Book Review: Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

• Visually striking

• Emotionally captivating

• New found fear of mushrooms

• 5 stars

From what I’d heard I was prepared for plot twists and suspense going into this book, but I am blown away! The visuals, tension, emotions - all so real. I finished this book late at night, lights on, and walked to bed afraid to touch my walls.

While I finally took a deep breath to reach the end, I have a bit of a book hangover from this one.

This book had a lot of internet hype, it was on lists for every book club, and showcased in the window of anywhere selling books. I was in a reading slump and to be honest I was mostly drawn in by the cover art because clumps mean no story is really catching your eye. So. Book haul of one, complete.

This book will transport you to this eerie castle and family. By the 2nd chapter it was reading slump over and I was hooked into Noemí’s adventure to save her cousin. I could feel the moist grass and thick drapes, I could hear the wind and the bees.

Noemí and her thoughts also gripped me, I related to her a lot. She was outspoken and independent. Her own person living life the way she wanted, but she still cared for her family and others. She has drive and brains made me think a lot of myself and my sisters throughout the book.

When I posted this review previously I knew the picture had to include a gift from my sister: Goal Digger perfume. Love it, it smells like a day conquered.

I recommend this book although when people ask what genre or what it’s about, I feel like a babble. Sometimes when you can’t explain something quickly it’s probably not a good thing, but this one is different. I stand there with images of mushrooms dancing in my head and go: it’s a thriller, mystery, horror, fantasy and set in the past so many historical but it all ties together and it’s a female hero with heart tale. If I didn’t lose you part way through that, I say grab yourself a copy and read with the lights on!

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My Synopsis

Noemí receives a letter from her cousin, Catalina, that causes concern and she leaves Mexico City to go visit her. Living with her husband and his family at High Place, Catalina seems of and talks of voices in the walls. Noemí is determined to have her see a psychiatrist, but can’t help but also feel herself slip away and battle horrid nightmares herself. She turns to family member, Francis, for answers and comfort. However, is anyone trustworthy? How real are her dreams? What is up with the mold in her room? It’s so hard not to spoil any of it!

If you’ve read it, let’s chat!

Trigger Warnings

Things that go bump in the night, assault/rape, mental health topics.

(Previously read and reviewed, see post here.)

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