iso a gripping but not depressing holiday read

suggest me a book match the vibe and provide a touch of delicious escapism for an upcoming vacation to england with difficult in-laws.

about to spend a bit of time in london and a bit in a country manor kinda deal. i’m looking for a page turner that will pair perfectly with a glass of wine, a fire, and some passive aggressive and vaguely xenophobic background chatter.

I mainly read fiction and bop between literary fiction, historical, fantasy, and the occasional sprinkle of mystery or sci-fi (and tbh prefer all things with a touch of magic). I enjoy books that take place in rich worlds and authors who aren’t afraid to be verbose if it means also being specific or sensual. I love challenging storylines and language, and also complex characters who I want to have a cup of tea with and/or smack them upside the head (I guess, I mean characters that evoke big feelings). unreliable narrators and narrative styles welcome. themes can be serious or dumb but always with humor.

in general, I read to remind myself (or delude myself into believing) that a better world is possible. which is all to say that i’m not looking for anything post apocalyptic, capital L liberal, capitalist, libertarian, or dark with no relief (though black comedy and satire is more than welcome)!

tldr; hit me with your favorite atmospheric fiction with funny and not too dark vibes to help enhance and escape a beautiful holiday with my in-laws 🥲.