Review of Mexican Gothic 

by Silva Morena Garcia

            Set in Mexico in the 1950s, Noemi is a spoiled rich girl who likes dancing and flirting, but her carefree lifestyle changes when she receives a letter from her newly married cousin that her new husband is poisoning her.  Noemi is sent by her father to check on her cousin.  She soon finds out something sinister is going on, and her cousins’ new family might or might not have ill intentions. 

            The Mexican setting adds a new flavor to this subgenre of horror known as a gothic literature.  It uses the familiar trope of the creepy house that has a life of its own.  I’m paraphrasing a King quote, but here’s a perfect one to describe this house, “to say a house is haunted is to say it’s gone insane”. Noemi isn’t likable, but she’s sympathetic and relatable. I like that she’s selfish and has bad habits, but she cares about her cousin.  She fiercely independent and constantly is saving herself instead of needing her love interest to save her.  There is a creepiness and unsettledness to each family and you’re uncertain whom Noemi can trust.  Garcia created an amazing atmosphere complete mist and creaky floorboards. Garcia has an easy reading writing style and it kept me engaged in the story the whole time.