I loved so many aspects of Mexican Gothic, particularly High Place, the creepy mansion in the Mexican countryside inhabited by a very strange English family. The protagonist Noemi comes from Mexico City to visit her cousin and events conspire to keep Noemi there, as she becomes increasingly desperate to leave. There are murderous family secrets, seemingly sentient fungi, many awful Englishmen, and terrifying waking nightmares. I know I've overused the word creepy so much already, but it really is apt. I was riveted by the story, and rooting for Noemi to escape, even though it seemed impossible. I also really appreciated that the story had a scientific explanation for the elements that could have been handwaved as supernatural.

Afterwards, I found out that the town was inspired by a real mining town which has an English cemetery! So creepy! I enjoy all of Silvia's books, but I think Mexican Gothic is my second favourite, after Certain Dark Things, which will always be my fave because I am an old goth at heart.

One cannot deny that Moreno is a skilled writer. From the very first chapter, I found that I really enjoyed her descriptive, atmospheric writing style. It helped set the scene for when we meet our main character, Noemí. I enjoyed Noemí's character development throughout the story and I liked how her connection with Francis played out. I felt like the pacing was a bit slow but it did pick up significantly towards the end.


I do have to say, though, that this book grossed me out. I am not generally a horror reader and did not expect this book to fall predominantly in this genre. It was very difficult for me to read at times. Whenever some sort of plant is involved in the gore, I am immediately put off. To be completely honest it did take some enjoyment away from my reading experience but I know that people who are more well versed in this genre will appreciate it a lot more and will enjoy being scared and grossed out.

I have seen other reviewers note that this book doesn't seem "Mexican enough" because the setting of the Doyle House is so anglicised. I'd like to disagree with that. I loved the small references to Mexican culture scattered between the pages. Only people who are well versed in this culture would understand those subtleties and appreciate it.

Overall, if you enjoy horror and historical fiction, I would definitely give this book a go. It has some great twists and some shocking moments. Thank you to Quercus Books for sending me an eARC of this book and for including me in the blog tour!

'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: 3 OUT OF 5 STARS

A haunting, gothic tale that merges English and Mexican culture, creating a highly original and deeply disturbing story, set in the 1950s, that questions what it means to be a woman in society, whilst illuminating the importance of freedom and equality in the modern world. Drawing on European folk tales and European classics, such as 'Wuthering Heights', Moreno-Garcia has brought to life a concept led spin on a traditional haunted house horror story, dosed with corrupted Darwinian ideals and infused with the grotesquely natural … or perhaps, I should say unnatural.

After receiving a disturbing letter from her freshly wed cousin, the glamourous, lipstick clad, socialite Noemí is forced to investigate. Travelling alone across country to the remote manor named ‘High Place’, she finds her cousin sickened by a mysterious illness, entrapped by her cousin’s obscure in-laws, with their strange rules and discomforting demeanours, in a foreign house with an unpleasant past and unusual goings on, Noemí begins to unravel the secrets and get to the bottom of what is really going on in the manor house. Stepping out beyond her comfort zone, into unfamiliar territory, she soon learns that knowledge and inquisitiveness are dangerous traits to have at High Place.

Moreno-Garcia creates a vivid environment, where every detail holds greater significance. Beautifully written, laced with countless metaphors, symbology and foreshadowing, the author has clearly devoted a lot of attention into crafting the plot line, weaving everything together with such skill. I also appreciated the parallels with British classics and European folktales, cleverly mimicking the infusion of the foreign into the Mexican countryside within the novel. 'Mexican Gothic' also discusses themes such as morality, feminism and psychology, which I found fascinating, but further reiterates the influence of Victorian literature here, which often discusses such themes. The author throws these privileges, such as freedom and equality, that we often take for granted, into deep peril, thus creating a deeply unpleasant experience for both protagonist and reader. The way this subtly transfers discomfort from character to reader is one of the many pinpoints of a seasoned writer. Along with the craft put into the impressive character development, Moreno-Garcia creates a masterful gradual descent from quaint historical fiction to horror, encouraging the audience to almost forget that they are reading horror, only later catching them off guard. The character was unlikeable but somehow you still root for her. She symbolises strength, will, bold femininity and modern ideals; these elements the reader inevitably wants to survive. Again, this marks Moreno-Garcia’s exceptional written ability. Noemí, as a character, was very well fleshed out, relatable and disreputably human, she had a developed backstory, hobbies, likes, dislikes, good traits and bad ones. I also found her knowledge of colour quirky and fresh, yet, again, hammering into us the importance of colour as a metaphor throughout.

There were multiple metaphors woven through the novel, such as yellow flowers, nymphs and the Ouroboros, to name a few. Although, I loved Moreno-Garcia’s use of metaphors, it was not subtle. You could spot them a mile off! For this reason, if you knew the meaning of these symbols, you would be able to guess the entirety of the plot line and all its twists within the first thirty pages, as I did. This was disappointing as the plot was irrevocably unique, had it not been spoiled. I also did not like the continuous use of rape and sexual abuse as a plot device. I warn you there is A LOT! I do think this is harmful. Despite being presented in a horror context, thus not idolising the abuse, I still disagree with its use. As a talented writer, Moreno-Garcia should not have needed to use this to cause the reader to feel uneasy and instil terror. It also should not have been needed to reiterate that the bad characters were STILL bad. Horror can be done exceptionally well without need for this. That aside, the author was incredibly talented at creating claustrophobic atmosphere and writing eery descriptions. However, I did find that the last couple of chapters fell a little flat and found it questionable that any father would let their daughter go galivanting across half the country to visit and live with a man that he deemed potentially criminal and dangerous. Extremely unlikely! I also wish that the novel had not been so heavily influenced by European culture. I felt misled by the blurb and title ‘MEXICAN Gothic’, as I felt the Mexican presence in this novel a little lacking. Even more diversity and culture please! I love fiction laced with non-Western culture and I think we need more of it, so this was a little disappointing. Other than a couple of typographical errors and some issues with the page arrangement on my device, such as chapters not starting on a new page and sentences being cut off, the only other critique I have would be that I wish that the language matched the historical setting. The novel was supposed to be set in the 1950s, but I felt some of the language was incredulously contemporary.

To conclude, this novel was beautifully written and crafted with clear expertise. The pacing was also strong, despite having issues primarily with the predictability of the plotline and the use of sexual abuse throughout the novel, I found myself devouring the entirety of it in a single sitting. If you can get past all the obscenities, I would highly recommend this novel and would definitely be interested in picking up something else by this author. Although, something a little more … “tame”, shall we say.

TRIGGER WARNINGS for racism, sexism, cannibalism, taboo sexual practices, death/murder, threat of death/murder, suicide, physical abuse, sexual abuse and rape. Some of the violence and sexual scenes are quite graphic, so please bear this in mind.

Review by Rowan from ‘Under the Rowan Tree’. This book will be included in my upcoming June Wrap Up video on my YouTube channel.
I would like to thank 'NetGalley' for providing me with this free book to review.

3.5 stars

Noemí Taboada usually spends her time drinking champagne and flirting with eligible men.
Then her father receives a worrying letter from Noemí’s recently married cousin, Catalina, who claims her new home is full of ghosts and that her husband is poisoning her, and Catalina begs Noemí to save her. Noemí’s father decides to send his daughter to investigate and determine whether there is any truth in Catalina’s letter or if she needs psychiatric help.
Noemí sets of to High Place, Catalina’s new home, and the home of Catalina’s husband and family.
High Place and the Doyle family are strange and Noemí finds that her only ally is Francis, the youngest of the family. Francis helps Noemí, but is afraid of upsetting the rest of the Doyles.
Noemí soon begins having strange dreams and digs into the Doyle family past.
What secrets are the family keeping?
Is Catalina telling the truth?

I’m a huge fan of the author’s previous novel, Gods of Jade and Shadow, so I was very excited to read Mexican Gothic. While I don’t usually watch or read horror, I was intrigued and willing to give this a go, and I’m glad that I did.
I wasn’t sure how much I would like Noemí, but I did like her and found her to be relatable. There was a lot more to her than there appeared to be. She was out of her depth at High Place so it was interesting to read her interactions with the other characters and her thoughts.
Apart from Noemí, Francis was my favourite character. I really felt for him and wanted to give him a hug.
I really liked that the novel was set in 1950s Mexico and I felt that the author did an excellent job of making High Place very atmospheric and real. There were a few times when I almost felt like I was within the rundown walls of the house alongside Noemí.
The plot was good and held my attention. It did take a little while to get going, but once it did I found myself getting sucked into the story. I did have an inkling about one of the twists, but didn’t guess them all entirely.
There were a few times when I found what I was reading quite disturbing and I was most definitely thoroughly creeped out, which I think shows just how good the author’s writing is. This book is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Mexican Gothic is a novel that has something for everyone – action, mystery, historical elements, hints of romance, horror, and well-written characters.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Rating: ★★★★★

Many thanks to Quercus Books, Jo Fletcher Books and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

How do you even begin to talk about something as phenomenally good as Mexican Gothic? I read and enjoyed Gods of Jade and Shadow last year and it really make me stand up and take notice of Moreno-Garcia. So when this book was announced and I was approved for the ARC, I hoped it would be just as good, if not better, than the previous work. And I am so pleased that it turned out to be an even better novel: atmospheric, layered and complex, with a female main character that I couldn't help but love. It's a belter of a novel, a clear spiritual successor to Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, with an insidious mystery at its core - one that captures you and holds on to you with tendrils.

Noemí Taboada is a debutante, who's interested in parties, champagne and flouting her beauty and provocative wiles. When she receives a letter from her cousin Catalina begging for her help, she finds herself in the unlikely position of rescuer: for Catalina is worried that she's going mad, that she can hear voices and no one is willing to take her seriously. So Noemí must travel to High Place, a house built off the back of a now defunct silver mine, a house owned by a family who live by very different rules from what Noemí is used to. And in High Place, there lurks a danger that even she may not be prepared to face. Armed with her wits and her charms, Noemí must do more than rescue Catalina: she must find it in her to survive if she has any hopes of ever escaping High Place.

From the very beginning, as soon as Noemí leaves Mexico City, you are enveloped in the gloom and sheer weirdness of High Place: from how strange the family behaves to the mould that seems to envelop the house; from the almost godlike reverence that the patriarch instils in his children to the way Catalina speak. And soon, just like Noemí, you find yourself feeling like you're losing your grip on reality, that nothing is quite as it seems and that maybe you can't leave High Place either. Moreno-Garcia is adept at building atmosphere and as you see everything through Noemí's eyes, it's very easy to believe in the supernatural/weird just as she does. There are moments of horror in the novel and were it to be adapted to a film, I would seriously struggle to watch it, because reading the descriptions was bad enough. Her characterisation is also top notch; Noemí herself is brash, but clever and I really enjoyed watching her use her skills to get what she wants, without compromising herself or her morals. Virgil, Catalina's husband, is himself a magnetic and creepy figure: handsome and somehow lewd, a man who never lets on what he's truly thinking. Catalina, though a backseat figure for most of the novel, really shines in its climax and throughout the narrative I really found myself warming to her: it's hard not to, because you can see why she would have been swept off her feet by Virgil, but also because at no point does Noemí think badly of her cousin. There is genuine affection here between them and I love that Moreno-Garcia spends time building their relationship. You want Noemí to succeed in her endeavour because she really cares about Catalina and she won't back down.

Mexican Gothic isn't just an exploration of a gothic novel with a different backdrop. It becomes a narrative on colonialism and gender politics, on the limits of a woman's power in 1950s Mexico (and maybe even today), on how white people can come to a different country and simply take over its riches, its cultural hallmarks and twist them to their perverted needs. It is telling that the immortality that Howard seeks for his family comes from an indigenous ritual that he appropriates and then twists to his own perverted needs. That his first wife is an indigenous woman, whom he uses without a care. That he doesn't understand the value of sacrifice for the sake of preserving the knowledge and instead makes his wife Agnes die for it, so that he gets to be the one to live on, forever reincarnated into the body of his son. It is not he who must die, but instead the weaker woman, whose body is only good for producing heirs and then going into the gloom. This entire narrative is brought sharply into focus through the use of eugenics. The Doyles are obsessed with purity, lineage and blood and from the moment Noemí steps into the house, she is assaulted by the ideas they are so happy to promote: that she is passionate and wanton because of her nature, that the Doyles are the height of purity and well breeding, that somehow she is a wild animal to be tamed by a "good white man". Noemí fights against this at every turn, but she is simply one woman and at times I truly doubted whether she would succeed.

This "fear of the unknown", of the "other", is a theme throughout the novel. The Doyles live the way they do because to do this in any other way would be to accept outside influence. The bodies of the miners who perished in the name of their silver fortunes, buried in unmarked mass graves, are just more fodder for their greed. Those nameless workers do not matter and it is clear in the attitude of Virgil and Florence that they consider Noemí to be no better than those miners; a Mexican without proper breeding, a mongrel to be tamed, a wastrel woman who gives in to her base desires. The Doyles themselves elicit a feeling of unease and despite Francis being the most "normal" of the lot, by the end I still found something rotten about it, though Noemí felt differently. The monstrosity of Virgil, hiding beneath the veneer of good looks and better breeding (ha!), just highlights how effective people like him are at tricking you into believing they are something better. Between him, his icy sister Florence and the rotting Howard, it is hard not to feel like you are trapped in a circle of cloying, miasmic poison and that you should escape as quickly as possible.

Mexican Gothic is also an absolute page turner. The kind of book I found myself reading late into the night, horrified and transfixed but unable to stop reading. It is enchanting and beguiling and deadly, but equally beautiful and empowering. I loved Noemí, I loved her narrative arc, her steely determination and her no nonsense attitude, but I equally grew to like Catalina, who moves from being a convalescent Victorian character to proving she has mettle of her own. This is a novel ultimately driven by its female characters and one that excels at keeping you interested and reading. It is a gem that takes the staples of the gothic novel you'd find in du Maurier or the works of the Bronte sisters and turns them into something more fitting for the 21st century. It is exceptionally well written and I hope more people get to read it and enjoy its darkness and its triumphs.

I don't tend to comment on a book's cover (that old saying...) but this cover is stunning and actually it is what drew me into the book.

Personally, horror is not something I enjoy reading or watching but I must say that Silvia Moreno-Garcia has done a fantastic job. Noemí Taboada is a fabulous socialite with high aspirations but living in a strict family where she's expected to marry a man who her father approves of.
It's a creepy story, there's saucy sleepwalking, a spooky house and family drama. I'm probably not the best person to listen to on this genre but if you're a newbie to the genre like, I would recommend.

There's even a playlist!!!! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/233O4CcNUXQIJjqcHlsHqj?si=RUkAIcDjTiuK3JXHO2CfjA

The gothic novel should always have on the cover the image of a women with a ripped and flowing dress running away in terror from an imposing stately house. This is not the cover that Silvia Moreno-Garcia chose for Mexican Gothic, but it could so easily have been. The story begins as pure gothic, but this being the imagination of Moreno-Garcia, it may very well be not where it ends. Let her take you on a journey to a mysterious house high in the mountains and then let her blow your mind.

Noemí Taboada is living a charmed life. She is a very modern socialite who can enjoy a good party but also pursue an interest in academia. For many women in mid-20th century Mexico this is not the case. One such women is Catalina, Noemí’s cousin who moved away to a remote house in the mountains to be with her husband. A letter has arrived that suggests that Catalina is no longer in her right mind. Noemí is sent out to investigate. Will she find a broken woman and an overbearing husband, or something entirely different?

I was first introduced to the writings of Moreno-Garcia via her magnificent Gods of Jade and Shadow, a magical fable steeped in the traditions of Mexico. The book felt so different to anything else I had read, yet still had a compelling set of characters and story. Gothic is set once more in historic Mexico, but it has a very different feel. This is a homage to the gothic writing tradition and, in particular, the books of Britain.

There is a blend of Latin culture and Wuthering Heights. Initially, the English bodice rippers win out. The unique blend that Moreno-Garcia brings to her writing is diluted by her obvious passion for the genre. The character of Noemí on more than one occasion mentions classic novels that her situation reminds her of. As a gothic novel, it is good fun. You have a nice blend of gaslighting husband and unstable wife.

If the book was just traditional gothic, it would have been a fun aside, but it adhered so closely to the classics that even with a touch of Mexican heritage it felt from another era. Therefore, it comes with great satisfaction that a huge event happens in the book that alters how you perceive everything you have read so far. Genre fans will be ecstatic. I for one did not see the events coming and it had a huge and enjoyable impact on me.
The book is almost two parts. The start is traditional gothic, whilst the end is new wave gothic. What makes the stranger elements towards the latter part of the book work is that Moreno-Garcia never loses track of the high gothic style. There is a slight ripeness to events that are perfect, from the dilapidated house to the almost silent residents who dwell within.

The deft balance that the author uses means that the book can appeal to fans of classic gothic tales, but also modern fans of genre fiction such as horror or the supernatural. The likes of Jane Eyre have a psychological horror undertone to them, all that Moreno-Garcia does at the start is to coax it out a little more. What I really enjoyed was the gonzo move the book took. The twists that the book takes are eye opening and great fun. Moreno-Garcia leads you down a traditional gothic path only for her to push you into the woods to struggle on your own against the horrors found within.

I went into reading Mexican Gothic slightly nervous, I’d never read a horror novel before. The synopsis enticed me, the cover was just gorgeous, and I knew I had to give this book a try. ⁣
⁣
I’m glad I did. Noemí’s story sat underneath my skin. The intensity that the author wrote with made this dark read far more terrifying than I had imagined. The atmosphere, the setting, the characters were terrifying in a creepy slow way. There’s a constant feeling of being on the edge as a reader, I especially felt connected to Noemi. Her feelings became mine as the story progressed; I was utterly absorbed in this book. ⁣
⁣
I do want to highlight that there are some extremely triggering themes in this book from sexual assault to incest. I did feel uncomfortable in the middle with the graphic nature of the storytelling; I’m not sure if this is common in horror-based literature. ⁣
⁣
That aside, the writing was very easy to delve into. The descriptions are gorgeous and gory, it’s the perfect read if you crave something hair-raising and intense. I thought the ending was interesting, everything appeared to connect well. The plot can be a bit confusing, I did go back to read over certain paragraphs to keep track of everything. ⁣
⁣
Most of all, I did love Noemí. I loved her narrative, her conflicts, her character just felt inherently likeable and intriguing. She’s easily one of my favourites.⁣
⁣
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥: readers looking for a dark, creepy, horror novel.

4.5 stars
MEXICAN GOTHIC is a gothic/horror adult novel about a young woman who goes to visit her cousin and her husband’s family and soon finds herself in a less than lovely situation.
This novel is a wonderful, unnerving slow burn of discomfort and fear. The descriptions of the house and Noemi’s nightmares are so vivid and unsettling, yet keep you glued to the page. The vibe I got while reading this story is not one I’ve experienced before, completely unmatched. From the atmosphere to the characters, this story was an amazing experience, and if you’re new to horror I would recommend using as one of your first reads as it was mine.
Our main character Noemi is funny, ambitious, smart, confident, and strong-willed, all while being hyper aware of other’s perception of her. Journeying with her to High Place and having to adjust to the Doyle’s strict and unnecessary rules, as she tried to ensure her cousin was not in harm’s way, showed so many parts of Noemi’s character. I absolutely loved her. The other characters are as mysterious and frustrating as Noemi is full and sure. Their presence feels stifling, yet they are not always around. There is this air of a hidden plot being planned, yet as we see the story through Noemi’s eyes, we can’t quite place a finger on what feels off about the whole thing. One of my favourite side characters was Francis, a man who despite being raised in a house devoid of joy and love managed to be kind, though one might argue that that is not enough.
MEXICAN GOTHIC is ultimately a story about the greed of (white) men, the dynasties they forge, and the women and people of colour they tear down and trod on to make it so. The Doyle men are everything that is wrong with men, always entitled and angry at not having everything at their disposal, covered in a suit of charm and confidence. I was so angry at them so much of the time. This story unravels at such an enthralling pace, and just when you think its lost steam, the last 30% grabs you by the neck and doesn’t let you go until the final page. It was an excellent read, and an excellent introduction to Moreno-Garcia’s work. I am excited to dive into her backlist.

This is the first true horror book I have ever read.

Growing up, I never truly understood why people consumed horror media. Why would anyone voluntarily choose to feel scared instead of entertained? What point is there to feeding the paranoia of being alone in the dark? (It certainly didn’t help that the brand of East-Southeast Asian horror I was raised on tended heavily towards ghosts and apparitions, and still disproportionately frightens me to this day!)

But in recent years, I’ve found myself gravitating towards weird stories with spookier elements, and ended up developing a particular fondness for gothic horror. There’s something absolutely alluring about the morbid, almost pleasurable terror of a gothic novel, wrapped underneath layers of decadence, aesthetics, and decay. After massively enjoying House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig last year, I began seeking out books and other media that could give me the same sense of dread and catharsis that Sorrows gave me a taste of. I eventually found solace in Emily Carroll’s horror comics and the podcast The Magnus Archives, which all built a foundation for my instant attraction to the premise of Mexican Gothic.

And friend, if you are also fascinated by haunted houses and the macabre, in a tension that builds and builds until the threads of the story come loose in a brilliant, repulsive reveal… Then this book was written for you too.

A HOUSE ON A HILL, A STRANGE FAMILY

The premise of Mexican Gothic is a tried-and-true one. In 1950’s Mexico, headstrong socialite and debutante Noemí Taboada receives an uncharacteristic distress letter from her cousin, Catalina, who recently wed into the enigmatic Doyle family and now resides in a rural countryside mansion. She is persuaded by her father to investigate Catalina’s condition, and so she travels to High Place—the proverbial house atop the hill where the rest of the novel is set. Over the course of the book, Noemí slowly begins to unravel the dark anxieties that plague her cousin, the curse of the family she’s been wedded to, as well as old secrets within the crumbling mansion itself.

Where this book truly shines, I think, is how it handles its classic horror premise. Never once while reading could I truly pin down the underlying cause of tension in High Place. And boy, does Noemí go through a lot in this book—the Doyle family grows increasingly oppressive and hostile, the local cemetery is coated in a strange mist, and (in true Yellow Wallpaper fashion), a patterned wallpaper in her bedroom seems to come… alive, festering, crusting over with sores. Soon it begins to seem that High Place isn’t just haunted by something, it’s an instigator of the terror. But when her nightmares and reality begin to blur into each other, can Noemí even trust her own assumptions? And why is her family-in-law so seemingly obsessed with eugenics and ideas of a superior race?

A DARK MYSTERY THAT BIDES ITS TIME

In exploring the strange, dilapidated mansion of High Place, a recurring motif that Noemí encounters persistently throughout the house is one of a snake eating its own tail. If you’re as much of a mythology geek as me, you will probably recognise it as an ouroboros immediately—a symbol of the cycle of death and rebirth, fertility and immortality. The snake is thematically important, and also emblematic of how the plot in this book is structured as well.

Much of the early days that Noemí spends at the house fall into a sort of routine: she awakens, dons a stylish outfit, spends time gathering clues in an attempt to crack the mystery, and tries to convince her cousin to leave with her. She never wholly succeeds, of course, but every day gets her a little closer to the truth, until she becomes inextricably linked within the ouroboros spiral of High Place and the uncanny conspiracies of the Doyle family. This part of the book can read a little slow if you’re used to more action-packed thrillers, but Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s masterful suspense writing more than makes up for the more gradual pace of the beginning sections. Every discovery Noemí makes is fraught with complications, and the Doyle family also seem to stop at nothing to implicate her as a villain for trying to disrupt their highly conservative lives. All the build-up also pays off immensely in the third arc of the novel, where all is finally revealed. When I tell you that I had to put down the book several times while reading the conclusion because the truth underpinning it all was beyond sickening, I mean it.

“Noemí, just because there are no ghosts it doesn’t mean you can’t be haunted. Nor that you shouldn’t fear the haunting. You are too fearless.”

Throughout it all, though this book is very much plot-driven instead of reliant on its characters, Noemí herself was also an easy protagonist to root for. She is vain, flighty, and stubborn, but also clearly intelligent and cares earnestly for her cousin. In an environment that only grows exponentially disapproving of her presence, she stays, stubbornly digging her (very fabulous) heels into the sickly dirt, and sees the mystery to its grisly, horrific close.

MY CONCLUSION: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

In growing more acquainted with the horror genre and my own preferences for fictional spookiness, I have come to seriously appreciate the catharsis and escapist moments that these stories can offer—and make no mistake, Mexican Gothic has all of these in spades. This book is a stunning accomplishment within the genre, filled with loving homage to the gothic novels that influenced and came before it. If you’re up for some repulsive, decadent horror, and don’t mind taking a little time to go on a morbid journey, this book is an absolutely bone-chilling read. Don’t turn your lights off.

(But also, a fair warning, and I swear this is relevant: maybe don’t read this if you’re very fond of mushrooms.)

Plot:
Set against the backdrop of 1950s Mexico, socialite Noemí Taboada leaves Mexico City following a disturbing letter from her recently married cousin. She travels to the countryside and to High Place, an isolated, decaying mansion. There, she learns more about the family her cousin married into and begins to wonder whether her cousin’s frantic letter may hold some truth to it. She’s surrounded by the unwelcoming or, worse, overly welcoming Doyle family and haunted by terrifying dreams.

My thoughts:
Let me just preface this review by saying that this is the first horror novel I’ve ever read so I’m far from an expert here. However, I did really enjoy this book (is enjoy the right word? I was thoroughly creeped out haha). This was a masterfully told, haunting nightmare of a novel that gripped me until the very last page and I highly recommend it!

This book was so incredibly vivid and cinematic and I adored the writing style. The descriptions were delightfully creepy and their hallucinatory, dream-like quality was effortlessly immersive. The imagery of decay and rot was incredibly effective in conveying the corruption in this novel, from the house to the characters’ morality. I loved the haunting, misty atmosphere and how it intertwined with the hidden truths of the Doyle family. Something that often puts me off a book is a slow build but the pacing in Mexican Gothic was incredibly effective in building tension and suspense while still remaining engaging.

Noemí was a great main character; she was bold and determined, even as she was shut down over and over again. I loved the contrast of the modern, vibrant, city girl arriving in the desolate village and to a house and family stuck in the past. This created a delightful image and a reversal of stereotypical roles as a wealthy, brown skinned Mexican woman occupied the space of a once affluent white family. This contrast led to often subtle discussions of feminism, eugenics and racism. The mystery of the book was well hidden and twisty, revealing new dimensions and new questions with every chapter.

I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book, other than I’d have loved if it had gone even harder at times, particularly towards the end. I almost felt as if the very final spooky scene was too easy and could have been more.

But that is a very minor complaint and overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was gorgeous and creepy and everything I wanted. It also affirmed my hatred of mushrooms.

4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2020/06/30/mexican-gothic-by-silvia-moreno-garcia-mexicangothic-jofletcherbooks-silviamg/
My TL:DR Five Word Review : ‘Open Your Eyes’: Read it.

She only went and did it again. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is positively a wordsmith. I sometimes feel she writes simply with me in mind and manages to conjure up a book that is full of all my, not so secret, loves. Mexican Gothic is truly gothic horror at it’s finest. There’s a fantastic set up where we get to meet our storyteller, a forward thinking and intelligent woman who is not averse to a little romantic thinking. There’s the light touch of fairy tales intertwined with myth sprinkled throughout the pages and there’s the most gorgeously decadent horror story that brings to us a house in the style of Usher and a family with more secrets than you could shake a stick at.

Set in 1950s Mexico the story begins with an introduction to Noemi. Noemi is our central character and is very well imagined. Beautiful, wealthy and a tad spoilt, although certainly not enough to make her unlikable, Noemi is no shrinking violet. She’s used to the power that her family name brings and the doors it opens and this gives her a confidence that belies her age. Not content to settle for a suitable marriage Noemi wants to go to University, she wants adventure and so when her father receives a disturbing letter from a recently married cousin Noemi is eager to make the journey and find the root of the problem. So, suitcases in hand, lipstick in purse, and heels suitably high she sets off across the country to see her cousin and solve the mystery of her recent illness.

To be fair to other readers I’m not going to elaborate further on the plot. Wild horses couldn’t drag any spoilers from between the lines of this review. You’ll have to pick up Mexican Gothic yourself to discover it’s hidden secrets.

So, why did I love this?

Firstly, the writing. This is not a new-to-me author. I’ve already read and loved a number of her books including the rather brilliant Certain Dark Things, which I never miss an opportunity to wax lyrical about, and I have to say her writing is polished and persuasive. I swear that this author could turn her hand to any genre and pull it off with ease. Here she spins a tale that gradually pulls you in. A lonely house atop a mountain, a family with a dark history and an overall sense of growing dread as a light is slowly shone into the darkest corners to reveal the horrors lurking there.

The main character Noemi is a wonderful creation. She has a level of intelligence that keeps her thought processes and actions intriguing. She has been brought up with privilege and this gives her a strength and confidence that would otherwise lack credibility and she’s not afraid to stand up for herself or take action. Yes, Noemi could be described as vain, but, again, her vanity is never overtly irritating, more that she gives free rein to her desire to dress stylishly and is aware of the effect she has on others. Of course, this beauty can also attract the wrong sort of attention, as Noemi is about to find out.

The story itself reminded me of my love of so many gothic stories whilst at the same time standing on it’s own two feet. It provoked thoughts of The Haunting of Hill House, Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, The House of Usher to name but a few. The house itself is like a character. Perched atop the mountains, High Place is aptly named, chilling, dilapidated and suitably eerie. It has its own cemetery which hosts the many workers who once worked in the, now abandoned, family silver mine and a family mausoleum. A thick mist frequently shrouds the house and grounds making it easy to become disorientated and the interior is poorly lit and outdated, not to mention damp and creepily quiet.

As the tension mounts the horrors and family history are revealed – and they’re not pretty. Here is a family whose wealth and status suffered as a result of revolution but who are stuck in the past like a needle in the groove of a record. They’re determined to regain the power and wealth of a bygone era and not above marrying into money – and yet this is the least of their transgressions.

In terms of criticisms. I have very little to mention except maybe a slight disjoint as the pace increased, a feeling that the last quarter of the book was a little more rushed than the rest of the story but it wasn’t a feeling that lingered as I was quickly chasing the words on the page.

Now, as it is I’m struggling to say too much more without revealing spoilers that could ruin the pleasure of discovering firsthand the secrets of this story. I can warn you that this is gothic horror, it doesn’t shrink away from some cringe inducing scenes and it ventures into an almost hypnotic, psychedelic phase of storytelling as events escalate so be prepared to read things that could make you flinch. As it is I have to admit that I love the way the author can make me feel such a rush of emotions. I really felt for the main character as she went from one awful extreme to the next and whilst I could second guess some of the events before they took place I was never sure what the final outcome would be.

I have no hesitation in recommending Mexican gothic. It was positively gripping, beautifully written, packed with atmosphere and delivered another great read by an author that certainly knows how to push all my buttons.

My rating is 4.5 of 5 stars

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above opinions are my own.

This one firmly nails its colours to the mast with the very title – Mexican Gothic. So, never mind about the quality of the writing… the characterisation… or even the ingenuity of the plotting – does this book hit all the genre conventions of a classic noir gothic novel? Oh yes – right down to the era, as this book is set in the 1950s. Comparisons have been made with Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and, indeed there are some striking similarities, though equally important differences. We have a large, mouldering house miles away from anywhere and seemingly perpetually shrouded in mist with faded furniture and a musty smell under the fraying grandeur. We also have a hostile and rather creepy housekeeper, though this one is known as Florence, instead of Mrs Danvers. Though her disapproval of our feisty heroine, Noemí, is every bit as prune-faced and sneering. She particularly dislikes her smoking in her room – which back in the 50s was unusual, given that lots of people smoked as a matter of course. And Noemí is also an important difference. Because, let’s face it, the second Mrs de Winter was toe-curlingly wet and naïve. However, Noemí is quite a different proposition. A young debutante who moves amongst the smart set in Mexico City, she is sophisticated, tough-minded and a little spoilt – which in these circumstances is a very good thing…

I love Noemí, who is also intuitive and intelligent with a strong instinct for self preservation under that careless, thrill-seeking exterior. And as forces within the house stir at the prospect of fresh meat, she is confronted with things that would send a less feisty character shrieking into the night… The pacing is a joy. Because the gothic genre requires a slow build-up of tension as things begin to go wrong, steadily gathering momentum as the stakes continue getting higher – until the climax crackles with horror and a real sense that our heroine may well not prevail. This being Moreno-Garcia, I didn’t discount that option, either…

There are some really ugly issues dealt with in this book. The Doyles, an outwardly respectable English family, proud of their unsullied heritage, had to leave England as rumours about their activities became too persistent. They pitch up in this depressed settlement, free to continue their vile practises. Slavery, physical and sexual abuse, murder and the nastiest sort of racism all surface within this story, though there isn’t anything too graphic. But neither does Moreno-Garcia flinch from goes on, either. Suffice to say there is one of the most magnificently vile antagonists in this book that I’ve encountered in a while. All in all, this is a wonderful example from an author at the top of her game and very highly recommended for fans of gothic horror. While I obtained an arc of Mexican Gothic from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10

Mexican Gothic is a gothic horror novel set in 1950s Mexico and it is so unexpected and spine-chilling that it will take you on a ride right from page one. This was a book out of my comfort zone since I do not read horror novels much but this book surprised me in the best way and completely awed me.

The Story
The story follows Noemi who’s father asks her to go to High Palace, the mansion where her cousin Catalina stays with her husband, Virgil. They have got some letters from her indicating that she is suffering from some mental illness and that something is wrong, so Noemi goes to check on her cousin to make sure she is okay. She reaches and stays at the mansion and from there starts the rollercoaster that this book is. The story is truly creepy which will give you the perfect haunted vibes and it’s intriguing till the end which will make it difficult to keep the book down. You will think the story is going in a certain way but it takes a completely unexpected route which will leave you baffled.

The Characters
The characters are well-fleshed out, creepy and written so perfectly for the story. Their characterisation fit so well with the story and it was like watching a old horror film which made it so much more better. Noemi was confident and smart and loves parties. She is also brave and wise in a way which we find out as we read more and more of the story. Catalina is a soft woman but she’s clearly troubled in this creepy mansion. Her husband Virgil and his father who is the patriarch of their house plus the aunt Florence and her son Francis are all intriguing and also masked in lots of questions. The characters were written beautifully. The only small problem I had was with Francis’ character: I had expected something a little different than what happened with his character. But overall, it does not affect the experience majorly.

The Setting
I absolutely ADORED the setting of the story. It was set in 1950s Mexico and the setting and descriptions were simply stunning. It gave the perfect vibes and Silvia Moreno-Garcia does such an amazing job at the setting and especially for all the creepy or scary scenes where you could actually feel what the characters were going through and what was happening. I was definitely in awe with the way the author weaved the story and blended the horror and suspense parts of the story.

The Writing and Pacing
The writing was beautiful. I have read one of Silvia’s other books, Gods of Jade and Shadow recently and I really loved it especially the writing. But what I truly love is how her writing suits the tone and setting of the book perfectly. The pacing is also great and there is not a boring part in the book and you will always be intrigued enough to turn the page to read it.

Overall, Mexican Gothic is a haunting, suspenseful and twisted book which will make you go through a myriad of emotions and make you wary of what you’re reading because its that atmospheric. Silvia Moreno-Garcia does a stunning job of weaving the horror and mystery elements along with the intriguing characters. I would highly recommend this book to all fans of horror, suspense and mystery genres. I would suggest checking out the trigger warnings once since it can get pretty heavy.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me with an eARC through Netgalley and making me part of this #MexicanGothic tour. All opinions are my own.

This book is the most vile, disgusting, discomfiting, creepy-crawly book I've ever read! And IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

Mexican Gothic is a novel that takes place in the 1950s in the middle of nowhere (as horror stories do), inside this ancient, creaky house that's lowkey alive (of course it is) and centers around a protagonist who is here to help her cousin because she's been talking about voices in the walls (it's fine. I'm fine). I will keep the synopsis super short because I don't want to give anything away. Also a lot of this book can only be experienced and not talked about so trust me on this and pick it up!! ❤️

Noemí Taboada is this beautiful socialite from Mexico City and she thrives in the loud, raucous, exciting world of the rich, young and beautiful. She is pulled away from her tiny universe when a very concerning letter arrives from her cousin, and Noemí is sent to her house that's up this mountain by the city of El Triunfo and then antics ensue. *cue the Wilhelm scream*

This book. Y'ALL. This BOOK! First of all, trigger warnings for sexual assault and violence and all kinds of creepy shit oof. This book was just very disgusting in places. And I liked it very much. There are certain things in this world that I find make me extremely uncomfortable - mushrooms and other fungi, haunted houses that mess with your brain, evil men who will gaslight the fuck out of you, etc., This book had ALL of those things and then some. And IT WAS SO CREEPY AND I HATED IT AND I LOVED IT OKAY!!!

The thing that really sold me on this was the writing style. It was so good at carrying the atmosphere of the book - and this book really is all about atmosphere because it's the slowest of burns when it comes to the plot- and it was very beautifully describing all the gross stuff which just made it that much more creepy. Because of the slow pacing of the book, I lowkey wanted to DNF it at places, but the writing style is what kept me hooked to it!! It was just…amazing, okay!

The plot, like I said, was a super slow burn, but, in the last 20% or so, things just SPIN OUT OF CONTROL! It wasn't completely unpredictable but it was also just very in-character for what the whole novel was building up to. It didn't leave me dissatisfied or anything, but at the same time, I wouldn't say it blew my mind. It was a very happy middle and it was super fun!!

Noemí Taboada's shoulders must ache because her character arc carried this entire 350+ page book. While I really appreciated the way the others were written too, I just felt like Noemí's character was so vibrant and full that the others felt a little underdeveloped. I also get that that's kind of the point, because the contrast between them was necessary. I don't know if it could've been done better in any way, but, I just wish I was able to feel a little bit more than just anger and hatred for the others, you feel?

Themes here? So many themes here. Oppression of women and how they're gaslighted, colonization and exploitation that comes with occupation, the eugenic idea of race superiority, and so much more. This book gives you a lot to think about. Sadly for all of us, I don't have functioning brain cells. But if you're someone who likes to sit and dissect and analyze a book, this is definitely one for you. Because you get the creepy crawlies and the enjoyment of horror, but you also get some really important discussions, too! Win-win!!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would 100% read it again and I would totally recommend y'all do it too. I think it would've been a perfect 5-starrer for me if only the pacing was slightly different, and the characters a little more solid. But other than that, it was a super fun ride!!!

A huge thanks to Netgalley and Quercus books for this review copy! All opinions are my own!

The combination of this book being gothic horror and written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was really all I needed to know to want to read Mexican Gothic. Silvia Moreno-Garcia does everything I love about that genre really well and more.

A very old house in a secluded spot, full of dark secrets is exactly my kind of tea, and with a story of a woman and her "mysterious doom" it quickly made me think I just stumbled into something close to my personal worst nightmare. Add to that some downright creepy dudes you just wait to move into (sexual) assault territory and you quickly arrive at "I want out of here!", and as the reader you could, only that your just as much stuck to the pages, as Noemí is unwilling to leave her cousin alone in that house, no matter how bad it gets.

When you're familiar with lots of stories like this one, stories about big old houses and their odd, creepy inhabitants being up to some weird shit, you might think this is just the same old stuff you've seen so many times before. Even if the book were just the typical plot points and clichés one is so very familiar with (and I'm not saying it is) it's still the execution and writing that matters, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia definitely kept me captivated with hers.

The story was just so much... more, it goes far beyond the usual tropes.
The characters were more in every way I expected them to be. The bad ones a lot creepier and messed up. The good ones a lot braver (I'll never not be thankful for heroines in horror not falling into white-male clichés). The true horror of the story went a lot deeper; it was weirder and darker than I first thought.

My favorite aspect of reading Mexican Gothic was definitely the slow transition from me thinking "okay yeah, this is THAT typical scenario, it's creepy, yet cozy, I love it" to "THE WHAAAAT??" when I learned what that family is really up to.
At the center of the book is a story about eugenics/race and by using rich symbolism, it slowly leads you to the real horror of this house. A gothic horror that ups the repulsion level to the max while going way past the usual tropes.

This being the third book I've read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I've come to think she can write just about any genre. Gothic horror, historical crime fiction, urban fantasy,... I enjoyed them all and Mexican Gothic is just another to add to my "highly recommended" list.

First of all, I want to thank Jo Fletcher Books and Silvia Moreno-Garica for providing me with this proof, and a chance to take part in the blog tour.

Mexican Gothic is honestly like no other novel I have ever read; dark, haunting and gripping that weaves together elements of Mexican folklore with recognisable Gothic tropes. The atmosphere that Moreno-Garcia manages to create in this novel feels effortless. The effect is spine-tingling as the tension slowly builds until you can’t put the book down because you just have to know what happens (a.k.a the BEST kind of books). I rarely read books like this as I often find the pacing can be a tricky thing to get right. It needs to be expertly drawn out to create that growing feeling of inevitable terror, and if it fails I instantly lose interest, but in that sense Mexican Gothic was everything I wanted it to be. This is a testament to Moreno-Garcia’s skills as a storyteller that she has managed to write a novel that weaves such believable terror into Noemí’s narration. However, this should not be classed as simply a gothic novel. Although this book has clear well executed elements of the gothic genre, it is most certainly a horror story. It’s one I’m still thinking about with a shiver.

Noemí, our heroine, is a well-built character whose motivations and heart are shown so clearly it is easy to picture her. She is feisty, brave, has a strong sense of self, and is often quite unlikable, but in a way that can be compelling. I was drawn in by her determination. She is not always the flighty damsel-in-distress that often occurs in traditional gothic narratives; she is proactive in helping her cousin, persuading people to help her, and finding out about the history of High Place. It is easy to root for her and care about how this story ends for her. The rest of the characters are also somewhat memorable, but not necessarily in the same way. Each seems to fall into the typical trope of their roles in the story; the dashing, charismatic man with a dark side, the strict mother, the lecherous racist old man, the quiet cousin on the outskirts of the family. This is something that I thought that would detract significantly from the quality of the story, but the roles they play work as they have always worked, and in the majority of the novel only make Noemí’s situation seem more helpless. Moreno-Garcia has managed to create a cast of characters that fit perfectly within the genre, but I do wish that there had been some subversion of these tropes; it would’ve definitely made it a stronger, more stand-out novel for me if I couldn’t predict who the villains were from the beginning. This story is definitely all about Noemí, and honestly, that is not a bad thing; aside from the plot, she is the reason I stuck with this novel. I needed to know what happened to her.

I feel that with this kind of book I can’t say too much about the plot, it is best to go into this novel with as little knowledge as possible. I found it the best way to experience the tension and horror and you won’t be waiting for that one thing to happen that you’ve read about in a review. To say too much would ruin the mystery that Moreno-Garcia manages to create. Although you half know the kind of story you are going into because of its genre, there was still a lot I didn’t expect and kept me reading. The imagination and originality in this novel is amazing, and terrifying, because I still think about what was going on in High Place with a shiver. Moreno-Garcia perfected a narrative that put me on edge, made me jump, squeal, and squirm, and has moments I still think about with disgust. I’ve never been a fan of horror movies, I don’t like being scared, but this is one of the books I’ve read recently that has persuaded me to give more gothic horror novels a chance in the future.
The only true criticism that I have is that it did take me awhile to settle into this book. I battled against the narrative style at first. I have no real reason why, and maybe it was because I’ve read a constant stream of books during this lockdown that I just simply struggled to pull myself out of one world and into another. I do wish we had been given a little more of Noemí’s home life before we were plunged into the mysteries of High Place, to truly highlight the contrast of her life against the one she had entered, but it didn’t lose too much by jumping straight into the plot. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as twisted, bizarre, and unique as it was.

Imagine a house. Imagine a man in that house, so horrible in his ambition that he is willing to trap his own family inside the house which is in itself a conduit to his dark desires.

Enter Noemí Taboada, a young socialite in 1950s Mexico who, after receiving a letter from her recently married cousin that her new husband isn’t at all what he seems, has to face the horrors of High Place, the ancestral home of the elusive and once-powerful Doyle family. The smell of decay follows her everywhere and despite her better judgement, Noemí is entranced by it. She is drawn further and further inside the quicksand that is the Doyle estate, her rescue mission effectively dismissed. The youngest son, Francis, proves to be an ally, but only when it seems to be too late.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia gives eldritch horror a vintage spin and the result is a slowly rotting cluster of mushrooms. It messes with your head and the characters’ heads, but each what-the-fuckery has a natural and scientific explanation. Almost. Mostly, it’s really gross. This book is not for the faint of heart.

While I enjoyed Noemí, I’m not sure why she thought she could save her cousin from a man who’s poisoning her mind and body by wearing new clothes and having oblique horror dreams. Which she does for a considerable percentage of the book. But for all that while it’s like her very existence, her headstrong and flamboyant personality itself, is an affront to the Doyle curse. She barks out a merry laugh and they scatter like shocked and offended mice. Except Francis, who’s really pale and really sickly and really, just wants to talk about mushrooms. I love him. In a setting where Noemí is supposed to be the Gothic heroine running away from the old, dark, crumbling mansion with a candelabra in her hand and Francis should be the knight who saves her, that’s not the case with these two at all.

While we’re on the topic of characters, I would also like to point out that Virgil’s hot villain prospects are entirely wasted. I’m not exactly disappointed with how it plays out, but I mean, he’s hot, he’s evil, he has the potential to be even more horrible than his father and then the ending happens. I don’t know, maybe by that point I wanted to spend a bit more time inside the story.

Writing this review, I’m realizing how much fun I actually had with this book. What does that say about me? Anyway. I’m glad this was my introduction to Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s work, I think she’s a really versatile author who might hopefully be one of my new favorites. If you love horror and go into Mexican Gothic bearing the grossness in mind, it may be your cup of tea as well.

Many thanks to Quercus Books/Jo Fletcher Books for an eARC via NetGalley and the opportunity to be a part of the blog tour.

Set in 1950s Mexico City, Mexican Gothic follows Noemí Taborda, a charming socialite that is more than meets the eye. After receiving a strange letter about ghosts and strange happenings from her beloved cousin Catalina, Noemí travels to the mysterious High Place, a decaying house inhabited by the mysterious and once-powerful Doyles. Needless to say, Mexican Gothic is all I could ever want in a Gothic tale written in the twenty-first century.

Storytelling: As a Gothic PhD candidate, I loved how so many Gothic tropes, intertwined with Mexican folk and history (the historical context of the 1920s plays a huge part in the narrative's background) were part of Mexican Gothic: an isolated mansion in ruins, a decaying English family, ghosts and nightmarish visions, violence, grotesque bodies, madness, lust, and family secrets. As many other narratives part of the Gothic literary tradition, such as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Dracula by Bram Stoker, Mexican Gothic brings forth questions that haunt today's society, such as racism. The story also dwells on questions regarding colonialism and imperialism.

There is something sublime and eerie about Moreno-Garcia's writing style that adds the chilling-creepiness of this unique narrative. Of course, there were some uncomfortable scenes throughout Mexican Gothic (please, take a look at the trigger warning section below before deciding if this book is for you) that will probably haunt me forever.

I must confess that it is really difficult to talk about the story of Mexican Gothic without revealing some vital detail of the plot. It is an enticing narrative in which every chapter gives Noemí - and the reader - a clue to decipher what is behind the strange events happening in High Place.

Characters: What is there not to love about Noemí Taborda? Yes, she came across as a spoiled debutante a few times, but I will forever and always stan a girl that rebels against the patriarchal society, breaking the rules that are forced upon women, and wishes to do a master's degree in anthropology instead of marrying whoever her father wishes her to.

Moreover, no matter how dark or dangerous her stay in High Place became, Noemí did not give up her pursuit for the truth or walked away from Catalina, whose emotional state was declining every passing day. She faced Catalina's vicious husband and his intrusive family to protect her cousin, even after being constantly threatened by them. I adored her bravery and how her will could not be bent.

The Doyle family, well, they were a despicable bunch, to say the least. Having lost all of their fortunes, this English family inhabited a moldy mansion, surrounded by an imperialist past. Francis is the only family member that revealed any human emotion. Growing up in such a vicious family must have been hard for someone with such a big heart as him. The family member I hated the most was without a doubt Howard, the patriarch of this uncanny household. His observations throughout the story angered me -- I don't know how Noemí was able to restrain herself from slapping him. His bigotry and his defence of eugenics were just appalling. The worse is that this same despicable discourse prevails in today's society. Government leaders use this same discourse!

Atmosphere: Yes, I'm switching "world-building" for "atmosphere" because I believe there is nothing more important in a Gothic tale than the atmosphere. High Place was surrounded by a sinister aura and has the ability to provoke feelings of uneasiness. The landscape always hidden by fog hid the Doyles' family secrets -- secrets that once you learn them, you cannot help but crawl under the bed covers and hug a teddy bear. Or stopping eating mushrooms. I don't think I will ever be able to look at them without thinking of Noemí or High Place and its twisted past...

Trigger Warning! Violence, bigotry, racism, attempted rape, sexual assault & cannabilism.

Review Published on June 30th on https://mylovelysecret.blogspot.com/

My thanks to Quercus Books/Jo Fletcher Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia in exchange for an honest review. I did also preorder my own copy.

“He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me.”

It’s the 1950s and socialite Noemí Taboada’s life in Mexico City is full of sparkling parties with her circle of friends and admirers. Then her father advises her of a disturbing letter received from her recently married cousin, Catalina, who is now living with her husband, Virgil Doyle, and his family at High Place. The house is a crumbling pile in El Triunfo, “perched on the side of a steep mountain carpeted with colorful wildflowers and covered thickly with pines and oaks.”

Noemi knows that Catalina has always been rather melodramatic, favouring both Gothic novels such as Jane Eyre and fairy tales of imprisoned princesses and wicked stepmothers. Yet Catalina’s accusations of poisoning and seeing ghosts emerging from the walls are troubling.

Her father instructs her to make the trip and assess whether Catalina needs to be discreetly moved to a sanatorium. He knows that the Doyles will be resistant to this as the Doyle fortunes had been declining for decades and Catalina brought her own money into the marriage.

What Noemi discovers is a very strange, dark situation from the moment she steps down from the train carriage. I won’t say more about the plot to avoid spoilers. However, be assured that this is a splendidly atmospheric horror story with plenty of Gothic elements.

In addition, Silvia Moreno-Garcia incorporates themes linked to racism and the historic fascination with eugenics in certain circles. When Noemi sits down to her first dinner with the Doyle family, the patriarch Howard Doyle, immediately makes remarks about her racial heritage. What a charmer!

Florence Doyle, who is Howard’s niece, is also a real piece of work imposing rules upon Noemi and admonishing her for smoking, even outdoors.

When her son, Francis, who is the only relatively normal Doyle, explains that the family “insists on certain healthy habits. No smoking, no coffee, no loud music, or noises, cold showers, closed curtains, mild words...” Noemi interrupts, questioning why and he answers that it’s the way it’s always been done at High Place, drawing the response from Noemi “The cemetery sounds more lively.” The poor man is then shocked by her suggestions that they indulge in whisky and hallucinogenic mushrooms. I wanted to kiss her.

I had loved Moreno-Garcia’s ‘The Gods of Jade and Shadow’ and have been anticipating ‘Mexican Gothic’ since its announcement. Noemi was a wonderful character. She clearly enjoys the privilege of her family’s wealth and position in society though still is constrained by her dependence upon her father’s permission to attend university and yes, the pressure to marry well.

Coming up against the Doyle family with their attitudes about race and the extremely limited roles for women was clearly a shock for Noemi even without the elements of horror that pervaded High Place.

Moreno-Garcia is restrained, allowing the claustrophobic atmosphere of the house and its creepy inhabitants to build slowly before the more horrific elements come to the fore.

I also only have praise for Moreno-Garcia’s use of language. Her descriptions brought the story, setting, and characters vividly to life. The horror elements were truly spine-chilling and quite disturbing. I am looking forward to reading more of her work as well as her future projects.

One of the best works of horror fiction that I have read.

Highly recommended.