It's difficult to read a book clearly and judge it on its own merits when it's been hyped for so long and your job is Books. Honestly, I think that let me down a bit here as I was primed for la creme de la creme. Additionally, the first Silvia Moreno Garcia book I read (The Daughter of Dr. Moreau) was less than stellar, so I was already worried that Mexican Gothic was overhyped. I don't know that I can speak to that but I will say I did enjoy this book. Unfortunately, the

sexual assault

pulled me out of the story, since that crime's already too horrific for me before adding spec fic flavor. Overall the writing is good, not great - too much tell, not enough show. But I'm still rating this closer to a 4 than a 3 because I could not. stop. reading. Well done, Silvia.