I need book recommendations

[CaviarAndCigarettes]

I've just got back into reading after so many years of young children dominating every waking hour. I'm hitting the library constantly and am coming to the end of the books I'd been waiting to read for so long. Where do I go from here?

I love a really good crime novel and would love a series to get invested in. I'm a Val McDermid fan and have read all of the Carol Jordan/Tony Hill series. Are the others as good?

I also love an emotive story. I've recently read the last days of Rabbit Hayes, me before you, me after you, (still me is on reserve) I like a weepy life affirming tale as much as I like a gruesome drama.

I'm also open to non long winded fantasy books.

Dystopian futures, happy to try them.

I just want a book that makes me say wow when I close it.. any recommendations?!

Have you read any Rebus?

I've been reading the series of crime books by Helen Fields D.I callanach starts with perfect remains and also Angela Marsons DI Kim stone series which starts with silent scream

Station eleven, the road, all Margaret Atwood

@Emma198 I haven't, reserving the first one now

@bluemumsbluedog I've just reserved the first one. Sounds right up my street!

Sometimes I lie by Alice Feeney, amazing book!

The Blind Assassin is the best Margaret Attwood book imo, have read it at least 20 times and never tire of it

@buckeejit just reserved station eleven and trying to find the road!
I'm a Margaret Atwood Fan

I've reserved every book! I'm rather excited

Crimes series authors:
Ian Rankin
P.D. James
Ruth Rendell

I quite like the Inspector Mantalbano books. The Shape of Water is the first in the series.

Kare Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie books are good too, I haven’t read them all though, I’m rationing myself . I think the first one is Case Histories.

If you like Joho Moyes, have you read the Girl you Left Behind? As for dystopian, I haven’t read much but The Girl with all the Gifts is a good one.

MJ Arlidge's DI Helen Grace series is my favourite book series and Nicci French's Frieda Klein series is also amazing. Also absolutely love books by Sharon Bolton, CL Taylor and Tim Weaver

In terms of crime/detective series, I like the Sophie Hannah Culver Valley books. Good, light reading. I like the Carson Ryder detective books too by Jack Kerley. Easy reads, enjoyable and lots of them!

Ohhhh for crime ones try the "Skinner" series by Quintin Jardine.

How about these:

The Shetland series by Ann Cleeves
The Vera series by Ann Cleeves
The Armande Gamache series by Louise Penny
The Byrne/Balzano series by Richard Montanari

Just a few of many crime series’ I have read over the years.

JD Robb's In Death series - first one is Naked in Death.

Very new crime book I just read: Death in Focus. SR Garrae.

@aproblemsharedandallthat I loved sometimes I lie!

If you like Val McDermid you might also like Ann Cleeves and Stuart Kilbride.

Thank you @CharlieSays13 I'll check them out

more crime
Kate Ellis - Wesley Peterson series - starts with The Merchants House
Peter Robinson Inspector Banks novels ( not at all like the ones on the TV - starts with Gallows View
other stuff
Victoria Hislop - The Island
Rosie Thomas - The Kashmir Shawl
Barbara Erskine -history/time shift/gothic type thing - best one was Lady of Hay

Have no idea if anyone has already said The Power by Naomi Alderman - but that is a good dystopian thriller.

The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon a japanese court lady from the Heian period in Japan who wrote musings observations. You can start anywhere in the book and read random pieces and is amazing reading, a jewel.
I read the english translation bought when my DD was a toddler and I still very much enjoy bits and pieces to read in it.
On Wikipedia page of The Pillow Book is some good info to read.

Abir Mukherjee has written three crime novels, set In Calcutta . They are so well crafted with every character earning their place in the novel. He is very good at. Including Indian History without getting sidetracked.
There is a gentle humour going through them too.