Tim Sullivan’s DS Cross books are police procedurals that really should be read in order. While Sullivan spent a great deal of time in the first book, The Dentist, introducing George Cross and the idiosyncrasies of his Asperger’s syndrome, by the third book, The Patient, those traits are just assumed to be understood by the reader. George’s partner, DS Josie Ottey and police staffer Alice Mackenzie have found ways to work with him and the public. In fact, in The Patient, Cross faces a therapist who tries to analyze him. It doesn’t work.
Cross had seen a woman at police station three days in a row, and he takes the time to invite her to his office and ask why she’s there. Sandra Wilson is looking for someone to believe her, that her daughter Felicity was murdered. All the reports say the former addict committed suicide. George tended to believe that, too, until he learned Felicity had a two-year-old daughter. Then, he’s willing to investigate, despite his boss and the original investigating officer.
There are suspects, including Felicity’s former partner, her former boss, and a man who loved her. But, there’s no evidence that proves she was murdered. It will take time for George to dig into the case, time some of the higher-ups don’t believe he should take.
In The Patient, George’s personal life forces him to adapt to changes outside his comfort zone. While his father, Raymond, is in the hospital and in rehab, George cleans out his father’s flat, one that has become unlivable because Raymond is a hoarder. And, he has to deal with a team of young people who he pays to assist him. Alice and Josie have worked long enough with Cross to see his father’s manipulation of his son. Then, there’s a retired police officer, DCI Esther Moffatt, who is in the same facility as Raymond. She listens to George, and gives him the push he needs in his murder investigation. At the same time, her story is moving, and it attracts Alice’s attention.
If you can get through the first two books with the explanations of George’s behavior, by this third book, you’ll be rewarded by the relationships that develop, and the small moments of humor and care. The Patient is a police procedural with heart.
Tim Sullivan’s website is https://timsullivan.co.uk/
The Patient by Tim Sullivan. Head of Zeus, 2022, 407p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
I am ten chapters into the first book by way of NetGalley and finding it very slow going. Part of that might be because, back in the day, I worked with kids that were this way. So, I get it totally. Yet, there just seems to be one step forward and then beat the reader over the head with it again.
It does not help that my copy also has weird date coding and formatting issues too.
Whereas for some of us, this was an introduction to autistic adults, Kevin. I appreciated the background. In fact, I needed it. I’m sure it’s unnecessary for you. By the third book, he no longer hits you over the head with it, but I think you need to see the changes in George, as well as the team.
I am not quitting the read as so many folks clearly like the series.
Beyond my background, I think part of the problem for me is I whipped through Frame in Death and The Proving Ground and then started this one. I also noticed this afternoon when I switched to the iPad, a lot of the stray symbols and other weird deals that I see on the kindle are gone. That helps!
Kevin, when I read The Dentist I thought the same thing you do. Although I didn’t find it slow going, I agree that it felt like I was being told the same thing way too often, and it did distract from the story for me. (Now that you mention it, maybe it annoyed me a bit because I too, back in the day, worked with kids like this so none of it was new to me.) But in between those many ‘reminders’ was a good story, and the interview scenes were perfection. I also read the second one and there’s slightly less of the ‘beating over the head’ and it’s easy to get invested in the characters; and now Lesa says this third book is even better. I have it at home and am looking forward to reading it. Hard to if you’re not enjoying it so far, but I’m curious to find out whether you carry on with the series or not!
Lindy, I’ll be curious what you think about this third one in the series when you get around to it.
I understand Kevin’s reaction to it, though, as well as your feelings because both of you have worked with kids on the spectrum.
I am soldering on and giving it more time.
Good luck, Kevin.
My brother is severely autistic and I have met a few people with Asperger’s. Knowing about my brother helps me understand Asperger’s I would love to read this series. Too expensive for me right now but if I see I will enter for it or get it at The Give and Take Day. I have also read several books with characters with Asperger’s in it. At work, I was the only one to get along with one working in the postal part of IRS, unfortunately he got fired. They just did not know how to work with him.
Carol, I hope you get a chance to pick up the series. I’d love to hear your reaction.
I’m hoping to finish this one today – I am over 2/3 of the way through it. I like the way Alice has fitted herself into the team and found a way to work with George, while even – occasionally – bringing out the better side of him.
I liked that as well, Jeff. I think Alice has made a big difference in George and the team.
Just finished it. Good book, with a nice twist at the end. I will take a break before moving on to the next one. Note to Carol: if you have access to Libby from the library, I read it that way.
I’m taking a break, too, Jeff. I’m reading John Scalzi’s new book, The Shattering Peace. Actual science fiction. Addicting, though.
I recently finished The Patient. I have read the previous two books. Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series have always been my top favorite reads. Tim Sullivan’s George Cross now is right there now as perhaps my favorite reads. I have all the remaining books on my Kindle and I find as I read other books , I want to go back and read the next book in the George Cross series. I have never read one book after another in a series before. However, I am reading other books in between.
I have now develop an affection for George Cross same as Josie and Alice. One reason I enjoyed the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths was her development of secondary characters. As a reader, I would wonder what was going on in their lives. It is the same in this series. The secondary characters are well developed and I am interested in them as a reader.
George is very good at the detecting portion of his job. He has the highest solve rate in his area. That is why he is often put up with even though his social skills put people off. He is trying to handle social areas with hints from his partner Josie.
Next up is the Politician. I am reading books in between but my mind keeps going back to George and his life/team.
I definitely want to read this series.
I agree with you, Lynn. I read other books in between, but I continue to come back to George and the group.It’s been fascinating to see the changes just in three books – the changes in George and in the supporting cast. The entire cast is well done.
For those who are on NetGalley, they added the second book, THE CYCLIST, to the system today so I peddled over with the mouse and placed my request. Hopefully, they will drill down through their requests and include me.
(My god, Martha! Look at this! He made two puns in two sentences and referenced both books. Horrible ouns too. Whatever is wrong with him?
I don’t know, Bob. Bad upbringing, no doubt. Just ignore him. He will go away again.)
Ha! I like the puns and humor, Kevin, even if others don’t.
Would have worked better without the typo. I was too busy laughing at the mental image of Martha and Bob. 🙂
Thank you for making me laugh today Kevin! Love it.
Thank you.
My request for the Cyclist was approved earlier today.
Great!
Circling back to say that, once I got by the early chapters, I got hooked. Just submitted my review over on NetGalley. Because of the flood of books coming out on October 21st, my review runs on the 16th on my blog.
Lesa nailed it. Again.
Thank you, Kevin! Once you get past that, it’s just a solid police procedural, isn’t it?