What is the title of J.K. Rowling’s 2012 novel set in the village of Pagford?

J.K. Rowling’s 2012 novel set in the village of Pagford is The Casual Vacancy.

The book was Rowling’s first novel published after the seven-book Harry Potter series. Unlike her fantasy novels, it is an adult work of social satire and realism. Its story begins after the unexpected death of Barry Fairbrother, a parish councillor in the fictional English village of Pagford.

The title refers to the vacant seat on Pagford’s parish council. The resulting local election exposes conflicts involving class, poverty, drug addiction, family relationships, and tensions between Pagford and the nearby Fields estate. The novel’s events unfold in contemporary Britain rather than in the wizarding world.

A common mix-up is confusing The Casual Vacancy with Rowling’s later crime novels, which she published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The Casual Vacancy was released under her own name and was adapted into a BBC television series in 2015. It is also distinct from Rowling’s Harry Potter books in genre, setting, and intended audience.