Mexican Gothic
He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me.
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.
Reviews
“Its archly intelligent tone and insightful writing make MEXICAN GOTHIC an original escape to an eerie world.”
“The author’s postcolonial spin on the gothic tradition evokes the usual suspects: Daphne du Maurier, Emily Brontë, Mary Shelley, even Anne Radcliffe. Like those authors, Moreno-Garcia works in a tradition in which chills and thrills tap into elemental cultural fears — runaway science, carnal passion. But to these she adds a more politically inflected horror, both ancient and timely: A racist will to power.”
"Mexican Gothic masterfully combines elements of history, fantasy, and horror for a mystery that explores the sinister legacy of colonialism and imperialism in Latin America."
“Moreno-Garcia’s energetic romp through the gothic genre is delightfully bonkers.”
“MEXICAN GOTHIC is a pitch-perfect Gothic novel.”
“Moreno-Garcia weaves elements of Mexican folklore with themes of decay, sacrifice, and rebirth, casting a dark spell all the way to the visceral and heart-pounding finale.”Kirkus
"What makes “Mexican Gothic” so fresh is not only its cramped, crawly ambience—comparisons to “Jane Eyre” are not too generous—but also the fact that it’s steeped in a deep colonial history that haunts the narrative."
"Wonderfully creepy, blending chilling scenes of horror with classic Gothic tropes for a seductive and subversive tale. A book to devour in a few—very thrilling—sittings."
"Moreno-Garcia is having a blast playing with the conventions of Gothic literature."Locus
“A dreamy gothic mystery [that] quickly unfolds into a visceral, almost hallucinogenic nightmare […] [MEXICAN GOTHIC] is a distinctive and cinematic horror novel that is not for the faint of heart.”Bookpage
“It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America […] MEXICAN GOTHIC gets seriously weird”
"When it comes to the horror, though, Moreno-Garcia gets it absolutely right... it’s enormously fun."Telegraph
"A gothic chiller, set in 1950s Mexico, that will clamp you in its icy embrace and linger like a nightmare."Daily Mail
“This book is deliciously true to the gothic form, grotesque without becoming gross, and considered, always, in the way it thinks about power and its characters’ reactions to power.”
“Everyone has already told you to read this, and they were right. It’s Crimson Peak in 1950s Mexico, with a weirder, darker, ickier reveal. Moreno-Garcia said in an interview that her books were aimed at “the classy but trashy reader” and friends, I’ve never felt more seen.”
"This heart-thumping thriller-chiller from exciting writer Silvia Moreno-Garcia."Press Association
"A gripping read and, despite the horror and violence of the story, it’s a strangely beautiful one. This is an impressive chiller-thriller; the writing is steeped in the spirit of the Victorian gothic tale and it’s as well done as any recent homage."Crime Time
"Immersive and suspenseful, Mexican Gothic is up there with this year’s best ."Culturefly
"With peculiar characters, a family curse and enough suspense to hold the reader's attention, it is the perfect summer read’."The Lady
"This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight."Heat
"A fitting example of a new American Gothic novel, as Moreno-Garcia re-imagines this classic genre. You'll certainly find yourself caught between gasps of horror as you start to unravel this mysterious story, just remember to leave the light on as you sit down for a good read."Starburst
“In Noemí Taboada, Moreno-Garcia has gifted us one of the most endearing and forceful heroines of recent horror fiction. A masterpiece of modern gothic storytelling, complete with a captivating storyline driven by a strong cast and brooding atmosphere, MEXICAN GOTHIC deserves all the plaudits it has received, and then some.”
"All of the spooky features and feeling of dread that we love in a gothic novel, but... freshened up a bit with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s 1950s Mexican setting and characters and the lovely addition of fungus. The themes of racism and eugenics make the story even more disturbing."
"An astonishing example of how Gothic fiction can terrify in new ways while utilizing elements that have always been quintessential to the genre."
“MEXICAN GOTHIC terrified and fascinated me. Silvia Moreno-Garcia proves once again that she’s a genre-jumping wizard, one of the most exciting and necessary authors writing today.”Charlie Jane Anders, nationally bestselling author of The City in the Middle of the Night
“Darkly brilliant and captivating. Readers who love old houses and family secrets will devour this book (as I did!). The setting itself—High Place, with its reputation for devouring the dreams of young women—is a character in this marvelously fantastical novel. From 1950s glamorous Mexican high society, to the crumbling pride of an abandoned silver mine, Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal.”Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride
“A gorgeous piece of work [...] absolutely terrifying, and it has stayed with me in a powerful way.”Sarah Gailey, Hugo Award-winning author of Magic for Liars
“Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes the gothic narrative of a mysterious estate hiding dark secrets and expertly blends it with psychological horror and her personal flare of rich Mexican imagery and culture to create a sultry, beckoning story sure to satisfy. Noemí Tuñon is a firestarter feminist character, and her classy yet clever quip adds just the right element to balance the sinister mysteries of High Place. Between the author, eye-catching premise, and the amazing cover design (wow, Jen Valero), this book will have no problem getting into the hands of readers.”Cat Chapman, Oxford Exchange
"[W]ith devices reminiscent of many masterpieces and classics....will make you shudder! It's a new, familiar classic gothic horror!"Hideo Kojima, game creator and founder of Kojima Productions
Awards & Accolades
LA Times: "37 Weeks on the Los Angeles Times Bestseller List"
#9 New York Times hardcover list (13 weeks on the list)
In its 19th hardcover printing!
In its 12th paperback printing!
#14 New York Times combined print and eBook list
#9 on the SoCal Indie Bestseller Trade Paperback List!
Midwest Independent Booksellers Association bestseller
New England Independent Booksellers Association bestseller
Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance bestseller
Mountain and Plains Independent Booksellers Association bestseller
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association bestseller
Northern California Independent Booksellers Alliance bestseller
Southern California Independent Booksellers Alliance bestseller
Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association bestseller
Library Reads: “#1 Book for June 2020”
Random House Book Club: “Spotlight Pick”
Indigo: "October Staff Pick" 7k copies ordered
Netgalley: "#1 Performing Title"
Stylist: "Top App Reads"
The Skinny: "10 Best Books From Lockdown"
Woman's Way: "Summer Reading Round-Up For Historical Fiction Lovers"
Over 200k Sold!
2021 PNBA award: "Winner"