The Patient

 

The Patient by Tim Sullivan
2/3/26; 416 pages
Grove/Atlantic
DS George Cross Mystery #3

The Patient by Tim Sullivan is a very highly recommended procedural/mystery and the third novel in the series featuring Detective Sergeant George Cross with the Bristol Crime Unit which can also be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. This was originally published in Great Britain in 2022. Cross, who is on the autism spectrum, can be awkward, unemotional, and blunt, but he is also extremely perceptive, logical, tenacious, and intelligent.

After a discussion with Sandra Wilson outside the Bristol Crime Unit, DS Cross agrees to look into the death of her daughter Felicity (Flick). Her death had been ruled an accidental drug overdose, but Sandra is sure Flick was murdered. Flick had been clean for over two years and had a young daughter. After questioning police staffer Alice Mackenzie and pathologist Clare Hawkins, Cross is convinced that something else happened and decides to reopen the case. His partner DS Josie Ottey assists him in the investigation. There are several suspects, including her ex-boyfriend, Simon Aston, and Danny Stokes, the boss at the dry cleaner’s where she previously worked.

At the same time, Cross's father Raymond, who broke a hip, is about to be released from the hospital which poses a huge problem. He does not want to live with his son, for several reasons, but Raymond is a hoarder and his home must be cleaned out for his own safety. Cross comes up with a great solution and makes a contact at the same time.

This is a very well-written procedural which sets itself apart with the uniqueness of the main character and the twisty, complicated, intuitive, and analytical investigation into Flick's death. Cross, as well as Mackenzie and Ottey, is portrayed as a fully realized individual with strengths and weaknesses. The strong characterization, along with the complicated, well reasoned plot, helps propel the action forward and also serves to set this series apart from others with it's unique main character. 

The intelligent investigation which proceeds through logically and instinctively following the clues and putting the puzzle together made  The Patient an enjoyable procedural that is a pleasure to read. The final denouement held several surprises. Thanks to Grove/Atlantic for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.