Authors similar to ...

[species5618]

Helping my friend find new authors similar to PD James, Donna Leon, and Barbara Pym. She likes crime but not graphic violence, and prefers characters with a bit of a moral compass, and compassion. I've introduced her off to Anne Cleeves and Vera. Any ideas for other authors?

Barbara Vine (aka Ruth Rendell, so her too)
Caroline Graham (Midsomer Murders)
Elizabeth George (Inspector Lynley)
Reginald Hill (Dalziel and Pascoe), Colin Dextor (Morse)

Basically the old school TV police procedurals before psycho nutjob neighbours/partners became a thing. 🤣

Kate Ellis

Sally Vickers or Anita Brookner are very like Barbara Pym.

I use this to find similar authors

www.literature-map.com/

Your friend might want to try the Dandy Glover series by Catriona Mcpherson .The books are set in the 1920s and 1930s and are quite gentle but with some depth. The first one is called After the Armistice Ball.
Another series also set in the 1920s and 30s Is by Frances Brady. The protagonist is Kate Shackleton . The first one is Dying in the Wool.

Dorothy L Sayers.

Many thanks all. I think I'll be able to sort her enough to cover Christmas.
Catriona Mcpherson sounds just the ticket Blackcountryexile

Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series reminds me of PD James.