The Politician
The intricate mystery that only this unforgettable detective can solve in 2025
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:2nd Mar '23
Should be back in stock very soon

Bristol detective DS George Cross investigates a murdered politician in the new police procedural from Tim Sullivan.
Don't miss THE BOOKSELLER, the latest George Cross Mystery - available now.
A burglary gone wrong – or a staged murder?
  George Cross loves puzzles, and the crime scene at the home of Bristol’s former mayor is full of them. To most, it looks like a burglary gone wrong, but George can see this was murder.
There’s no shortage of potential killers: the online trolls the victim fought in her new life as a controversial blogger, her bitter political rivals, even her own family.
  With suspects everywhere and pressure mounting, George finds his usually impeccable logic challenged just when he needs it most.
  Because politics can be a dangerous game – especially for people who don't know the rules…
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Ann Cleeves and Joy Ellis, The Politician is part of the million-copy-bestselling George Cross Mystery series, which can be read in any order, by the 2025 Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award longlistee.
ALSO IN THIS MILLION-COPY-BESTSELLING SERIES
#1 THE DENTIST
#2 THE CYCLIST
#3 THE PATIENT
#4 THE POLITICIAN
#5 THE MONK
#6 THE TEACHER
#7 THE BOOKSELLER
#8 THE TAILOR (COMING 2026)
CROSS CHRONICLE SHORT STORIES
THE LOST BOYS
THE EX-WIFE
THE HUNTER
THE BASKET CASE (COMING DECEMBER 2025)
Why readers love George Cross . . .
'A clever mystery full of tension but also humour and compassion. George Cross is becoming one of my favourite detectives.’ Elly Griffiths
'In DS George Cross, Tim Sullivan has created a character who is as endearing as any I’ve ever come across in this genre. His quirks are his gift, and with Sullivan’s tremendous plotting and superb writing, this series is a gift to readers.' Liz Nugent
'Compelling, full of twists and turns, I couldn’t put this down. Sullivan has created a truly original and endearing detective in George Cross.' Simon McCleave
'Really satisfying... With compelling characters and an ending I didn't guess.' Faith Martin
'True characters, a fresh setting, and a good mystery – this one's got the lot.'The Morning Star
'We've had sleuths on the autistic spectrum before but Sullivan's copper is among the most distinctive characterisations.' Financial Times
'DS George Cross...
True characters, a fresh setting, and a good mystery – this one's got the lot * Morning Star *
'We've had sleuths on the autistic spectrum before but Sullivan's copper is among the most distinctive characterisations' * Financial Times *
'DS George Cross is as arresting as the cases he solves.’ * Richard E Grant *
I enjoyed the portrayal of the ‘on the spectrum’ Cross, as well as Tim Sullivan’s writing and observational skills and the way he assembled the crime clues to deliver the story's denouement... [A] gem of a book * Crime Review *
Cross and Ottey – a genius pairing * Annabelle & Grace *
'A crime novel of the highest quality, packed with twists, protagonists who leap off the page with a narrative which kept me engaged throughout . . . This is a series which I cannot recommend highly enough' * AMWBooks Blog *
'Compelling, full of twists and turns, I couldn’t put this down. Sullivan has created a truly original and endearing detective in George Cross.' * Simon McCleave *
'A really satisfying, well-told, solid investigation with compelling characters and an ending that I didn't guess. I will be looking out for more books by Tim Sullivan.' * Faith Martin *
'I am insanely in love with George Cross, a perfect detective for our time and for all time. His complexity, orneriness and dogged persistence makes for such a complete and admirable hero . . . The Patient is a cracking mystery, full of twists and surprises to the end' -- Stephen Fry
'Sullivan has given us a British detective for the 21st century who will be hard to forget' * Daily Mail *
'Superb, clever and taut' * Belfast Telegraph *
'The fact that Cross has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder makes him just as intriguing as the murder mystery' * The Times *
ISBN: 9781801107792
Dimensions: 194mm x 128mm x 22mm
Weight: 294g
416 pages