THE TEACHER

A meticulous sleuth probes the brutal murder of a reclusive retired teacher…with no enemies?

The body of octogenarian Alistair Moreton is found at the bottom of a staircase in his modest cottage in a village in southwest England. A fatal fall seems indicated until DS George Cross, who’s on the autism spectrum, notices suspicious wounds on the victim’s body, including bite marks on his legs. Cross’s previous cases have consistently included a deft mix of forensics, personal stories of the Avon and Somerset police force, and crisp interviews with persons of interest, these last infused with an undercurrent of drollery by Cross’ seeming impassivity and unnerving directness. This sixth entry is no exception, with Sullivan’s experience as a screenwriter on full display. A transplant to the village, Moreton seems at first to have left little impression on his neighbors, but a bit of digging reveals a handful of potential suspects whom Cross doggedly questions. An additional challenge to the investigation comes from Cross’ starchy superiors, DCI Ben Carson and DI Bobby Warner, who jeopardize Cross’ methodical probe by making a premature arrest. The book’s most delightful moments come from Cross’ sublime takedowns of his bosses even as Sullivan digs deeper into the supporting characters in Cross’ world. His partner, DS Josie Ottey, settles unsteadily into a new home; his mostly absent mother, Christine, attempts a rapprochement between him and his father, Raymond, whose health is failing; and the relationship between forensics tech Michael Swift and police staffer Alice Mackenzie blossoms.

Series fans and newcomers alike will find this a tidy and satisfying whodunit.