Please recommend a gripping, unputdownable book to get me back into reading!

[TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth]

I used to be a voracious reader; for my whole life until bout 4/5 years ago when my concentration and ability to focus seem to have gone AWOL -probably as a menopause thing - and I've not read a book for an embarassingly long time.

Please recommend books that you couldn't tear yourself away from! I'm hoping that some gripping books will keep me hooked and re-establish my reading habit.

TIA.

American Dirt is incredibly gripping.

Another vote for the Strike series by Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling. Have been immersed in their world for 6 months now and dreading finishing the last book.

The Testimony of Franny Langton.
Circe.
Both very good.

I came on to say Lucinda Riley Seven Sisters too.

I read them when on maternity leave and needed to stay awake in the night when feeding DD. They were so good I used to read them after she had gone back into her crib because I wanted to finish my chapter. Nothing else got me through the long nights in quite the same way.

For really easy reading, Milly Johnson. Loved her books.

And sorry, but I loved Jilly Cooper too (I know others think she's crap)

But I've not picked up a fiction book for years. Peri menopause has put paid to my concentration levels...

Have you tried audio books? I "lost" my reading habit after a couple of years of particularly difficult events. I missed it but couldn't concentrate on anything much outside work - I'd pick up something to read and couldn't focus due to intrusive memories.

I found audio books managed to hold my focus much better somehow, particularly when combined with "comfort" books - old favourites mostly. Might be worth trying the audio versions of some favourite old reads.

Thanks so much for all replies! Lots to investigate there.
Several have asked what I like.
Well... most things. Never been keen on sci-fi or fantasy, but apart from that I've read and enjoyed all sorts.
Was a huge reader of horror in my youth, but I've rarely found it to be well written!
Most read good literary fiction - contemporary and old.
Love Austen and Dickens.
Love a good thriller!

Anything would be good though... well written, but not too challenging at the moment.

Anything by Gillian McAllister or Lisa Jewell. Page turning grippers!

American Dirt fits your bill and I had similar troubles to you but kept coming to bed super early just to read it! Gripping but easy to follow, very well written.

Jodi Taylor.
Horror? Shaun Hudson, Graham Masterton ( the Jim Rook series is good).

Glad to know I'm not the only one who's afflicted by menopausal brain fog... not that I'd wish it on anyone else!

Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's / Time Police series'.

Lynda La Plante- Widows. An oldie, but goodie.

Have you read Thin Air by Michelle Paver? It's so creepy, there is one part in it and I get goosebumps just thinking about it!
Another vote for Behind Closed Doors, it's my favourite thriller of all time.

The Fingersmith by Sarah Waters got me my reading Mojo back when I was stuck in peri brain fog.

Most recent one I couldn't put down was Lady Macbethad by Isabelle Schuyler. There are some fun references if you know the Shakespeare play but you don't need to know it at all to be completely drawn in.

Another vote for Demon Copperhead!

When I had trouble concentrating on reading (lockdowns) the books that I read all the way through and enjoyed were by PG Wodehouse (so funny) and The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Gripping:

Fingersmith - Sarah Walters

We need to talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver

Lighter but still found it gripping: Time Traveller's Wide

The Change by Kirsten Miller

@Dacadactyl I read this and "World without end" ages ago and loved them, and have recently noticed he's written more Kingsbridge books. Are they up to the standard of the others?

Also is the Century Trilogy worthwhile tackling? Thanks very much.

@Tezza1 I liked World Without End, but couldn't really get into A Column of Fire, altho I finished it, I didn't particularly enjoy it.

I also enjoyed the prequel, called something like In the Morning and The Evening. I've not read the latest in the series, released last year I think.

Not read the Century Trilogy either, so not sure about that. I don't often read unless I'm on holiday tbh.

Silence of the lambs

The Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths
Strike series by Robert Galbraith
Anything by Michael Connelly

I was in the same position and a few months ago read Flowers in the Attic after a similar thread on MN recommended it a few times - loved it. I’m a bit meh about strike novels, much as I want to like them as JKR fan but crime novels are just not my thing.