Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic

Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Year: 2020
Narrator: Frankie Corzo
Illustrator: Jacket design Faceout Studio/Tim Green
ASIN: 0525620788
ISBN: 9780525620785

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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. “It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America, and after a slow-burn start Mexican Gothic gets seriously weird” (The Guardian).

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About the Book
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, smart, and has 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
Endorsements
"Mexican Gothic is a gloriously moody adventure. Spooky, smart, and wry. Chic, no-nonsense Noemi Taboada is one hell of a tour guide through this world of mystery, scandal and spirits. Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes with assurance and playfulness and this novel is masterful."
– Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling
“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
"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
“Tense, atmospheric, and beautifully written, Mexican Gothic will carry readers back in time to 1950s Mexico where a dark secret looms large, insidiously winding its way through the pages. A spellbinding, suspenseful, immersive read!”
– Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Last Train to Key West
"Reminded me of the old Mary Stewart romance mysteries mixed with a healthy dose of Lovecraftian horror: in other words, a classic Gothic horror romance, told with perfect skill and elan. Can't say I'm surprised though: Moreno-Garcia is a master who writes with a deft hand and a flare for beautifully evocative details. Seriously loved everything about it, which was so engaging I read the whole thing last night."
– Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of King
"Mexican Gothic is the subversive, seductive, satisfying haunted house story I didn't know I needed. I genuinely couldn't put it down."
– Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January
"An intense, beautiful monster of a novel. Moreno-Garcia's gothic plot is as sharp as a razor and twice as dangerous. Like any good terror, I couldn’t look away. Lush and lyrical writing makes this a vivid, seductive read."
– A. J. Hackwith, author of THE LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN

Reviews

Publishers Weekly

“Moreno-Garcia’s energetic romp through the gothic genre (after Gods of Jade and Shadow) is delightfully bonkers. ” — Publishers Weekly

New York Times

“Stylish and edgy… its archly intelligent tone and insightful writing make Mexican Gothic an original escape to an eerie world. ” — New York Times

Library Journal

“This original, well-paced novel from Moreno-Garcia has great gothic elements with a little VanderMeer creativity thrown in.” — Library Journal

The New Yorker

“In the fall, I cracked open Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “Mexican Gothic” in the bath and found myself reading until the water turned cold.” — The New Yorker

Kirkus

“Fans of gothic classics like Rebecca will be enthralled as long as they don’t mind a heaping dose of all-out horror.” — Kirkus

Booklist

“The ever-present imagery of twisting vines and snakes swallowing their tails blends with ghostly memories of death and disease to create a fascinating atmosphere of dark dreams and intrigue. ” — Booklist

Amazon Book Review

“This is the smart gothic novel I’ve been waiting for since gothics started hitting shelves again.”

Audible

“I spent half of the listen on the literal edge of my seat, and the other half trying to stop myself from screaming.” — Audible.com

The Guardian

” It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America, and after a slow-burn start Mexican Gothic gets seriously weird.” — The Guardian

Book Page

“A distinctive and cinematic horror novel that is not for the faint of heart.” — Book Page

LA Times

“Moreno-Garcia proves that it’s possible to create a believable female protagonist who defies not just the Doyles but the patriarchy of her time.” — LA Times

Locus

“Moreno-Garcia is having a blast playing with the conventions of Gothic literature” — Locus”

Washington Post

“It’s as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic.” — Washington Post

Cemetery Dance

“It’s deliciously dark, atmospheric, and creepy. The visceral imagery, ominous tone, and intriguing premise sent chills down the back of my neck.”  — Cemetery Dance

Heat

“This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight” — Heat

Accolades

  • In development as a Hulu original series
  • NYT Best Seller List
  • Indie Bestseller List
  • Winner Locus Award 2020
  • Winner Goodreads Award 2020
  • Winner Pacific Northwest Book Awards 2020
  • Finalist Nebula, World Fantasy, British Fantasy/August Derleth Award, Shirley Jackson, Stoker awards
  • Best of the Year: New Yorker, NPR, Washington Post, Book Page, Book Riot, AudioFile, Library Journal, Electric Lit, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire
  • Library Reads Top Pick
  • Indie Next Top Pick
  • Book of the Month, July