What was the title of J.K. Rowling’s 2012 adult novel about a fictional English town?

J.K. Rowling’s 2012 adult novel about a fictional English town was The Casual Vacancy.

Published on 27 September 2012, The Casual Vacancy was Rowling’s first novel written for adults after the Harry Potter series. It is set in the fictional English town of Pagford and begins with the sudden death of parish councillor Barry Fairbrother.

The novel examines social class, local politics, poverty, addiction, and conflicts between residents. Its title refers to the electoral term for an unfilled seat on a council or other representative body, which drives the book’s central political dispute.

The Casual Vacancy is not part of the Harry Potter universe and does not use Rowling’s Robert Galbraith pen name. It was published under her own name, distinguishing it from her later crime novels and from her fantasy work for younger readers.