featuring Detective Sergeant George Cross, a dogged homicide detective diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. His fifth, The Monk, sees Cross tackling the savage murder of a seemingly charismatic monk. Befitting his personality, Cross patiently assembles a twisted skein of clues from the past, ably assisted by his fellow sergeant (who at one point wonders if she is the Watson to a Holmes). The plot is deliciously complex and patient, and Cross is a different, sympathetic protagonist with his own personal issues. I enjoyed the overnight read even though the author does overly belabour Cross’s autistic aspects.