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.

Excellent writing as always, Tim Sullivan 's character George Cross is genius. This story presents quite a challenge for George and his team. His insights are at times hilarious or profound and his very direct nature brings out the best in his team. My all time favourite detective stories.

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!

What starts as the murder of a tailor on a train turns into a complex and original plot involving Chinese spies. This is another great read in the DS Cross mystery series. I love the humour and the dynamics between George and others in the team. The inimitable George has to be one of the best creations in modern detective fiction. The series just gets better with each book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Such a wonderful series of books and this one is no exception. The storyline would be enough on its own but George Cross carries it to a whole new level. As always, his unique perspective shapes the progress of the plot but it’s done with an unintentional humour that you can’t help but warm to.

This latest George Cross novel is the best so far. A tense and fast-paced story liberally laced with humour. In this book DC Macenzie is assigned to work alongside George to replace the newly promoted DCI Ottey. She quickly learns how to "manage" his quirks, jumping in to cover his brusque statements and questions with the polite niceties of conversation and keeping track of him when he does a disappearing act. She has come a long way from being clerical staff in the earlier books. The best bit though, comes toward the end of the book where George copes with a tense situation in his own unique way.

Oh, 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.

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

Tim Sullivan's George Cross series is one of my favourites and The Tailor is another brilliant story. A man is murdered on the train to Paddington and George and his new partner are assigned to the case. It's great to have the police team back again. The plot is complicated and interesting. I love the author's extensive research attention to detail.

The latest in the excellent DC Cross series is another fantastic read. Cross’s neurodivergence provides some genuinely funny moments, and his relationship with his (newly reconciled) parents is sensitively dealt with. The police procedural aspect of the book is very well crafted and kept me turning the pages till the early hours. I love this series and hope there are many more books to come.

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!

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.

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!

This was another fabulous read in the George Cross series with a slight change of dynamics in the station with Ottey working as a DI in her own right leaving George in need of a new partner. This case has a different feel about it to others due to the complexities that it slowly revealed and a different look at how justice can prevail. Despite the gruesome crime and the obstacles in solving it there's a brilliant balance with the humour of his new partner trying to manage him as well as the issues George has with his parents. The crime itself is really well thought out with some intriguing elements and I love how it gave George a new obsession as this series is as much about how he functions with life as much as his detective skills. I'm looking forward to seeing how the station dynamics progress in the next book especially in regards to his boss as this altered their relationship considerably.

The Tailor by Tim Sullivan is book 8 in the DS George Cross series. It is published on 16 July. Thank you to Netgalley and Aries Fiction for an early copy. 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.

If you are new to Tim Sullivan's stories about DS George Cross then you are in for a treat with this latest edition plus you can look forward to catching up with many previous books in the series. George suffers from Aspergers Syndrome and at a time where the neuro diverse hero seems to be in vogue in books, it is worth reflecting on previous fictional sleuths who were characterised as being "quirky" but could well have been on the spectrum. Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Frank Columbo, Monk. So George is in good company and like his predecessors uses his obsession with detail and process to his advantage when solving crimes. It also creates a greater level of complexity to his character and his struggles to deal with "neurotypicals" make for a great deal of humour.
In this story George has to solve the mystery of a bespoke tailor who is found dead on a train in what seems like an execution. Of course he gets completely seduced with the ancient and precise craft of hand made tailored suits but it just adds to the mystery of why someone from this world would warrant a professional hit. Adding to his woes are the loss of his partner Josie Otley with whom he had established a tolerable working relationship. She is now a DI, effectively his boss, and has to somehow persuade George that her replacement, DC Alice MacKenzie who is still on probation, will be a good fit. She also has to persuade Alice that a partnership with George is not the hell she imagines it will be!
Tim Sulivan is a great author both with the strength of his characters and their interactions and also his plots and schemes. His books are very readable and packed with humour along with complex crimes to solve. I would recommend this to any lovers of murder mysteries who need a bit of sweetness to balance the bitter darkness!
Many thanks to the Publishers and Netgalley for providing access to this pre publication edition.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an advance digital copy of this book in return for an honest review.

George Cross has to be my most favourite detective! The Tailor is book 8 in the George Cross Mystery books which can be read in any order. George’s character is so well written and it was great to see him trying to understand strange emotions that were new to him in this book. He has such a unique way of thinking and talking (or not talking!) A really great story with a clever storyline complete with twists.

The blurb:

“Measure twice. Cut once.

A bespoke tailor boards the 10:00 train from Bristol to London. Before it reaches Bath, he's found dead in the toilet, his throat slit and a plastic bag pulled over his head.

DS George Cross deduces that this wasn't a robbery – nothing about the killing is random.

It's an execution.

George's investigation brings him dangerously close to a cold and merciless world. And is it his imagination or is he being followed?

With the highest conviction rate of any officer in the force, someone will do anything to stop George from getting to the truth.

This time, the next cut could be meant for him...”

Reviewed on Goodreads and Fable

I just couldn’t wait to read this as I love George Cross, if you’ve never read this series, please read now as you are missing out. The characters and the plots are first rate and a ‘must read’ for me. A complete joy.

The Tailor by Tim Sullivan is another George Cross police mystery and it is a very satisfying read. A bespoke tailor enters the 9.26 train from Bristol to London. Before the tailor even reaches Bath his body is found slumped in the toilet, having been murdered.
D.S.Cross realises, it was a professional hit. This realisation causes Cross into an unfamiliar world, which is merciless. George wonders at times if he is followed. George Cross is tenacious and always gets to the truth but this time someone wishes to stop him by force, if necessary..
In this eight book of the series, George Cross encounters Chinese agents, South Korean hit men and MI6 and still manages to find the truth or as near as he can in this murky world of industry espionage and foreign agents.
Highly recommended

I am a little bit in loe with the character of George Cross. At times throughout this book he seems utterly bewildered and then at others, he is in complete control, enjoying the nugget of information he has that his colleagues haven't yet worked out.

The plot is centred around the murder of a man who turns out to be a tailor. Cue George developing hyperfixation on tailoring techniques and fabrics.

As usual, Tim Sullivan has written the plot and characters well. I deliberately waited until a non-working day so I could read it in one sitting. An excellent read.

Tim Sullivan has done it again. Another classic George Cross investigation. Our hero hates change, and in this outing he gets change in abundance, new partners, new bosses, new subordinates and worst of all a new house guest!!!. Each of these changes discombobulates, but true to his character, he soldiers through, and in the face of heavy internal pressure to drop the cases solves not one but two murders.
Most heart warming of all was the opportunity George Cross, and the reader, was given to discover the real esteem in which has colleagues hold him. He is cantankerous, difficult, insensitive and totally unaware of these faults, and yet, and yet, friends and colleagues admire his strength of purpose and his success; they are prepared to swallow being offended and insulted because they understand and respect the character inside.
Brilliantly and perceptively written. Keep them coming Tim.

An outstandingly good read, and another fabulous visit to the world according to George Cross.
A brilliant plot looking at both the world of bespoke tailoring and batteries! not two subjects you'd put together and to make it more interesting a little bit of international espionage thrown in too!
George is at his literal best, but also coping surprisingly well with pretty seismic changes in both his professional and personal lives.
There is some great mirroring of habits between Raymond and George and for the first time, we begin to see that the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.
We leave George with not only a swagger but with him showing an emotional understanding of the feelings his parents are experiencing, He may still reach for his Ottey Jottey sometimes but he's more attuned to what's happening than he's been given credit for. As many have found, underestimate him at your peril.
A fantastic series with great well-researched plots and fabulous character development.

Another mystery for George, Tim Sullivan's brilliant, autistic detective. A bespoke tailor gets on a train to London for a business trip and is found dead in the toilet, his throat cut and a plastic bag over his head. This looks like an execution, but what's the motive? The man's luggage is missing and George is convinced that this must be relevant. Its a teiffic story with plenty of twists and turns and fast action. As well as the crime George has to cope with a new partner- his old partner who has been promoted, was one of the few able to understand George's charachter and gently advise him when needed - how the new young, DC copes with George is part of the action. Very entertaining- brilliant!

Another book in the DS George Cross series and they just keep getting better !A Tailor is found murdered on a train and Cross and his Team investigate why? this leads them into a world of Foreign Governments espionage data protection and local gangsters ,a very intriguing story compelling and very enjoyable .George Cross at his best ..Look forward to reading the next book in this series .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

When a man is found dead in the toilet on a train, DS George Cross is called in to investigate.
George knows the man was murdered, what he is struggling with is why. William Titcomb was a highly respected bespoke tailor, on his way to the airport to deliver two suits to Dubai. The suits and his other luggage are missing. Surely no one would kill for a suit.
Georges’ inquiries quickly take an unexpected turn when he discovers that William could have been involved in something highly dangerous and, if someone was willing to kill him, maybe they will also be willing to kill George if he gets too close.
George Cross intricate, different, and brilliant. This had me hooked from the start and I didn’t want to put it down until I knew what had happened. The reveal was spectacular.

Manners maketh the man, but not if his name is George Cross. He is on the Autistic spectrum and has a rather direct and challenging attitude towards the members of the public , his work colleagues and his family. He now possesses a book of useful phrases to help him interact more sympathetically upon these occasions.
A body has been found on a train at Bath Spa in the first class toilet , his throat has been cut. No phone, wallet or identification is to be found, but the man is wearing a very expensive bespoke suit. When the firm of tailors is tracked down, it is discovered that the man was travelling with a suitcase and two suit carriers, he was going to Heathrow, then Dubai and China.
George wonders, where are the suits and carriers, why kill a man and steal the suits?
This is an engaging and complex plot, full of action and many twists and turns, and interesting notes about tailoring. It is emotional, thoughtful and unintentionally hilarious at times with a strong whiff of betrayal.
This material may suit some people more than others. George Cross is a person that you can feel fully invested in, he cares about justice and works tirelessly to produce that to the best of his ability. As a character, he shows that all abilities are recognised and appreciated in the world of crime prevention and detection.
I absolutely love these books, each one has been a delight to read. I never guess the murderer though!
Apparently, it is RTC, not RTA, these days , the definition has been changed as events are deemed to have causes and are not a result of pure chance.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Aria and Aries, for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK later. A five star read.

This is #8 in the DS George Cross but can easily be read as a standalone and in any order. However, this is my favourite police procedural series and I’d highly recommend reading all the books.

DS George Cross is based in Bristol’s Major Crimes Unit. He has Asperger’s so is not always socially aware, but his incredible attention to detail makes him the officer with the highest clear-up rate in the Avon and Somerset force.

George is thrown into turmoil when there are staff changes affecting him. His previous partner, DS Josie Ottey, is now a DI, and an old colleague, Alice Mackenzie, is introduced to him as a trainee Detective Constable. She previously worked as a police staffer on the team but George now has to be her partner and line manager, something which fills him with dread. In the background, we have some of George’s private life to add interest to the story, but not enough to overshadow it.

A tailor, Billy Titcomb, is found murdered in the toilet of a train and the reason isn’t immediately apparent. George gets into the case and discovers that Billy’s luggage and suit carriers are missing. Billy was on his way to Dubai to fit two bespoke suits, via the company’s office in China. Why would anyone steal them? Does his Chinese wife know more than she’s letting on? This was such a brilliant plot, cleverly written, and absolutely gripping.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

I love George Cross and this is one of my favourite ever police procedural series. The Tailor is the 8th in the series and it’s a cracking read. If you are a first timer, (lucky you you’ve lots of great books to read), DS George Cross works for Bristol Major Crimes and has Autism Spectrum Condition which makes him extremely literal, with a highly logical, detail-oriented approach to investigating crimes. He also doesn’t understand empathy and carries a notebook with suggested comments to use in certain situations. He also has the best crime solving statistics in the Force. As always, this is a well written story with excellent plotlines guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Briefly, a man, is found murdered in a toilet on a train from Bristol to London. All potential identification has been taken alongside his suitcase and two suit carriers. He is soon identified as Billy Titcomb, a bespoke tailor who was travelling to Dubai and China. Billy and his sister have been running their business for many years and managed to keep the business afloat during a difficult period with help from Billy’s China born wife. It’s clear to George that this wasn’t a random killing, Billy was targeted. You wouldn’t think being a tailor was such a dangerous job!

I love how the author shows the benefits of being on the spectrum for a detective but also makes you aware of the pitfalls and this is where his very supportive colleagues come into play. The plot is quite complex and there are some great twists and once again a brilliant reveal, I’ll be amazed if you guessed it. For George, the crime investigation is the easy part, his difficulty is dealing with a new partner as he finds it hard to manage change. Honestly, I know it’s a much misused and overused sentence but I really did have trouble putting this book down! Another fantastic read in a fabulous series. Next please!

One of my favourite mystery series: George Cross is back in an excellent mystery, twisty and exciting.
It's a gripping, compelling, and highly entertaining novel.
The evolutions in George's private life are both strong and sweet. I love this character as I love the rest of the team.
It was an excellent read, one of the 2026 best police procedural I read so far
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Detective Sergeant George Cross is sent to investigate a gruesome murder on a train. A body had been found in a first class toilet with its throat cut. The scene is awful, but Cross is more intrigued by the suit the victim is wearing, it’s very bespoke and this peaks our detective interest.
The man in question is a tailor of some renowned, with a worldwide clientele.
So the question is, who would want to murder a simple tailor.
Armed with a new partner, DC Alice Mackenzie. George starts his unique way of investigating and it turns out to far from what even could have expected.
He has a couple of South Korean tourists turning up everywhere he investigates, a scientist who has died suspiciously and a widow who is acting very strange.
It’s not too long before the detectives start to discover they are not dealing with a standard homicide.
This appears to be a professional hit, but who and what are the reasons.
The more Cross investigates, the more he starts to realise he has stumbled into the world of spies and espionage. But it seems he can’t trust anyone, even people on his own side. Will the detective pull the right thread in time to discover the truth and catch a killer?
Tim Sullivan has created one of the best characters in crime fiction today with George Cross.
Every time I read a new book in this series I can’t wait for the next.
This particular novel is one of the best in the series, and shows what an accomplished writer Tim Sullivan has become.
If anyone wants to start a crime series, this is the one I always recommend.
George Cross never lets his audience down and The Tailor is one of my favourite books I’ve read this year.

This is the eigth book by the author. The titles of the books, mainly represents a profession. The tailor is William Titcomb, owner of a well established bespoke tailors in Bristol. William was murdered on a london bound train, his body is found in a toilet, just before Bath Spa rail station.
Detective sergeant George Cross has a deserved reputation for getting results, despite his autism. He has just lost his trusted police partner, Josie Ottey has been promoted to detective inspector. Their boss detective chief inspector Ben Carson is determined to find George a new partner. George however is equally determined to not have one!
Detective constable Alice McKenzie is appointed to work with George. He will ignore her and give her tasks so George can get away, but as he will find out Alice is equally determined to succeed.
Josie and George meet William's wife Min. She is chinese and they have two small children. They also meet up with Gwen who was William's sister, who helped run the tailoring operation with William.
William was on his way to Heathrow and then flying to Dubai for two suit fittings and then on to China, where William and Gwen's company has an operation.
George becomes obsessed with the bespoke tailoring business. The author has researched this very well. George and hsi team wil find this a frustrating and difficult case. A very good police procedural, it keeps you guessing. Very much recommended.

I discovered Tim Sullivan’s George Cross earlier this year and was captivated. Having read it, I rapidly found the others.They are that good! Now here is number 8, wonderfully written and plotted with brilliant characters. George is such a great character - he is Autistic; meticulous and driven but not good in social situations and with little empathy. An outstanding detective but not so good with colleagues which provides incidental humour to lighten the procedural aspect.
There is action aplenty in this book with Chinese spies, South Korean heavies and the odd appearance of MI6, a tale of international fraud which keeps the story barreling along, and at the same time George is getting used to a new partner.
Not easy for either of them. All the books can be read as standalones, but together as a series they really are my absolute favourites.

George Cross is back and the book is excellent as expected, I really didn’t want to put it down. A man is killed on a train, his body is discovered in the toilet, the transport police have requested that MCU investigate. The victim has no means of ID on him and he is traced through the clothes he is wearing.
George is given a new partner, something he is not at all sure about, but they begin to work together without too many issues, even though George disappears on his own. An excellent story of murder and espionage. I love these books.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

I've said it before and I'll say it again but I love George Cross, and The Tailor is another great instalment. It is filled with great characters and a ingenious plot full of twists and turns and the usual very cleverly written George mannerisms, George sadly no longer has Ottey as his partner as she's now been promoted and for me I did miss their usual partnership but newly qualified Alice tries to keep up with him admirably and what I really like about Tim Sullivan's writing is each book can easily be read as a standalone and he doesn't spend half the book rehashing the previous plots.
In a nutshell, even though its a police procedural novel it is full of clever humour and ingenious plots, thoroughly recommend to everyone.

Another brilliant D'S George Cross book. The tea loving, organist and excellent police officer is a superbly crafted character by author Tim Sullivan. A great book that kept me enthralled from first page to last. Highly recommended. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I always look forward to a new Tim Sullivan book and as you’ll know by now George is one of my favourite detectives. The Tailor is another brilliant, entertaining read and I’ve loved being back with George and the team.
Alongside the mystery of the tailor’s murder, George has to navigate through some changes at home and at work with a new partner. These changes are often filled with funny yet sympathetically covered moments and we see how George as a neuro-divergent policeman handle his life and his solving of the case. We’ve less of Ottey in this one but the fledgling relationship with Mackenzie is a fun one to watch.
These mysteries from Tim Sullivan are always so cleverly defined - mysterious deaths, secrets and thefts add up to a wonderful new addition to the series.

Firstly, I loved the cover of this book...

This is a sharp, satisfying addition to the DS George Cross series.

A brutal murder on a Bristol-to-London train, a bespoke tailor found with his throat cut and a bag over his head, kicks off a tightly plotted procedural that pulls Cross into organized crime, espionage-tinged dealings, and the rarefied world of custom suits.

The neurodivergent detective himself. Cross’s relentless logic, social obliviousness, and laser-focus deductions remain compelling and often quietly funny, even as his personal life, reuniting parentsand new partner, adds warmth and friction.
The cahracters are fabulous, especially the evolving team dynamics, sparkles with humor and heart

The pacing is brisk, chapters punchy, and the mystery satisfyingly layered with a twist that stretches credibility but never spoils the fun.

It is clever and addictive British crime fiction and is highly recommended .