Holiday read

Jill Mansell is a good one as well. Milly Johnson I also second (or third!) And a book I've loved recently was The Keeper of Stories by (I think) Sally Page.

Carole Matthews

Paper hearts and Summer Kisses, my favourite

I have just finished All together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan. it was £3.00 in The Works. When you think of the price of a magazine it was such good value. I enjoyed every minute of it and the only bit of sadness was when I finished it. Light hearted and a great story

the Fethering Mysteries by Simon Brett. Easy read. There are about 21 books in the series.

Check out Penelope Lively and Susie Kelly.

Anne Tyler is wonderful. And I'd really recommend Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus - it's not all light and laugh-out-loud (though some bits are) but if you were an employee in the previous millennium you'll recognise the protagonists life.

Elizabeth Strout - also wonderful ☺️.

I find books by Jojo Moyes are good holiday reads. The plot moves fast, the writing is intelligent but "easy", there is romance and a happy ending but also a story. They are comforting at a time when life feels bleak.

Anything by Marcia Willet is a good light read. They
are mostly set in the west country or Bristol.

Anna Jacobs

Gervase Phinn has written a lot of lovely books set in Yorkshire, both autobiographical, based on his experiences as a school inspector, and fictional about village schools.

Well Parky, a very subjective topic (!), but if a light detective novel is OK, why not see the Cadfael series, by Ellis Peters? They were on TV (Derek Jacobi in the lead), but tell a nice story.

Someone has mentioned Wodhouse, and the Ladies Detective Agency has lots of humorous touches.

AuntieE

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

This was going got be my No 1 recommendation, short easy reads by the writer Alexander McCall, set in Botswana 20 years ago his,

the wonderful "traditionally built" Mme Ramotse setting wrongs right with her real humanity and firm kindness, and yes, your satisfying ending. There are lots in the series, Make sure you just start at the beginning..

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_No._1_Ladies%27_Detective_Agency

www.goodreads.com/series/43418-no-1-ladies-detective-agency

DrWatson

Well Parky, a very subjective topic (!), but if a light detective novel is OK, why not see the Cadfael series, by Ellis Peters? They were on TV (Derek Jacobi in the lead), but tell a nice story.

Someone has mentioned Wodhouse, and the Ladies Detective Agency has lots of humorous touches.

I also rate the Cadfael series really highly, they are the first "big" historical novel series and imo still one of the best (and simple plot wise) rather than later historical fiction, and you can buy them on Amazon.

If you like a spot of very entertaining (but still accurate history, why not go back the the Russo series, he is a Doctor in Roman Britain, wit and a good story line.

Or the delightful and also easy read Burren Mysteries, a historical mystery book series by Cora Harrison. It follows Mara, a female judge and Brehon (ancient Irish legal arbiter) living in the 16th-century Burren region of western Ireland

Could I add Rebecca Shaw. She has written a whole series of books set in a village called Turnham Malpas. Lovely, easy reads.

The Stationary Shop of Teheran and The Lion Women of Teheran by Marjan Kamali both give glimpses of the lives of women in Iran through well-told stories. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is excellent and gives you some idea of life in apartheid South Africa - if you haven't already read it. Kindle randomly offered me The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston for 99p and it turned out to be hilarious. Its set in an old age home in Australia.

I think the name you were remembering as “Russo” is Ruso, and the author is Ruth Downie.

I would agree about Gervase Phinn - observations as a school inspector.
Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series.
‘Raising Hare’ by Chloe Dalton - a true story about a hare who is rescued.
The Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton.

Idle in Provence by Eric Idle. Very amusing.a

jenpax

I think the name you were remembering as “Russo” is Ruso, and the author is Ruth Downie.

Yes! and thank you. I should have consulted my bookcase! Good reads.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. 10 out 10 for a truly satisfying book. Enjoy!