Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

“It’s fine. Having no electricity is odd, but I don’t think anyone has died from a lack of light bulbs yet.”
After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with 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 Noemí; and not even 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 Noemí, 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 Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

Mexican Gothic was a really interesting Gothic manor-type thriller that just dips its toes into supernatural territory. The plot builds slowly, almost agonizingly so. Still, it takes you on a wild ride as things continue to get more and more confusing in High Place. As things get more treacherous, Noemí grows more and more determined to rescue her cousin. The plot is well-developed, as Noemí finds herself increasingly questioning her own safety and coming to the realization that her cousin Catalina is not safe. The story takes many unexpected turns, but the shock is balanced well with the suspense. Mexican Gothic never tips one way or the other, and remains coherent while building the suspense. It all leads to a climax with a satisfactory ending, and a few more twists thrown in for good measure.
We spend most of the book following Noemí. Her character is very well-developed, and I never found myself questioning her actions or decisions. Everything that she says and does feels authentic, even her mistakes. At the very beginning of the story, she comes off as a bit of a ditzy airhead, but she grew on me very fast. Especially since every other character is either evil or insane. Catalina’s husband, Virgil, is just an absolute creep. This brings me to Francis (Virgil’s cousin), who I was drawn to immediately. Once again, there are so few friendly faces that you’re just automatically pulled to anyone who isn’t downright demonic.
Though the story is set in Mexico and Noemí is Mexican, we don’t really hear much about Mexican heritage or culture. Since Virgil and his family are European, and Noemí hardly leaves High Place, we don’t really hear much about the world outside this looming manor. For readers looking for a dose of Mexican culture, this book might fall a bit flat. 

Otherwise, Noemí is a fancy lady with a sharp wit and a stubborn streak. While the story really stretches the boundaries of the believable, Noemí’s pride, courage, and heart breathe life into this story. Paired with smooth writing and a funky sidekick, Mexican Gothic is a gripping, if somewhat eccentric, read.