[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "just%20started%20anew%20book%20called%20the%20Dentist%20by%20tim%20sullivan%20or%20tim%20osullivan%20but%20what%20is%20wrong%20iwht%20the%20Detective%20cross"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "In *The Dentist* by Tim Sullivan, something's \u201cwrong\u201d with Detective Sergeant (DS) George Cross\u2014whether in a frustrating, sympathetic, or intriguing way depends on your perspective. Here\u2019s what people are saying, based on reviews and summaries:\n\n---\n\n## Who is George Cross?\n\n- George Cross is a detective in the Avon & Somerset Police in Bristol, England. ([criminalelement.com](https://www.criminalelement.com/book-review-the-dentist-by-tim-sullivan/?utm_source=openai))  \n- He\u2019s on the autism spectrum (often described with traits like obsessive attention to detail, strict routines, difficulty with social niceties). ([groveatlantic.com](https://groveatlantic.com/book/the-dentist/?utm_source=openai))  \n- He has an outstanding conviction rate (~97%), but also struggles with fitting in with colleagues and coping with \u201cnormal\u201d interpersonal situations. ([groveatlantic.com](https://groveatlantic.com/book/the-dentist/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## What\u2019s \u201cwrong\u201d with him, or what makes him different\n\nBy \u201cwrong,\u201d you likely mean \u201cwhy is Cross so weird, or why does he struggle.\u201d There are several traits and challenges that set him apart:\n\n1. **Difficulty with Emotions and Empathy**  \n   - Cross has trouble understanding and processing emotions. He often says he feels nothing, or isn\u2019t motivated by \u201chow others feel\u201d\u2014his focus is on rules, logic, and what should be true. ([lesasbookcritiques.com](https://lesasbookcritiques.com/the-dentist-by-tim-sullivan/?utm_source=openai))  \n   - His interactions can come off as cold, blunt, or socially awkward because of this. ([eclecticreview.com](https://eclecticreview.com/2020/09/22/the-dentist-by-tim-sullivan/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n2. **Rigidity, Rules, and Routine**  \n   - He relies heavily on structure. Messiness, unpredictability, or ambiguity make him uncomfortable. Everything needs to \u201cbe in its place.\u201d These traits help him spot small details others miss but create friction with people around him. ([eclecticreview.com](https://eclecticreview.com/2020/09/22/the-dentist-by-tim-sullivan/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n3. **Fixation / Obsession**  \n   - When Cross latches onto something\u2014often a case\u2014he becomes deeply focused, sometimes to the point of ignoring hierarchy or protocol. ([publishersweekly.com](https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8021-6709-5?utm_source=openai))  \n   - He reopens a 15-year cold case in *The Dentist*, despite skepticism (or outright opposition) from his bosses. ([criminalelement.com](https://www.criminalelement.com/book-review-the-dentist-by-tim-sullivan/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n4. **Social Misunderstandings**  \n   - Cross often takes language literally, misses implied meanings, has trouble interpreting social cues. ([ybrikman.com](https://www.ybrikman.com/blog/2025/11/01/the-dentist/?utm_source=openai))  \n   - While many respect his skills, many are also annoyed, frustrated, or even insulted by how he acts without thinking about how others take it. ([eclecticreview.com](https://eclecticreview.com/2020/09/22/the-dentist-by-tim-sullivan/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Why those traits matter in the story\n\n- Cross\u2019s neurodivergence isn\u2019t just a quirk\u2014it changes how the entire investigation unfolds. His attention to detail, his unwillingness to take \u201cjust trust the initial findings,\u201d and his refusal to let things go allow him to see things others dismiss. ([publishersweekly.com](https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8021-6709-5?utm_source=openai))  \n- At the same time, his social difficulties create obstacles. He must contend with irritated superiors, confused colleagues, and the emotional weight of cases (especially one involving someone who used to be successful but fell far). ([criminalelement.com](https://www.criminalelement.com/book-review-the-dentist-by-tim-sullivan/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can break down exactly *which chapter* or *scene* highlights one of these \u201cwrong\u201d traits in a way that stands out (funniest, most frustrating, etc.). Do you want me to point out a couple?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "ok%20I%20understand%20that%20is%20that%20the%20first%20or%20only%20book%20in%20that%20series"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "You\u2019re not alone in wondering\u2014**The Dentist** is *Book 1* of a series featuring DS George Cross. It isn\u2019t the only book. ([groveatlantic.com](https://groveatlantic.com/book/the-dentist/?utm_source=openai))\n\nHere\u2019s a clearer look at the series:\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udcda How many books are there?\n\n- As of **January 2026**, there are **8 main novels** in the DS Cross Mysteries series. ([books.google.com](https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Dentist.html?id=FKek0QEACAAJ&utm_source=openai))  \n- There are also **at least 4 short stories / extra novellas** that fall between the main books. These fill in some extra character and relationship details. ([fictiondb.com](https://www.fictiondb.com/series/ds-cross-tim-sullivan~87694.htm?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83e\udded The reading/book release order (so far)\n\nHere\u2019s a quick rundown of the main books and extras, in order\u2014this helps if you want to follow how things build:\n\n| Number | Title | Approx. Publication / Notes |\n|:--:|:--|:--|\n| 1 | *The Dentist* \u2014 first book. Sets up George Cross, his traits, and the people around him. ([fantasticfiction.com](https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/tim-sullivan-2/dentist.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| 2 | *The Cyclist* ([fictiondb.com](https://www.fictiondb.com/series/ds-cross-tim-sullivan~87694.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| 3 | *The Patient* ([fictiondb.com](https://www.fictiondb.com/series/ds-cross-tim-sullivan~87694.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| (3.5) | *The Lost Boys* (extra/short story between books 3 & 4) ([fictiondb.com](https://www.fictiondb.com/series/ds-cross-tim-sullivan~87694.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| 4 | *The Politician* ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Sullivan_%28British_filmmaker%29?utm_source=openai)) |\n| 5 | *The Monk* ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Sullivan_%28British_filmmaker%29?utm_source=openai)) |\n| (5.5) | *The Ex-Wife* (short story between 5 & 6) ([fictiondb.com](https://www.fictiondb.com/series/ds-cross-tim-sullivan~87694.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| 6 | *The Teacher* ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Sullivan_%28British_filmmaker%29?utm_source=openai)) |\n| (6.5) | *The Hunter* (short story between 6 & 7) ([fictiondb.com](https://www.fictiondb.com/series/ds-cross-tim-sullivan~87694.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| 7 | *The Bookseller* ([books.google.com](https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Dentist.html?id=X5hozgEACAAJ&utm_source=openai)) |\n| (7.5) | *The Basket Case* (short story between 7 & 8) ([fictiondb.com](https://www.fictiondb.com/series/ds-cross-tim-sullivan~87694.htm?utm_source=openai)) |\n| 8 | *The Tailor* \u2014 released January 2026. ([books.google.com](https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Dentist.html?id=FKek0QEACAAJ&utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can tell you what to read *next*, or which books are best to pair with *The Dentist* (novels vs short stories) so you don\u2019t miss important character moments. Do you want to see that \u201creading path\u201d?"
    }
]