I was given an ARC of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The best thing about this story is the character, DS George Cross – I loved his uniqueness, his quirky way of doing things, his logical thought-process, which were traits of Asperger’s Syndrome – spectrum of autism. Evidence rather than instinct was the best kind of investigation, according to Cross.

Going against theories of the incompetent, Cross investigates the death of a young woman due to the pleas of her mother – yet, something doesn’t sit right, so into the mystery, he goes.

There are other characters that fit nicely into the story, but it is Cross that made it enjoyable for me – despite his supposed lack of social skills, I liked his style, and the way he tried to take on the advice of his partner, and his straightforward manner. His relationship with his father was fascinating and the way he behaved with regard to those without a real voice. His interaction with Esther was particularly well done. I also liked the way those he worked with understood his ‘difference’ (most, if not all). And he was thought a genius in catching the criminals, so allowances were made for his unusual methods.

Themes such as drug abuse, mental health, difference, politics, murder, suicide (and more), together with the great plot, and characters, made this a compelling read.

The writing style was fast-paced and intelligently done – certainly a page-turner.

A highly recommended crime thriller.

Set in Bristol and featuring DS Cross, this is a very good read, filled with excellent characterisation. Cross is based in the Major Crimes Unit and is on the autism spectrum, which makes working with him very interesting at times. He is an excellent detective, examining every small detail of the investigations. The story worked well and flowed easily, although it lacked in tension at times. There were plenty twists and excitement and the author writes beautifully. I would definitely recommend this read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to get into and there was plenty happening to keep you interested.

DS Cross is different to a lot of other characters in crime and detective series books. His co workers seem to bring out the best in him so that works well. Mackenzie does seem a little too perfect but if that’s the only slight negative then it’s not bad.

I’ve not read Tim Sullivan’s previous books but definitely will after reading The Patient.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reading copy.

This is the third in the series featuring the Bristol based DS George Cross, although this is the first one of the series that I have read. I didn't feel that it was necessary to have read the earlier two books as this one could he read as a stand alone novel. The story involved the death of a young woman which had originally been decreed to be suicide. Cross's challenge is to prove that it was murder and to find the culprit.
I found this a really enjoyable and exciting read. The plot was well written and planned, with plenty of surprises. The characters in particular were wonderful. I loved the connections and camaraderie amongst them. I will definitely be going back and reading the two previous books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love autistic character books, and this author done an amazing job of showing some of the characteristics someone with autism has. This was a crazy story but loved every minute of it! I sat down and read it in one day. Didn’t want to put it down!

I haven't read any of Tim Sullivan's other material, so I was a little nervous going in that I wouldn't be able to follow along. I was wrong. It was easy to pick up the story and learn about Detective Cross. As a big fan of thriller books, I like that this one followed a detective on his quest to solve what happened to a young lady. Not convinced that she committed suicide, Cross sets out to find out what really happened. Along the way, we get to learn more insight into how Cross sees the world as a person living with Asperger's. It's interesting to read his take on the case and the world. I am looking forward to picking up some more books by Tim Sullivan. Reading this type of police drama feels similar to listening to a true crime podcast or watching a Dateline documentary.

The Patient by Tim Sullivan

Whilst reading this book I realised this was the third book in a series by this author.
I feel it can be read as a stand alone novel , but for me , I enjoyed reading it enough to want to go back and read the first two. It was really good !
DS George Cross is on the autistic spectrum , so his thoughts on the cases he works on are slightly different , and also the way he works . For me , this added a different aspect to your usual police solving crime novel.
A recovering addict has been found dead and suicide is being strongly mooted as the cause of death.
Step in DS Cross and his team , and they dig deeper to find the truth.

A young girl is found dead and it seems it is suicide. However, her mother thinks its murder and keeps trying to get the case re-opened.
DS Cross is not your usual policeman.. He is rude and finds communications with other people difficult. But he is a brilliant policeman.
He is determined to re-open this case and in doing so upsets colleagues and superiors.
Can he get this solved and at what cost?

I read the first two books in this series – The Dentist and The Cyclist – last year and really enjoyed them, so I was over the moon when I was able to request this third book, The Patient, from NetGalley. I was not disappointed, and although it can be read as a stand-alone I would recommend any new reader to download the first two books, just because they are so extremely good. I absolutely love everything about DS George Cross! His way of thinking, his quirks and idiosyncrasies, his dogged determination to find the truth, the way he often comes across as very rude … I could go on forever. All the main characters are brilliant, and so well described that I feel I know them now. Ottey, Cross’s partner, is trying hard to make him aware of accepted behaviour. Alice, the assistant, is so lovely and caring, and Cross’s dad, Raymond, cheers me up every time he’s in a chapter. Yes of course there are murders and police procedure etc, but it’s the relationships between the characters that endear me to Tim Sullivan’s work. I don’t read reviews that repeat the story (why read the book if you’ve been told the story?), I just want to know how it affected the reader. Well, this story made this reader laugh at times and want to cry at others, and as I read the final page I just thought “Wow! That was a joy!”. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - it’ll be a crime if this series doesn’t appear on TV.

A case is ruled a suicide in the coroners report, however the victim's mother thinks it was murder. George Cross sets out to investigate in this superb thriller, where his character particularly is very well drawn. He thinks the coroners report may be wrong, because there was a young child in the next room, while the victim was taking an overdose. Is he correct? I will not answer that question because I might spoil the plot.Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book

This was my first novel read in the D.S. Cross series, but boy was it refreshing! The lead character being on the spectrum gives such an interesting twist. I love a novel that brings something new to the genre table. This book was it! This novel was written well and kept me hooked throughout. I will absolutely be reading the other books in this series. Well done, and thank you!

'The Patient' is the third book in the highly enjoyable new detective series by Tim Sullivan.
Our main protagonist is called 'DI George Brunel Cross', a single-minded and determined detective, who struggles to develop his relationship with his colleagues. It quickly becomes evident (is actually stated in the text) that Cross has Asperger's Syndrome and is on the higher level of the spectrum with an unusual ability to decipher clues and see through the minefield of paperwork, to find the single outstanding piece of data that can point the team in the right direction.
Highlighting an illness such as Asperger's in a key character can often lead to the use of clichés but thankfully Sullivan is an accomplished author/screenwriter and too sensible to fall into this trap. Cross both acknowledges his struggles and how he attempts to cope with the world around him, while his father and colleagues (Reg, Ottey and Alice), outline their methods of helping him - and indeed, helping each other to cope with Cross. This can lead to some mildly amusing scenes as Cross’s colleagues ponder if “he is pulling their leg” or simply being himself. Cross makes for a pleasant change from the usual maverick police office and is also refreshing to have an Autistic character taking centre stage in a positive manner.
Since the first book in the series (‘The Dentist’, which I recommend that you read), the character of Cross has been developed and we have seen the character make many advances in learning how to work (or ‘deal with’ as Cross may say) with the people around him. Initially, I was concerned that the character would change too much but fortunately, the growth of the character fits with the storyline and also suits him. Indeed there are many comic moments, but also sweet ones as Cross tries to adapt his attitude and I laughed out laugh when he plays a joke on Alice.

This time around, Cross discovers a grieving woman in the police carpark and tries to assist her. She is convinced that her daughter has not committed suicide but was in fact murdered. Cross becomes convinced by her story and decides to investigate – unfortunately this action puts Cross in direction opposition with a colleague who previously investigated and closed the case.
There are some hints towards the eventual solution, but there are plenty of twists remaining to keep the reader on their toes. And I would love to see this series adapted for television.

I really enjoyed this detective story. The lead character is very different to your usual protagonist and in a very appealing way. It kept me guessing and hooked right until the end and I look forward to reading more in the series. Thank you.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the advance copy of #ThePatient by #TimSullivan

What a superb book, I was hooked from the first page. The mind of DS George Cross may work slightly different to everyone else (he has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder) but that does not stop him from being absolutely brilliant at what he does.
Assisted by his team Ottey and MacKenzie he takes up the case of a recovering addict who has overdosed. The case has already been ruled a suicide when when the young woman’s mother turns up at major crimes convinced that it is murder Cross is intrigued.
I hadn’t read the first two books in the series but that did not spoil my enjoyment of this one, it can easily be read as a stand alone book.
I have now downloaded the first two. Can’t wait 🤓
A brilliant police procedural, well written and totally absorbing. I can’t wait for the next one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The story is exciting. It is beautifully written with loads of thrills and spills. It is riveting as well as has a heart-wrenching story.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Head of Zeus for an advance copy of The Patient, the third novel to feature DS George Cross of the Avon and Somerset Police.

George is the only person to listen to Sandra Wilson when she insists that her daughter did not die of an accidental drug overdose or commit suicide, but was murdered. Against the wishes of his bosses he reopens the case and despite a lack of physical evidence soon finds several potential suspects.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Patient, which is the first novel in the series that I have read. It works well as a stand-alone and I didn’t feel I had missed much by joining mid series.

The novel is mostly told from George’s point of view, which is interesting as he is on the spectrum. He hits all the usual spots for this disorder, no filters, discomfort in social situations and a need for order. I have no way of knowing if this is a caricature, a stereotype or a true depiction, but I felt slightly uncomfortable laughing at some of his ways and reactions. On the other hand it allows him to look at events from a different perspective and make deductions based on this insight.

The plot is interesting with several suspects and a variety of motives. I must admit that it went in a direction I didn’t expect and became quite a shocker by the end. Having said that, it’s not unbelievable because it’s an embroidery of some well known true crimes. It has a lively style so it held my interest throughout, even with the padding.

The Patient is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I've totally fallen in love with this character! After reading this book I rushed out and bought the other books in the series. D. S. Cross is so refreshing, so different, so believable. He has a form of Asperger's syndrome which works uniquely in his favour when it comes to seeing clearly through the facts of an investigation. His literal interpretation of the English language works both for and against him.. His dogged single mindedness has given him the best conviction record and forces his superiors to overlook his idiosyncrasies and insubordination. He has no social graces but even that has an honesty about it that endeared him to me, though his partner finds it infuriating and attempts to teach him social niceties and acts as a buffer between him and the public. The books are very well written, well researched and totally engaging. I'd love to see them translated to the television. They'd make a brilliant series. More please!

I really enjoyed this book, once again DI George Cross has entertained me for an afternoon. George is on the spectrum and to many his personality is challenging but really he is just a man that works off details and he likes life to be in order, he is not particularly keen on change. He is a brilliant detective and it is the small details that he turns over in his head until he finds the answers that will solve the crime he is working on.

A woman's daughter has in her mind, been murdered but unfortunately she is not being believed. George see's her sitting in the pouring rain outside of the police station and takes her inside to hear her story. He does have his reservations as to what may be going on but after speaking with her there are a couple of things that make him think she may be right.

This sets off a great story that had me completely engaged and wondering how it was all going to work out. A cast of interesting characters help move things along. I would definitely recommend this read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

My expectations were very high with this book considering it only has great reviews but I was left disappointed to say the least.
I was about to give up at 40% as I was having issues with the writting right off the bat.
4 chapters in, I noticed the writing was messy and the dialogue was confusing.
Half the time I had no idea who was even talking and multiple things were getting mentioned more than twice. In addition, I couldn't connect with the characters and half of the story's details as I haven't read the previous books but I needed to see this through maybe everything would be redeemed by a great ending.

That never came though it just got progressively worse.
Τhe order in which the events unfolded began to make no sense, there was a lot of back and forth in the way the police work was conducted and there was literally nothing interesting ever going on. It couldn't grab my attention at such a slow pace and just felt completely draining instead nothing mysterious or thrilling about it.

Thank you NetGalley & Head of Zeus for the digital ARC.

This is my best news of January 2022 – I have found a new police procedural thriller writer in Tim Sullivan. Not only is this story very exciting, beautifully written and has a fantastic, bulging storyboard full of thrills and spills, blind alleyways and false starts but it is also a riveting and heart wrenching story. The Detective Sargent George Cross series is fresh, unique and a terrific read. What’s more there are two other ‘back catalogue’ books I can read, each story having totally different plots and civilian characters. However did I miss this? It must have been because of the lockdown pandemic that seized me and caught me on the hop.
DS George Cross is a fantastic detective. He is quirky, likeable, driven, a lateral thinker and the champion of the underdog. Set in Bristol, George Cross is teamed up with Detective Ottey, a lady full of empathy. His boss is DCI Carson who values George as the evidence does not lie: George solves the most cases; he is thorough and doesn’t miss a trick. However he can be frustrating, single minded and is sometimes a darned nuisance. He is diagnosed as being within the Autistic Syndrome Disorder and sometimes appears rude and socially awkward. His partner Ottey is working hard to improve his attitude and he is beginning to understand some of the social niceties and is responding appropriately. This partnership is really compelling and makes good the misunderstandings that can be both comic and poignant.
The story starts with George discovering a lady within the outside of the police compound. She is hunched up eating her sandwich lunch. He challenges her, but when he hears the bare bones of her story, he kindly invites her inside. He learns that she has already been turned away from his police station, and also all of the others she has been to in the city. She tells him that her daughter Flick has recently died and that the cause of death has been identified as suicide. She persuades him to look into the case again because Flick has been clear of drug use for well over two years because she is the single mother of a baby. She knows Flick would not do such a thing as leave her baby alone like that. Flick has made a new life for herself, is stable and happy. So just like that, George Cross agrees to reopen her case and prove that Flick was indeed the victim of a murderer. DCI Carson is against the case being reopened and so is the detective who handled the case initially, but George wades into a very complicated investigation that will prove them both wrong, but only IF he can catch the murderer.
I found George Cross a very likeable character. He was dedicated, industrious and forward thinking. His manner did at times seem short-tempered and abrupt. Ottey was a good mentor for him, picking out instances and how they should have been handled politely, and George genuinely wanted to appear more approachable. He in turn showed her good policing. I loved the little thread where he was determined to help his Dad after a hospitalisation. His Dad was dead against going to live with his son. He knew George of old and how infuriating he could be. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Head of Zeus and through my membership of NetGalley, sent in return for an honest review. These are my own opinions without any outside influences. This novel is a great read. This is a 4.5* review.