Mexican Gothic

Synopsis

'You don't read this book so much as surrender to it. A dark and heady swoon' - Guardian

He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemì. You have to save me.

When glamorous socialite Noemì Taboada receives a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging to be rescued from a mysterious doom, it's clear something is desperately amiss. Catalina has always had a flair for the dramatic, but her claims that her husband is poisoning her and her visions of restless ghosts seem remarkable, even for her.

Noemì's chic gowns and perfect lipstick are more suited to cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing, but she immediately heads to High Place, a remote mansion in the Mexican countryside, determined to discover what is so affecting her cousin.

Tough and smart, she possesses an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin's new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemì; and not of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi's dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family's youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family's past. For 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 Noemì digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemì, mesmerised by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to leave this enigmatic house behind . . .

'This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight' - Heat

PRAISE FOR MEXICAN GOTHIC

'The subversive, seductive, satisfying haunted house story I didn't know I needed' - Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January

'Moreno-Garcia's gothic plot is as sharp as a razor and twice as dangerous' - A. J. Hackwith, author of The Library of the Unwritten

'Masterful . . . a gloriously moody adventure.' - Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling

'Darkly brilliant and captivating . . . Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal' - Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride

'Moreno-Garcia is a master who writes with a deft hand and a flare for beautifully evocative details' - Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of Kings

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Invitation

Noemí Taboada, a young Mexican socialite from a wealthy family, receives an urgent letter from her cousin, Catalina, who is living in High Place, a secluded Gothic mansion in the Mexican countryside. Catalina's letter suggests she is in danger and needs Noemí's help.

Example: "The letter was a desperate plea, filled with incoherent scribbles and bloodstains. It begged me to come to High Place as soon as possible, hinting at unspeakable horrors."

Chapter 2: The Journey

Noemí embarks on a train journey to the remote village of El Triunfo, where High Place is located. Along the way, she encounters strange and unsettling characters, including a disfigured vagrant who warns her about the dangers ahead.

Example: "The vagrant's voice was a raspy whisper, his face a grotesque mask of disfigurement. 'Beware, señorita,' he hissed. 'High Place is a place of darkness and terror.'"

Chapter 3: Arrival at High Place

Noemí arrives at High Place and is greeted by Catalina's husband, Virgil Doyle, a cold and enigmatic doctor. The mansion is shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere, and Noemí senses an immediate unease.

Example: "The mansion loomed over me like a monstrous beast, its walls crumbling, its windows boarded up. As I stepped inside, a chill ran down my spine, as if the house itself was breathing."

Chapter 4: The Strange Family

Noemí meets the other members of the Doyle family: Howard, Virgil's brother, a cynical and alcoholic writer; Florence, his mother, a frail and senile woman; and Francis, his cousin, a secretive and manipulative young man.

Example: "Francis's eyes were the strangest I had ever seen, dark and piercing as a hawk's. His smile was unnerving, a twisted mockery that sent shivers down my back."

Chapter 5: Catalina's Condition

Noemí finally sees Catalina, who is confined to her bedchamber. Catalina is withdrawn and unresponsive, and Noemí suspects that she is suffering from more than just physical illness.

Example: "Catalina's once-vibrant eyes were now dull and lifeless. Her skin was pale and translucent, as if it were melting away."

Chapter 6: The Dark History

Noemí delves into the history of the Doyle family and discovers a dark and sinister past. She learns that the mansion was once owned by a man named Dr. Rufus Blackwood, who conducted horrific experiments on his patients.

Example: "The journals of Dr. Blackwood revealed a chilling tale of madness and cruelty. He had subjected his patients to unspeakable horrors, using them as pawns in his twisted experiments."

Chapter 7: The Root of Evil

Noemí realizes that the Doyles are descended from Blackwood and that they are cursed by the spirits of his victims. The mansion is haunted by the vengeful ghosts, who seek to destroy the family.

Example: "I could hear whispers and moans coming from the walls. The air grew heavy with the stench of decay and the sickly sweet scent of death."

Chapter 8: The Confrontation

Noemí confronts the Doyles about their dark secret. They attempt to silence her, but she is aided by the spirits of Blackwood's victims. In a climactic battle, the ghosts defeat the Doyles and free Noemí from their clutches.

Example: "The spirits rose up in a whirlwind of rage and vengeance. The walls trembled as they tore the Doyles apart, reclaiming their justice."

Chapter 9: The Aftermath

Noemí escapes from High Place, leaving behind the horrors she has witnessed. She returns to Mexico City changed forever, haunted by the memories of her Gothic nightmare.

Example: "I could never forget the terrors I had faced at High Place. The mansion remained a cursed relic, a testament to the darkness that can consume even the most innocent."