An exclusive short story based on a true case.

A cold case. A cremated body. A killer brought to justice.

David North was convicted of murdering of his fiance. To the rest of the courtroom, it was an open-and-shut case. But as DS George Cross sees the man smile as he’s led away from sentencing, he becomes certain something crucial had been missed.

After all, two partners dead within six years of each other couldn’t be a coincidence.

What really happened to North’s ex-wife? As Cross takes on this new cold case, he encounters an insurmountable obstacle: the body he's looking into has been cremated.

Perfect for fans of MW Craven, Ann Cleeves and Joy Ellis, this is a short story featuring the brilliantly persistent, wonderfully unique DS George Cross from the 2025 Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award longlistee.

ALSO IN THE GEORGE CROSS MYSTERY 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

'I am insanely in love with George Cross, a perfect detective for our time and for all time' Stephen Fry
'Sullivan has given us a British detective for the 21st century who will be hard to forget' Daily Mail