Book Review – Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic has been sitting on my TBR pile for months, its stunning cover beckoning me every time I walked past my bookshelf. As someone who typically gravitates towards fluffy contemporary romances, I was both intrigued and slightly terrified to dive into this atmospheric gothic horror. But oh my goodness, am I glad I finally picked it up!

The story follows Noemí Taboada, a vibrant socialite in 1950s Mexico City who receives a concerning letter from her newly-married cousin Catalina. Worried about her cousin’s well-being, Noemí travels to High Place, a decrepit mansion perched in the Mexican countryside where Catalina lives with her mysterious English husband and his peculiar family. What starts as a simple welfare check spirals into something far more sinister and unsettling.

Let me tell you about the atmosphere first because wow – Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing completely transported me. I found myself curled up under my warmest blanket (despite it being summer!) as I read about the perpetual mist surrounding High Place, the decay seeping through its walls, and the oppressive silence that seemed to suffocate its inhabitants. The descriptions are so vivid that I could practically smell the musty corridors and feel the damp chill in my bones. It reminded me of the time I visited an old Victorian mansion during a rainy day – that same sense of unease and the feeling that the walls themselves were watching.

The pacing is deliberately slow in the first half, which might not work for everyone. But for me, this gradual build-up of dread and uncertainty made the latter half of the book even more impactful. It’s like watching storm clouds gather – you know something wicked is coming, but you’re helplessly drawn into waiting for that first crack of thunder.

I absolutely adored Noemí as our protagonist. She’s refreshingly complex – a social butterfly who loves pretty dresses and parties, but also dreams of pursuing anthropology and isn’t afraid to stand her ground. Her stubbornness and curiosity might get her into trouble, but these same qualities make her such a compelling character to follow. The way she maintains her sharp wit and determination even as High Place tries to break her down had me mentally cheering her on.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, particularly Francis, the family’s youngest son who becomes Noemí’s unlikely ally. Their interactions provide some much-needed moments of warmth in an otherwise chilling narrative. The romance element is subtle and sweet, never overshadowing the main horror elements but adding another layer of emotional investment to the story.

Speaking of horror – this book definitely earned its genre classification. There are moments that made me seriously consider sleeping with the lights on (something I haven’t done since reading Stephen King’s IT as a teenager). But what makes Mexican Gothic truly terrifying isn’t just the supernatural elements or the body horror (though those are plenty disturbing). It’s the way Moreno-Garcia weaves in commentary about colonialism, racism, and eugenics, showing how human monsters can be far more frightening than any supernatural entity.

The book takes some wild turns in its final act that might divide readers. I personally found them bold and engaging, if slightly jarring. It’s like being on a rollercoaster that suddenly goes underground – unexpected but thrilling.

A word of caution: this isn’t a book to read right before bed (learn from my mistakes!). The imagery is vivid and potentially disturbing, especially if you have an active imagination like mine. I made the mistake of reading a particularly creepy scene late at night and ended up having to watch two episodes of Parks and Recreation as a palate cleanser before I could sleep!

Mexican Gothic might not be for everyone – it requires patience and a strong stomach for some of its more graphic moments. But if you enjoy atmospheric horror that makes you think as much as it makes you squirm, this book is a must-read. Just maybe keep some comfort reads nearby for afterward.

For fans of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca or Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, this is a fresh and unique take on the gothic horror genre that manages to feel both classic and contemporary. It’s definitely pushed me out of my reading comfort zone in the best possible way.

Now excuse me while I go add every other book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia to my already towering TBR pile!