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The DS Cross Mysteries #8
The Tailor: A DS George Cross Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26The unfailingly shrewd and uniquely brilliant DS George Cross is back...
'Every generation has its iconic detective - Holmes, Poirot and Morse - but Cross is emerging as the one for now.' DAILY MAIL
'One of my favourite detectives.' ELLY GRIFFITHS
THE KILLING
A bespoke tailor boards the 9:26 train from Bristol to London. Before it even reaches Bath, his body is found slumped lifeless in the toilet. The police initially assume it’s a robbery.
THE CRIME
But the truth is more complicated than that. Why was the man found with a plastic bag over his head? Why was his throat cut in such a savage way? DS George Cross realises that this was no mugging - it was an organised hit.
THE END
This realisation forces George into a merciless, unfamiliar world – and is it his imagination or is he being followed?
Everyone knows that DS George Cross is tenacious, that he always gets to the truth. It seems, this time, someone will do anything to stop that from happening…
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Ann Cleeves and Joy Ellis, this is the eighth book in the million-copy-bestselling George Cross Mystery series, which can be read in any order.
'Every generation has its iconic detective - Holmes, Poirot and Morse - but Cross is emerging as the one for now.' DAILY MAIL
'One of my favourite detectives.' ELLY GRIFFITHS
THE KILLING
A bespoke tailor boards the 9:26 train from Bristol to London. Before it even reaches Bath, his body is found slumped lifeless in the toilet. The police initially assume it’s a robbery.
THE CRIME
But the truth is more complicated than that. Why was the man found with a plastic bag over his head? Why was his throat cut in such a savage way? DS George Cross realises that this was no mugging - it was an organised hit.
THE END
This realisation forces George into a merciless, unfamiliar world – and is it his imagination or is he being followed?
Everyone knows that DS George Cross is tenacious, that he always gets to the truth. It seems, this time, someone will do anything to stop that from happening…
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Ann Cleeves and Joy Ellis, this is the eighth book in the million-copy-bestselling George Cross Mystery series, which can be read in any order.
Hardcover
Expected publication July 26, 2026
5 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
Tim Sullivan
16 books630 followersTim Sullivan is an acclaimed screenwriter. He originally read English and Law at university - the latter forced on him by his Dad - but instead he wriggled free of those parental ambitions and pursued his own, to make films. His writing credits include A HANDFUL OF DUST, starring Kristen Scott Thomas, WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD, starring Helen Mirren and Helena Bonham Carter, JACK AND SARAH (which he also directed) starring Richard E Grant, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen and LETTERS TO JULIET, with Amanda Seyfried. He is also a Television director whose credits include SHERLOCK HOLMES and COLD FEET and CORONATIONS STREET. He has written extensively in Hollywood in both live action and animation, working with Ron Howard, Scott Rudin and with Jeffrey Katzenberg on the fourth SHREK movie.
He has now embarked on a series of crime novels featuring the eccentric and socially-awkward, but brilliantly persistent DS George Cross.
He self-published the first two books and once they'd achieved over 200,000 downloads he came to the attention of Head of Zeus publishers. So thanks to all his readers for this success and their shared love of George.
The novels are set in Bristol in the south west of England, Cross’ methods often infuriate his colleagues and superiors “not so much a thorn in my side as a pain in my arse,” according to his boss DCI Carson. But his conviction rate, thanks to his dogged persistence and attention to detail, is the best in the force. Tim has now written the first four in the series with The Patient being published on March 3rd 2022.
Tim feels confident in his claim that he is the only crime writer around who has also co-produced and written a My Little Pony movie for Hasbro. MY LITTLE PONY - A NEW GENERATION is now available on Netflix.
Tim lives in North London with his wife Rachel, the Emmy award-winning producer of THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA and PIONEER WOMAN. Their daughters live near by.
For more stuff about Tim visit his website www.timsullivan.co.uk
He has now embarked on a series of crime novels featuring the eccentric and socially-awkward, but brilliantly persistent DS George Cross.
He self-published the first two books and once they'd achieved over 200,000 downloads he came to the attention of Head of Zeus publishers. So thanks to all his readers for this success and their shared love of George.
The novels are set in Bristol in the south west of England, Cross’ methods often infuriate his colleagues and superiors “not so much a thorn in my side as a pain in my arse,” according to his boss DCI Carson. But his conviction rate, thanks to his dogged persistence and attention to detail, is the best in the force. Tim has now written the first four in the series with The Patient being published on March 3rd 2022.
Tim feels confident in his claim that he is the only crime writer around who has also co-produced and written a My Little Pony movie for Hasbro. MY LITTLE PONY - A NEW GENERATION is now available on Netflix.
Tim lives in North London with his wife Rachel, the Emmy award-winning producer of THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA and PIONEER WOMAN. Their daughters live near by.
For more stuff about Tim visit his website www.timsullivan.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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July 28, 2025Dear brilliant author, it very cruel of you to not have this book out this year!!!
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March 6, 2026Oh, George, how I've missed you!
I absolutely adore this series and get genuine butterflies when a new installment lands in my inbox. Everything and I mean everything, gets pushed aside so I can while away a few hours with one of my all time favourite characters, George Cross.
DS George Cross is a bit of enigma to the majority of people he comes across. Being on the spectrum makes him come across as abrupt, rude, standoffish and even emotionless but it also makes him tenacious, unstoppable, unflappable and one hell of a detective.
This is book #8 in the DS George Cross series and with each new book my adoration for him grows. The series just gets better and better the further into it we get, each one bringing a fresh, unique plot that feels just as exciting, thrilling and unputdownable as the very first.
In book #8, a bespoke tailor is found murdered aboard a train from Bristol to London. His throat slit and a freezer bag placed over his head. His luggage and suit carriers are missing.
Investigating, Cross deduces that this wasn't simply a murder, someone was after something, something obviously important, but what?
Newly promoted, DI Josie Ottey is still protective of her old partner and trying to navigate training his new partner, someone who has worked with the team previously, probationary DC Alice MacKenzie. Alice is struggling to keep a hold on Cross and his wandering ways but used to his manner, soon figures out a way to keep track of him, which comes in handy later on.
This was a complex, multi layered plot that had many paths to keep track of. A seemingly placid, workaholic, murdered tailor. His scientist chinese wife. Government secrets and the reprisal of a past character Toby Fletcher.
Alongside the main plot we also have the life of George, Raymond and Christine bubbling in the background, which I absolutely love. Without doubt, George's interactions with his parents make me smile every single time.
I must admit, I actually roared with laughter in a particular section of this tale. Without spoilers, at one point George, unsure how to control his emotions decides to just 'chat' to two men, the way he just went off a on a tangent had me properly belly laughing, I still chuckle now just thinking about it.
Lastly, one phrase I never thought I'd see.... George Cross has swagger!
Side note: I'm not in love with the new cover I must admit, I much preferred the previous designs!
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC.
I absolutely adore this series and get genuine butterflies when a new installment lands in my inbox. Everything and I mean everything, gets pushed aside so I can while away a few hours with one of my all time favourite characters, George Cross.
DS George Cross is a bit of enigma to the majority of people he comes across. Being on the spectrum makes him come across as abrupt, rude, standoffish and even emotionless but it also makes him tenacious, unstoppable, unflappable and one hell of a detective.
This is book #8 in the DS George Cross series and with each new book my adoration for him grows. The series just gets better and better the further into it we get, each one bringing a fresh, unique plot that feels just as exciting, thrilling and unputdownable as the very first.
In book #8, a bespoke tailor is found murdered aboard a train from Bristol to London. His throat slit and a freezer bag placed over his head. His luggage and suit carriers are missing.
Investigating, Cross deduces that this wasn't simply a murder, someone was after something, something obviously important, but what?
Newly promoted, DI Josie Ottey is still protective of her old partner and trying to navigate training his new partner, someone who has worked with the team previously, probationary DC Alice MacKenzie. Alice is struggling to keep a hold on Cross and his wandering ways but used to his manner, soon figures out a way to keep track of him, which comes in handy later on.
This was a complex, multi layered plot that had many paths to keep track of. A seemingly placid, workaholic, murdered tailor. His scientist chinese wife. Government secrets and the reprisal of a past character Toby Fletcher.
Alongside the main plot we also have the life of George, Raymond and Christine bubbling in the background, which I absolutely love. Without doubt, George's interactions with his parents make me smile every single time.
I must admit, I actually roared with laughter in a particular section of this tale. Without spoilers, at one point George, unsure how to control his emotions decides to just 'chat' to two men, the way he just went off a on a tangent had me properly belly laughing, I still chuckle now just thinking about it.
Lastly, one phrase I never thought I'd see.... George Cross has swagger!
Side note: I'm not in love with the new cover I must admit, I much preferred the previous designs!
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It is official - I am in love with DS George Cross! ‘The Tailor’ by Tim Sullivan is the eighth book in this wonderful series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. However, I would urge you to read the whole series as it is some of the best crime fiction being written at the moment. It is intellectual, without being overbearing, and is full of empathy and love!
When a tailor is found dead in a train toilet, it is clear that it is murder, and George and the team are called in to investigate. The fact that he is a tailor gains George’s attention and, in his usual manner, becomes slightly obsessed with the process of making a bespoke suit. But there doesn’t seem to be a reason why this devoted family man would be targeted. The team are stumped but are soon pulled into a world they had not expected…
George is on the spectrum and has numerous ways in which he annoys his colleagues and family. But they also adore him, as do readers. He may not deal with change well, but he is like a hound dog once he gets a case. He picks up on details others might not, and it is laser-focused when it comes to investigating them.
George may be the attraction, but the mystery aspect of the books is always top-notch, and this was again the case for ‘The Tailor’. It was nuanced and intricate, with a few red herrings and subtle reveals peppered through the narrative. The standard of writing was superb, and it is clear that the author researched the topics.
It is hard to put down these books when you get started, and that was certainly the case here. I really look forward to reading this series, and I promise I am going to savour the experience and end up bingeing it in one sitting! But it was deliciously good. Roll on the next one.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
October 24, 2025
The Tailor by Tim Sullivan is a precise, unflinching, and deeply human procedural, reaffirming DS George Cross as one of modern crime fiction’s most distinctive investigators. Sullivan delivers a thriller that slices through the polished fabric of respectability to reveal the dark seams of obsession, secrecy, and power beneath.
When a bespoke tailor is found dead on a morning train, his throat cut and a plastic bag drawn over his head, what seems a robbery soon unfolds into something far more deliberate and chilling. Cross, with his characteristic persistence and moral clarity, is drawn into a world of hidden debts and calculated revenge, where every stitch tells a story and every silence conceals a motive.
Sullivan’s prose is crisp yet empathetic, his pacing taut but never rushed. What sets The Tailor apart is not just the puzzle, but Cross himself meticulous, methodical, and disarmingly sincere, a detective who sees what others overlook because he listens differently.
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Peter James, and Ann Cleeves, this latest George Cross mystery confirms that Sullivan has created something rare: a series as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally resonant. The Tailor is both a masterclass in detection and a meditation on truth, loneliness, and the quiet cost of integrity.
When a bespoke tailor is found dead on a morning train, his throat cut and a plastic bag drawn over his head, what seems a robbery soon unfolds into something far more deliberate and chilling. Cross, with his characteristic persistence and moral clarity, is drawn into a world of hidden debts and calculated revenge, where every stitch tells a story and every silence conceals a motive.
Sullivan’s prose is crisp yet empathetic, his pacing taut but never rushed. What sets The Tailor apart is not just the puzzle, but Cross himself meticulous, methodical, and disarmingly sincere, a detective who sees what others overlook because he listens differently.
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Peter James, and Ann Cleeves, this latest George Cross mystery confirms that Sullivan has created something rare: a series as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally resonant. The Tailor is both a masterclass in detection and a meditation on truth, loneliness, and the quiet cost of integrity.
March 6, 2026
Another very enjoyable episode of a George Cross mystery. Full of humour. Some nice twists and turns and some problems for George as he attempts to come to grips with his mother Christine now having moved in with his father Raymond. He also is contending with the arrival of former police support Alice as a probationary detective constable. Further, Alice is to be under his management, which George finds quite puzzling and he wishes Josie had not been promoted to detective inspector. Alice’s relationship with forensics’ Dr Michael Swift is changed by her access to his hero, George. They begin a humorous rivalry over gaining his attention, of which George, of course, has no idea.
Bespoke TAILOR Billy is murdered on a train to Bristol. No one can work out why a seemingly inoffensive man would cause anyone to murder him and also remove his luggage. Thus George becomes fascinated by the dynamics of the tailoring business now run by Billy’s twin sister Gwen. This is an amusing sub plot. Though something of a fantastic plot involving Chinese spies and fairly unbelievable in places I really enjoyed reading this novel. I don’t know why they haven’t made a TV series of George Cross yet. He would make a fantastic character for TV.
I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers. I’m very grateful they thought of me again.
Bespoke TAILOR Billy is murdered on a train to Bristol. No one can work out why a seemingly inoffensive man would cause anyone to murder him and also remove his luggage. Thus George becomes fascinated by the dynamics of the tailoring business now run by Billy’s twin sister Gwen. This is an amusing sub plot. Though something of a fantastic plot involving Chinese spies and fairly unbelievable in places I really enjoyed reading this novel. I don’t know why they haven’t made a TV series of George Cross yet. He would make a fantastic character for TV.
I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers. I’m very grateful they thought of me again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
DS George Cross is my absolute favourite fictional detective.
In this eighth instalment, The Tailor, it sees DS George Cross with a new partner, DC Alice McKenzie. Despite knowing Alice, he’s struggling getting used to having a new partner.
A tailor is found murdered in Bath on a London-bound train and Cross is called to investigate. Cross focuses on the tailor’s missing suitcase and suit bags believing that they are central to the case. With Cross and his process, he thoroughly researches fine bespoke tailoring and goes so far as have a bespoke suit made. His fastidiousness sees him and Mackenzie leave no stoned unturned to honour the murder victim and uncover the truth.
It is punctuated with humour and with the kindness of Cross’s support network of his father Raymond, mother Christine, priest Stephen and his former partner Ottey.
This series of books are pitch perfect and Tim Sullivan has truly created a one of the kind detective in DS George Cross.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Aria & Aries, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
In this eighth instalment, The Tailor, it sees DS George Cross with a new partner, DC Alice McKenzie. Despite knowing Alice, he’s struggling getting used to having a new partner.
A tailor is found murdered in Bath on a London-bound train and Cross is called to investigate. Cross focuses on the tailor’s missing suitcase and suit bags believing that they are central to the case. With Cross and his process, he thoroughly researches fine bespoke tailoring and goes so far as have a bespoke suit made. His fastidiousness sees him and Mackenzie leave no stoned unturned to honour the murder victim and uncover the truth.
It is punctuated with humour and with the kindness of Cross’s support network of his father Raymond, mother Christine, priest Stephen and his former partner Ottey.
This series of books are pitch perfect and Tim Sullivan has truly created a one of the kind detective in DS George Cross.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Aria & Aries, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Tailor by Tim Sullivan is book 8 in the DS George Cross series. This is such a wonderful series which I love. George is an amazing character, complicated but in some ways very simple. He's on the spectrum and has his own way of dealing with things. Usually pedantic and fixated, but it gets results. A man is murdered on a train, a tailor. George and Ottey are called in to investigate as the Railway Police are caught up with Glastonbury. George doesn’t take long to focus on an irregularity in the case which, to him, is a possible lead. From there, the case takes on a fascinating slant with MI6 featuring. George and Ottey are both great characters. I love how annoyed Ottey gets with George’s behaviour at times, when he feels he is being quite reasonable. He takes things literally. Their interaction makes me smile. His family relationships are causing him some confusion, and this certainly adds to this gripping story too. I really look forward to each new book in this series, which is brilliant.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoy the George Cross books and look forward to a new one appearing. There is much to admire and one of the joys is that whilst these can be read as standalone novels there is such a pleasure in following George's character as he navigates social interactions which puzzle him as well as his ongoing relationships with his mother and father and colleagues.
This novel sees him coming to terms with a new partner - Alice MacKenzie - alongside investigating the murder of a tailor on a train from Bristol. Meanwhile his father is staying with George, finding his new living arrangements hard to deal with.
It is hard to talk about the plot without spoilers, but just to say that it was satisfyingly complex though I liked it less than previous books as it had an international element rather than being very much Bristol based. This didn't work so well for me.
However overall I enjoyed it a lot and want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.
This novel sees him coming to terms with a new partner - Alice MacKenzie - alongside investigating the murder of a tailor on a train from Bristol. Meanwhile his father is staying with George, finding his new living arrangements hard to deal with.
It is hard to talk about the plot without spoilers, but just to say that it was satisfyingly complex though I liked it less than previous books as it had an international element rather than being very much Bristol based. This didn't work so well for me.
However overall I enjoyed it a lot and want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was fortunate to be allowed to review this new book by Tim Sullivan prior to publication.
I have been a fan of Tim Sullivan right from the beginning I enjoyed his books and the way he crafts his stories, so I was very excited to be allowed to preview his next book.
For me this was the very best in the series, beautifully written with characters that have continued to mature involved in a complex storyline that kept me intrigued from the first to the last page. Loads of details that make the story real, plot twists that you don’t see coming and an excellent conclusion that leaves you with a very satisfying end. I loved this book and the care and attention that Mr Sullivan brings to all his work. Unlike some other authors each of his stories brings a freshness that doesn’t use a formula but original thinking.
I highly recommend this book and the whole of the series to you!
I have been a fan of Tim Sullivan right from the beginning I enjoyed his books and the way he crafts his stories, so I was very excited to be allowed to preview his next book.
For me this was the very best in the series, beautifully written with characters that have continued to mature involved in a complex storyline that kept me intrigued from the first to the last page. Loads of details that make the story real, plot twists that you don’t see coming and an excellent conclusion that leaves you with a very satisfying end. I loved this book and the care and attention that Mr Sullivan brings to all his work. Unlike some other authors each of his stories brings a freshness that doesn’t use a formula but original thinking.
I highly recommend this book and the whole of the series to you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another fabulous book, this series just gets better and better.
DS George Cross and his team have another complex case to solve when a bespoke tailor is found murdered on a train. Ottey has been promoted and is now his boss and in charge of the case, so there are some new members of the team, Mackenzie is newly promoted to DC and a new civilian, Prianka. However, they all work well together as they know how best to deal with Cross being on the autism spectrum. Mackenzie even goes as far as putting a tracker on his bike! It’s an interesting plot with lots of twists and turns as Cross searches for a link with another death. I’m looking forward to the next book in one of my favourite series.
Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC.
DS George Cross and his team have another complex case to solve when a bespoke tailor is found murdered on a train. Ottey has been promoted and is now his boss and in charge of the case, so there are some new members of the team, Mackenzie is newly promoted to DC and a new civilian, Prianka. However, they all work well together as they know how best to deal with Cross being on the autism spectrum. Mackenzie even goes as far as putting a tracker on his bike! It’s an interesting plot with lots of twists and turns as Cross searches for a link with another death. I’m looking forward to the next book in one of my favourite series.
Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Step aside tbr pile, there's a new George Cross book in town.
I really did abandon all my other books to read this one, that's how keen I am on George.
Well, George and his team.
Puzzling murder aside, I get fonder of Raymond with each passing page, and Michaels adoration of George just makes me smile.
This was definitely one of those murders I'd never have guessed.
Clever, and just that bit different.
A bit like George really 😀
Pacing was spot on, it was the comfort read I didn't know I needed.
If murder is your kind of comfort.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.
I really did abandon all my other books to read this one, that's how keen I am on George.
Well, George and his team.
Puzzling murder aside, I get fonder of Raymond with each passing page, and Michaels adoration of George just makes me smile.
This was definitely one of those murders I'd never have guessed.
Clever, and just that bit different.
A bit like George really 😀
Pacing was spot on, it was the comfort read I didn't know I needed.
If murder is your kind of comfort.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love George Cross! What a fantastic and utterly complex character this is but it is what makes you really enjoy reading the books. A bit different storyline wise compared to the others, but don't let you detract from what is a great read. All the main police characters are back along with Raymond, Christine and Stephen - it is a side line to them which is just as fantastic as the main storyline, which was very enjoyable to read too. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
DS George Cross is amazing as a detective, his dogged pursuit of answers is remarkable, hie social skills on the other hand leave a lot to be desired.
In this case a man travelling by train is killed on board. The man was a tailor, an unremkable man with no secrets, until Gei=orge finds them
Another brilliant book in the series. George Cross is one of my favourite detectives.
#NetGalley #Aria&Aries #TheTailor #TimSullivan #DSGeorgeCross
In this case a man travelling by train is killed on board. The man was a tailor, an unremkable man with no secrets, until Gei=orge finds them
Another brilliant book in the series. George Cross is one of my favourite detectives.
#NetGalley #Aria&Aries #TheTailor #TimSullivan #DSGeorgeCross
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another wonderful book in the George Cross Mysteries!
I highly recommend this series.
I highly recommend this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book 8 of this fabulous series featuring DS George Cross. This case involves a bespoke tailor found murdered on a train. As with all the books in this series, the plot is cleverly controlled with interesting twists.
George is such a wonderfully drawn character and the dynamics with his family, friends and other members of the team are always entertaining.
Fast paced and a lovely quick read. Highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
George is such a wonderfully drawn character and the dynamics with his family, friends and other members of the team are always entertaining.
Fast paced and a lovely quick read. Highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews