An unusual crime novel, the detective (George Cross) is autistic. In some ways a gift, because he notices small details that another might well overlook. This starts out as a possible suicide of a young mother who previously had a drug problem. Little by little, the evidence is pieced together to reveal that she was in fact murdered .
At times the pace is very slow, though the book did keep my interest and I appreciated the unusual way of problem solving and thinking. There is also interest in George's personal life and the reactions of his co-workers.
This is, I believe part of a series, though it reads fine as a stand alone book.
I liked the characters, found some of the text a little repetitive (my only criticism) , though that may have been intentional to illustrate George's way of thinking. I will look out for more from this author

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you #NetGalley for my e-arc copy of #ThePatient by #TimSullivan

This was my first time reading anything by this author and when I realised it was the third in a series I was left feeling slightly dubious, wondering if I indeed needed to read the previous novels first..

However I decided to continued with The Patient regardless.

With a quick introduction to the main character, a D.I George Cross of the Major Crimes Unit Bristol we’re straight into the main plot of the novel with the introduction of a brand new case.

Where we learn more about the detective inspector and it becomes apparent that Cross isn’t the usual detective as it becomes evident that he is on the autistic spectrum. Making you see how this can work out in his job.

With all of this I realised that reading the previous books in this serious may be advantageous but not necessary, as enough is covered on the characters that it is not necessary. And I believe The Patient could easily work as a stand alone novel.

I will however now go on and read the previous books in this series as I did find this novel a very enjoyable read and will happily rate it the full five stars.

I found Sullivan writing great and his descriptions superb making me feel as though I was there the whole time.

This book kept me reading all night
I really enjoyed it and will recommend it to others.
A new author for me 5****

I enjoy a detective book and this one was no exception. I was intrigued by the it and was left guessing as who did it - and was there more to it than just that. Well written and I was rooting for the characters and loved the interaction between work and home for them all.

The third of the George Cross mysteries published, The Patient by Tim Sullivan features the curt police detective who follows the facts. When the Bristol Crime Unit rule a young woman’s death suicide, DS Cross cannot stop himself investigating. Showing his persistent curiosity and pursuit for truth, he comes to realise it was murder. Yet, with no real suspects or clear ways to advance the investigation, George’s problem-solving skills will be sorely tested. Despite his lack of interpersonal dynamics, his small team investigates the woman’s life in an attempt to resolve the enigmatic mystery. Having not read the earlier books was no barrier to enjoying this delightful new crime fighter. It was a joy to read such a substantive police procedural with many a twist making for a four-and-a-half-star rating. With thanks to Head of Zeus and the author, for an advanced review copy. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given, without pressure.

What an absolutely brilliant book, DS George Cross is a real piece of work with a focus that I can only describe as mesmeric. I would have given him 6 Stars if that rating were available and he would have castigated me for even talking about such an impossibility.

If you enjoy books that grab you from word one and tighten their grip a little more with each page you read then this is without a doubt a book you must read.

As this is the first Tim Sullivan book that I have read, I am off to read the previous two he has written around DS Cross and I shall be first in line for part four when it arrives at the back-end of 2022.

Brilliant! I had not ready any books by this author before but this was a great start. It gripped me from the first few pages until the very end. Highly recommended.

I absolutely loved this! What a fantastic plot, beautifully written, intertwining the relationships between the characters in such an ingenious and realistic way.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read in the DS George Cross series and I really enjoyed it and found it worked as a stand-alone. The story starts with DS George Cross coming across Sandra Wilson outside of the MCU headquarters, after she has failed to get George’s colleagues to re-open the case of her daughter’s death which has been recorded as an overdose, with her daughter being a recovering addict. George agrees to review the case and after thoroughly reviewing the facts, agrees the death is suspicious.
The book is well written with good characterisation. George is autistic and it is interesting reading how he interacts with people and how this makes him a good detective, with some of these interactions not going so well and several of his colleagues being sympathetic and making allowances for him, helping to smooth things over.

I enjoyed this police procedural, with a good plot and ending, I plan to read the previous two books at some point.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC copy in return for a review.

This was a good thriller about a police inspector who realises there’s more to a case than originally thought. He suffers with his relationships with colleagues as he has autistic spectrum disorder, but is a brilliant policeman. The story centres around a young woman who has apparently committed suicide despite being a recovering addict with everything to live for.

I struggled at first with the very staccato sentences but as the book went on I realised it suited the story perfectly. I’d read another in this series of books.

Are you looking for the next police procedural series that will have you hooked? Then look no further as DS George Cross is the next detective to watch out for. He is different to any of the other police procedural officers as George Cross is on the autistic spectrum, this makes him a good detective because he has patience, he looks for things others don’t see. He is very likeable and has become one of my new favourite detectives.

The author has created someone unique here, although George is good at being a detective he’s not always great at social graces, he can feel uncomfortable. But his partner Ottey, police staff Mackenzie and his boss DI Carson are getting used to his ways. Ottey and Mackenzie occasionally pulling him up in saying thank you and some of the social graces. This is book 3 in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. But I know that I for one will be getting books one and two to find out what the team thought of George initially.

Sandra Wilson is convinced her daughter was murdered, but persuading the police of this fact is another matter. As a recovering drugs addict they see her death as a suicide or accidental overdose. But would Felicity (Flick) have done that after 18 months clean and with her young daughter in the room next to her? When George initially takes a look at the case he has to tell her that everything points to what the coroner has already said. But he enquires a little more, one of the things her ex boyfriend said didn’t make sense, Flick had dumped him as he was unable to stop using and she didn’t want her daughter around him, but one thing he said was that they had never injected, but Flick had died by a high dose of diamorphine injected.

There are plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing with twists and turns, but George’s doggedness gets to the truth at the end. I loved the characters in this book obviously there are always some you don’t like and you aren’t meant to like them but George and the team have something unique, well George is unique. I would highly recommend this book and maybe the series if you like to start from the beginning. The authors writing is just right, the plot flows, you connect with the characters, plenty of twists to keep the best armchair detectives guessing. But also some nice moments with George and his father as well as a retired detective that are very moving.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #HeadofZeus for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest fair and unbiased review.

DS George Cross is a very interesting character, one you cannot help loving as h'es clever, honest, and blunt to the point of being rude.
The author is a good storyteller and delivers a solid mystery and a cast of fleshed out characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I am a late arrival to this series but fully intend to investigate earlier instalments. George Cross is a fascinating cop, whose Asperger's means that he lacks some of the niceties that are usually expected in society but whose approach to police work is thorough and highly effective.

Oh wow, I love DS George Cross, George is a police officer based in the West Country who it is implied has possibly Asperger’s, he has an analytical mind, doesn’t do niceties but he’s trying, thanks to his college Ottey, who tries to teach him how to behave around others. But George has an excellent arrest record because of his foibles.
This is book 3, which I wasn’t aware of when I requested it but it doesn’t matter as it works perfectly as a standalone and unlike some sequels Tim Sullivan doesn’t keep referencing the previous stories, but I enjoyed it so much I have started reading the first novel.
I can’t wait for the next instalment.

An autistic detective who is based in Bristol ,my home city, was exactly what I wanted to read on a long,dark,wet day and it did not disappoint me at all, I may even buy the first two as a holiday/in the bath/sick bed read in the future. However interesting and nicely written it is this will probably not be something I will remember in the long term but we all need a well constructed who done it and this admirably suits the purpose. Thank you Netgalley for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book,I haven’t read any from Tim Sulllivan but I will be looking out for more book from him.I loved this book it kept me on my toes I thought I knew who the killer was then it wasn’t them.it was a rollercoaster of a ride brilliant book.it’s must read.a young women found dead her mum doesn’t believe she killed herself,no one would listen to her until George cross stepped in.and he got the answers.great book.

DS George Cross is a man driven to get the facts, and only the facts, of any investigation he is assigned to work on, and even where other, more senior officers, have deemed there’s no crime. Once he gets his teeth into something he just won’t let go until he’s got to the truth. People with Asperger’s Syndrome have a difficult time relating to others socially and their behavior and thinking patterns can be rigid and repetitive; these traits are used incredibly sympathetically by the author in George’s character and dealings with colleagues, suspects and witnesses.

I hadn’t read the previous books in this series, (something I will correct shortly), but I already love this character. He comes across as rude, unfeeling, arrogant even, but he’s also the man you would want in your corner. The book has been very well plotted, and even when you know who the murderer is, the story is still so intriguing and full of detail. George’s partner, DS Ottey, and Alice McKenzie, a young staff member on the team, are good foils for him, particularly Alice, a character with great empathy, not just with George but nearly everyone she meets. A really good police procedural with an unusual detective. I’m sure this will make a really good tv series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I never repeat the blurb but oh, how I wish I could give more than 5 stars. This was the first of these I have read but I have immediately got hold of the two before and they are right up there on my 'to read' list.
Having someone on the spectrum in my immediate family, this was such a well observed and isightful depiction of the central chcracter that I was just immersed and enthralled from start to finish. Great plot, spot on with the thought process. Bravo!! Beautifully set up for number four as well!!!

An usual crime novel in so far as the detective DS Cross is autistic and can appear to be unfeeling, awkward and rude. However, his deductive skills mean his conviction rate is the best on the force and so he is tolerated. Besides being a first class read it is also a good insight into the way autism affects the way that who are afflicted interact with others.

Bristol detective DS George Cross knows how it feels to be on the outside, never quite getting the joke – and often the brunt of so many. But there’s no doubt his skill when it comes to getting into the mind of a murderer. His conviction force is the best on the force and even reading a few pages, you can see why. Doggedly determined, clever and quick witted, able to piece together fragments of clues, George may be awkward but he’s an excellent detective. In this investigation, a young woman’s death is quickly ruled as suicide but George thinks differently. He’ll have a battle however; there are no fingerprints, weapon or witnesses to what happened. George is convinced it’s murder and reopens the case, willing to sacrifice his career for the truth. It sounds dramatic but you’ll feel no differently when you read this – the plot is superb; clever and taut, but will he get to conclude the case before his superiors step in?