“Mexican Gothic” Book Review

Book: “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre: Gothic/Horror/Thriller

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Five Word Description: Creepy, Eerie, Addictive, Unpredictable, Mysterious 

“Mexican Gothic” written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a gothic thriller that has completely shaken up my reading routine in the best way!

The book synopsis is shared below from Amazon. 

Synopsis: (From Amazon)

“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. 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.”

“Mexican Gothic” was exactly what I needed to jump start my passion for reading again. Venturing out and trying a new genre made me feel a little uneasy, but I was handsomely rewarded for picking up this book! “Mexican Gothic” was addictingly creepy and kept me awake at night listening for unfamiliar sounds. The story line contains all of the prerequisites for a gothic novel: a gloomy decaying old house, a curse, supernatural events, and intense emotional scenes. Although I am not a huge fan of the horror genre in general, the author’s writing is detailed and flows well which held my interest through out the novel. Readers will be able to see “High Place” in all of its eerie dilapidated glory through Moreno-Garcia’s use of imagery and emotive language. 

1950’s Mexico provided a dynamic spin on the traditional settings of this genre. I enjoyed the time period chosen, but at times it felt like the dialogue or behavior more closely resembled present day. There were only a few instances of this in the book, but the change in behavior and its era alignment was a bit disorienting. 

Overall, my blind step into the horror genre was a hugely successful one. I enjoyed “Mexican Gothic” immensely and will never look at mushrooms the same. (If you haven’t read it, you need to read it to find out why!) Well done to author Silvia Moreno-Garcia! 

Recommendations: This book is fabulous for those who love the horror genre, thrillers or historical fiction. It is probably not best to read this right before going to bed though! 

Happy Reading!