Well written, with substance, unputdownable?

[FlyingForest]

Hello
Just trying to get back into reading after many years away from it.
A friend recommended Verity by Colleen Hoover and whilst it was gripping it really lacked any substance and was not well written. It felt more like watching a tv shows for entertainment, which I don’t mind at all but I don’t something more from a book.
Am I asking too much or is there something you could recommend?

Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie. It's substantial but it has a gripping plot, and it's very funny, quite Muriel Spark-ish.

Seconding the suggestions for Clare Chambers too

The heart’s invisible furies
The Names ( I want to reread this one as made a big impression on me)
Atonement ( loved the book, hated the film)

@milislovelybut ooh, The Names is on my list for when it's in paperback. Really looking forward to it.

@finespinelineand @ungratefulcat - DM invites sent! The more, the merrier !

The Great Alone - Kristen Hannah
Rodham - Curtis Sittenfield
Act of Oblivion - Robert Harris

Sarah moss books
Cold earth
(Written pre pandemic but presciently foresees a pandemic!)

Ooh I’ve read and loved all but 2 of those so will put them on my list immediately!

Muriel Spark writes intelligent books with interesting characters. My favourite is A Far Cry From Kensington - witty and satirically funny.

Have you read Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner? She is one of my favourite writers who writes lovely elegant prose.

We Begin at the End and All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (?). Not sure of author but great books

I’ve read Demon Copperhead, Hamnet and The Bee Sting @RedBeech.
You might like Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.

The Goldfinch
Americanah

Or anything by Elizabeth Strout, I'd start with My Name is Lucy Barton

Strange Sally Diamond- Liz Nungent
Another vote for Still Life
Yellowface

R.F Delderfield
The Dreaming Suburb

And the Avenue goes to War

We’re doing The Names for our new book club. Just about to start it and can’t wait !

I also came on here to recommend Wild Dark Shore! I was gripped