If you’ve been following my blog, you know how much I love a good Gothic thriller. Not only do I enjoy writing them, I love to snuggle up with one. Preferably on a cold, snowy or rainy afternoon. (It’s even better with a cup of tea and a cookie.) That’s why my favorite read of 2022 was Mexican Gothic.
Over the Christmas break, I indulged with a truly unique Gothic thriller, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Just like many of my favorite Gothics, Mexican Gothic has all the mystery of Jane Eyre and the haunting atmosphere of Wuthering Heights. Plus, there is plenty of horror ala Stephen King.
Mexican Gothic tells the story of Noemi Taboada, a young socialite, who goes to visit her ailing cousin, Catalina. Noemi soon discovers that Catalina is trapped in a tumble-down mansion called High Place on a misty mountainside. Catalina’s only companions are a frightening collection of relatives and servants. When Noemi tries to rescue Catalina, she soon finds that the secrets of High Place run deep, and it may be too late for her to escape a similar fate as her cousin.
This story does a great job of putting a fresh spin on old tropes. A haunted mansion, misty mountainsides, and a family curse pair off against a medicine woman, a silver mine, and a some of the most horrific nightmares I’ve ever read about. I also really liked Noemi. She was feisty and flirty without being insincere. She was also smart enough to figure out the clues without putting herself in unnecessary danger.
Although I read a lot of wonderful horror novels in 2022, Mexican Gothic was one of my favorites. I’m also eager to read more from Silvia Moreno-Garcia, including The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, which was published last year. Don’t you love discovering a new author? Let me know what your favorite read in 2022 was.
If you love ghosts, demons, and Gothic horror, give The Demon in the Tower a try. It’s free on Kindle Unlimited, and also available in the Kindle store.
That sounds like a really terrific thriller/horror story. The front cover art is also impressive.
I didn’t show the inside cover, but it is also very cool.