If I liked Strike..What should I read next?

[Sneakyblinders]

Hello readers - I have had a 4 year hiatus on reading due to children and having no motivation.

I was probably moderately well read before, reading 'good' books and historical biographies.

DH gave me the latest JK Rowling Strike book for Christmas and I had to read the earlier ones in the series (so I've now nearly finished them all) and I really enjoyed them AND actually reading something again.

So I am basically looking for something similar - easy reading, a bit of a page turner but not scary or gruesome, just enjoyable! Please could someone recommend something?

Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club series - there are 3 of them

The Roy Grace books by Peter James

The Frieda Klein books by Nicci French (days of the week series)

The Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson

Peter May's Lewis Trilogy

Graham Norton's crime books

Robert Goddard

Stephen Booth

Maybe Val McDermid, but the Tony Hill ones might be a bit gruesome for you. The Kate Brannigan ones are lightest, the Karen Pirie ones are best though.

Avoid Jeffrey Deaver, Karin Slaughter, Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, Mo Hayder if you don't like anything to gory.

The Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson
Yes these!

Second Jackson Brodie. The Cara Hunter books also excellent although the first one is the least good.

(I hated Thursday murder club 🙈)

Susan Hill - Simon Serrailler series are good.
Second Cara Hunter books

Thursday Murder Club - absolutely dire imho. I jacked it in after an hour.

You might want to try Catriona Mcpherson's series set in the 1920's and 30s. . First one is called After the Armistice Ball. They are quite gentle but well written with humour.

Funnily enough I've tried a couple of times with the Thursday murder club and never got anywhere - I'm so out of the habit of reading regularly I do need a page turner to force me to pick it up! I find JK Rowling's books so comfortingly easy - and the Strike / Robin relationship was a page turner in itself so encouraged me to open the next one.

Needs to be easier than looking at my phone!

Thank you for the suggestions, will give them a go when I am on holiday!