NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America, and after a slow-burn start Mexican Gothic gets seriously weird.”—The Guardian IN DEVELOPMENT AS A HULU ORIGINAL LIMITED SERIES PRODUCED BY KELLY RIPA AND MARK CONSUELOS • WINNER OF THE LOCUS AWARD • NOMINATED FOR THE BRAM STOKER AWARD • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New Yorker • Vanity Fair • NPR • … THE YEAR BY The New Yorker • Vanity Fair • NPR • The Washington Post • Tordotcom • Marie Claire • Vox • Mashable • Men’s Health • Library Journal • Book Riot • LibraryReads
An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . . From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes “a terrifying twist on classic gothic horror” (Kirkus Reviews) set in glamorous 1950s Mexico.
After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.
Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.
“It’s as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic.”—The Washington Post
“Mexican Gothic is the perfect summer horror read, and marks Moreno-Garcia with her hypnotic and engaging prose as one of the genre’s most exciting talents.”—Nerdist
“A period thriller as rich in suspense as it is in lush ’50s atmosphere.”—Entertainment Weekly
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I had heard so much about this book and, if I’m being totally honest, I loved the cover. Plus, when I saw that it beat out “Let It Bleed” by Stephen King in the Goodreads horror category for best book of 2020, I felt like it really had to be worth reading. I’ve had it on hold for months at the library but then Amazon had the ebook price reduced so I just went ahead and bought it. Yes, I’m a discount book shopper. Even when I have money to spare, I’m extremely picky about which books I will pay full price for. Mostly they are books I have already read and know that I love and will be rereading.
Anyway, I finally read “Mexican Gothic”. Did it live up to its hype for me? Um . . . not really. Nothing against the book itself, but gothic horror isn’t really my genre of choice. I read it because it received sooo much hype. Normally, I choose my reads based on what interests me, not what critics or other readers say. Over the years I have learned that my taste in literature rarely coincides with what is popular (Stephen King aside.). Do I regret reading it? No. I just relearned that I should trust my instincts. There are books more to my taste I could have read over the past week.
It’s not a bad book. It’s interesting enough to keep me reading it, even once it started to get weird. Noemi is a good heroine. Not wimpy, not stupid, not stereotyped. Her decision to stay at High Place despite the growing evidence that all is not right there, may seem stupid but it is her loyalty to her cousin which keeps her there past the point of no return. Although . . . she spends precious little actual time with her cousin during her stay. Yes, the in-laws do their best to keep Noemi away from Catalina, but her easy submission to their dictates seems weak. But overall, Noemi is a good character, well-drawn and believable. I can’t say the same for the rest of the characters. Most seem stiff, not fully fleshed. Even so, I found myself believing in the story, so I’m probably just being too pedantic. The descriptions are excellent. I had no trouble picturing the decaying mansion, the scenes, the people. And it is all done without bogging the story down with a lot of descriptive prose. That’s a feat in itself.
If my review seems wishy-washy, it’s because I feel conflicted about this book. I can’t decide if I actually like reading it or not. This is probably because of all the hype associated with it. Few books can live up to that kind of publicity.
So, I do recommend this book for people who like gothic suspense horror stories.
Mexican Gothic has been around and recommended many times and if there is ever a genre that gets me to instantly one-click it is Gothic.
From the first page I knew this was going to be an interesting story as well as a slower paced one. I loved how this author created unique superbly detailed characters but also the time period the story takes place (1950), the history of both the culture, the town and the family (including mining) the city Mexico City, the country, and the house (High Place) the story takes place to life. Every aspect is just beautiful, and I could not help but feel everything the main character did as well as the atmosphere the story takes place in. In that aspect, the author conquered the Gothic-ness at every turn.
For the first 70% of the story, I was having a bit of trouble keeping interested. Not because they story was not there but because there were a lot of details that did not seem important and while they helped set the vibe, they just added too much “stuff” that was not really needed. That first 70% took me 10 days to get tough. A chapter here, a chapter there, enough interest to keep over but not enough to devour at one time. That said, the last 30% was a freaking ride. LOL.
The last 30% seemed like a completely different story. While it has the same writing style it turned from Gothic to horror and trippy horror at that. While I was reading it, I was surprised and even a bit upset that the story took such a turn. I do not want to give anything away, but it turned straight to what I would consider horror with a slight supernatural (thought mostly natural) element. It bugged me so much I had to take a few days to sit with the plot to truly absorbed and ultimately admire the outcome. The last chapter was extremely sweet, and I think that is what turned my mind from not liking the story to ultimately enjoying the entire piece.
Not at all a typical story, it grew on me and I am glad to have read it. I will look for this author again in the future. I would recommend this to readers looking for a unique story and one who can take a slower paced story that really is all about atmosphere for a good portion of it.
*I will also caution that there are some triggers within the story that I was not aware of and think it might be good to mention: talk of incest, murder, attempted rape, touching without consent, violence, graphic descriptions of sickness and horrors.
To be honest I thought I’d end up giving that book 3 stars. It was slow at the beginning and then OMG I got sucked into the twist OMG (man was is twisted!) this book is just EXTRAORDINARY!!!
It’s a must-read, even when it starts slowly I believe it’s just preparing you for the premises. I love it, loved the ending. The story of the house, the story itself. it’s just unique. I would never have guessed anything like that. Just go read it, if you’re into mystery or horror (any of them) it’s the perfect read for you.
I’ve heard that there’s going to be a mini-series on Hulu. I can’t wait to see it. Don’t sleep on that book guys.
Also, this book was my first from this author, I will surely 100% get other books from her.
The cover is stunning as well happy that I got the hardcover
This book was such a great read — it’s atmospheric and spooky, and the vivid descriptions of High Place paint an incredible picture of the creepy setting. The story picks up about a quarter of the way through or so, and once I got to that point I raced through it to see how the mystery unraveled!
I loved everything about this book, from the rich historical setting to the quirky and sometimes terrifying characters. I couldn’t put it down. I was immediately drawn in by the tug-of-war between Noemi’s modern sensibilities and her dedication to her family. The story took some scary turns and the creepy gothic atmosphere was intensely satisfying. Definitely recommend.
I started this book, not knowing exactly what to expect. The story, the characters, and the setting grabbed me right from the start. I finished it in 6 hours. I loved the intrigue and how the heroine grew and changed. This story will have you on the edge of your seat, keeping you turning pages to find out how it ends.
A change of pace for me, and so glad I read it. Imaginative twist on the classic horror genre.
After seeing the hype surrounding Mexican Gothic, I knew I had to read it. The cover alone would have made me take a second look. And I’m glad I did.
It was a slow-moving read. Not much in the way of furthering the story really happens until towards the end. I was on edge while waiting for the other shoe to drop and enjoyed the journey. The depictions of the town, the townsfolk, the fog, the house, the mytery of the house and the people who lived in it, all made a strong impact with me. I didn’t know who was truly sincere and who was hiding behind false sincerity.
I found it was more the characters themselves rather than the atmosphere illustrated by the author that gave this story its gothic feel. Noemi was hilarious and kept me engaged in this story right to the end. And what an ending! Honestly, this story should come with trigger warnings, but then again, if you were told what the triggers were, the story would be spoiled for you.
Enter at your own risk!
“She was the snake biting its tail. She was a dreamer, eternally bound to a nightmare, eyes closed even when her eyes had turned to dust.”
This is the voice of Noemí Taboada, a glamorous party-girl living in Mexico City, toying with her endless list of beaus and fields of study — until her father receives a disturbing letter from her cousin Catalina. Recently wed to an English family (the Doyles), Catalina has fallen ill and writes of being poisoned, of hearing voices in the walls, of being in danger. So, Noemí is sent to the Mexican countryside to the Doyles’ home at High Place, hoping to ascertain what’s wrong with Catalina and to get her psychiatric help if necessary.
None of this goes according to plan. The Doyles are strict, odd, mysterious, imposing, and terrifying in turns. The household staff is forbidden to speak. Noemí is rarely allowed to speak directly to Catalina. And then Noemí herself begins to understand what Catalina has been through…
The characters are eerily well-written, the choice of time and place is absolutely spot-on, the story keeps you turning pages (or reading past your bedtime on your iPad with a long-broken screen – whichever), and the source of the horror is ghastly and terrific.
I won’t write anything more of the story itself as it’s wonderfully chilling to watch the riddle of High House reveal itself over the course of its 300-some pages. However, I do want to take some time to marvel at how Moreno-Garcia plays with the tropes of Gothic horror, mainly the virginal maiden (VM), the hero, the predatory male (PM), the clergy, a gloomy outdoor setting upon which sits an imposing structure that’s usually in a state of decay, “madness.”
Here lie some spoilers, so this is The End if you don’t want to go there.
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If you want to uncover some amazing takes on Gothic horror, follow along.
Okay, so I believe that the VM could be either Noemí or Catalina. Just because the latter is married does not mean the marriage has been consummated. In fact, it seems unlikely, given her illness. Both are young and beautiful, innocent and kind, full of virtue. But although both women fall prey to the terrors of High House, I would declare Catalina the VM. Noemí is more worldly, experienced, and indeed sensual, which leaves space for Catalina to fill that spot.
Is Noemí the hero, then? It’s possible, but one could make a good argument for Francis Doyle, who fights his ties to the family in order to protect (and perhaps save!) Noemí and Catalina. I give it to Francis, as part of the Gothic hero’s personality requires self-sacrifice; Francis is willing to deliver there while Noemí would never leave without her cousin, even if it meant being a captive in High House forever.
The PM could either be Virgil Doyle, Catalina’s husband, or Howard Doyle, Virgil’s father. Virgil preys on Noemí in squirmy, repulsive ways, but Howard preys on everyone within his home, controlling every movement. It is only when Howard dies (I WARNED YOU ABOUT SPOILERS) that Virgil truly embodies the PM. Before that, he could only be second-in-command.
Instead of clergy, we have the Doyle family doctor: Arthur Cummins. He is weak, unwilling or unable to cure actual illness, and perpetuates the evil of High House. But is he a typical clergy figure, someone who goes against the very nature of their profession to oppress, abandon, and corrupt? No – he’s too weak for that. I enjoyed the twist of using a doctor who does not cure rather than a priest who cannot save, but I wish he had more edge to him, that there was more personal gain in the plot for him to take advantage of.
Now the setting. I love how much of the English moors exists around High House, and how little of it remains once we’re safely into town. “It was the house that disfigured the land,” Moreno-Garcia writes, and it’s true – High House has parameters that it can corrupt, but beyond them all is safe. What keeps people trapped there is another matter that I will not give away, but the isolation Noemí experiences feels less like being stranded in the middle of nowhere and more like being far from the help she could receive from her father and psychiatrists.
But High House delivers as a Gothic setting. It is large, defiant, secretive, haunted, and largely silent. Parts of it are falling into ruin. There is barely any light indoors and between it and the gate, there is a cemetery to pass and sometimes explore. There are passages and paintings to uncover and, of course, what lurks in the night and in the walls? But where other Gothic settings feel decrepit, High House is far too solid. It leaves the impression that some of its beauties may fade, but the place itself will stand for all time. Instead, it’s the family’s fortune that is falling apart, an interesting maneuver.
Now the madness. First there is the question: Is Catalina mad? Then there is the answer: Yes, she must be mad. Now, the questioning of self: Am I mad? And if I am, is Catalina? And the final answer: Read the book to find out. After all of this, how could you not?
This book is exactly what the title says—a gothic tale set in Mexico in what sounds like the 1950s, in which we never doubt that the pretty socialite who likes to flirt and dance will also show sheer determination when necessary. Not the kind of thing I usually read, but it was a flawless, beautifully written story that completely captivates.
Noemí Taboada is the toast of Mexico City. The beautiful, charming daughter of a wealthy businessman, she’s in demand at every social event. Her parents want her to settle down with a nice young man but she wants to continue her university studies.
Her father calls her home early from a costume party one night and asks her to leave as soon as possible to visit her orphaned cousin, Catalina, whom the family adopted after she lost her parents. Catalina has recently married a relative stranger but Mr. Taboada received a disturbing letter from her that signifies all is not well at her new home. He’s reached out to Catalina’s husband but hasn’t received satisfying responses. He wants Noemí to visit Catalina, assess the situation, and bring her home if necessary.
Full disclosure: I requested Mexican Gothic from the library back in September or October, which is practically the only time of year that I seek out horror and/or Gothic reads. When my turn finally came up in November, I wasn’t necessarily in the mood for this kind of book but I decided to read it anyway and see what all the fuss is about. Had I been in a Gothic mood, I would have enjoyed this more.
I liked Noemí. The bored society girl can be a turnoff for me but Noemí is intelligent and would honestly rather be in classes than at parties. She’s also not selfish and genuinely cares about Catalina as if she were her own sister. When she interacts with people who aren’t in her own social class, she generally treats them with respect rather than as a demanding rich girl. Catalina’s father-in-law is a racist man of English descent who is very obviously interested in eugenics and makes demeaning statements about Noemí’s skin tone and background. She argues about his stances with him and holds her own rather than just meekly submitting to her elders. She keeps pushing for answers even as everyone at this awful house tries to shut her down.
There is a strong Gothic vibe at High Place, the house Catalina now lives in. Florence, Catalina’s sister-in-law/housekeeper, gives off strong malevolent Mrs. Danvers vibes. The three servants never speak. The house is falling apart and covered in mold but it obviously used to be beautiful. A faulty generator is the only source of electricity so mostly everyone wanders around with candles and lamps. No one speaks at meals.
The book builds slowly. Everyone is eccentric but the situation seems straightforward enough when the family doctor explains that Catalina has tuberculosis. As Noemí remains at the house and speaks more with Francis, the only member of the household who will take her seriously, she starts to have more questions. A tuberculosis diagnosis doesn’t explain Catalina’s erratic behavior, nor does it explain Noemí’s growing unease. More odd incidents occur and Noemí starts to have incredibly vivid and disturbing dreams. These dreams (are they dreams?) might be a trigger for some readers. The pace starts to quicken until at the end I was quickly flipping pages to see exactly how this situation was going to resolve itself.
Speaking of resolutions, this one was…odd, in the way that I find Lovecraft’s stories odd. I rolled with it though. While the book is complete in and of itself, I also see room for a sequel. Given the commercial success of Mexican Gothic, I think we can expect one.
Readers who enjoy atmospheric Gothic reads should enjoy this book. It does have some horror elements but they generally weren’t terribly graphic.
Mexican Gothic lived up to the hype of being a scary gothic horror tale that will have you racing through the entire story to find out what happens next. We follow Noemi as she goes to the Mexican countryside to look in on her newlywed cousin who is not in good spirits, or health. She stays in the gothic mansion that is in complete disarray and soon finds that everything is not what it seems. There is something sinister hiding in the walls around her and everyone in this strange family are hiding a much larger horrifying secret than just the ghost that haunt the space. Something truly evil is living and breathing within this house and it is feeding off the people who are inside. Everyone appears to be the worse examples of themselves, but Noemi is determined to get to the bottom of the strange mystery and save her cousin before it is too late.
Silvia Moreno – Garcia has created a world that is as fascinating as it is horrifying. You can’t help but want to speed through the pages in a fury to find out what happens next while being completed terrified by what is happening around the main protagonists. Silvia’s storytelling is so colorful and detail that you feel like you are living in the house and experiencing the doom and gloom happening everywhere. I found myself reading every chance I had because I had to know what was going to happen next. It was thrilling to have that adrenaline rush from the fear and anxiety you feel with the characters.
Mexican Gothic is a spine-tingling, heart pounding, gothic haunted house tale that will make you sleep with the lights on and see monsters in the shadows. Beware for your eyes may not be playing tricks on you!
Wonderfully atmospheric, completely unique, and the perfect amount of terrifying.
Mexican Gothic has all the staples of the gothic horror genre. Isolated mansion in state of disrepair? Check. Foggy cemetery on the hilltop? Check. Mysterious and unnerving hosts clearly hiding something? Check. We could keep listing things all day… And at the same time, Moreno-Garcia takes these well-known elements and enhances them with her own originality. You can trust this author to give you exactly what you’re looking for in a haunted house story all while making it feel fresh and modern.
The tension builds perfectly all the way up to the climax, and the headstrong protagonist Noemí is such an enticing character to navigate the mysteries of High Place. Our heroine is a glamorous and charismatic character, and she stands in perfect contrast to the setting which is full of rot and decay. The contrast between these elements creates a strong foundation for the horror, which uses this dissonance to keep you in a constant state of discomfort.
Don’t worry—I mean that in a good way!
There are so many more reasons to love this book, but I’d rather leave the rest to be experienced first hand. This is definitely a title to add to your reading list.
I loved this take on Gothic horror which gave it some unique twists in terms of the setting – in 1950s Mexico – and the nature of the horror.
A bizarre, but familiar (if you read Irving and Poe and Hawthorne) horror novel about a house and its victims.
I loved this book! Great voice and a great pro.
An isolated haunted mansion and a newlywed cousin in trouble, what can go wrong?
This is a chilling read that will have you on the edge of your seat!
This is an incredibly strange, utterly engrossing gothic-horror novel that starts slow, simmering with uncertainty and glittering mystery before suddenly going hay-wire midway through in a deliciously disturbing and unexpected way. It’s perfect for anyone who, like me, has spent the weeks before Halloween binging The Haunting of Hill House & Bly Manor, and who likes their spooks and frights caught within the walls of a secretive and ghostly house. While this book is definitely much weirder than I originally thought, with a twist that requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief, it’s a fun, creepy read that sucks you in and absolutely refuses to let go.
While I don’t read a lot of horror novels, I do enjoy the genre immensely. So, when I saw this MEXICAN GOTHIC within the book of the month subscription box, I knew I had to have it. I mean how cool is it that this is a , that takes place during the 50’s in Mexico? So cool! Unfortunately, this one didn’t deliver as I would have hoped. While I did enjoy the story, there were many things about it that didn’t resonate with me as a reader. You can find out what I loved, and what I disliked below.
It FELT like a Gothic novel. The setting is superb: a dark, isolated, and foreboding mansion on the top of a mountain overlooking a small town in disrepair. A house that is old, ramshackle, dated, and has an odd mold living within the walls. Eerie, foggy grounds that hold mass graves and a cemetery. All of it was the perfect backdrop to Mexican Gothic and I could practically see the setting as if it were real.
The main character, Naomi. While she didn’t truly feel like a woman of the 50’s (she was far too bold) I did appreciate her toughness. She’s a no-nonsense woman who does what she feels is right despite the things holding her back. She’s also a superwoman of sorts as she was able to fight back against an evil that has existed for centuries. I really liked her!
This was a quick read, and I certainly like QUICK reads. Sure, there were parts in the middle that dragged for me (that seems to be a reoccurring theme for me though and not necessarily the authors fault), but overall this is a fast paced read that I blew through. It kept my interest, gave me some creepy crawly feelings, and allowed me to feel as though the story was happening in technicolor right before my eyes. It’s clear the author is a pro at writing dark and eerie tones, and I fully enjoyed that aspect.
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The “horror” part of the novel was quite bizarre and not really my cup of tea. There will be many readers who loved the pieces that made this a horror novel, but it just felt weird for me. I was hoping this would be a regular haunted house read and it’s everything BUT that. Sure, what is happening is sinister and scary, but it felt strange to me and I wouldn’t have picked up the book had I known it would have had a bit of a sci-fi feel to it (that’s not my thing). Now, just because I didn’t like this doesn’t mean YOU won’t. I recommend reading it for yourself and seeing if it’s something you would enjoy.
The family: I understand that readers won’t fully get why I am putting the FAMILY under my dislikes until/unless they read the story. So, without spoiling it I’ll give you a small example why I disliked them so much; each and every one of the people that lived within that house was CREEPY. And not in a scary way either. Had they been scary, I would have liked them. Unfortunately, I found them to be akin to a creepy uncle who smiles at you from across the room and gives you weird vibes **shutters**
There were many parts of the story that felt underdeveloped. For example, the entire reason Naomi went to High Place is because her cousin sent strange letters to her home making it seem as if she were going crazy. But said Cousin was a miniscule part of the story. I think she should have had more time between the pages as it would have been more powerful. Also, had I traveled all that way for a sick cousin, I wouldn’t have let others walk all over me and stay when they only allowed her MAYBE 5 minutes a day with her. It was odd. Another thing that felt underdeveloped was the ending. The author should have written an epilogue or something because it ended so abruptly after a screeching climax. We should have had some more insight into what happened next. That is, unless the author doesn’t plan to stop the story here?
All in all, this is a solid read, one that I enjoyed for the most part, but found faults with. I think I read too many reviews before grabbing this one because readers who have raved about it made it seem like something MORE than it actually was. That’s my opinion of course, and everyone experiences stories differently, but this one didn’t live up to my expectations. Read it for yourself though to see if it’s something you may love!
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This book is like a roller coaster ride in a haunted graveyard. The writing itself is superb and the characters are all compelling, even the villains. In the first chapters, you’re lulled into glamorous into 1950s Mexico with subtle hints of impending doom. Suddenly, you’re hit with a gothic this-house-is-literally-trying-to-kill-me plot, twisted family drama, and a heroine determined to save her sister. Just when you think you’ve reached maximum creepiness, here come the toxic mushrooms and a fascinating and grotesque conclusion. Not for the faint of heart.