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Looking for a new author to love!

68 replies

Saturnista · 15/06/2026 14:46

Hi there, I love reading and usually get through a book or two a week. I love chick fic and a smattering of crime fiction and historical fiction.
I do feel that I’ve “run out of authors” though! I’m not keen on American or a lot of international fiction so have, rather obviously, limited myself a bit. I seem to spend all my time now re-reading my favourites that include - I absolute love/d Elly Griffiths, Marian Keyes, Jane Green, Joanna Trollope, Erica James, Alison Weir, Elizabeth Jane Howard, Rowan Coleman, Sinead Moriarty, Katie Fforde, Maggie O’Farrell, Libby Purves, Prue Leith, Elizabeth Buchan, Beth o’Leary, Matt Haig, Mike Gayle, Catherine Alliott, Adam Kay, Jane Fallon, Jo-Jo Moyes, Liane Moriarty, Dorothy Koomson, Adele Parks, Celia Ahern, etc. I find Jill Mansell, Fiona Gibson, Shari Low a bit too light for me and am currently trying Jane Casey but it’s not grabbing me.
Any recommendations will be really gratefully received! BTW I’m 56 and love a series of books.

OP posts:
BurtsBeefCrisps · 15/06/2026 18:30

I have always loved Nicci French books. And Ann Tyler and Kate Atkinson.

OccasionalHope · 15/06/2026 18:25

Try Jodi Taylor.

MyShrivelledGnarlyFinger · 15/06/2026 18:24

Elizabeth Chadwick for historical fiction (based on facts).

Silverbirchleaf · 15/06/2026 18:22

Lucinda Riley - the Seven Sister series and her stand alone books

Rhys Bowen - writes superb stories

Clare Macintosh - also really enjoyed her books

Kate Riordan - written a few good novels

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/06/2026 18:16

squashyhat · 15/06/2026 16:57

I recommend William Boyd who writes in a similar genre to Douglas Kennedy. He's started a new series about a writer turned reluctant spy. The first one is called Gabriel's Moon and the second The Predicament. But he's written loads of other stories with some great historical and political background and strong female characters.

Brilliant, I’ve never read William Boyd, but I’ve run out of Douglas Kennedy!

letmebetheone · 15/06/2026 17:54

sleepybuthappy · 15/06/2026 15:35

Lucinda Riley seven sisters series is brilliant and would be right up your street I think

Absolutely. Im just on book 5 and cant believe how good they are.

Ruth Jones writes good books as well.

Divebar2021 · 15/06/2026 17:39

Sarah Waters - historical fiction although set in different periods. You might know her rather notorious TV series Tipping the Velvet which is a good read but my favourite was Fingersmith. ( this scored really highly
on the Guardians best books of the Century - reader edition ) She’s done a couple of wartime ( WW2) ones if that’s a preferred period. She hasn’t written anything for about 10 years for some reason.

Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:35

@squashyhatnew author for me and sounds very interesting, thanks.

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Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:33

@DidntLikeTheEnding new to me, I’ll check those three out, thank you very much.

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Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:32

@Aftertheharvest oh yes, I think I’ve read one of Elizabeth Strout’s book recently snd enjoyed it so will look her up and check out Lily Taylor.

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Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:31

@Rictasmorticia oh brilliant, part of the attraction of the Elly Griffiths books were that they’re setting in Norfolk that I know well and love. Thanks

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Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:30

@Thebinisrightthere I will check those two out, thank you.

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Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:28

@BobbieTables I missed off Kate Atkinson, silly me, yes really like all of hers.

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Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:27

@Morepositivemum thanks for the recommendations, all new to me, just what I need.

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Saturnista · 15/06/2026 17:27

Hi, what a fab response! @bert3400 oh yes, I forgot that I’ve also loved all of David Nicholls books, Starter for Ten is one of my favourites.

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EmpressaurusKitty · 15/06/2026 17:08

Thebinisrightthere · 15/06/2026 17:05

JF was mentioned in the OP as I was going to say her! I love her writing about female friendships

And I thought I’d read the list properly! Thanks @Thebinisrightthere.

BobbieTables · 15/06/2026 17:08

I didn't see kate Atkinson on your list.
Life after life is my favourite of hers, but I also really enjoy the Jackson Brodie detective series she wrote.

Thebinisrightthere · 15/06/2026 17:05

EmpressaurusKitty · 15/06/2026 16:49

Yes to Jodi Taylor!

Also Jane Fallon. Chick lit with a bite, & strong priority on female friendships. My favourite is Just Got Real.

JF was mentioned in the OP as I was going to say her! I love her writing about female friendships

Thebinisrightthere · 15/06/2026 17:04

C L Taylor & Louise Candlish are very good

Rictasmorticia · 15/06/2026 17:03

I am a big fan of Peter granger. Detective stories set in Norfolk.
i also like Ruth Jones,
also the Healing Properties of Pottery and All my mothers.

Aftertheharvest · 15/06/2026 17:02

Lily King and Elizabeth Strout

BCBird · 15/06/2026 16:57

B A Paris is worth a look

squashyhat · 15/06/2026 16:57

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/06/2026 15:10

Give Douglas Kennedy a go. He’s a man, he’s American, but he writes griopibg thrillers with strong female leads, and writes extremely well as a woman (he cites his mother as a major influence on his writing). His books are set all around the world, usually against a particular historical or political setting. Start with “A Special Relationship”, it’s set in London.. well it starts in London.

I recommend William Boyd who writes in a similar genre to Douglas Kennedy. He's started a new series about a writer turned reluctant spy. The first one is called Gabriel's Moon and the second The Predicament. But he's written loads of other stories with some great historical and political background and strong female characters.

Katie0909 · 15/06/2026 16:56

Clare Mackintosh has written some decent crime fiction with good twists. I Let You Go was her first and worth a try.

EmpressaurusKitty · 15/06/2026 16:49

Yes to Jodi Taylor!

Also Jane Fallon. Chick lit with a bite, & strong priority on female friendships. My favourite is Just Got Real.