Tim Sullivan (5) (1958–)

My love affair with Tim Sullivan's Detective Sergeant George Cross series deepens with each book that I read. I could wax poetic for pages about this latest release, The Politician, but instead, I'll try to limit myself.

Each book in this series has a strong mystery for George (and readers) to solve, and The Politician is no exception. Wading through motivations and suspects alone is daunting, and it's always a pleasure to watch George put all the pieces of the puzzle together. So... show more plot-driven readers should love this series.

However, as strong as the mysteries are, character-driven readers will be in heaven. The character studies are marvelous. Sullivan has created a fantastic cast, and readers are always learning something new about each person.

The sly humor in each book is usually based on people's reactions to George, and readers will find themselves chuckling or smiling as they read. In The Politician, George not only has a perplexing mystery to solve, but he's also learning more about his own family. While he's learning about his family, his partner is learning ways to force Cross into acceptable mainstream behavior, and that's something else to make readers smile.

We're also introduced to a new character, forensic scientist Michael Swift, who's so tall that he's been dubbed "the Shard" (London skyscraper). Swift is also a self-professed Cross groupie, so it's good to see someone work with Cross because he's Cross instead of despite the fact that he's Cross. (If I haven't mentioned it before, Cross is on the spectrum, and the only reason why most people on the police force put up with him is because of his phenomenal success rate.)

Well, I tried to limit myself, but I didn't succeed. Those of you who have already read a book in this series are undoubtedly fans like me. If you haven't succumbed to temptation, I urge you to do so. Because of the marvelous characters, I would suggest you begin with the first book, The Dentist. You are in for a treat!

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) show less

His best written book of the series so far. Better character development, better plot line, more interesting case. We learn more about personal background of George Cross, DS. In this book a hip fracture causes his father and George to address his father's, Raymond, hoarding. In order for him to be able to return home, it must be deemed safe. It is interesting to see how George is able to deal with this situation. During the clean up of Raymond's home, George finds a letter from his mother, show more who he has never been in his life, to his dad explaining she must leave as she is unable to deal with George's quirks. George ends up writing to her to tell her he has turned out quite successfully. George even gives an organ recital in front of a rather large audience that includes his fellow workers and father. The case he is dealing with has to do with assisted suicide. A very interesting case that also involves drugs, mental health and sexual abuse.

Bookbag-a UK review: DS George Cross has an autistic spectrum disorder, quite probably Asperger's Syndrome. He can be rude, difficult and awkward with people, although it's never intentional. It's just that he thinks differently and social niceties simply don't occur to him. There's a reason why he's in Bristol's Major Crime Unit and it's that he has the best conviction rate with cases, ever. His partner is DS Josie Ottey: she regards Cross with affection (not an emotion he would recognise, or welcome being attached to himself) and even attempts to instil some of those missing social niceties into Cross's behaviour.

Neurotypical people recognise to a greater or lesser extent that said social niceties oil the wheels of life. Cross doesn't recognise this or even realise how it affects his life. Ottey might persuade him to learn a few 'tricks' but they will never come naturally:

Did he just pay you a compliment? [the mortuary assistant] asked.
If he did, he definitely wasn't aware of it, she replied.

Cross puts people's backs up and right now DI Johnny Campbell has reached the stage of making a formal complaint to DCI Carson. The latest problem is that Campbell has told Sandra Wilson that there's no reason to think that her daughter, Felicity, was murdered. Flick (as she was known) committed suicide. He's told Sandra to leave the station but Cross has found her, soaking wet, in the bike store - and brought her back into the station. It's not long before he agrees that it was murder. Campbell is infuriated.

Sometimes, you start a book and you know that you're reading something really special and so it was with The Patient. It could well be my book of the year and I struggle to think of a recent crime novel which comes anywhere near close. Why? Well, it's the character of George Cross: this is the perfect characterisation of someone with ASD. If you've had much contact with someone on the spectrum, you'll recognise the traits. I'd go as far as to say that the book will help you to understand Aspberger's and other spectrum disorders.

The story isn't about autism, though. It's an exceptionally well-written whodunnit. The plot covers some difficult subjects, such as the sexual abuse of vulnerable people and assisted dying. They're dealt with in some depth but with sensitivity. You'll feel informed but not as though you've been educated.

You get characters (and it's not just Cross) who stay in your mind long after you've turned the final page. The story is an absolute cracker but the best thing of all is that Sullivan has a back catalogue which I'm going to love exploring.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

Kirkus: Against all odds, a nonconformist detective reopens and solves a sordid murder case.

Distraught mother Sandra Wilson accosts DS George Cross outside the Major Crime Unit in Bristol with a compelling sob story. Sandra alone believes that the death of her daughter, Felicity, was murder rather than the result of the accidental drug overdose that police said justified closing the case. Cross, who’s on the autism spectrum, displays no emotion but listens attentively and questions police staffer Alice Mackenzie and pathologist Clare Hawkins before deciding to pursue the matter and enlisting the help of his partner, DS Josie Ottey. His officious boss, DCI Ben Carson, is unsupportive, to say the least: “It is not our job to uncover crime…where there is none.” The prime suspects in Flick Wilson’s death include her troublesome ex-boyfriend, Simon Aston, and Danny Stokes, her sleazy ex-boss at the dry cleaner’s where she worked until she was fired. In Sullivan’s third crisp DS Cross mystery, the murder investigation is shrewdly counterpointed by Cross’ strenuous efforts to find suitable housing for his obstreperous father, Raymond, who’s about to be released from the hospital after having suffered a fractured hip. Raymond, who’s a hoarder, vociferously objects to moving in with his son, and Ottey more gently agrees with his opinion. On this issue, Cross displays surprising emotion, a compelling contrast to his impassive manner on the job. Though Sullivan’s series is rooted in its precise unravelling of crime puzzles, the added dimension of the personal stories of the incomparable Cross and his colleagues makes it something special.

A Holmesian sleuth reveals surprising heart while solving a baffling crime. show less

I am officially a DS Cross superfan! I actually won book #4 (The Politician) in a giveaway for an honest review, and I loved it so much that I immediately had to go back to the beginning of the series. The Dentist did not disappoint.

What sets this book apart is the incredible insight into George Cross. Seeing his "superpowers" and his difficulties laid bare is fascinating and, for me, deeply relatable. Tim Sullivan does a masterclass job showing us how George’s mind works—he doesn’t show more just solve crimes; he meticulously deconstructs them.

The pacing is brilliant. While it might feel "slow" to some, I found the "fine-tooth comb" approach incredibly realistic. George refuses to be rushed by a world that wants instant results, and that patience is exactly why he succeeds. The interviews and interrogations felt like a high-stakes chess game or a long-form anime fight—constant back-and-forth, mental calculations, and a build-up that leads to a final, deadly strike.

The ending was so methodical and calm, yet sharp as a sword fight. I’m obsessed with this series and I want to scream it from the rooftops! If you like procedural mysteries that value intellect and character depth over mindless action, read this immediately. show less

Another outing for neurodivergent detective George Cross. These are well-constructed crime novels with clever plots and satisfying twists, and I’ve read a couple before. I’ve enjoyed them. But…

The Patient follows the familiar pattern: solid mystery, engaging premise, neatly handled investigation. It’s perfectly entertaining. My frustration is that Tim Sullivan still doesn’t quite trust his readers. If you’re this far into the series, you know who George Cross is. You don’t need show more to be reminded every chapter—sometimes more than once—that he relies on learned conversational responses, or that colleagues find him difficult to work with. Those traits are established. They don’t need continual explanation. George wouldn’t consciously think, “I must respond this way because Ottey told me to.” He would simply respond. We understand the mechanism already.

Sullivan’s weakness, for me, is over-explanation. Nothing is left to inference. Characters’ motivations, emotional reactions and even future intentions are frequently spelled out in accompanying narration. The authorial voice is always present, interpreting events for us. We are told what to think about the care home George’s father moves into—but is that what George thinks? Or is it what the author thinks?

The result is a book that is easy to read and competently plotted, but rarely challenging. It never quite trusts the reader to sit with ambiguity or to interpret behaviour without guidance. The plot runs along slowly towards a predictable ending with very little excitement. The author’s understanding of autism is perhaps questionable. He makes Cross so flat, which overlooks the fact that people on the spectrum do experience profound emotions, but just not in response to the same things that everyone else does. Cross, at most, expresses mild irritation.

I enjoyed The Patient. It’s solid and entertaining. But it didn’t surprise me, unsettle me, or compel me urgently towards the final page—and it could have done, had it stepped back just a little.I received an advance reader copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own. show less