“I’m a Brit recently relocated to Falmouth in Maine and didn’t want to miss out on the big releases in U.K. publishing this autumn. Robert Galbraith is the pen name for JK Rowling and her Cormoran Strike series is now up to book six. It’s murder mystery at its finest set against the backdrop of London, and the latest installment (‘The Ink Black Heart’) looks at gaming chat rooms and the dark underworld of hiding behind your screen name and spreading hate.

” ‘The Bullet that Missed’ is also part of a series of novels set in a British retirement home with the characters solving crimes whilst enjoying retired life. And whilst there’s mystery, there’s also plenty of dry British humour. The series is written by Richard Osman who is better known for hosting a game show in the U.K., and whilst they are certainly a celebration of English eccentricities, there’s also a dark subplot and plenty of bodies.

“Both novels made me feel a little closer to home after the passing of the Queen, but I really feel they’d be a great fall read for anyone here in Maine wanting a little British escapism following the pomp and pageantry (after the Queen’s death).”

— LYNSEY PADDOCK, Falmouth


Mainers, please email to tell us about the book on your bedside table right now. In a paragraph or two, describe the book and be sure to tell us what drew you to it. We want to hear what you are reading and why. Send your selection to pgrodinsky@pressherald.com, and we may use it as a future Bedside Table.