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Original poster

Is there anything I can read after The Running Grave, which won't feel like a crushing disappointment?

67 replies

TheLongpigs · 13/10/2023 17:22

I've made the mistake of readingTthe Running Grave too quickly, and am now facing the autumn without an amazing book to snuggle down with each evening.

I am convinced that there is nothing out there that will match JKR's Strike series, but please let me know what might come close? I would love some recommendations.

OP posts:
PercyClover · 16/10/2023 12:23

I love JD Kirk's DCI Jack Logan series, especially on Audible. Logan reminds me of Strike. The narration gets better and better with each book - they're superb. Also highly recommend Cara Hunter's DI Adam Fawley series and Joy Ellis's series read by Richard Armitage.

sparklefresh · 16/10/2023 12:21

Sundaefraise · 16/10/2023 12:10

I love Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books. Can I ask if I need to read Strike from the beginning?

Something that hooked me recently was Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris.

I'm so jealous, you get to enjoy them all for the first time! I'm really close to finishing TRG and I've got that dilemma where I'm desperate to know what happens next but also don't want it to end

Endeavormorse · 16/10/2023 12:18

Sundaefraise · 16/10/2023 12:10

I love Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books. Can I ask if I need to read Strike from the beginning?

Something that hooked me recently was Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris.

Definitely need to read them from the beginning IMO.

Endeavormorse · 16/10/2023 12:16

I listened to the new Roy Grace book by Peter James straight after the Running Grave, I used to enjoy them but the narrator and the story couldn't compare! I was disappointed to say the least. JKR has ruined all other books for me 😂

Sundaefraise · 16/10/2023 12:10

I love Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books. Can I ask if I need to read Strike from the beginning?

Something that hooked me recently was Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris.

thevegetablesoup · 16/10/2023 12:03

I did read the first one and enjoyed it but then stalled with the second. Maybe I should give it another go

evtheria · 16/10/2023 11:57

@thevegetablesoup You could, but it really adds a lot knowing characters from Slough House (it involves back stories) and you miss the "A-HA!" moments. But I support anything that gets you started reading Herron's work. Dolphin Junction is a collection of short stories, if you're just looking to begin his stuff, and a couple tie into that world.

thevegetablesoup · 16/10/2023 11:34

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 14/10/2023 20:54

I've just finished the latest SH 'The Secret Hours' and it was SO. SATISFYING.

Isn't it! I loved how it tied up with the others. I sussed who one of those two people was almost immediately, but I didn't get the other one until The Thing happened. One of his most complete and satisfying plots to date.

The secret hours is described as a stand alone on audible- could I read it if I haven't read all of the Slough House ones?

thevegetablesoup · 16/10/2023 08:01

I listened it too quickly too and now feel bereft that it's over.

Series which have a similar effect on me are

The Hawthorne books by Anthony Horowitz

The Washington Poe series by MW Craven

LongFaulks · 16/10/2023 07:19

@bluebeardswife7 yup 😂

EfficientlyDecluttering · 16/10/2023 07:17

Respect! Its taken me two weeks and that feels as though I've been listening in every spare minute.

PronounsBaby · 16/10/2023 04:44

I feel the same! I steamed through the audiobook in three days!

It's Richard Osman for me. Light, funny and the characters are all so loveable.

hernameis · 16/10/2023 03:19

I recently discovered a Canadian author who I'm really enjoying, Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series. Good characters and very well written. There was a series on Netflix- Three Pines, but the books are better!

evtheria · 16/10/2023 02:56

I cannot believe I've got to wait a couple of years or so for the next one. 3am and just finished! Argh!

EfficientlyDecluttering · 14/10/2023 21:20

I agree about the Jackson Brodie books but I've already read them all again this year. I too am considering starting the Strike books from the beginning again.

AllotmentTime · 14/10/2023 20:59

bluebeardswife7 · 13/10/2023 23:29

No. Sorry. Get writing Jo

^^ This.

I'm reading all the Poirot books to cheer myself up. But mostly I'm just sad.

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 14/10/2023 20:54

I've just finished the latest SH 'The Secret Hours' and it was SO. SATISFYING.

Isn't it! I loved how it tied up with the others. I sussed who one of those two people was almost immediately, but I didn't get the other one until The Thing happened. One of his most complete and satisfying plots to date.

bluebeardswife7 · 13/10/2023 23:30

Throne of Glass @LongFaulks ?

bluebeardswife7 · 13/10/2023 23:29

No. Sorry. Get writing Jo

Louloubelles · 13/10/2023 23:26

Kate Atkinson - detective Jackson Brodie books are excellent. I love her books and the JKR Strike series.

SoggyDoggyWalks · 13/10/2023 23:18

I’ve just finished TRG (read it really fast, then slower) and have started reading the Strike series from the beginning again as can’t find anything else I’m interested in starting just now. Reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to my daughter too, so feeling slightly J K Rowling obsessive. Sure it will pass.

SingingSands · 13/10/2023 23:12

Watching with interest. DH is a huge fan, he listens on Audible and told me sadly that he only has 5 hours of the book left to listen to. He's preemptively sad about it finishing 😆

Rapunzel91 · 13/10/2023 23:03

I feel the same OP. I couldn’t put it down and can’t seem to find anything else as gripping!

Im also doing an accounting course and oh my the books are extra dry now!

andtheworldrollson · 13/10/2023 19:27

I have gone back to old favourites for a while

EfficientlyDecluttering · 13/10/2023 19:15

I’m about 6 hours from the end of the audible of The Running Grave and worried about the same thing. The Slough House books are a good idea, I loved the TV adaptations.