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Original poster

If I like Lisa Jewell and Louise Candlish...

94 replies

BetsyBobbins · 09/08/2023 11:35

What could you recommend me please?

I like their books (Jewell more than Candlish) and I'm trying to find similar books. I read Nicci French the other day and I really didn't like it, I thought it was badly written and predictable.

I like my murder mysteries and thrillers like The Girl on the Train and the above, what can you recommend me please? Thanks

OP posts:
GalileoHumpkins · 09/08/2023 13:18

Jackie Kabler - I've read The Perfect Couple, Am I Guilty and The Happy Family and enjoyed them.

MadeForThis · 09/08/2023 13:51

Lisa Gardiner
Tami Hoag
Karin Slaughter
Karen Rose
Nora Roberts

Soonthen · 09/08/2023 13:56

Alice Feeney
clare Macintosh
sue watson

Helpmefly · 09/08/2023 13:58

I like Lisa Jewell..I think you will love:

Lucy Clarke
Catherine Ryan Howard
Clare Mackintosh
Jane Harper

Lifeisupanddown · 09/08/2023 13:59

Jp delany
Dorothy koomson
Shari lapena
The silent patient - Alex someone

Helpmefly · 09/08/2023 14:00

Ohhh. Yes. J P Delany. as per pp

CountTo10 · 09/08/2023 14:01

Cara Hunter. She has a main detective and I think there's about 7 in the series.

CinnamonSweet73 · 09/08/2023 14:03

You might like Ruth Ware

GigiAnnna · 09/08/2023 14:04

Claire Douglas. I like this type of " chicklit" thriller, similar to Lisa Jewell. Captivating, yet to the point and simple to follow without droning on.

Helpmefly · 09/08/2023 14:06

Gillian macallister.
S E Lynes

Original poster
BetsyBobbins · 09/08/2023 14:41

Yay, lots of suggestions! I've seen all of those names here and there but it's good to have direct recs.

Thanks everyone, a trip to Foyles at the weekend is in order to explore them further.

OP posts:
NecklessMumster · 09/08/2023 14:43

Steve Kavanagh

Blancc · 09/08/2023 14:48

Nicci French books really aren't 'badly written', especially compared to some of the stuff you say you like!

crocodileboots · 09/08/2023 15:30

Jane Fallon (Ricky Gervais's partner)
Adele Parks
Jojo Moyes
Cecelia Ahern
Jennifer Weiner
Liane Moriarty
Kristin Hannah

Original poster
BetsyBobbins · 09/08/2023 19:06

Blancc · 09/08/2023 14:48

Nicci French books really aren't 'badly written', especially compared to some of the stuff you say you like!

Sorry you're a fan and I understand that their books are popular, but not everything that is popular is good. I read one of the Frieda Klein and it was so predictable that I could see the plot coming a mile off. And yes, badly written, perhaps some of the things that could have been written better escaped the proof writer

OP posts:
BinkyBeaufort · 09/08/2023 21:39

I've just discovered Louise Penny's series about a retired detective, set in rural Quebec, and am really enjoying them

MidnightRunning · 09/08/2023 22:32

I loved Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce.

Sw33tdreams · 09/08/2023 22:55

Dr Ruth GAlloway series by Elly griffiths.

Cocolapew · 09/08/2023 23:00

Cara Hunter
Marion Todd
Claire McGowan
Catherine Ryan Howard

Angelswehaveheardonhigh · 09/08/2023 23:21

Avoid B.A Parish! The writing is so awful I've often suspected the name is a pseudonym for some writing interns who thought they'd 'have a go' at writing a book.

But absolutely love Clare Mackintosh. One of her books had a twist at the end that actually made me gasp. I'm usually a quick guesser at what the twist might be but this one got me. She's a brilliant writer, builds up her characters so you actually like them and the plots are always very intriguing too.

IWasFunBeforeMum · 09/08/2023 23:22

Claire Douglas
Andrea mara

Bernadinetta · 09/08/2023 23:25

Claire Mackintosh

Original poster
BetsyBobbins · 09/08/2023 23:52

Angelswehaveheardonhigh · 09/08/2023 23:21

Avoid B.A Parish! The writing is so awful I've often suspected the name is a pseudonym for some writing interns who thought they'd 'have a go' at writing a book.

But absolutely love Clare Mackintosh. One of her books had a twist at the end that actually made me gasp. I'm usually a quick guesser at what the twist might be but this one got me. She's a brilliant writer, builds up her characters so you actually like them and the plots are always very intriguing too.

Oooh, which book is that please ?

Another PPs further up recommended her too which is always a good sign

OP posts:
ImGoingThroughChanges · 10/08/2023 00:03

Lucy Foley
Catherine Cooper

Blancc · 10/08/2023 12:04

BetsyBobbins · 09/08/2023 19:06

Sorry you're a fan and I understand that their books are popular, but not everything that is popular is good. I read one of the Frieda Klein and it was so predictable that I could see the plot coming a mile off. And yes, badly written, perhaps some of the things that could have been written better escaped the proof writer

Show quote history

I agree not everything popular is good; like 'The Girl on the Train', which is full of comma splices and childish descriptions. "Someone’s phone is ringing, an incongruously joyful and upbeat song. They’re slow to answer, it jingles on and on around me ... The pre-mixed gin and tonic fizzes up over the lip of the can as I bring it to my mouth and sip."

You don't have to like the Freida Klein series, but for the work of award winning authors and journalists to be generally reduced to 'badly written' is just lazy.

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