I must confess that I am a hardnosed anglophile. I love the U.K. and am fortunate enough to have enjoyed numerous vacations there. Every once and a while I get "homesick" and long for the lovely towns and countryside I have experienced in past visits. To get a quick fix, so to speak, I often pick up a novel which has it's setting in Britain and lose myself within its pages..... so I'm wondering if anyone has read a book lately with such a setting that you think I might like. My taste lends itself to historical and contemporary fiction. I would be so appreciative if you'd share titles and/or authors. Thanks.

There used to be shown on the BBC here in the states a series called "Midsummer Murders"...Chief Inspector Barnaby was the lead character. There are books that this series was based on...the Chief Inspector Barnaby Series (imagine that). They are written by Carolyn Graham.

http://www.fictfact.com/series.aspx?series_id=5786

That page has the links to Amazon for the books (and no, I'm not the author or associated with her in any way LOL!)

Anyway, these are fairly modern mysteries all set in small English villages. You won't have heart palpitations or anything reading them, but they are a pretty good light read.

Have you read The Shell Seekers? Rosamunde Pilcher is the author. I picked it up at a library sale and really enjoyed it. It is set in both the present and WWII, I believe? (It's been a few years). I need to try more of her books for easy, enjoyable reading.

I also love (and I'm not sure how to categorize them, but they are absolutely charming) the Miss Read series of books. These are books about a schoolteacher and are set in fictional English villages, Thrush Green and Fairacre.

this site has more than British authors but I love British murder mysteries. i use this site to print out what they have written and then search my library for them.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

The Miss Read series are great quick reads.

try the outlander, it is pseudo-historical fiction and also a bit of time travel, an odd set of attributes for a book! it is a great series, except for the very last book (was a major disappointment, but I wont give you a spoiler on the ending)

I enjoy the novels of the late Dick Francis. Sturdy fellows who always come through in a pinch. Nothing steamy except the race horses. :lol:

Outlander is recommended and Ken Follett novels.

I have always enjoyed Agatha Christie and most of the classics, if you like animals you might like "It shouldnt happen to a vet" - situated in Yorkshire.

I enjoy listening to books (as well as reading) and I recently started listening to the classics ... Dickens & Christie to name two recent authors. So much better hearing them than reading them. If you pick up an English book to read, one of my favorite narrators is Simon Vance.

I also love listening and reading books by author MC Beaton. She has two series, Hamish McBeth (Scot), and Agatha Raisin (English). Hamish is a small town Police Constable, and Agatha is a retired PR agent now running a detective agency. They're both funny, and quick reads.

For a more serious mystery try PD James and her Adam Dalgliesh series. He's a Chief Detective in London and works on "high profile" crimes.

If the English language interests you as well, listen to "An Adventure in English" as it chronicles the evolution of the English language from Celt through today, and even covers other English speaking countries. Origins of many of the words we use today, and how they changed over the years. Reading it won't do it justice as you wouldn't get the inflections of the vowel changes that were made, you have to hear him speak the differences.

I read a book titled Coventry a few years ago. It was set in England during WW II and the years following. It was a really good book. I can't remember the author's name!

I second this one! Great read.

Also, the All Creatures Great and Small series.

C J Sansom's Matthew Shardlake series I found to be very interesting. And historically informative.
Let me know what you think of them!
Also like Dick Francis!

I also found the Miss Read books at the library, very enjoyable.

I've been watching Larkrise to Candleford on DVD while I stitch. This is set in oldie times, fairly light and enjoyable. It is based on the book...

I agree with many of the previous posts and would like to add D. E. Stevenson to your list of authors. Her stories are set mostly post WWII and are descriptive of small villages and are light reads.

The Postmistress

The Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton is set in the Cotswolds. Amateur detective with a brusque personality - entertaining series.

My most recent English author is Sophie Hannah.
If you like crime fiction, she puts a good twist to her tales.
Check her out: http://www.sophiehannah.com/

I love to read . I have trouble choosing between quilting and reading. lol.

I LOVE those books as well..And, there are quite a few authors that I specifically look for...One is Stehanie Laurens..She writes very good novels and has a series "Cynster" Here are some of the titles.."Devil's Bride", " A Rakes Vow", "Scandal's Bride", "A Rogue's Proposal" ...

I like to re-read all the James Harriott books and watch the series via Netflix.

Have you read Laurie R. King? These are about Mary Russell, who is an apprentice to Sherlok Homles. There is a whole series of books and I throughly enjoyed them.

Have you read any of Jacqueline Winspear books. They are
very nice stories. It is a series, but you could try one and
see if you enjoy them.

Outlander is one of my faves, too!

Rosemunde Pilcher is one of my favorite authors, and the Shell Seekers my favorite of hers. But, like the previous posters said, if you like time-traveling historical fiction tossed with adventure, Gaelic, kilts and true love (naughty at times) you have to try the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I'm only halfway through the books right now though, so don't know how it ends.

Kate Morton's books are very enjoyable, too!

We loved this charming book in my book/quilt small group. It also made us aware of some little known WWII events. May in Jersey

You are a kindred spirit!
I'm a longtime Anglophile also...have only spent time in England twice and in Scotland twice. I love reading British fiction. The authors listed here that I'm familiar with are great - especially D. E. Stevenson....try Elizabeth Goudge (hard to find even at Alibris). I'm to explore some of the authors mentioned here that I'm not familiar with.
Another good mystery writer was Margery Allingham..her main detective is Albert Campion - BBC did a series of episodes which have been shown on PBS here in USA.
So many good ones!

I just read one by Barbara Pym, quite good and I have a couple more by her that I am looking forward to.

If you find something in the States or Canada but can't get it over there, let me know and i'll willingly get it for you in the UK.
I live in what is called the 'Garden of England', and close to where 'The Darling Buds of May was filmed,
Good to know others love England as much as i do and i live here,

My favorite if Katie FForde, she writes delightful books. I also like MC Beaton and Agatha Christie.

I've just finished a book called A Tangled Summer by Caroline Kington which I really enjoyed.

If you like historical ones there is Elizabeth Chadwick.

Also Val McDermid is good.

If I think of any others I'll be back :)

I've just been watching this too. It was really good. I also enjoyed Downton Abbey and Lost in Austen if you can get these on DVD. I'm sure you'll enjoy them too!

Have you read any Penny Vincenzi books? They are British.

I'm reading and enjoying Illegal Action by Stella Rimington (now deceased former head of MI5)
Good espionage story

I loved the Outlander series!

I am currently enjoying Barbara Erskine's Lady of Hay: Two Women, Eight Hundred years and the Destiny They Share

A modern day woman, past life regression, several not-so-nice fellows...

Very interesting so far :-)

I've read the Morland Dynasty series. I am now enjoying book number 33. The author is Cynthia Harrod-Eagles and the family begins in the dark ages until after WWII. I bought most of these books from Amazon. She also writes a series of mysteries about a detective. I have not read any of them.

I too love Rosamunde Pilcher - she has written a lot of books. I've enjoyed all I've read.

I've already watched Downton Abbey, but will have to add Lost in Austen. Thanks so much! I love to read to, but find it very difficult to stitch and read at the same time, so I cheat a bit and DVD it! :D