Review: THE TEACHER, Tim Sullivan

• 
  This edition an e-book supplied by my library on Libby
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book; 1st edition (18 January 2024)
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 407 pages 
• Book 6 of 7: A DS Cross Thriller
• author website 

 Synopsis (author website)

He’s a victim. But is he innocent?

THE BODY
In a village in South West England, an elderly man is found dead in his home. The angle of his neck says he fell down the stairs. The stab wound on his body tells a different story.

THE EVIDENCE
In the weeks before his murder, Alistair Moreton changed. He usually kept himself to himself, but people swear there was someone in the house when they checked on him, that there was a reason he wouldn’t let them inside.

THE PUNISHMENT
Moreton made people’s lives a misery, from his neighbours to his ex-pupils. While DS George Cross’s list of suspects is long, every victim deserves justice.

But in all of Alistair’s years, there was something important he never learned:

If you go through life making enemies, don’t be surprised when they teach you a lesson.

My Take

This story is a little longer than usual, mainly because of the twist that happens in about the middle.

There are several plot strands which lead to the investigation  of a number of very interesting characters for the murder of Alistair Moreton. Lots of red herrings including a very unsavory DI who comes to work with the MCU while DS Ottey is moving house.  In addition several aspects of DS George Cross are explored, including his relationship with his parents. More is promised in the next book.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series, but despite the advice on the publicity that you can read them in any order, I think that would be a mistake.

My rating: 4.7

I've also read

• 4.5, THE DENTIST- #1
• 4.6, THE CYCLIST - #2
• 4.6, THE PATIENT - #3
• 4.6, THE POLITICIAN -#4
• 4.5, THE MONK - #5