Highly anticipated new DS Cross thriller – The Patient by Tim Sullivan

Posted on by

Who doesn’t love a good crime book? The Patient has a fantastic protagonist in DS Cross. DS Cross is on the autism spectrum and it makes him even better at his job. I got so wrapped up in The Patient. There is so much to uncover in this fantastic novel, which is written in such an open and perfectly paced way. Tim Sullivan writes his character’s idiosyncrasies with skill and kindness. There is no wonder this is a self-publishing phenomenon. Fantastic story with a brilliant DS. Loved it.

tim sullivan the patient

OVER 200,000 EBOOKS DOWNLOADED

No fingerprints. No weapon. No witnesses.

Can DS Cross prove it was murder?

 

THE PATIENT

By Tim Sullivan 

Head of Zeus | Hardback | £18.99 | 3 March 2022

Tim Sullivan is a self-publishing phenomenon whose bestselling titles The Dentist and The Cyclist were downloaded over 200,000 times before moving to Head of Zeus. The latest release in the DS Cross series, The Patient is the highly anticipated next instalment featuring the eccentric and socially awkward, but brilliantly persistent DS George Cross. Set in Bristol, Cross’ methods can infuriate his colleagues and superiors, but his attention to detail and dogged persistence achieves a conviction rate no-one can argue with.

 

An outsider himself, having been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, DS Cross is especially drawn to cases concerning the voiceless and the dispossessed. In ThePatient his attention is drawn to a woman who has been sitting in the reception of the Major Crime Unit, patiently, for three days. Her daughter is dead. With no fingerprints, no weapon and no witnesses, the Bristol Crime Unit are ready to close the case. The victim has a long history of drug abuse and the coroner has given a verdict of suicide. But her mother is convinced it was murder.

 

DS Cross risks his career and the reputation of the force to uncover the truth. In defiance of his superiors, he re-opens the case and is soon mired in a labyrinth of potential suspects – an addict ex-boyfriend who is the father of Flick’s daughter, a predatory ex-employer, and the therapist she came to rely upon, but can he solve the case before his superiors shut it down for good?

 

Tim Sullivan, critically acclaimed TV and film screenwriter whose credits include Jack and Sarah, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Letters to Juliet and Cold Feet, masterfully writes his characters’ idiosyncrasies and keeps readers guessing with this addictive new crime thriller.

Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Colin Dexter and Andrea Camilleri, The Patient is the third instalment in the DS Cross series.

 

Glorious Books To Add To Your TBR

Posted on by

I have read a huge number of amazing books recently and I need to share them. Add these to your To Be Read list now.

The Island by Adrian McKinty

A dark and delicious read. High-concept, edge-of-your-seat stuff. This thriller is unputdownable. Out May 26th. From the author of The Chain.

A pulse-pounding, high-concept new thriller from the author of the “propulsive and original” instant Sunday Times bestseller The Chain (Stephen King).

You should not have come to the island

You should not have been speeding

You should not have tried to hide the body

You should not have told your children that you could keep them safe

No one can run forever…

The Siege by John Sutherland.

The is the fiction debut from ex-chief Superintendent John Sutherland, author of the Sunday Times Bestselling Blue. You can tell that he knows his stuff. This is masterful and gripping. John Sutherland is a hot new talent. One to watch. Our June 23rd.

Nine hostages. Ten hours. One chance to save them all.

Lee James Connor has found his purpose in life: to follow the teachings of far-right extremist leader, Nicholas Farmer. So when his idol is jailed, he comes up with the perfect plan: take a local immigrant support group hostage until Farmer is released.

Grace Wheatley is no stranger to loneliness having weathered the passing of her husband, whilst being left to raise her son alone. The local support group is her only source of comfort. Until the day Lee James Connor walks in and threatens the existence of everything she’s ever known.

Superintendent Alex Lewis may be one of the most experienced hostage negotiators on the force, but there’s no such thing as a perfect record. Still haunted by his last case, can he connect with Connor – and save his nine hostages – before it’s too late?

One Night With You by Laura Jane Williams. 

I loved this novel so much. Brilliant characters, a fun premise, and a whole lot of love. Set partly in the north, this book has such depth, along with characters who are so flawed and human. Gorgeous.  Out May 26th.

It’s his first night in London. And her last…

Ruby’s leaving London. She’s not running away from her ex per se, but an exciting opportunity in a new city has landed at the perfect time.

Nic is moving to London. After a bad break-up, he’s excited to see where big-city life could take him.

When a chance meeting throws the pair of them together for just one night, it’s clear that this could be the start of something special. But there’s one problem: she’s leaving, and he’s just arriving. So, after tonight, they’ll never see each other again . . . will they?

Hot Water by Christopher Fowler. 

Clever and witty, this is set in the French Rivera. A first-class thriller that you won’t want to put down. Our March 1st.

She sees everything, but can never tell anyone… a wickedly compulsive thriller from the bestselling author of the Bryant & May series.

At a beautiful villa near Nice in the south of France, Hannah Carreras works as a maid. Under strict instructions never to speak to the guests, she blends into the background – but she sees everything. Including the mistress Summer, lounging by the pool awaiting the arrival of her married lover, Steve.

When Steve finally shows at the villa – with his family unexpectedly in tow – Summer has vanished. Steve claims he never saw her. But Steve’s wife is no fool: she knows there’s something going on. Whose tiny bikini lies by the pool? Whose perfume is in the bathroom?

Before long, the local police start asking questions, and the villa’s occupants have something to hide. Only Hannah, always listening, watching, saw broken glass and blood on the patio the day Summer disappeared. Only Hannah thinks she knows what lies are being told…

One Last Letter From Greece by Emma Cowell

The gorgeous Greece setting, the beautiful journey the character takes. A beautiful tale of hope and love. I was gripped from the first page. Out June 9th.

The breathtaking, escapist debut novel from Emma Cowell, perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan.

Devastated by her mother’s death, Sophie longs to get away from an empty house full of memories and a life that hasn’t quite turned out as she had imagined.

So when a chance discovery among her mother’s belongings hints at a past Sophie knows nothing of, she jumps at the opportunity for escape and a chance to heal. The magical, idyllic Greek town of Methoni awaits…

But Sophie – determined to uncover her mother’s secrets – is about to discover so much more. Among the tranquil waters and cosy tavernas, Methoni’s locals offer Sophie the answers she craves, along with unexpected romance and, if she’ll take it, a chance at her own happiness…

Will walking in her mother’s footsteps help Sophie discover who she was meant to be all along…?

The Dark by Sharon Bolton

The Dark takes after its name. A deeply dark thriller that will leave your heart pounding and your hand turning the page as quickly as possible. Out May 26th.

ONCE, SHE SAVED HIS LIFE…
NOW, HE’LL TAKE HERS.

When a baby is snatched from its pram and cast into the river Thames, off-duty police officer Lacey Flint is there to prevent disaster. But who would want to hurt a child?

DCI Mark Joesbury has been expecting this. Monitoring a complex network of dark web sites, Joesbury and his team have spotted a new terrorist threat from the extremist, women-hating, group known as ‘incels’ or ‘involuntary celibates.’ Joesbury’s team are trying to infiltrate the ring of power at its core, but the dark web is built for anonymity, and the incel army is vast.

Pressure builds when the team learn the snatched child was just the first in a series of violent attacks designed to terrorise women. Worse, the leaders of the movement seem to have singled out Lacey as the embodiment of everything they hate, placing her in terrible danger…

After Dark by Jayne Cowie. 

This book is so clever and timely. It is written so well and is so clever. Original and brilliant. Out May 12th.

WELCOME TO A WORLD WHERE WOMEN HOLD THE POWER.

They dominate workplaces, public spaces and government.

They are no longer afraid to cross a dark car park, catch the last train, or walk home alone.

With the Curfew law in place, all men are electronically tagged and must stay at home after 7pm.

It changed things for the better. Until now.

A woman is murdered late at night and evidence suggests she knew her attacker.

It couldn’t have been a man because a Curfew tag is a solid alibi… Isn’t it?

Glimpses by Pat Fowle. 

A clever idea well executed. Stories on a colourful life well lived.

Most of one’s life is not always memorable. I spent a fair amount of my past just chasing the wind, however, I can recall certain events, some of which I will share. I’ll stick to glimpses.

This is what could be described as a fragmented autobiography; a story told through noteworthy events that have occurred during a colourful life.

Some are mystical, some inexplicable. Short stories that involve humour, but most of all love, like threads of gold that run through a lifetime.

4 Benefits of Non-Stim Pre-Workouts

Posted on by

Traditional pre-workouts use caffeine and other stimulants to produce an energy boost, but sometimes it’s good to switch things up and use stim-free pre-workouts instead. This can be especially beneficial if you have issues with anxiety or trouble sleeping due to stimulants in your pre-workout supplement. This article will discuss the four benefits of using stim-free pre-workouts and recommend products that fit the bill.

1) Improve Your Mood

If you find that pre-workout supplements get you hyped for your training, but leave you feeling overstimulated and anxious in your everyday life, then a stim free pre workout could be just what you need. Stimulant free pre-workouts can also help with poor mood from dieting. In addition, stimulants can increase appetite, so reducing them can help keep hunger at bay.

Studies show that increased fitness levels link to reduced anxiety. Part of reducing your anxiety could be as simple as going for a morning run or hitting up a HIIT class.

2) Increase Focus

Non-stim pre-workouts help you get in your best workout without having to worry about experiencing a crash afterward. Because they’re stimulant-free, you can increase focus without worrying about feeling exhausted at work later on.

Also, the best pre-workouts contain choline. According to Legion Athletics, “Choline is a nutrient that’s vital for brain health and function, and glycerophosphate is a substance that helps transport choline to the brain.”

The benefits are plentiful. If you’re worried about stimulants and think they might be causing your increased heart rate or feelings of jitteriness, try one of these non-stim pre-workouts instead.

It’s a good idea to start slow with these products and see how you feel. Don’t use too much at first, as your body might not be used to it. If you still have negative side effects, try taking half of your normal serving size or discontinue use altogether.

3) No Crash After Workout

A stim-free pre-workout will ensure that you have enough energy to work out effectively without crashing after your workout. Many people report experiencing dizziness, fatigue, and mood swings after taking pre-workouts that contain stimulants. These issues can deter some people from working out altogether, so if you’re looking for a way to increase your motivation and enthusiasm while exercising, try a stim-free pre-workout.

There are a variety of ways to avoid experiencing these negative side effects, but switching from pre-workouts that contain stimulants is a smart choice.

4) Help Muscle Recovery

If you exercise regularly, it’s common to experience muscle soreness. Stimulant pre-workouts are known for making people feel good, but they can also speed up muscle recovery and repair by increasing blood flow throughout your body. If you have access to a gym, consider checking out your options in stim-free pre-workouts. Since they don’t have caffeine or other stimulants in them, they won’t keep you awake at night or cause any jitters.

Stim-free pre-workouts are an excellent alternative to those who don’t want to use stimulants. They’re not for everyone, but they have many benefits for those who use them.

Collaborative post with our brand partner.

Different Ways Your Bathtub Pillow Can Help Your Head, Body, and Back

Posted on by

Nothing is more aggravating than attempting to relax in the tub and not finding a comfortable position. Resting your head on the tub’s edge might become uncomfortable and painful after a long, and it can place your neck and back in an awkward position. You won’t rest even if you sit in the bath for a few minutes. Taking a relaxing bath, particularly with the assistance of a bath cushion, has several health and emotional benefits:

Nonslip and Hygienic

Without a doubt, you’ve tried using a towel as a headrest before discovering the bath pillows. Even yet, it continued to fall out and became inconvenient because it had to be replaced every time you took a bath. All bathtub pillows for head and back come with extra-strong suction cups to keep them firmly connected to the bathtub’s surface. Because of the material utilized in its manufacturing, it does not stick to the skin. 

It Helps Adjust Your Posture

Posture is extremely important, and it should never be overlooked. Look for a store that sells high-quality goods to help you keep a proper stance in the tub and avoid suffering. During the day, people create strange body postures; thus taking a bath helps them relax and avoid making themselves feel even worse. The bath pillows for tub are available in a variety of sizes, so you’ll be able to find one that fits your neck, shoulders, and head. This allows you to bath for as long as you like without becoming tired.

Stress and Neck Tightness Can Be Eased

A bath after a long day can be a relaxing way to unwind and let go of some of life’s concerns. Warm water helps you stay cool, and a bath pillow can make the experience more relaxing and comfortable. All of your troubles will go if you use a beautiful pillow. A cushion also supports your neck, which is an important feature. You’re likely to endure pain and discomfort if you sit for a long time without supporting your neck. Resting your neck and head on something will help, and the best option is a cushion.

Creates A Spa Experience and Staying in The Tub for Longer

Going to a spa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, you may recreate this sensation at home with the help of a bathtub pillows for head and back. To make the experience merrier, add some candles and your bath bomb of choice. If you can’t relax in the bathtub, you’re not going to stay in the warm water long enough to reap all of the therapeutic effects. Use a pillow to allow you to spend as much time as you like in the bath.

Taking a bath can be a great way to unwind when you finish your day. Turn on the faucet after your nighttime workout, or take a warm bath to start your day. Whatever the case may be, you’ll feel more at ease, productive, and capable of dealing with whatever life throws at you. If you have a bath pillows for tub, you’ll be on your way to heaven in no time.

Collaborative post with our brand partner.

Five Days Missing by Caroline Corcoran

Posted on by

It takes a brave author to tackle a difficult subject, and a mother leaving her newborn baby is certainly one of those. I was intrigued to find out how the author would make this book work. All I have to say is: wow. Five Days Missing flows perfectly with not a word out of place.Just when you think you know exactly what is happening another layer is peeled away.

The characters are all fascinating and believable. I loved most of them. I raced through this novel and enjoyed every page. It’s a masterclass of a psychological thriller. I am going to have to insist that you read it.
five days missing, caroline Corcoran

Having a baby is all about firsts. The first touch. The first kiss. The first cuddle. They mark a lifetime of firsts – including the first goodbye.

 

When Romilly says goodbye to her new baby daughter, abandoning her at the hospital hours after giving birth, no one can understand why she would leave – and where she has gone.

 

In those first few hours she had been the image of a doting mother and would have done anything to protect her baby.

Something has clearly gone wrong. Could it be that Romilly is suffering from postpartum psychosis, just as her mother did?

 

Or is something even worse at hand? A danger so grave that she would leave her longed-for daughter to escape it…

 

Caroline Corcoran’s first novel, Through The Wall, came out in October 2019. It was a Sunday Times top 20 bestseller and translated into numerous foreign languages. Her second book, The Baby Group, published in September 2020. As well as writing books, Caroline is a freelance lifestyle and popular culture journalist who has written and edited for most of the top magazines, newspapers and websites in the UK.

Out now.

4 Alternative Uses of an Office Chair Cushion You Need to Know

Posted on by

An office chair cushion is a multipurpose product that is not only used on office chairs but can also serve other purposes. It helps in many other situations in your daily life and you will be impressed with what it can do for you. So don’t hesitate to buy a seat cushion thinking that it is only for only office chairs yet you don’t own one. Following are the unique benefits of an office chair cushion:

 

  1. Wheel Chair Support

 

Do you have an elderly person or a patient in your home who moves in a wheelchair? Well, if yes, the best gift you can give he or she is a seat cushion. Wondering why? This is because sitting for long hours in a wheelchair causes backache as most of them to lack the needed ergonomics to give your back the needed support.

 

So if you put an office chair cushion in the wheelchair, your patient or elderly person gets the needed support for the backbone. He or she won’t experience any pain no matter the duration of his or her stay in the wheelchair.

 

  1. Car Seat Support

 

Your car seat doesn’t provide enough back support and it tends to wear with time, which leads to the loss of its ergonomic benefits. This means you need a seat cushion to give you the needed back support while driving. If you drive long distances, you need a cushion to boost your comfort throughout your journey.

 

It saves you from all the side effects that come along with driving for long hours, such as the back, neck, and leg pain. This is because the pillow positions your body in the right posture throughout your drive.

 

  1. Gaming Chair Support

 

Are you a gaming fan and you spend a lot of time playing? Well, one of the common challenges faced by gamers is backache due to sitting for long hours. It causes discomfort which affects your concentration as you play and this lowers your winning chances.

 

So if you need to have undisturbed gaming experiences, you need to get a seat cushion for your chair. It holds your body in the right position and gives your back the needed support which allows you to enjoy your games as long as you want without any back pain.

 

  1. Aeroplane Seat Support

 

Long flights take several hours and this means you have to sit for a long time, which normally leads to pain in several parts of your body. However, to boost your flight experience no matter its duration, you need to keep a seat pillow handy.

 

The good news is that many of them are portable and you can move with one wherever you go. It gives you all the needed comfort on your flight and your back and neck won’t be strained.

 

Enjoy Office Chair Multipurpose Benefits

 

Boost the efficiency or productivity of your office chair cushion by using it for some of the above purposes or you can buy another for them.

Collaborative post with our brand partner.

Some Common Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Posted on by

With so many mental health problems plaguing the lives of people these days, it can be difficult to know what to look for in terms of symptoms. Some symptoms are similar across a range of disorders, and with conditions such as bipolar disorder, there are various symptoms that you have to look for. Many of those who suffer from this condition do not realize that they have it, and they do not seek medical intervention or treatment. This can be very risky and can result in a vastly reduced quality of life.

There are all sorts of options that may be considered if you are diagnosed with this disorder, and this includes ketamine bipolar disorder treatment. Of course, before you can receive suitable treatment, you need to first get a diagnosis, and this means seeking advice and support from your healthcare provider. It is also worth familiarizing yourself with some of the common signs of this disorder. We will look at some of the common signs of bipolar disorders in this article.

Some of the Signs to Look For

There are various signs and symptoms to look out for in order to determine whether you or someone you know may be suffering from bipolar disorder. Some of the main ones include:

Episodes of Depression

One of the things you may experience when you have bipolar disorder is episodes of depression, and there are many symptoms that you may experience during these episodes. This includes irritability and sadness, loss of interest in life, lack of energy, feeling worthless, extreme pessimism, feeling delusional, having hallucinations, sleep difficulties, and thoughts of suicide.

Episodes of Mania or Hypomania

The other extreme of bipolar disorder is episodes of mania or even hypomania, and this is where you may experience extreme highs in sharp contrast to the lows your experience during a depressive episode. Some of the symptoms you may experience include speedy talking, agitation, feeling elated, having a lot of energy, feelings of grandeur, illogical thinking, not wanting to sleep or eat, making rash and illogical decisions, and more.

Cycling Episodes

As a sufferer of bipolar disorder, you will experience both highs and lows, although many experience lows more often than highs. Some also find that the episodes of depression and mania cycle rapidly, and this means that you can suddenly go from being extremely low to being extremely high in a very short space of time.

Getting Help and Treatment

The episodes and symptoms that you experience when you have bipolar disorder can make all aspects of your life very difficult to cope with. When you are roller-coasting from extreme lows to extreme highs, everything from maintaining relationships to being able to work can be affected.

This is why it is so important to seek medical advice and support if you feel you may have bipolar, as this means that treatment can then be considered. This can then make a big difference to both the symptoms and your life. 

 

SUNDAY SCENE: ROSIE PARKER ON HER FAVOURITE SCENE FROM ONLY HUMMINGBIRDS FLY BACKWARDS

Posted on by

I began writing this novel not long after my own brother had a motorbike accident leaving him brain damaged. It took me quite a few years and several novels later to be able to fictionalise and give this story over to other characters to breathe life and their own tale.

Only Hummingbirds centres around twins Ronnie and Jake, now grown with their own families. After Jake’s horrific accident the two families decide to go on holiday to Brittany.

Much of the action takes place on the beaches and sand dunes of two seaside resorts: a fictional one in Brittany (based on Beg Meil where I holidayed with my own family), and the Somerset one of Brean (where my brother and I went many times, as children).

This novel has twin timelines (early 1970s and late 1980s), twinned places (West Country and Brittany), and focuses on twins Ronnie and Jake (before and after their marriages). When the two families decide to holiday in Brittany secrets begin to surface. Will Ronnie’s marriage survive, will she succumb to the charms of Xavier, and will she get her impossible wish?

Some of the story is shown in flashback and some in the form of letters. Below is part of a flashback from when the twins were young and on a day trip to Brean.

‘Howzat!’ cries Dad, not bothering to keep a note of triumph out of his voice.

            ‘Aw,’ says Jake, dropping his cricket bat.

            ‘Not fair. You should have bowled underarm,’ I shout at Dad. But the wind carries my voice up and away, just as it had sailed the ball plop into Dad’s hand.

            ‘What?’ he calls out.

            ‘Oh. Never mind.’

            I glance over to where the cars are parked at the edge of the dunes. Brean Sands is long and flat, the beach damp and hard from drizzle and high tides. When you swim in the sea, you get covered in brown stuff. We’re never too sure if its silt from the Bristol Channel Estuary, or sewage from neighbouring Weston Super Mare. I wonder if Mum is getting out the sandwiches yet. There’s no sign of her.

Our neighbour Beryl waves from her deckchair which is parked next to Slimy Bob’s Hillman Minx. Both her and stupid Marilyn sit with floppy sunhats. Marilyn is ill, and I once thought it’d be like in the book Heidi, with me tending the sickly Marilyn, but I soon discovered being Heidi is much overrated.

            ‘Come on Veronica!’ Dad beckons to me with large gestures. ‘Look lively. It’s Jake’s turn to bowl.’

I’m still fielding.

            Jake runs up to the crease Dad has made in the sand with his bat, and bowls – overarm – and wide.

            ‘Bad luck, lad. Try again,’ shouts Dad, as I fetch the ball then throw it to Jake, who rubs it on his groin – like real cricketers do. He pounds up to the crease, bowls, and this time Dad hits it. High high up into the sky only to disappear into the dunes.

            ‘Six!’ shouts Dad. Showing off as usual. I half run, half walk to fetch the ball – my brown Clarks sandals plodding on the sand. Dad is a member of Clifton Cricket Club: Jake and I are only ten. Which tells you all you need to know about Dad’s competitiveness.

            The wind off the sea is quite strong, but I can hear a soft laugh from behind the next dune.

 

I write romcoms under my own name of Rosemary Dun – this novel I’ve used a pen name – Rosie Parker.

https://www.facebook.com/RosemaryDunAuthor