The Dentist

DS Cross, Book 1

By: Tim Sullivan

Narrated by: John Heffernan

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Introducing your new crime thriller fix: Bristol detective DS George Cross, champion of the outsider, the voiceless and the dispossessed.

DS George Cross can be rude, difficult and awkward with people. But his unfailing logic and dogged pursuit of the truth means his conviction rate is the best on the force. So when his police colleagues dismiss the death of a man as a squabble among Bristol's homeless community, Detective Sergeant George Cross is not convinced.

Who was the unknown man whose weather-beaten body is discovered on Clifton Downs? Did the tragedy that led to a life on the streets also lead to his death?

As he delves into the dead man's past, Cross becomes convinced that to catch this killer, he needs to solve a cold case murder from years before. A murder that someone has got away with for 15 years....

©2021 Tim Sullivan (P)2021 W F Howes

I’m Hooked

I really did not need to start on another series because I have quite a few books waiting in my Audible library that I have not yet listened to, but I am definitely going to purchase the next one in this series. I do find Cross to be a fascinating character, and can totally understand how frustrating it would be to work with him, but at the same time, appreciate his brilliance. I enjoyed the interaction with his coworkers and especially how Ottie is trying to figure him out. Fascinating how the mystery of two murders years apart all came together eventually. Good narration also. Highly recommend.

Unique

I love this whole new perspective that DS cross brings to this genre. Can’t wait for the next installment.

Unique Detective Story

Intriguing first outing for a detective with Asperger's. He frustrates his colleague with his fixation on detail and consistency in evidence, but gets results. Bristol-based (as a change from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds or Edinburgh) it had quite a few twists and unexpected turns along the way. It will be good to follow the series and to find out more about Cross, his colleague Ottey who struggles to cope with his eccentricities and his boss Dawson, who wants results even at the expense of the facts not quite being to hand. Not forgetting his patient father. Recommended and led me straight to his second book, The Cyclist.
John Heffernan was excellent with the delivery of the story

Murder mystery

Really enjoyed this audible book First time with this author.
Two murders many years apart in the same family .DS Cross weaves a web on years of lies and cover up over decades.The author does an excellent review of character development of someone with Asbergers on the Spectrum of Autism.Not always easi!y recognized but really annoying to his coworkers and terrifying to his clients.He gets results.
I hope there is a other DS Cross book soon
I liked the narration .He had a calm reassuring voice.

Good Listen

Characters were good although I wish developed a bit more.
Story kept my interest and was sorry it ended.

Love this

I listened to this per a recommendation I read and I was so pleasantly surprised. I loved everything about it. I loved the characters, love George Cross. It was good in every way. Not bloody or gory. Happily none of that. But just good writing and engaging characters. And this book was read beautifully. I will read all the audiobooks with this character and hope audible records the ones they have not yet.

Writer is way too preoccupied with the backstory of being “on the spectrum”.

Despite this preoccupation; the characters are interesting and the actual mystery is still interesting. I stuck with the writer and found the 2nd book much better.

sad but gripping murder investigation

Series begins here. Each book gets better than the last. My favorites are the Patient and The Monk. Set in Bristol England, in current or contemporary times. Detective Sergeant Cross is the main character. He’s on the autism spectrum, manifesting Asperger traits. He is committed to putting things right for the dead, and his ability to focus and think beyond assumptions is a mixed blessing, as he frequently if unwittingly annoys or insults others, particularly his colleagues. The silver lining is his logical mind as evidenced from his high conviction record.

Repeating Characters in Series:
Main character: DS George Cross works at the Avon and Somerset Major Crimes Unit in Bristol
Raymond Cross, his father, retired aerospace engineer
Father Stephen Mount, a kindly Catholic priest who lets George play the church organ for practice and relaxation

DS Josey Ottey is George’s partner and eventual friend
Alice MacKenzie works with/for the Major Crimes Unit but is not an officer
DCI Ben Carson heads up the major crimes unit
Forensic Pathologist Dr. Clare Hawkins
Dr Michael Swift, crime scene forensics. Very tall.
Catherine — CCTV officer, surveillance camera video footage analyst

Absolutely brilliant!

Fascinating characters and a great storyline make this series a winner. I love all the extra details about DS Cross because it helps the listener to better understand his mental and physical situation. It also deepens the rich connection between the characters and the listener. Highly recommend. Narration brings it full circle. Excellent!!

Very interesting

The narrator was great. The storyline was very good and i look forward to reading more by this author.