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Original poster

Book recommendation for difficult time

29 replies

Flowers90 · 17/10/2026 07:10

Looking for dome suggestions of quick paced books that hook you from the start. DD is due to have surgery next week and we could be in hospital 7-10 days with a likely icu stay the first night. Surgery will be a number of hours too.

I enjoy Lisa jewell, and alice feeney. I have recently enjoyed the 7 sisters although this would be too indepth currently.
Ive been reading bob mortimer the long shoe and have enjoyed the fact its not too involved but can provide distraction.

OP posts:
24Dogcuddler · 17/10/2026 12:05

So sorry to hear this. Good that you are planning ahead. Get yourself a bit of a care package together for you and DD.
I like Freida McFadden books. You might find it hard to concentrate. Audio books or a Snoozeband might help.
For an uplifting and funny book I recommend Sarah Millican How to be Champion.

shellyleppard · 17/10/2026 12:07

Jo jo moyes the giver of stars is absolutely beautiful. Amazing scenery. I also love me before you. Sorry your daughter is ill, hope she's better soon x
🙏💐❤️

Raiderofthelostbattenburg · 17/10/2026 12:13

Have you read Janice Hallet’s books? I find them very easy to read but also very engaging.

Blackcountryexile · 17/10/2026 15:53

I think Gillian McAllister books are similar to Lisa Jewell. I liked Wrong Place, Wrong Time.
Katy Watson has written a series of books about 3 actors , who solve murder mysteries ,which are easy reads. The first in the series is The Three Dahlias .

Misknit · 17/10/2026 16:36

M.W. Craven's Washington Poe series. The first one is The Puppet Show.

menopausequeen · 17/10/2026 16:38

Sorry about your situation.
I found ‘the names’ by Florence Knapp riveting.

Shloopie · 17/10/2026 16:40

Ruth Ware
Gillian McAllister

Not a thriller but Kathryn Stockett's The Calamity Club

I hope all goes well for your daughter 💐

RaininSummer · 17/10/2026 19:10

Just read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and The Strange adventures of H by Sarah Burton. Not sure how old DD is as these have adult themes.

HorseandHeron · 17/10/2026 19:13

I loved Louise Penny's Gamache cosy crime detective series set in a snowy Canadian village when I was very ill for several months.

Currently going through a bereavement and am reading the later Vera novels by Anne Cleeves. Very calming as there's no gruesome detail - it's all just a big whodunnit puzzle.

Rainallnight · 17/10/2026 19:15

I’m sorry about your DD. I think India Knight’s list of comfort reads is excellent for times like this

Rainallnight · 17/10/2026 19:15

Rainallnight · 17/10/2026 19:15

I’m sorry about your DD. I think India Knight’s list of comfort reads is excellent for times like this

Link fail, sorry!

https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/the-comfort-reading-list?&new-list-page=true&bkshp-astro=t

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 17/10/2026 21:53

I like the Shopaholic books for times like this!

Phineyj · 17/10/2026 21:56

How about Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti series? They're very engrossing with short chapters. My favourite is Friends in High Places.

Silverbirchleaf · 17/10/2026 22:06

The Patricia Fisher cozy mystery series may suit you. They’re fun, fairly light hearted and each book isn’t too long.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patricia-Fisher-Mysteries-All-Books-ebook/dp/B086SD474K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=166844546088&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.px4WJ8EMXCjBK0FbYRVAm0MYk7m5XXVMogg2FxnMuxQvAsqax7HSUwnqmsWtES0yQfplo7H7rhbwvDl1d98TMUF_DO-1us7D_Nhx2yam_Hu2aWO-b_eDybTazErITxvj0NoIdXYzo-CRm-GoIZ4tHFHp9ZvrcqK38oAiopo38hBcvOoGEqcz5b4JJuDa0uQZ8Wp7Td6nnnZSTILM9thdWA.FF6KfcPKnUcv4Z4uduML60hp19WBkWyQHppVEJPIRW4&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=793410810127&hvdev=m&hvexpln=70&hvlocphy=9044995&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=5618433092837227557--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5618433092837227557&hvtargid=kwd-1213162118835&hydadcr=20702_2376831&keywords=steve+higgs+patricia+fisher+books&mcid=38099b3cbdf23c0bba19ffc62eb5a8e8&qid=1792271179&sr=8-1

Amazon

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patricia-Fisher-Mysteries-All-Books-ebook/dp/B086SD474K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=166844546088&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.px4WJ8EMXCjBK0FbYRVAm0MYk7m5XXVMogg2FxnMuxQvAsqax7HSUwnqmsWtES0yQfplo7H7rhbwvDl1d98TMUF_DO-1us7D_Nhx2yam_Hu2aWO-b_eDybTazErITxvj0NoIdXYzo-CRm-GoIZ4tHFHp9ZvrcqK38oAiopo38hBcvOoGEqcz5b4JJuDa0uQZ8Wp7Td6nnnZSTILM9thdWA.FF6KfcPKnUcv4Z4uduML60hp19WBkWyQHppVEJPIRW4&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=793410810127&hvdev=m&hvexpln=70&hvlocphy=9044995&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=5618433092837227557--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5618433092837227557&hvtargid=kwd-1213162118835&hydadcr=20702_2376831&keywords=steve%20higgs%20patricia%20fisher%20books&mcid=38099b3cbdf23c0bba19ffc62eb5a8e8&qid=1792271179&sr=8-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-what-were-reading-5589821-book-recommendation-for-difficult-time

Original poster
Flowers90 · 17/10/2026 22:13

Thank you for the recommendations. I shall have a look tomorrow.

OP posts:
AJH86 · 18/10/2026 12:09

How about Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series?
Hope all goes well.

Boromirsgreyhound · 18/10/2026 12:49

Sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself.
Anthony Horowitz crime series are excellent. Also Susan Hill Simon Serrailer series - this is very addictive. Ideal for convalescence. Long series, interesting crime stories but you get drawn into the family life of the lead character. Elly Griffiths series
also. Xxx

TB23 · 18/10/2026 15:53

All the best for the hospital stay. I would recommend looking at two books by Claire Mackintosh: "It's Not What You Think" and "I See You" are both page turners.

cbbo · 18/10/2026 16:08

All the colours of the dark. I was hooked and totally engrossed. It’s not very light though.

Pallisers · 18/10/2026 16:15

I agree with the recommendation of Louise Penney and Gamache - interesting but with great characters and you can lose yourself in a whole different world with Three Pines.

I recently read Warning Signs by Tracy Sierrra (excellent thriller) and I was really hooked by it - she's a great writer and it was different.

If you haven't read any of the Elizabeth Strout books they would be a great idea

But what I would want - and if you want pure romantic feel-good escapism download Eva Ibbotson's books - Magic Flutes, The Morning Gift, The Secret Countess. Just lovely. I've heard them described as for when the thinking woman has the flu.

Best of luck to you and your dd.

AltitudeCheck · 18/10/2026 16:23

cbbo · 18/10/2026 16:08

All the colours of the dark. I was hooked and totally engrossed. It’s not very light though.

I liked that and I have just finished 'We begin at the end'by the same author and enjoyed that one too.

cbbo · 18/10/2026 16:30

AltitudeCheck · 18/10/2026 16:23

I liked that and I have just finished 'We begin at the end'by the same author and enjoyed that one too.

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Ooo that’s good to know thank you

Whatshitnow · 18/10/2026 16:36

I always like Milly Johnson for an easy read to cheer me up. She's funny too.

Catterthun · 18/10/2026 17:11

Mavis Cheek has some good ones. Mrs Fitton's Country Life, Amenable Women, The Lovers of Pound Hill ( I'm remembering titles here so you might need to check them). Fun and light, and there's some interesting historical stuff in them too.
Edited: I just checked- it's Fytton not Fitton, but titles otherwise correct.

PenelopeShadow · 18/10/2026 19:03

Raiderofthelostbattenburg · 17/10/2026 12:13

Have you read Janice Hallet’s books? I find them very easy to read but also very engaging.

The first one, The Appeal was great and since then, they have been a mixed bag. I think you do need to keep flicking back and forth to the character list to keep in mind who is who and maybe not ideal in OP's circumstances.

I thought The Alpherton Angels was the worst pile of rubbish I have ever read and, believe me, I have lots to choose from.

@Flowers90 Hope all goes well. Maybe try a Louise Candlish? The House was super and far better than the tv production. The Swimming Pool was also enjoyable.

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