3.5 stars. Hugo is a babaláwo, a priest of Santería whose title means "father of secrets." Growing up in Bolivia, Hugo now resides in Miami and works for a deeply spiritual woman, Lourdes, who sends him out to cleanse the home of a rich client. The client is a famous debt collector, and he promises to clear Hugo's crushing debt if only he can cure the haunting that plagues his home. Hugo, a chronic doubter, believes he can trick Alexi into thinking he has cleansed his home, but they quickly find out that there is actually a dark presence plaguing Hialeah Gardens.

This was a fast read, and I devoured it once I got past the initial stages of character introduction and setup. The intricate web that Raul Palma weaves with the elements of the "haunting" — both supernatural and psychological — is exquisite. Such a deep exploration of guilt, grief, and vengeance! The writing style is unique; I can't say how exactly, but I enjoyed it. I also found the details of the Ifá micro-culture really interesting, and I ended up doing a lot of wikipedia digging after closing the final page of the book.

Thank you to Raul Palma, Dutton Books, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy!

This powerful novella explores debt as a way of being human: The debts of capitalist exploitation, from child labor in Bolivia to predatory lending in America. The debts of hatred that make the lender and the borrower obsessed with one another, playing a cat-and-mouse game with possibly demonic forces in the mix. And the debts of love and survivor guilt that feel unbearable for our anti-hero, the skilled but skeptical babalawo (santeria priest) Hugo Contreras.

Hugo is grindingly poor by American standards, yet privileged compared to his childhood companions who never escaped the silver mines. He has the chance to clear his financial burdens by ridding his debt-collection lawyer of a ghost. But perhaps Hugo is the one haunting, or being haunted?

I loved how this book immersed me in a subculture I didn't know much about. The Miami of this novel is by turns comical, banal, and infused with mysterious magic. A book about economic inequality and ghosts, set at Christmastime, must have been intended as allusion to "A Christmas Carol", and there is something positively Dickensian in the satire as well as the great compassion in this novella.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hugo is a babalawo, a spiritual practitioner who helps people rid themselves of their demons. Meanwhile, he can't do anything to escape his own: financial debt, guilt over his wife's death, and the ghosts of his childhood. Well, they're not actual ghosts. Hugo doesn't believe in all that.

I finished this book yesterday and have been trying to organize my thoughts. It has been going chaotically. I feel I need to read this again to tie up all the loose ends in my head, as there are a few things I'm still confused about. I do believe it's me, not the book. And I'd be down, as I enjoyed the read.

Hugo is relatable and ridiculous, and you can't help but empathize with him. He's stubbornly set in his belief that anything paranormal or occult is a scam, even though it's his profession. He's desensitized himself against the supernatural, so he overlooks bright red flags. It's frustrating because you'd think he'd be able to tell when something is actually wrong. But he has blinders on and only focuses on wrapping up a job that offers the chance at financial freedom.

Hugo avoids confronting bad thoughts or memories. Relatable. But he can't escape his feeling of being in debt. Who of us doesn't owe something to someone? It's not just financial debt; you can owe an explanation, an apology, or a favor as well. A Haunting in Hialeah ties that theme of indebtedness with criticisms of immigration, racism, healthcare, and poverty in America.

Hugo's story shows how easy it is to accumulate debt through the main narrative of his work on a particular case, interspersed with flashbacks and dreams that show how he got into his current situation.

4 stars. It's funny and makes you think. Or it did for me. I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher.

We find our main character, Hugo, dealing with overwhelming losses, such as the death of his wife, the separation from his Bolivian origins, and the loss of his financial independence as a result of his debt.
Hugo feels the weight of it all, and we find ourselves wondering over and over again which aspect is the most eerie. For starters, I was drawn to this novel because of its horror components and how otherworldly horrors could plays a role in the terrors we experience on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, I believe that the horror elements, such as the details surrounding Alexi being haunted, fell short. Several times throughout the novel, I wished that the stories of some of the deceased debtors would be continued in order to heighten the eerie atmosphere, but they ended just as abruptly as they had begun. For me, Hugo was a really unlikeable and dull character, which made the silly parts about him not at all interesting. Lastly, the relationship he had with his wife was less than ideal, and I don’t think it added much to the story, which made it hard to connect to the ending of the novel.

Thank you Penguin Random House and Raul Palma for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

A different kind of haunting novel. I enjoyed it very much. The characters were the type that were not very likable, to still enjoy reading about. To want to stay with the story. Very good novel.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Group Dutton for an advance copy of this book on the ghosts that haunt us, the guilt that makes their sleep unsettled, and the power of belief.

Growing up one accepted fact that all parts of my family, from feuding cousins, to distant relatives and close friends was that my Grandmother was a witch. My grandmother knew things that other people didn't. She knew my father wasn't going to Vietnam, that my mother's health scare was just a scare, the sex of babies and how to read the tea leaves. I remember people just coming up to my Grandmother talking low to her, sometimes in languages neither person had ever heard before but each one walked away with a smile or in some cases a look of acceptance. Looking back, I think this gift weighed on her, knowing all she knew, and seeing what she saw. She died early, the first and youngest of her big family to do so. I don't know if she knew what was coming, at the party we were all at two nights before she left us, she danced hard, hugged people, brought feuding cousins together, and kept petting my head. Being strong is exhausting, being strong enough to face things that people don't believe in is draining. And in the case of our main character, a spiritual man, even harder when one does not believe. A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens by Raul tells of man who dared the devil, lost his love, and has a chance to have a huge burden lifted off of him, though he doesn't believe anymore in what he does, nor does he like person he is forced to help.

Hugo Contreras is going through a lot. Escaping the mines in his home country, finding love in his adopted home, Hugo finds himself alone after his wife Mile has died. Being America he also finds he has a huge new burden medical debt, which when added with his earlier debt is slowly crushing him in everyway possible. Hugo works at a botanica, a religious goods store, where he acts as a babaláwo, a person who deals with the spirits, usually bad. Hugo is approached by Alexi Ramirez a debt collector and consolidator with a proposition. Alexi has a house that is haunted, and if Hugo gets rid of the spirits, Alexi can make Hugo's debt go away. Hugo agrees, not caring much about spirits anymore since his loved one's death, but wanting to live his life free of debt. Soon a simple job or pretending to exorcise a house becomes more difficut, as chairs start moving in Hugo's home, his boss sees a strange future, and Alexi's daughter talks about an invisible friend, one with ties to Alexi's past.

A book that was not what I expected. At all. The secret of horror stories is that horror stories can be used in so many ways to satire the real world we live in. Hugo has seen his brother die in a mine, his wife die of cancer, and now has his wages garnished for the rest of his life. That is some of the true horror in this book, the common ways in which life comes down to money. The story is well written, though I could have used some definitions for some of the works and and the acts, but that is what Goggle is for. Hugo is a character who can both grate on readers, and make readers glad to know more. There really are a lot of sad people in this book. The sprit side is good, especially the reasons why, and the story really holds up well right up to the last page. I liked the mix of horror and satire quite a bit.

A strong horror read, and a good look at people hanging on, leaving with dept both to corporation and those that have passed on first. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, especially the fact that Palma was not afraid to make his characters complicated, sometimes petty, sometimes brave. I look forward to Raul Palma's next book.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Miami, ghost hunting, arch nemesis., Hugo and Alexi take us on a wild ride. Enjoyable overall.

Review of Uncorrected eBook File

Struggle is a way of life for Hugo Contreras. Struggle over the death of his wife, Meli. Struggle over the amount of debt he’s acquired. Struggle with dreams reminding him of his better-forgotten past. He’d dreamed of coming to America, but nothing has turned out the way he’d anticipated.

Then, Alexi Ramirez, the debt collection attorney, asks for Hugo’s help in cleansing a house of whoever/whatever is haunting it. Although reluctant, Hugo agrees when Alexi offers to forgive his debt. Hugo, a babaláwo, does not particularly believe in the spiritual aspects of the haunting, but he’s certain he can listen well and, with a bit of sleight of hand, convince Alexi that he’s cleansed the house.

But something goes terribly wrong.

=========

Hugo has tried to leave his past behind, coming to a new country and a new life. But bits of that past have a way of forcing themselves into that new life, a situation that gives readers insight into the difficulty of assimilating into a new [and foreign to the character] culture. But all of the main characters are contemptible, making it difficult for readers to empathize with Hugo’s current situation or his plan for addressing the debt he owes.

This narrative touches on many topics . . . greed, debt, capitalism, immigration, poverty, morality . . . and offers readers some insights into how the characters deal with them. However, lines of dialogue in Spanish [without translation] keep readers from a full understanding of the story since non-English dialogue leaves them at a loss. In addition, readers unfamiliar with the cultural beliefs pertaining to hauntings/ghosts are missing an essential element in developing a complete understanding.

Still, there are compelling moments, intriguing plot points, and a bit of humor that combine to reveal Hugo’s story. Readers who appreciate unconventional horror tales are sure to appreciate this narrative.

I received a free copy of this eBook from PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, Dutton and NetGalley
#AHauntinginHialeahGardens #NetGalley

If you only enjoy reading books with likeable characters, "A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens" by Raul Palma is not the book for you. Every main character is despicable, and it is this despicability that propels the haunting events in the story. Hugo, employed as a kind of exorcist (though he doesn't believe himself to have any real powers) would go to great lengths to cancel his large debt, including swindling the man be blames most for his indebtedness. However, Hugo discovers that this time the haunting is real and is more powerful than he could imagine. The complexities of the plot and characters, as well as the thought-provoking exploration of topics such as immigration, poverty, greed, and morality make this a very satisfying read. It really is unlike any horror novel I have read and had twists and turns I didn't see coming. It is a fast-faced, engrossing read and, after I got started, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the cultural element to the book. It's a strong debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Hugo is just going through the motions to get through the week. He is asked for his expertise to see what is going on with a house. I was drawn to the characters in this book.

Hugo works as a babaláwo in Miami, despite the fact that he doesn't believe in spirits or hauntings. Weighed down under the medical debt left after his wife dies, he lives a small and bitter life being hounded by a debt collecting lawyer. When the lawyer calls Hugo to rid his house of spirits, Hugo is sure he'll be able to finally get back at the man who made his life miserable. What follows is not what any of them expect.

This book is a fast-paced and quick read. I read my ARCs (thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review) before bed at the speed of one chapter a night, but this one was so quick, I was done in under a month even at that rate.

The story covers the complex and multi-faceted theme of debt and owing people/entities, etc. and I found it to be very well done. We've all been there. No one likes owing anything, having that kind of thing hanging over your head as you go through your days. Hugo, the Bolivian-American MC of this book owes a massive debt from his late wife's medical bills. He is offered the option to have his debt cleared by the debt collector, Alexi, as long as he successfully deals with a haunting at his home. Hugo works at an occult type of store, but he doesn't truly believe in any of what he does. There is a brilliant balance of comedy and seriousness as he has fun toying with Alexi until things get rather more real. The author also does an amazing job of employing dream sequences. Writers are generally told to stay away from those, but the ones in this book were powerful and essential. I can't say more without spoilers.

This book comes out in October, just in time for the Halloween season, so consider picking this up for a spooky and often funny, quirky, and relatable read.

An elliptical, slow-burn kind of novel, in which a santero who doesn't believe is forced to exorcize demons including his guilt in the death of his wife, capitalism and debt, and supernatural powers that have followed him from his home in Bolivia to Miami. Palma writes compellingly about human behavior, the nature of belief, and the role of place in creating a sense of self. The hauntings are powerfully created and written, and the world of the book is created with care and great details, but it left me a little cold. The protagonist is a complex character, but also such a jerk that I didn't care; nor was his wife sympathetic or interesting. Other characters--like his boss, Lourdes, could have benefitted from more of a fleshing-out. A mixed bag.

Called upon to help with a haunting, one man comes to realize the weight of bargains made in exchange for freedom in Raul Palma’s A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens.
Hugo’s life doesn’t extend much beyond his job at the botanica, his efficiency apartment, the occasional indulgence at a local restaurant as he’s burdened with a sense of indebtedness, guilt, and grief after his wife died, exacerbated by dreams and memories that dredge up the unpleasantness of his past. When Hugo receives a call from the debt collection attorney, Alexi, with a request for spiritual help to cleanse his home of whatever is haunting it, Hugo doesn’t want to accept, but with Alexi offering to forgive Hugo’s debt if he can successfully cleanse his house, Hugo reluctantly agrees. Even if Hugo doesn’t believe the spiritual aspect of his work as a babaláwo he’s become rather proficient with sleight of hand and good listening skills to convince his clients of his success. Believing he’s managed to do the same for Alexi, and get a few moments of retribution in as well, Hugo celebrates his job well-done; however, it soon becomes clear that there’s something larger at play as the demons from Hugo’s past collide with Alexi’s and places them in danger.
In a thought-provoking story that explores hefty topics of migration, identity, and debt, both monetary and moral, there were moments of juvenile humor to lift spirits and moments of the surreal to encourage imaginative wonder amid the manifestations of what Hugo and Alexi are respectively haunted by. As a character, Hugo has complexity and plenty of flaws, which he recognizes, though it mostly comes across as flippant and the slow reveal of his past in Bolivia delayed context for the circumstances in his life and the actions he took as a result that made the conclusion feel rushed. The presentation of the narrative was layered in a manner that bleeds together in ways that cultivate an unsettled feeling, which captures the essence of the hauntings occurring, but at times this felt disorienting to the point of questioning whether a transition was missing in the text between the points as some shifts were rather abrupt; these quick and nebulous shifts were, however, an interesting technique of melding together dreams, memories, and the present into one larger narrative thread.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book!
Read if you like the supernatural, stories in Florida, stories about grief

I just reviewed A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens by Raul Palma. #AHauntinginHialeahGardens #NetGalley

I’ll start out by saying I don’t think I got this book. I think there was a more complex meaning to this book and it flew over my head. Which I think caused me to not love this story. I was constantly confused about timeline and even more confused about the point. I don’t want to take anything away from the author, so I think people need to give it a try. Just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Penguin Random House, Raul Palma, and NetGalley for providing me an advanced reading copy.

The title is perfect as the book leaves traces of sadness, tragedies of unfulfilled lives, and a longing to be a better person.

The cultural undertones are brilliantly written and developed. Raul gives us a taste of what it is like to leave behind your past as you embark on a new journey in a new country. Pieces of the past sliding through the borders in food, traditions, and practices.

The story is what you hope for. It is engaging, well paced, and mysterious but what I loved about this one is what happened to me as I read. I allowed my mind to ponder indebtedness, relationships, status and wealth. In my opinion, a well written story takes you beyond the story and leaves an impact. A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens did that for me. Highly recommended.

I don't know if they consider this book to be horror or not but I didn't find it scary or even uncomfortable. I did enjoy the book, I liked reading about Hugo's relationship with Meli.

Overall though, I felt that most characters were forgettable. The dialog was fine but I can only read in English so some of that was lost to me (that doesn't reflect my rating for this review, just wanted to note that not all the dialog is in English).

That being said, I think Raul Palma might have a bright future.

Hugo is miserable. As a child, he dreamed of coming to America and being able to afford his own home. He made it to America but a string of unfortunate circumstances has kept him from achieving his dream. He lives in Miami and has an outstanding debt hanging over his head. He makes payments on his loan but feels like it will never be paid off. When he has the opportunity to help the man that is collecting on his debt, will he? Can he renegotiate the terms or erase the debt?

To fully understand this story, the reader needs to understand Mexican culture as it pertains to ghosts and hauntings. I do not have a good understanding of this cultural element and am fully aware that it hindered my reading.

Raul Palm’s A HAUNTING IN HIALEAH GARDENS is a short read about a Bolivian immigrant working as an exorcist for the debt collection attorney who has a judgment against him. As with all horror, the story is less about a devil or a ghost terrorizing a family than it is a story about how guilt and shame can manifest—haunt—one in all aspects of one’s life. It is a story about the chains that debt can link around a person, spiritual and monetary debt alike, and how the indebtedness links a debtor to their creditor in strange ways. It is a critique of the cycles of debt and the injustices of medical billing debt collection systems.

While the story starts with a rich prose that drew me in, I found myself put off by how relentlessly unlikeable pretty much everyone in the story actually is. It’s tough to root for redemption when the protagonist is so distasteful. It’s tough to take seriously a villain who is such a cartoonishly stereotypical lawyer (as an aside, the microlevel details of the debt collection firm and procedures were… hard to believe… but not in any way that affected the story, it was just an element that bumped me out of my immersion).

The strength of the book is in how the protagonist’s past is revealed slowly but surely via brief windows to his childhood in Bolivia, his courtship of his wife, his life as her husband, her illness, and ultimately her death. What is truly terrifying are a handful of snapshots of our protagonist’s past and the implications those snapshots had on the events taking place in the “present.”