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Any recommendations for something midbrow - gripping but not too formulaic or forgettable?
41
Jonad · 15/04/2020 20:31
I often find crime and thrillers a bit forgettable but would like something easy to get into and absorbing right now - but well-written at the same time iyswim?
Sorry for such a poorly worded description on the books board! 
amiw · 15/04/2020 20:32
Perfume?
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/04/2020 20:33
His Bloody Project?
Burial Rites?
SwedishEdith · 15/04/2020 20:33
I'm reading Normal People atm. I know some hate it (and I might when I've finished and can look back on it) but I'm enjoying reading it. And I've hardly read any books for ages so has got me back into the habit I hope
AliceLutherNeeMorgan · 15/04/2020 20:37
Ann Patchett
Kate Atkinson
Joanne Harris
Elizabeth Strout
Jonad · 15/04/2020 20:38
I wasn’t a big fan of Conversations with Friends by the same author but I suppose it was very readable so I might check it out Edith.
Mojitomogul · 15/04/2020 20:41
I just finished 'My Mother, The Psychopath' by Olivia Rayne.. its non fiction and so gripping.. it's an account of the author's childhood with her psychopathic mother and i finished it in a day
SagaBauer · 15/04/2020 20:46
I've just finished reading the Joona Linna series by Lars Kepler. I started with the Rabbit Hunter (or Hunter) and then went back to the start and read them in order. Enjoyed Rabbit Hunter and the Hypnotist the best. Kind of formulaic by the time you get to the 4th book but enjoyable nonetheless!
I never rated thrillers before this, but this has swayed me 
.
MsTSwift · 15/04/2020 20:48
Kate Atkinson books good just finished Big Sky gripping
Neolara · 15/04/2020 20:50
I also really enjoyed Normal People.
What about The Rosie Project books. An easy read but smart and enjoyable.
merryhouse · 15/04/2020 21:16
Cadfael:
A Morbid Taste for Bones is the first one
One Corpse Too Many is the second and MUST BE READ before any of the rest to avoid major spoiler
BookWitch · 15/04/2020 21:19
I enjoyed The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, a page turner but not a thriller. Not too many characters to keep track of and well written.
sunnie1992 · 15/04/2020 21:23
I like pretty much anything by Joy Ellis. Crime but it's not formulaic.
The jackman and Evans series is probably my favourite
AuntieDolly · 15/04/2020 21:27
Have you read any of the 'Rivers of London' books by Ben Aaronovitch? Crime and the supernatural combined.
BrandoraPaithwaite · 15/04/2020 21:36
I am currently ploughing through the latest Phillipa Gregory, Tidelands. It fits the bill for what you are looking for.
Also I really enjoy that some of DP's relations used to live next door to Phillipa Gregory and they claim she was a lovely woman but had a very badly behaved dog. I don't know why I enjoy this bit of trivia so much but I do.
Mooserp · 15/04/2020 21:40
I've recently read The Heart's Invisible Future by John Boyne which I think meets your criteria.
Ikeameatballs · 15/04/2020 21:42
I love Kate Atkinson.
Lastbustowhitehawk · 15/04/2020 21:46
Yes to The Heart's Invisible Furies (typo in PP)- I loved it! I also recently enjoyed The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead and The Green Road by Anne Enright.
Mooserp · 15/04/2020 21:50
Thank you for the correction! Typing without my glasses on 🙄
DustyMaiden · 15/04/2020 21:50
The hearts invisible furies definitely
cortex10 · 15/04/2020 21:59
CJ Sansom's Shardlake series
dementedma · 15/04/2020 22:07
Love the Shardlake series, and Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth trilogy.
BeardedMum · 15/04/2020 22:10
I recently read Educated by Tara Westover. It’s so so good and I am still thinking about it now.
mynameiscalypso · 15/04/2020 22:21
I'm finally reading The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair and enjoying it a lot.
PerkingFaintly · 15/04/2020 22:39
Dorothy L Sayers, if you haven't yet. Suggest starting with the Harriet Vane books (first is Strong Poison ) rather than going strictly chronologically.
FromTheAllotment · 16/04/2020 08:27
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. Completely sucks you in, reeeeally well written.
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