Any recommendations for something midbrow - gripping but not too formulaic or forgettable?

[Jonad]

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!

[Ulysses]

The Heart Invisible Furies is one of my favourites. I’ve also fallen deep for the Shardlake series by CJ Samson. I also love Nina Stibbe’s series of books. They are so sharp in their humour.

[WeakandWobbly]

Some good suggestions

[Blackcountryexile]

Have you tried Susan Hill's murder mysteries about police detective Simon Serrailler and his extended family? Or Catriona McPherson's series with an aristocratic lady private detective?

[Glowcat]

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin.

[WildCherryBlossom]

I'm reading The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley at the moment. Murder mystery, quite well constructed and easy to get into. Time will tell whether it is forgettable...

For a quick engaging read I quite enjoyed Cold Death in Amsterdam by Anya de Jager. I keep meaning to try some of her other books.

Agree with everyone who has recommended Kate Atkinson. She is excellent!

[PhilODox]

All the Light We Cannot See
It's just wonderful,.

[Mascotte]

I’ve been been really struggling to find a book to hold my attention but The Heart’s Invisible Furies is doing it.

Also Before The Coffee Gets Cold which is easy reading but beautifully written.

And All Families Are Psychotic- great read.

[CromfordGreyhound]

From my local library I've borrowed 'Two blankets, Three sheets' by Rodaan Al Galidi. It's the author's tale of fleeing his homeland on a fake passport, claiming asylum in a European country and the challenges he faces finding somewhere to belong and call home.

It is on top of my 'to read' pile so will report back when finished :)

[Jonad]

I love the Strike books but sadly I’ve read them all.

Thanks for your ideas everyone, I can’t wait to get stuck in!

[BrandoraPaithwaite]

@bestbefore Yes I believe it will be a series! I'm about halfway through it now and feeling anxious because I'm so invested and clearly things are getting intense

Also I've remembered how good The Other Boleyn Girl is and I'm going to reread it not least for the raunchy historical bonks depicted

[bestbefore]

@RickOShay yes I was going to say the Strike series as well; again think there's another one coming soon. J really enjoyed them and like a gripping relationships/ crime book as well as historical ones

[bestbefore]

@BrandoraPaithwaite ohh I read that, took awhile to warm to it but I believe it's going to be part of a series so there will be more...🤞🏻

[DrinkSangriaInThePark]

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Just finished it, absolute pageturner but well written too. I'm so sorry I'm finished it now!

[RickOShay]

The Cormoran Strike series?
I’ve really enjoyed them.
Second Kate Atkinson, she’s just brilliant.
I read the Silent Patient recently, that was good.

[maslinpan]

Us by David Nicholls is great.

[OuterMongolia]

I think The Siege by Helen Dunmore would fit your description. It's set in the siege of Leningrad. Definitely absorbing and gripping and well-written, definitely not formulaic, and not high brow. It is really sad though if that is a problem.

[FromTheAllotment]

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. Completely sucks you in, reeeeally well written.

[PerkingFaintly]

Dorothy L Sayers, if you haven't yet. Suggest starting with the Harriet Vane books (first is Strong Poison ) rather than going strictly chronologically.

[mynameiscalypso]

I'm finally reading The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair and enjoying it a lot.

[BeardedMum]

I recently read Educated by Tara Westover. It’s so so good and I am still thinking about it now.

[dementedma]

Love the Shardlake series, and Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth trilogy.

[cortex10]

CJ Sansom's Shardlake series

[DustyMaiden]

The hearts invisible furies definitely

[Mooserp]

Thank you for the correction! Typing without my glasses on 🙄

[Lastbustowhitehawk]

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.