The Cyclist

Don't miss THE BOOKSELLER, the brand new DS Cross Thriller - available now.
To solve any murder, you must first know your victim . . .
THE DETECTIVE
DS George Cross has unique and unmatchable talents. He uses a combination of logic, determination and, often, pedantry to get answers where others have failed for families who have long given up hope.
So when a ravaged body is found in a local demolition site, it's up to Cross to piece together the truth from whatever fragments he can find.
THE VICTIM
Cross has little to go on, but from the faint tan lines on the ravaged body, and strange scars on his forearms, an identity gradually emerges: a male amateur cyclist; a reliance on performance-enhancing drugs. But what happened that led to this man's death? How did he end up here? And, most importantly, who is he?
THE FAMILY
In the face of ever-mounting challenges, including budget cuts and unreliable witnesses, Cross must first work out who the man is to have any chance of solving the murder. But in searching for this man's identity, Cross will come up against a lot that he is unfamiliar with - jealousy, ambition and a family tearing itself apart . . .
Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Ann Cleeves and Joy Ellis, The Cyclist is part of the DS George Cross thriller series, which can be read in any order, by the 2025 Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award longlistee.
ALSO IN THE DS CROSS THRILLER 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
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
'The fact that Cross has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder makes him just as intriguing as the murder mystery' The Times
'A British detective for the 21st century who will be hard to forget' Daily Mail
'The plot is meticulously worked out... Can't wait for the next in the series!' Reader review
'I find myself really caring about George and his way of thinking' Reader review
'It's good to believe that somewhere there is a Cross pursuing truth against the odds, and winning' Reader review

Tim Sullivan is a crime writer, screenwriter and director who has worked on major feature films such as the fourth Shrek, Flushed Away, Letters to Juliet, A Handful of Dust, Jack and Sarah, and the TV series Cold Feet. His crime series featuring DS George Cross has topped the book charts and been widely acclaimed. Tim lives in North London with his wife Rachel, the Emmy Award-winning producer of The Barefoot Contessa and Pioneer Woman. To find out more about the author, please visit TimSullivan.co.uk.