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The DS Cross Mysteries #8
The Tailor
'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 Cross into a merciless, unfamiliar world – and is it his imagination or is he being followed?
Everyone knows that DS Cross is tenacious, that he always gets to the truth – and it seems, this time, someone will do anything to stop that from happening…
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Peter James and Joy Ellis, this is the eighth book in the bestselling series, which can be read in any order.
'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 Cross into a merciless, unfamiliar world – and is it his imagination or is he being followed?
Everyone knows that DS Cross is tenacious, that he always gets to the truth – and it seems, this time, someone will do anything to stop that from happening…
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Peter James and Joy Ellis, this is the eighth book in the bestselling series, which can be read in any order.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2026
About the author
Tim Sullivan
16 books833 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 - 30 of 284 reviews
August 16, 2026
5-stars.
Sharply Tailored, Seamlessly Stitched, and Pure Procedural Perfection.
Tim Sullivan's The Tailor—the newly released eighth installment in the DS George Cross series—brings Detective Sergeant George Cross face-to-face with a case that feels as tightly woven and deliberate as the craft after which it is named.
When a quiet, methodical tailor is found murdered on a train, the Bristol Major Crime Investigation Team initially faces a wall of dead ends.
The victim lived an unassuming, almost invisible life, leaving little trace of motive or conflict. However, DS Cross—whose neurological divergence gives him a unique hyper-focus and unwavering refusal to make assumptions—begins pulling at the hidden threads of the victim's past.
The investigation unfolds amid a major shake-up on the team as recent promotions take effect: Cross's longtime partner and trusted confidant, Josie Ottey has been elevated to Detective Inspector, while Detective Constable (DC) Alice Mackenzie steps up as Cross's new partner, leaving DS Cross thoroughly frazzled and livid that no one consulted with him beforehand.
Adding to Cross's personal friction, his newly reunited parents are experiencing relationship troubles, forcing the routinely inflexible detective to navigate emotional turbulence at home.
If only he knew the worst is yet to come...
Highly recommend.
Sharply Tailored, Seamlessly Stitched, and Pure Procedural Perfection.
Tim Sullivan's The Tailor—the newly released eighth installment in the DS George Cross series—brings Detective Sergeant George Cross face-to-face with a case that feels as tightly woven and deliberate as the craft after which it is named.
When a quiet, methodical tailor is found murdered on a train, the Bristol Major Crime Investigation Team initially faces a wall of dead ends.
The victim lived an unassuming, almost invisible life, leaving little trace of motive or conflict. However, DS Cross—whose neurological divergence gives him a unique hyper-focus and unwavering refusal to make assumptions—begins pulling at the hidden threads of the victim's past.
The investigation unfolds amid a major shake-up on the team as recent promotions take effect: Cross's longtime partner and trusted confidant, Josie Ottey has been elevated to Detective Inspector, while Detective Constable (DC) Alice Mackenzie steps up as Cross's new partner, leaving DS Cross thoroughly frazzled and livid that no one consulted with him beforehand.
Adding to Cross's personal friction, his newly reunited parents are experiencing relationship troubles, forcing the routinely inflexible detective to navigate emotional turbulence at home.
If only he knew the worst is yet to come...
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The series continues to be engaging, with interesting idea behind this particular mystery, and characters, especially DI Cross, navigating across the murky waters of secrets and enigma. George Cross is the investigator you root for not just because his investigative ways are well above the average, but also due to his personal struggle.
*Many thanks to Tim Sullivan, Grove Atlantic, NetGalley & Edelweiss+ for arc in echange for my honest review.*
*Many thanks to Tim Sullivan, Grove Atlantic, NetGalley & Edelweiss+ for arc in echange for my honest review.*
September 6, 2026
EXCERPT: Many in the MCU felt the case was approaching a dead end, but there was no such thing for George Cross. While other detectives wallowed for days in a reservoir of self-pitying frustration, banging their heads metaphorically on their desks while stuffing their arteries with fat courtesy of an almost continuous drip feed of takeaway food, he took another look at everything. For Crossa dead end was filled with possibilities. He viewed such a situation as a new starting point. Far from being a stumbling block, it was a new beginning. It was never a question of reaching a dead end. It was simply an indication that they were looking in the wrong place. Unlike his colleagues, Cross was able to stare at three bald, mundane facts in a case for days on end, constantly questioning them. Was anything missing? Were they relevant or not? He loved the puzzle of it all and would lower the blinds in his office which everyone knew meant he wasn't to be disturbed.
ABOUT 'THE TAILOR': Measure twice. Cut once.
Detective Sergeant George Cross is nothing if not precise. When a man is found dead in the first-class toilet of a train—his throat cut, a plastic bag over his head—the grisly scene shocks his fellow officers. Cross registers every detail, but it's not the blood that interests him. It's the victim's exquisite suit.
The dead man is a tailor by the name of Billy Titcomb, trusted by clients around the world for his meticulousness and discretion. Who would want a tailor dead? With his new partner, DC Alice Mackenzie, Cross starts pulling at the threads. There's a widow grieving in peculiar ways. A dead scientist whose suicide doesn't add up. And two South Korean tourists with embassy connections who keep showing up in places they shouldn't. The deeper Cross digs, the less this looks like a simple murder, and the more it looks like a professional operation.
DS Cross has the highest conviction rate in the force. But in the world of spies and state secrets, the rules are different—and for the first time, the people trying to stop him may be on his own side. Can Cross stitch it all together before the case unravels him?
MY THOUGHTS: I love George Cross. Always have. Always will. And I look forward to each new book with anticipation and excitement. I have yet to be disappointed.
If you are looking for a thriller, go elsewhere . . . but if you are looking for an engrossing 'whodunnit?' with fascinating characters, you're in the right place.
The murder mystery is cleverly interwoven with George's private life which, by the way, he likes to keep private only discussing it in a very non-specific way with Father Stephen and the newly promoted DI Josie Ottey. His father Raymond can sometimes be a tough cross to bear.
George has to cope with a lot of change in this book, something he is not comfortable with at the best of times and, for once, finds himself in rather a precarious situation.
All the stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheTailor #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: TIM SULLIVAN lives in North London with his wife Rachel and 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.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Crime, for providing a DRC of The Tailor by Tim Sullivan for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my own personal opinions.
ABOUT 'THE TAILOR': Measure twice. Cut once.
Detective Sergeant George Cross is nothing if not precise. When a man is found dead in the first-class toilet of a train—his throat cut, a plastic bag over his head—the grisly scene shocks his fellow officers. Cross registers every detail, but it's not the blood that interests him. It's the victim's exquisite suit.
The dead man is a tailor by the name of Billy Titcomb, trusted by clients around the world for his meticulousness and discretion. Who would want a tailor dead? With his new partner, DC Alice Mackenzie, Cross starts pulling at the threads. There's a widow grieving in peculiar ways. A dead scientist whose suicide doesn't add up. And two South Korean tourists with embassy connections who keep showing up in places they shouldn't. The deeper Cross digs, the less this looks like a simple murder, and the more it looks like a professional operation.
DS Cross has the highest conviction rate in the force. But in the world of spies and state secrets, the rules are different—and for the first time, the people trying to stop him may be on his own side. Can Cross stitch it all together before the case unravels him?
MY THOUGHTS: I love George Cross. Always have. Always will. And I look forward to each new book with anticipation and excitement. I have yet to be disappointed.
If you are looking for a thriller, go elsewhere . . . but if you are looking for an engrossing 'whodunnit?' with fascinating characters, you're in the right place.
The murder mystery is cleverly interwoven with George's private life which, by the way, he likes to keep private only discussing it in a very non-specific way with Father Stephen and the newly promoted DI Josie Ottey. His father Raymond can sometimes be a tough cross to bear.
George has to cope with a lot of change in this book, something he is not comfortable with at the best of times and, for once, finds himself in rather a precarious situation.
All the stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheTailor #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: TIM SULLIVAN lives in North London with his wife Rachel and 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.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Crime, for providing a DRC of The Tailor by Tim Sullivan for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my own personal opinions.
August 17, 2026
'Why do people ever lie?' he asked before immediately answering his own question. 'To cover up the real truth, particularly if it's a worse one.'I'm now up-to-date with this series (this entry, of course, being the latest one).
As I mentioned elsewhere, I began it in out-of-series-order at first but then corrected that and read through from Book One - which I'm glad I did; that seems the more satisfying way to go (even though an 'argument' could be made for reading the books as random stand-alones).
The major plus of this series is DS George Cross, perhaps the most memorable protagonist in modern mysteries (just my hunch). Marvelously realized as a character from the get-go, the reader (if he or she is like me, and even if perhaps not) cannot help but gravitate to George. He not only holds interest, he captivates with each entry - and rather endlessly within each entry.
I sensed I would miss him soon after reading the most recent book - and I already do.
George, of course, is on the spectrum - and, for me, the series has been an increasingly informative experience in that regard. I'd never before followed an autistic character in fiction; I've no idea how often that even happens. And while George is naturally not a one-size-fits-all, the percentage that he represents serves to enrich the reader.
As the leader of each narrative, George both does and does not steal focus. It's a testament to author Tim Sullivan's skill that he consistently surrounds his DS with richly detailed co-workers and (even) suspects. Sullivan not only does his homework, he does double-duty for 'extra credit'.
All told, the amount of research that goes into these cases is mind-boggling.
Sullivan often seems to hold no shortage of surprises. With Book #8 - this one - he opens the story in a way he has not done heretofore: he shows us the actual murder, almost as though through the murderer's eyes. It plays a bit like an Agatha Christie homage; choosing that tack is inspired, as it immediately thrusts suspense front-and-center.
Like Book #2 ('The Cyclist') - the shortest book in the series so far - 'The Tailor' has a rather limited cast of characters; resulting in a more compact complexity (which is still nevertheless not skimped on). I finished 'The Cyclist' in record time because it was so short - but then I read 'The Tailor' in about as short a period because it is so *precise*.
There's no fat on this baby; it's a lean, 'mean' machine.
A particularly impressive move this time out comes near the conclusion, when George is allowed something akin to a showy "11 o'clock number" in a musical comedy. Not that there's music - or even comedy, really, at that point. Though, in a certain light, it's still very funny. It's a risky tonal shift for Sullivan to take but vive la différence; it pays off!
~ as does Sullivan's rare 'coda': once the story is over, the author sends us off with an imagined conversation between himself and George. It's touching, hilarious, and *very* George!
July 28, 2025
2.5 STARS rounded down
This book has got me wondering if I was giving the previous seven more credit than they deserved.
THE TAILOR was predictable. It was also huggy-feelie (ie. maudlin) and, worse, not everything George said felt in character. Really?! George doing psychological analysis? Being in tune with an emotional situation... don't think so.
And now I’m quite cross because I actually spent money on Book 8. If it were a physical book, I could at least pass it along to someone else. But it’s an ebook (because of my diminished eyesight), so apparently I am now the proud owner of a book that will just sit there unloved until it outlives me.
This book has got me wondering if I was giving the previous seven more credit than they deserved.
THE TAILOR was predictable. It was also huggy-feelie (ie. maudlin) and, worse, not everything George said felt in character. Really?! George doing psychological analysis? Being in tune with an emotional situation... don't think so.
And now I’m quite cross because I actually spent money on Book 8. If it were a physical book, I could at least pass it along to someone else. But it’s an ebook (because of my diminished eyesight), so apparently I am now the proud owner of a book that will just sit there unloved until it outlives me.
August 13, 2026
I have loved every other book in this series SO much. But, this one was too far-fetched for me. I want the tiny details of ordinary cases, not a thriller.
August 18, 2026
4.5 stars
Thank you to Atlantic Crime for the gifted copy of this book. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
This is book #8 in the D.S. Cross Mystery series and it's a good one. A tailor is killed on a train and D.S. George Cross is assigned the case. George is a unique character. He is a brilliant detective, but is very awkward socially. Even though this is the eighth book, I was able to jump right in with this newest installment. I enjoyed getting to know George and the rest of his team I liked the way George was able to work well with his team to solve a complex crime. I hadn't expected the case to involve international intrigue, but it did work well with the plot. I love the way everything turned out in the end. Now that I've read this book, I will definitely be going back and reading prior books in this series.
Thank you to Atlantic Crime for the gifted copy of this book. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
This is book #8 in the D.S. Cross Mystery series and it's a good one. A tailor is killed on a train and D.S. George Cross is assigned the case. George is a unique character. He is a brilliant detective, but is very awkward socially. Even though this is the eighth book, I was able to jump right in with this newest installment. I enjoyed getting to know George and the rest of his team I liked the way George was able to work well with his team to solve a complex crime. I hadn't expected the case to involve international intrigue, but it did work well with the plot. I love the way everything turned out in the end. Now that I've read this book, I will definitely be going back and reading prior books in this series.
August 16, 2026
4.0 / 5.0
Solid book from start to finish, you can’t go wrong with a George cross series. I am now patiently waiting for the next one. I always find the Cross series to be so unique, weirdly comforting and reliable. I haven’t been disappointed about the series or the book, I like how we naturally see the character development of george as he navigates through personal and professional life. I like how genuine and real Cross is portrayed. As always I’ve found the plot easy to follow, I like how natural the twists came across as well as how the plot is unpredictable. Whilst the ending was obvious, I like how it was never blindingly obvious to your face, there was always an element of uncertainty.
A bespoke tailor boards the 10:00 am train from Bristol to London. Before the train reaches bath, he’s found dead in the toilet with his throat slit and a plastic freezer bag over his head. DS George Cross quickly rules out robbery, but nothing of this killing is random. It’s an execution. His investigation brings him dangerously close to a cold merciless world, is it his imagination or is he being followed. With the highest conviction rate of any officer in the force, George is known for getting answers where others can’t. This time, someone will do anything to stop that from happening, and the next cut could be meant for him….
Overall I’ve enjoyed this book, once I started I really struggled to put this book down. A testament to how much of a solid book this is. As always though this book does refer to events in the previous books, so it doesn’t make sense to read to the 8th book as the first one!
Solid book from start to finish, you can’t go wrong with a George cross series. I am now patiently waiting for the next one. I always find the Cross series to be so unique, weirdly comforting and reliable. I haven’t been disappointed about the series or the book, I like how we naturally see the character development of george as he navigates through personal and professional life. I like how genuine and real Cross is portrayed. As always I’ve found the plot easy to follow, I like how natural the twists came across as well as how the plot is unpredictable. Whilst the ending was obvious, I like how it was never blindingly obvious to your face, there was always an element of uncertainty.
A bespoke tailor boards the 10:00 am train from Bristol to London. Before the train reaches bath, he’s found dead in the toilet with his throat slit and a plastic freezer bag over his head. DS George Cross quickly rules out robbery, but nothing of this killing is random. It’s an execution. His investigation brings him dangerously close to a cold merciless world, is it his imagination or is he being followed. With the highest conviction rate of any officer in the force, George is known for getting answers where others can’t. This time, someone will do anything to stop that from happening, and the next cut could be meant for him….
Overall I’ve enjoyed this book, once I started I really struggled to put this book down. A testament to how much of a solid book this is. As always though this book does refer to events in the previous books, so it doesn’t make sense to read to the 8th book as the first one!
August 24, 2026
I adore these series. I’m sad that there aren’t any more right now. I miss George already.
August 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐️s rounded to 5 ⭐️s
One of my most beloved series and MMC detectives is back with a new installment! 🥰 This time around, DS George Cross investigates the mysterious death of a tailor aboard a train, while also dealing with the promotion of his partner and his estranged mother caring for his father. Did I laugh? Yes! Did I cry? Also yes! Did I love? Absolutely!! 🙌 If you have not checked this series out yet, drop everything and pick it up! Each can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading them in order! 👏
Thank you partner Atlantic Crime for the gifted advanced reader copies in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
One of my most beloved series and MMC detectives is back with a new installment! 🥰 This time around, DS George Cross investigates the mysterious death of a tailor aboard a train, while also dealing with the promotion of his partner and his estranged mother caring for his father. Did I laugh? Yes! Did I cry? Also yes! Did I love? Absolutely!! 🙌 If you have not checked this series out yet, drop everything and pick it up! Each can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading them in order! 👏
Thank you partner Atlantic Crime for the gifted advanced reader copies in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
July 6, 2026
Synopsis
A routine train journey turns into a brutal murder investigation when a bespoke tailor is found dead aboard the 9:26 train from Bristol to London. At first, police suspect a robbery gone wrong, but the disturbing crime scene tells a different story. With a plastic bag over the victim’s head and his throat savagely cut, it quickly becomes clear that this was no random act of violence.
DS George Cross soon realizes he’s dealing with a carefully planned assassination, pulling him into a dangerous world of organized crime where every answer raises new questions. As Cross relentlessly pursues the truth, he begins to suspect that someone is watching his every move—and will stop at nothing to ensure the investigation never reaches its conclusion.
The eighth installment in the George Cross Mystery series delivers a fast-paced police procedural filled with twists, danger, and a determined detective who refuses to back down. Although part of a series it can be read in any order. It can be enjoyed as a standalone, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy intricate mysteries and methodical investigations.
Review
As the eighth book in the DS Cross series, the publisher claims the books can be read in any order. After reading this one, I disagree.
DS George Cross is on the autism spectrum, which explains many of his quirks, mannerisms, and difficulty interpreting social situations. This novel focuses heavily on those traits but spends the first 15% of the book presenting them without any context. Until the story finally hints that Cross is autistic, he simply comes across as rude, insensitive, and socially oblivious. Readers familiar with the series will already understand him, but newcomers may find him difficult to connect with.
The novel also references characters and events from previous books with little or no background. While this doesn’t make the mystery itself difficult to follow, it does make it harder to appreciate the relationships between the characters and how they have developed throughout the series. I think readers would get far more out of the book by reading the series in order.
The cast of characters is diverse and interesting, and the short, digestible chapters make for a fast and engaging read. The story is told from multiple points of view, primarily George’s, with the transitions feeling natural and well suited to each scene.
One aspect that detracted from my enjoyment was the author’s frequent use of obscure vocabulary. Words such as concatenate can usually be understood from the surrounding context, but they aren’t part of everyday language. When these words appear in Cross’s dialogue or internal thoughts, they fit his character. However, when they appear in the general narrative, they sometimes feel as though they’re included simply to showcase unusual or “big” words.
This is separate from the British colloquialisms, which I actually enjoyed. As a non-UK reader, I found them interesting, and they were generally easy to understand from context. More frustrating was the author’s tendency to use acronyms without ever explaining what they stand for, which occasionally interrupted the flow of the story.
Overall, the mystery is engaging, and the clues are presented fairly, allowing readers to follow along and piece things together. While I enjoyed the investigation itself, I believe this is one series that is best read in publication order rather than as standalone novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Grove Atlantic/ Atlantic Crime for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A routine train journey turns into a brutal murder investigation when a bespoke tailor is found dead aboard the 9:26 train from Bristol to London. At first, police suspect a robbery gone wrong, but the disturbing crime scene tells a different story. With a plastic bag over the victim’s head and his throat savagely cut, it quickly becomes clear that this was no random act of violence.
DS George Cross soon realizes he’s dealing with a carefully planned assassination, pulling him into a dangerous world of organized crime where every answer raises new questions. As Cross relentlessly pursues the truth, he begins to suspect that someone is watching his every move—and will stop at nothing to ensure the investigation never reaches its conclusion.
The eighth installment in the George Cross Mystery series delivers a fast-paced police procedural filled with twists, danger, and a determined detective who refuses to back down. Although part of a series it can be read in any order. It can be enjoyed as a standalone, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy intricate mysteries and methodical investigations.
Review
As the eighth book in the DS Cross series, the publisher claims the books can be read in any order. After reading this one, I disagree.
DS George Cross is on the autism spectrum, which explains many of his quirks, mannerisms, and difficulty interpreting social situations. This novel focuses heavily on those traits but spends the first 15% of the book presenting them without any context. Until the story finally hints that Cross is autistic, he simply comes across as rude, insensitive, and socially oblivious. Readers familiar with the series will already understand him, but newcomers may find him difficult to connect with.
The novel also references characters and events from previous books with little or no background. While this doesn’t make the mystery itself difficult to follow, it does make it harder to appreciate the relationships between the characters and how they have developed throughout the series. I think readers would get far more out of the book by reading the series in order.
The cast of characters is diverse and interesting, and the short, digestible chapters make for a fast and engaging read. The story is told from multiple points of view, primarily George’s, with the transitions feeling natural and well suited to each scene.
One aspect that detracted from my enjoyment was the author’s frequent use of obscure vocabulary. Words such as concatenate can usually be understood from the surrounding context, but they aren’t part of everyday language. When these words appear in Cross’s dialogue or internal thoughts, they fit his character. However, when they appear in the general narrative, they sometimes feel as though they’re included simply to showcase unusual or “big” words.
This is separate from the British colloquialisms, which I actually enjoyed. As a non-UK reader, I found them interesting, and they were generally easy to understand from context. More frustrating was the author’s tendency to use acronyms without ever explaining what they stand for, which occasionally interrupted the flow of the story.
Overall, the mystery is engaging, and the clues are presented fairly, allowing readers to follow along and piece things together. While I enjoyed the investigation itself, I believe this is one series that is best read in publication order rather than as standalone novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Grove Atlantic/ Atlantic Crime for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2026
There are many layers to the mystery in Tim Sullivan's latest delight, The Tailor. The convoluted mystery, the world of tailoring and bespoke suits, and a scene that genuinely had me worried for George, all combine with probably the finest cast of characters in fiction to make this one of my best reads of the year.
And if that isn't enough for you, there's plenty of humor, too, such as calling an overzealous helicopter mother "an Apache assault helicopter" or the contest between two characters to see who can get the most information to Cross the quickest.
While I was trying to figure out what was going on, I was also catching up on the lives of the characters. Newly-appointed Detective Constable Alice Mackenzie has to learn how to be Cross's partner as well as how to deal with her relationship with Cross's biggest groupie. Any character-driven reader will feel as if they're in paradise as they read these books.
I will restrain myself and stop waxing poetic about The Tailor (and the entire series). Yes, you could jump into the action with this latest book and not feel lost, but why deny yourself the pleasure of getting to know these characters (and solving some fine mysteries) from the very beginning (The Dentist)? Do it, please!
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley)
And if that isn't enough for you, there's plenty of humor, too, such as calling an overzealous helicopter mother "an Apache assault helicopter" or the contest between two characters to see who can get the most information to Cross the quickest.
While I was trying to figure out what was going on, I was also catching up on the lives of the characters. Newly-appointed Detective Constable Alice Mackenzie has to learn how to be Cross's partner as well as how to deal with her relationship with Cross's biggest groupie. Any character-driven reader will feel as if they're in paradise as they read these books.
I will restrain myself and stop waxing poetic about The Tailor (and the entire series). Yes, you could jump into the action with this latest book and not feel lost, but why deny yourself the pleasure of getting to know these characters (and solving some fine mysteries) from the very beginning (The Dentist)? Do it, please!
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley)
August 21, 2026
I absolutely love George Cross
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As we begin this eighth book in the DS George Cross series, there are changes in George’s life—and he’s a man who doesn’t at all like changes. Since his longtime work partner, Josie Ottey, has been promoted to DI, he’ll be getting a new partner. For some reason, the perpetually clueless DCI Ben Carson thinks it’s a good idea to surprise George with the news that the team’s former civilian employee, now a trainee DC, Alice Mackenzie, will be his new partner. Those who have read the previous books in the series and remember the challenging road George and Josie traveled will likely enjoy reading Alice’s methods to make herself turn into a true partner in George’s eyes.
On the home front, George is challenged by his mother moving in with his father after selling her previous home in Gloucester. Though both thought it was a good idea, the execution is not so easy, and George is dragged into it, much against his will.
It’s almost a relief when a new case arrives for the team. A bespoke tailor is gruesomely murdered on a train, as he is heading to Heathrow for a trip to deliver suits to two clients in Dubai and on to the firm’s satellite workshop in Xiamen, China. Who would murder a tailor—and why did his luggage disappear from the train?
This is a challenging case, with some interesting and entertaining red herrings, and an ending that manages some surprises even if you have figured out the basics of the whodunnit earlier on. There were a couple of elements of the investigation that seemed to be lost along the way, but on the whole I think this is a strong entry in the series. Aside from the investigation, I particularly enjoyed how George becomes completely absorbed in the details of tailoring, to the extent it becomes its own thread in the story.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
On the home front, George is challenged by his mother moving in with his father after selling her previous home in Gloucester. Though both thought it was a good idea, the execution is not so easy, and George is dragged into it, much against his will.
It’s almost a relief when a new case arrives for the team. A bespoke tailor is gruesomely murdered on a train, as he is heading to Heathrow for a trip to deliver suits to two clients in Dubai and on to the firm’s satellite workshop in Xiamen, China. Who would murder a tailor—and why did his luggage disappear from the train?
This is a challenging case, with some interesting and entertaining red herrings, and an ending that manages some surprises even if you have figured out the basics of the whodunnit earlier on. There were a couple of elements of the investigation that seemed to be lost along the way, but on the whole I think this is a strong entry in the series. Aside from the investigation, I particularly enjoyed how George becomes completely absorbed in the details of tailoring, to the extent it becomes its own thread in the story.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
September 26, 2026
George breaking in a new partner was entertaining.
George getting fitted for a tailor made suit was very entertaining.
George dealing with his kidnappers was very very entertaining.
Another entertaining episode of George Cross Mystery
George getting fitted for a tailor made suit was very entertaining.
George dealing with his kidnappers was very very entertaining.
Another entertaining episode of George Cross Mystery
September 5, 2026
Another brilliant read, lovely to catch up with George & his crew , can’t wait for the next book The Baker. Will have to wait til April !
September 27, 2026
George has certainly evolved from the George of the first books
August 20, 2026
Another amazing book. So entertaining. Half read half listened and am looking forward to the next one.
Good plot and character development…
Good plot and character development…
July 21, 2026
I never cease to enjoy these, and this has been an absolute treat!
Five stars. Would I read it again? Definitely!
Five stars. Would I read it again? Definitely!
July 22, 2026
A tailor is murdered on a train, but the trail it leaves behind is anything but ordinary.
We follow George, a detective with a reputation for solving the most unusual cases, alongside a supporting character who honestly had main-character energy. She was more than capable at her job, if not for the unyielding, pompous lead constantly getting in her way.
The story starts at a brisk pace, surrounding us with bespoke suits, tailoring techniques, and plenty of charm. Somewhere in the middle, though, I found myself losing a bit of interest as the focus shifted towards people, their motives, and endless conversations. Thankfully, the climax pulled me right back in with a rather unexpected and amusing finish.
George is an eccentric detective whose constant observations and deductions make him an oddly fitting person for the job. I also enjoyed the involvement of international agencies and the role they played in the investigation, which gave the mystery a broader scope and a slightly grittier edge.
Overall, this was an enjoyable detective mystery with a memorable lead, even if the pacing dipped a little in the middle.
We follow George, a detective with a reputation for solving the most unusual cases, alongside a supporting character who honestly had main-character energy. She was more than capable at her job, if not for the unyielding, pompous lead constantly getting in her way.
The story starts at a brisk pace, surrounding us with bespoke suits, tailoring techniques, and plenty of charm. Somewhere in the middle, though, I found myself losing a bit of interest as the focus shifted towards people, their motives, and endless conversations. Thankfully, the climax pulled me right back in with a rather unexpected and amusing finish.
George is an eccentric detective whose constant observations and deductions make him an oddly fitting person for the job. I also enjoyed the involvement of international agencies and the role they played in the investigation, which gave the mystery a broader scope and a slightly grittier edge.
Overall, this was an enjoyable detective mystery with a memorable lead, even if the pacing dipped a little in the middle.
September 4, 2026
Warning: This book just might make one seriously consider the purchase of a bespoke suit. DS George Cross remains an engaging and fascinating character. This happy reader is already looking forward to the next installment of this series. Cheers!
August 16, 2026
I'd been looking forward to this one. I like George Cross's character and find him an interesting read. This latest installment seemed good and began strong. The murder was intriguing and I couldn't see where it was heading. But, for me, the storyline slowed as the book moved on. Whilst I understood the story, I found myself losing interest a little and it all seemed a bit far-fetched. I liked MacKenzie's character though and enjoyed how she handled working with Cross. Overall it was worth reading but it wasn't my favourite book of the series.
September 29, 2026
The Tailor by Tim Sullivan
DS Cross Mysteries #8
~ George Cross is a literal, linear, focused man that uses his exceptional skills and persistence to follow evidence and solve murder cases ~ the more I get to know him the more invested in him I become ~ Great addition to the series ~
What I liked:
* DS George Cross: brilliant, diligent, tenacious, literal, doesn’t always grasp undercurrents jokes or sarcasm, intriguing, focused, excellent detective, has Autism Spectrum Condition, plays the organ, enjoys researching random information that can be helpful on the job, bicyclist, a bit of a loner
* Supporting Characters I’ve grown to know and enjoy watch growing: DI Josie Ottey, Alice Mackenzie, Michael Swift, Father Stephen, Raymond-George’s father, Christine-George’s mother, and others – they provide a richer backstory that has grown over the series
* The police procedural aspects of the story with the twists and turns that were followed
* Learning about bespoke suits, tailoring, the cost benefits to bespoke suites, and wishing I had the money and the reason to order such a suit
* The tidbits that finally lead to a bigger picture that explained why the murder(s) were committed
* Being glad I was NOT involved in the intrigue that some were and thinking about how difficult the life of sleepers, spies, and such must be
* The way George processes information and formulates plans…even when he believes he might be in peril – that part made me smile
* The way all of the threads are tied together to reveal who murdered the bookseller and the many people that could have but didn’t do it
* All of it except…
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about people willing to spy, use others, steal, and kill for country, ideals, or sometimes pleasure
* Thinking about the tailor’s children and wondering how they would ever be able to grow up “normal”
* Realizing again that not everything is black and white even though George might think so at times
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Grove – Atlantic Crime for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
DS Cross Mysteries #8
~ George Cross is a literal, linear, focused man that uses his exceptional skills and persistence to follow evidence and solve murder cases ~ the more I get to know him the more invested in him I become ~ Great addition to the series ~
What I liked:
* DS George Cross: brilliant, diligent, tenacious, literal, doesn’t always grasp undercurrents jokes or sarcasm, intriguing, focused, excellent detective, has Autism Spectrum Condition, plays the organ, enjoys researching random information that can be helpful on the job, bicyclist, a bit of a loner
* Supporting Characters I’ve grown to know and enjoy watch growing: DI Josie Ottey, Alice Mackenzie, Michael Swift, Father Stephen, Raymond-George’s father, Christine-George’s mother, and others – they provide a richer backstory that has grown over the series
* The police procedural aspects of the story with the twists and turns that were followed
* Learning about bespoke suits, tailoring, the cost benefits to bespoke suites, and wishing I had the money and the reason to order such a suit
* The tidbits that finally lead to a bigger picture that explained why the murder(s) were committed
* Being glad I was NOT involved in the intrigue that some were and thinking about how difficult the life of sleepers, spies, and such must be
* The way George processes information and formulates plans…even when he believes he might be in peril – that part made me smile
* The way all of the threads are tied together to reveal who murdered the bookseller and the many people that could have but didn’t do it
* All of it except…
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about people willing to spy, use others, steal, and kill for country, ideals, or sometimes pleasure
* Thinking about the tailor’s children and wondering how they would ever be able to grow up “normal”
* Realizing again that not everything is black and white even though George might think so at times
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Grove – Atlantic Crime for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
August 31, 2026
A young bespoke tailor is brutally murdered on a train while embarking on an international business trip necessitating George Cross to investigate. While the suspect list is fairly short, author Tim Sullivan still maintains a consistently paced thriller that will keep readers guessing until the end. Sullivan also balances a subplot involving George's eccentric parents, as well as George's unique persona with sensitivity, gentle humor, and respect. The author's realistic inclusion of timely social issues makes the book's themes relatable and relevant in today's geopolitical climate.
I still have earlier books in the series to read, but couldn't resist delving into this latest one. Looking forward to looking back.
I still have earlier books in the series to read, but couldn't resist delving into this latest one. Looking forward to looking back.
August 23, 2026
I was delighted when I realised that a new George Cross story had been published. As I always do, I listened to it on Audible because the narration is really good, giving me more than if I read it. Some of the reviews complain the story was too far fetched - on the contrary, it was very believable I thought. It would be a spoiler to say more on that. George’s neurodivergence is really the core of these stories and maybe some would find that irritating. But it is what distinguishes it from run of the mill police procedurals.
There is also a subsidiary plot concerning George’s parents. While it can be taken at face value, and this could be a stand alone story, my enjoyment was certainly enhanced by having read the whole series and thus knowing the detailed back story.
I’m only sorry that I assume it will be a long wait for the next instalment!
There is also a subsidiary plot concerning George’s parents. While it can be taken at face value, and this could be a stand alone story, my enjoyment was certainly enhanced by having read the whole series and thus knowing the detailed back story.
I’m only sorry that I assume it will be a long wait for the next instalment!
August 6, 2026
A bespoke tailor is killed on his way to Heathrow (going to Dubai and China). George Cross is as he always is- to the great annoyance of many of his colleagues, but as always gets deep into the case, which is full of unusual occurrences: The many unexpected guests at the tailor's funeral, the South Korean tourists, the Chinese wife's former colleagues apparent suicide and Cross getting abducted. Meanwhile his parents are moving in and out of their flats - creating another, perhaps more severe disturbance in Cross' life. Bigger forces than usual are at play this time 'round.
September 11, 2026
I really like this series, easy reading but great character development. Intelligent and witty
September 11, 2026
A very reliable mystery series with the undiagnosed autistic DS George Cross.
September 20, 2026
Anther very enjoyable outing for George Crosd. I really like the Bristol setting of these books.
August 16, 2026
This is the series' weakest novel
The author and the new corporate publisher might be rushing releases to cash in on earlier success. As a result Tailor lacks previous quality and complexity. The perpetrators are obvious upon first meeting them. There are no believable red herrings or reversals.
Further, is it coincidental that this story contains similar details to other British detective series? In the recent DC Smith book by Peter Grainger, there is a agent from the UK intelligence service called Alexandra McAllister. She explains what's really happened in the same way that Toby Fletcher of the intelligence service explains his involvement in the case.
In the Cormoran Strike novel"Running Grave" the detective is invited to lunch at the Refurb Club on Pall Mall. In The Tailor, agent Toby Fletcher invites Cross to the Athenaeum Club which is 3 doors down from the Reform Club.
I love the series, but fear this may be its watershed moment into fast written boiler plate novels. .
The author and the new corporate publisher might be rushing releases to cash in on earlier success. As a result Tailor lacks previous quality and complexity. The perpetrators are obvious upon first meeting them. There are no believable red herrings or reversals.
Further, is it coincidental that this story contains similar details to other British detective series? In the recent DC Smith book by Peter Grainger, there is a agent from the UK intelligence service called Alexandra McAllister. She explains what's really happened in the same way that Toby Fletcher of the intelligence service explains his involvement in the case.
In the Cormoran Strike novel"Running Grave" the detective is invited to lunch at the Refurb Club on Pall Mall. In The Tailor, agent Toby Fletcher invites Cross to the Athenaeum Club which is 3 doors down from the Reform Club.
I love the series, but fear this may be its watershed moment into fast written boiler plate novels. .
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