What was J.K. Rowling’s first published adult novel under her own name?

J.K. Rowling’s first published adult novel under her own name was The Casual Vacancy.

Published in 2012, The Casual Vacancy is a contemporary novel about the fictional English parish of Pagford. Its plot begins after the death of Barry Fairbrother, a member of the local parish council, and examines tensions involving class, poverty, family life, and community politics. It was Rowling’s first novel following the completion of the Harry Potter series.

The book is distinct from Rowling’s later crime fiction, which she initially published under the name Robert Galbraith. It is also unrelated to the fantasy setting of Harry Potter. The title refers to an unfilled seat on a local council, a vacancy created when an elected member dies or resigns.