For those of you reading Tim Sullivan’s DS Cross series, “The Hunter” is a short story in what the author is calling “The Cross Chronicles”. If you sign up for Sullivan’s newsletter, https://timsullivan.co.uk/sign-up/, you get a new short story every six months. Here’s the website, https://timsullivan.co.uk/ The other link was where you can sign up for the newsletter.
Just a warning. Although there are no spoilers in my short review of the story, there are a couple spoilers in the story itself. “The Hunter” was written in 2024, after most of the books in the series. If we were up-to-date with the British releases, these wouldn’t be spoilers. I do have news from the publisher, though. “Tim Sullivan is an acclaimed screenwriter, self-published the first two novels in the series, but after two books he was quickly picked up by a major UK publisher. In October, Atlantic Crime will publish the first book in the series, starring DS George Cross with THE DENTIST. Between January and June, we will publish the other six title; come August we will be caught up with UK and will simultaneously publish the newest installment, The Trailor.“
It’s almost Christmas, and George Cross’s father, Raymond, has an unwelcome surprise for the man who hates changes in his routine. It’s only at work that he can escape worry about Christmas. This time, a man’s body has been found in a hedgerow, adjacent to a farm and close to a woods. It turns out the farmer’s wife forages in the nearby woods, although they both say they don’t know the dead man. But, he and his dog had been hunting in the woods. There’s no trace of the dog, though.
Of course, George and his partner, DS Josie Ottey, find the killer. What is pleasing is that even with a short story, Sullivan manages a logical twist, one that I didn’t see coming. “The Hunter’ is almost as enjoyable as the novels themselves, but without the explanation of George’s issues, which I know has bothered some readers. If you don’t mind a couple spoilers, I’d suggest fans might want to sign up for Sullivan’s newsletter.
Tim Sullivan’s website is https://timsullivan.co.uk/
“The Hunter” by Tim Sullivan. Head of Zeus, 2024.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a copy of the short story for signing up for the newsletter, with no other expectation.
OK, I signed up, though I might save the story until I catch up on the books., I started #4 (THE POLITICIAN) yesterday.
Thanks for the link.
I am reading the books on Libby, by the way.
I’m buying the books, Jeff, and my copy of The Politician isn’t here yet, so I’m on hold for the series. The spoilers are not big ones, but I’d wait if I were you.
I am doing the NetGalley versions. I have read THE DENTIST and scheduled my review.
The Cyclist is in my NetGalley TBR pile.
They put The Pedestrian up yesterday and I put my request in.
Very glad to know they are going to keep dropping them very month. Hopefully, the publisher will approve me.
I like the new covers of the books. I hope you can get them through NetGalley as they come out, Kevin.
Update….. my request has now been approved. WooHoo!
Very good!
Thanks to you, Lesa, I’ve bought George Cross books 3 and 4, but now that you all say The Dentist is coming out, I’m going to wait and read it first.
I think that’s a good idea, Kim.