What is the name of the first adult novel written by J.K. Rowling?

The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first adult novel.

Published by Little, Brown and Company on 27 September 2012, it is a standalone work set in the fictional English town of Pagford. The plot begins after the sudden death of Barry Fairbrother, a member of the local parish council. His vacant seat triggers a bitter election that exposes conflicts involving class, poverty, drugs and family life.

The novel differs sharply from the Harry Potter books in setting, subject matter and intended audience. It contains no magic and is written as a social satire with mature themes. Its title refers to the empty council position created by Fairbrother’s death, rather than to a job vacancy in a school or business.

The book became a major international bestseller, although reviews were mixed. The BBC later adapted it as a three-part television miniseries broadcast in 2015. Rowling’s crime novels, published under the Robert Galbraith name, came after The Casual Vacancy.