Hello and welcome to my segment on Kriti’s blog– Ariel’s Arcs! Mexican Gothic was without a doubt one of my most anticipated 2020 reads, and I am so thankful to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC!
Let’s travel back in time a few decades to the bright and exciting setting of 1950s Mexico City. Our main character is Noemí, who has dreams and aspirations to continue through college and pursue her interests in anthropology. Her love of school does not interfere with her love of colorful parties, and she has a stellar sense of style with a charisma that knows no rivals. Her father, doing very well for the family with his fabric and dye company, is going to send her to graduate school soon. However, he gives Noemí a task first: to check up on her cousin who married a mysterious Englishman up in the rural hills several hours north of any urban centers. After receiving a mysterious letter from her cousin, Noemí’s father is highly concerned for his niece’s wellbeing and sends Noemí off to make sure nothing foul is at play.
Noemí’s adventures quickly turn mysterious and strange as she settles in for an extended visit at her cousin’s new house, the decaying old mansion called the High Place. Some things don’t seem to be adding up: like the massive cemetery behind the house, the fact that none of the windows will open, or the fact that the patriarch of the house requires utter silence at all times.
This novel is a slow build of horror and mystery, and the resulting conclusion was very well thought out and cleverly done in my opinion. Noemí is extremely intelligent and savvy, and the author does a stellar job at using Noemí to directly confront the Eugenics movement prevalent within the anthropological field of her day. The cast is quirky in all the best ways, especially since everyone feels like a suspect the entire time. The setting and aesthetic is expertly done, and I felt immersed the entire time I was reading.
There are some content notes to be aware of: Body horror, graphic violence and gore, references to incest, family member and child deaths, sexism and sexual harassment.
This book will be published on June 30th, so if you have not preordered yet, please do! If mystery with a dash of thrilling horror is up your alley, I hope you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did.
Final Rating:
** Be sure to preorder or check out Mexican Gothic when it is published on June 30th, 2020! **
Amazon Print
Amazon Kindle
Cover image: Photo by Wendy Scofield on Unsplash
I’m not usually much of a horror reader, but this sounds amazing!
I agree! This might be a fun buddy read for us. I have so bad about The Testaments haha.
I’ve been seeing this book all over the place lately, hoping to pick up a copy! Sounds like a creepy and interesting read.
Oh yes! This book has had some publicity! It’s the same author as The god of Jade and Shadows.