Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was like nothing else I've read this year. Set in 1950's Mexico, socialite main character, Noemí Taboada is sent by her father to High Place after receiving a letter from her recently married cousin, Catalina. The letter is urgent and odd, and Noemi is sent to check on her cousin's mental state.

High Place is a secluded, crumbling estate high in the hills on the outskirts of a small village. Catalina is nearly catatonic and suffering from tuberculosis. Her husband's family is controlling and demands silence at dinner and is ruled over a geriatric, rotting patriarch. It becomes clear that her cousin has changed since her marriage. Catalina's husband, Virgil, and his family fight to keep Noemí bringing in a doctor from the village or taking taking tinctures from a local medicine woman. What are they hiding from Noemi?

This book is very atmospheric and descriptive. I could vividly see the decrepit manor and the creeping mold in my mind. The last half of the book ended up taking a direction I was completely unprepared for and it will set it apart from other books in the genre. Noemi is a strong and compelling character. I loved the descriptions of the Noemi's outfits and her fiery and flirty attitude. Full discretion, my late grandmother's name is Noemi, so I couldn't help but be endeared by seeing the name. The cover of this book is gorgeous and will pop on any display. I haven't read any other work by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, but I truly look forward to reading more of her work.

Thank you to Random House Publishing- Ballantine Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC.