The Poison Garden by Alex Marwood (TP, 22.00) was initially my first pick for Book of the Year 2019, but as it was only released January 2020, it had to wait. The story takes place in North Wales, where the majority of a cult’s members are found dead by poisoning. One of the survivors, a young woman named Romy, must adapt to the outside world and find her family members. It is creepy, psychological, and complex, and a really excellent read.

Rotherweird by Andrew Caldecott (HC, 32.49, TP coming May 2020) is a crossover/fantasy taking place in a fictional town in England, Rotherweird. Rotherweird has been self-isolated since the Elizabethan era, banning its residents from studying the town’s history. The arrival of two outsiders, one a history teacher, the other a billionaire businessman, sets off a chain events that threatens the entire world. When I picked up the book, I was expecting some historical elements (which was delivered on), but I was not expecting the supernatural aspects of “Lost Acre,” a hidden world accessed in the town. It was a really enjoyable read, with lots of attention paid to world-building and character development.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (HC, 35.00) is the long-anticipated sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. I had heard from friends that it was similar in tone to the television series, but as I have not watched it, I felt like all the events and characters were fresh and exciting. I especially liked Atwood’s ability to take on the perspectives of the three, very different characters who tell the story of the fall of Gilead.