A detective with Asperger's works!

To come up with a new detective series, one that's different in this crowded police procedurals genre is no mean feat, but Tim Sullivan has succeeded with a detective with Asperger's (and, a Bristol setting).
Have no personal experience of the autism but having watched, enjoyed the first two seasons of TV's Walter Present's foreign language series Astrid in Paris, where a young woman with the syndrome is superbly portrayed, helped me visualise brusque DS Cross. He's an interesting character, with his OCD tendencies, need for order, routine and his unique method of working gets results. Relationships being difficult for those with Asperger's, his work partner, DS Ottey, who as a black single mother, has faced her own fair share of discrimination in the police force, has learnt to d/w his quirks. She acts partly as a buffer, guiding hand between him and colleagues, suspects & victims alike.
This first book in the series, have now invested in the next two, starts with the murder of a homeless man, a former dentist, that to all but Cross looks straightforward. It's far from that, what follows is absorbing investigation, a Cold Case, that's linked to another event in the past.

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3 people found this helpful

A different take on mysteries

These stories of DS Cross give a completely different view of people involved in murder and police detection. And how any of us could fall into murdering. Basically it shows a goodness in humanity in all characters. Caring for one another regardless of mistakes and faults. Interesting take on the shady world of murder and policing and of disabilities. Interesting.

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loved it!

A very engaging listen, funny in sections too. I'm excited to continue the series for sure.

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Very complex

Great complex read, (listen) will definitely listen to more in the series, always unsure what direction Cross’s thinking will take him next

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Character of DS Cross is exquisitely drawn

A pedant and a pain in the arse who gets results. This is great storytelling and was refreshing

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A detective who is different

I really enjoyed this book, DS Cross is definitely different and sometimes cringeworthy but he gets results by logic and meticulous attention to detail. His colleagues admire his results but don’t always understand him. The story took several twists and turns which kept me listening when I should have been doing other things! The narrator was great and easy to listen to. Great book

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cross

I liked the story line and.characters brought to life easy listening even through the night

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Great characters….

Interesting characters, if a little cliched. Will try book 2 on that basis as this was very predictable and worked out what was happening long before conclusion, which was disappointing.

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1 person found this helpful

Beautifully written and performed.

I often struggle with narrative style but the writing and performance here had me hooked from the first page.
It's so much more than a detective story.
This book really made me think about other things because the way the author weaves a story within a story. He really breathes life into his characters.

I think as a consequence of listening to this book I will have a little more empathy and understanding of Aspergers and growing old.


It starts as a real who done it, but will you point your finger at the real culprit?

Highly recommended.

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Interesting and compelling

My late brother was a high end Aspergers, also high functioning so I can empathise with DS Cross even if it pains me. I too have less obvious traits and spend a lot of my days masking.

I found it very interesting to read that my brother was not the only one with compulsions and obessions. It seems that DC Cross is perfectly placed to be a detective who is not destined for more senior management. Perfect.

Great story which was brought to a slow conclusion (apart from the final twist). However, the extra added chapter brought nothing to the story apart from a bit of unnecesary repitition which turned out to be a tad disappointing. The narration worked extremely well too. Now I look forward to listening to the rest of the series.

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