The Politician by Tim Sullivan The DS Cross Mysteries #4

A smashed window. A ransacked room. A dead body. At first glance, it’s a burglary gone wrong.

First impressions of a crime scene are crucial… but they aren’t always correct. When DS George Cross – Bristol Crime Unit’s most eccentric, dogged and successful detective – starts investigating the death of former mayor Peggy Frampton, he’s convinced that what looks like a bungled burglary is in fact a case of premeditated murder.

After her political career ended, Peggy became a controversial blogger whose forthright opinions attracted a battalion of online trolls. And then there’s her family: an unfaithful husband and a gambling-addicted son. With yet more enemies in her past, the list of suspects seems unending.

Now Cross must unpick this dark web of seedy connections to find her killer – but the sheer number of suspects is clouding his usually impeccable logic. He’s a relentlessly methodical detective, but no case can last forever: can Cross catch the killer before he runs out of time?

My Review

First of all I must just say that I love DS George Cross. But then so did my fellow Pigeons from The Pigeonhole book club. He’s on the spectrum (maybe Aspergers?) and takes everything literally. He doesn’t get jokes or irony which can be very confusing for his colleagues and intimidating for the criminals. They think he is taking the p*ss. His colleague DS Josie Ottey does though – she’s worked with him many times.

We are also introduced to George’s father Raymond, an inveterate hoarder with a penchant for building models – his latest is a model railway round his house. George was brought up by him after his mother left. He hasn’t seen her since he was a child.

But the main subject of The Politician is the killing of the ex-mayor of Bristol, 62-year-old Peggy Frampton, who gave up politics to become a controversial blogger. While everyone else thinks it was a burglary gone wrong, Cross believes it was premeditated murder. But who would want to kill her? Quite a few people it would seem. Her views have attracted an army of online trolls. I’m not sure I blame them to be honest – some of her views are extreme, though her dreadful serially unfaithful husband, barrister Luke, would be more of a target.

Son Justin is addicted to gambling and we all know where that can lead. Daughter Sacha is a GP in Cheltenham (where I live) – she seems quite nice, I’d be happy for her to be my doctor.

We also have a web of other stories that bring Cross into contact with some very seedy characters, including Andi Dragusha who is serving 20 years for seven counts of murder, his son Mikki, and his nephew Clive Bland who works for the architects owned by Adam Chapel. Peggy’s never-ending objections to their latest development almost caused the company to go bust. A motive for murder? I should say so, but would anyone go that far.

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.

About the Author

Tim Sullivan is a crime writer, screenwriter and director, whose film credits include A Handful of Dust, Jack and Sarah, and Cold Feet. His crime series featuring the socially awkward but brilliantly persistent DS George Cross has topped the book charts and been widely acclaimed. Tim lives in North London with his wife Rachel, the Emmy Award-winning producer of The Barefoot Contessa and Pioneer Woman. To find out more about the author, please visit TimSullivan.co.uk

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