The Politician - Tim Sullivan

Not unexpectedly, since it is a DS Cross thriller, the opening of The Politician is rather low-key. If, that is, you consider the crime scene investigation into a woman battered to death in her bedroom low-key. Not to mention that the woman in question was a prominent member of the community who was still involved in daily local political affairs. Such however is the nature of DS Cross that he is not about to jump to any conclusions or at least not voice them, so the approach is slow and methodical, with no shocking revelations. Which is not to say The Politician is boring or cozy crime, although there is certainly something quietly comforting and even reassuring about the way the case progresses.

Perhaps not so reassuring though for the family of the deceased or for Cross's colleagues in Somerset and Avon Police Force, but there is at least one senior member of the team prepared to let the often unsettling detective sergeant work to his own unconventional manner and methods. And for good reason; as we have seen in the previous DS Cross novels, being on the spectrum or autistic means he may take his time, being cautious and meticulous in his investigation - but George Cross gets results. Which is what they need over the murder of Peggy Frampton, a retired councillor and former mayor who was still closely involved in some controversial local issues.

I've made the observation before, but there is something of DS Cross that seeps into the nature of the books themselves, giving them a unique character. There's a certain blunt directness and innocence to Cross that is somewhat endearing, and it's undoubtedly what makes these books readable and likeable, if books can be likeable (of course they can!). That shows in the direct, straightforward titles of the books, but there is also a familiar pattern to how a body is discovered at the outset, and in how family affairs are involved, both in the case and in the lives of the police officers. It sounds formulaic, and to an extent it is, but there is no repetition, Tim Sullivan very subtly building on what has come before, extending the investigative and emotional range. Much like George, the repetition helps establish familiarity, but also allows gradual but significant progress.

Some characters are developed further in The Politician, others - like Carson - take more of a backseat lest they become caricatures,. Carson remains a great foil however, representative of a certain police mindset that is at odds with not just George, but with the reader's sense of what should be expected in terms of delicacy, decency and fairness in the investigative process. New characters are introduced, all of them sufficiently drawn to be intriguing and add a new further dimension to the series and to the nature of the crime being investigated. The main billing of course goes to Cross and the crime investigation, and he remains an enigmatic figure. It's not surprising that as many colleagues hold him in awe as in contempt, few able to comprehend his processes, some not wishing to understand him.

I'll say little else about the crime investigation, other than it has plenty of avenues to explore and areas of interest. What is interesting here - as introduced gradually over each of the previous books - is that Cross himself can be similarly unwilling to understand family matters that risk upsetting him. Family complications and the complexity of bonds are a major theme here (as in previous books), for the murder case as much as in Cross's own personal life. They blend together beautifully and meaningfully, never there to just add colour and conflict. Sullivan's tight focus, adopting Cross's behaviour and manner - intolerant of small talk or meaningless digression - ensures this never becomes distracting or divergent from the crime element.

Most importantly, to ensure this doesn't become cozy crime, is the element of growth. The case, the series, Cross himself - none of them stay the same, but rather there is continuous development, and Sullivan doesn't need to rely on increasing levels of murder, death and violence to do it. Despite the outward coldness of manner, Cross somehow reveals a human warmth and sincerity that genuinely takes you by surprise. And that makes this series fairly unique.

Reading notes: The Patient by Tim Sullivan is published by Head of Zeus. It's the fourth book in the DS Cross series, but like all the others, can be read standalone. I read it as a Kindle eBook. I love this series, and it continually impresses.