These novels all contain older characters who stand out as being unforgettable. Some you may have already met and fallen in love with, others might require an introduction. I have a somewhat motley crew hanging around in my head keeping me company, and quite happily admit that a few of the older residents are the most memorable. The books I recommend here range from modern and contemporary through to crime and family drama, one brought tears to my eyes, while more than a few have made me chortle and smirk. I hope you enjoy meeting the older occupants of these novels as much as I did.

We've all heard of the four septuagenarians in Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series. The first book is a "wonderfully entertaining, warm, and amusing mystery" and the start of a fabulously readable series. Followed up by the rest of the series The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil To Die the next instalment and fifth in the series reaches a bookshelf near you in September.

Another well-recommended book is The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. Liz Robinson describes this book as a "surprising, deliciously quirky and amusing, this gem of a book is one to treasure".

The Lido by Libby Page is a debut relationship story. Rosemary 86, and Kate 26 join together to make a stand and save their local lido, a pool at the heart of a community, offering an escape and holding memories. It is a "deliciously warm and entertaining slice of wonderful".

Emily Critchley's One Puzzling Afternoon is an "intriguing, unsettling mystery told over a dual timeframe by one of the most endearing lead characters you’ll come across."

Keep browsing to explore these unforgettable older characters, comment and let us know your favourites and which titles we're missing. Also, you can sign up to our site to receive newsletters and stay up to date with our latest reading recommendations.