The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt

Iversen (The Witches at the End of the World) draws readers into a haunting gothic tale of madness and aspiration set in a Victorian London suburb. Harriet Hunt blames herself for her mother’s death when Harriet was six. She’s since been raised by her abusive father, Clement, who perpetually threatened to commit her to Colney Hatch Asylum. Six months before the start of the book, however, Clement disappeared. Harriet takes his vanishing in stride. Though society deems it unseemly for an unwed woman to live alone, she enjoys her independence and finds comfort in her overgrown garden, where she believes the plants have minds of their own: the ivy vines welcome her by winding up her ankles, and the roses disapprove of visitors. When the police question her regarding Clement’s whereabouts, Harriet claims he may have visited a cousin in Denmark, but can’t back up the story. To allay suspicion and prove herself an upstanding member of society, she marries the handsome and charming Christian Comstock. But when Christian demands she prune the garden, Harriet fears the plants will seek revenge. Iversen leisurely unfurls a sweeping tale of a woman on the edge. The mystery feels somewhat predictable, but the slow accumulation of spooky atmospherics makes it work. Readers shouldn’t expect thrills, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. (Dec.)