Gothic narratives are often ripe with social criticism, and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is no different. The story’s heroine, Noemí Taboada, is the daughter of a socially prominent family and known for enigmatic presence at her town’s biggest parties. However, her ambitions are far-reaching and she hopes to attend the National University for a master’s degree in Anthropology. The story is set in the 1950s so, predictably, her parents would rather Noemí settle down and start a family. But after receiving a peculiar letter from her orphaned cousin Catalina, Noemí’s dad strikes a deal with Noemí: visit Catalina and figure out what the problem is and he will consider allowing Noemí to attend the university.

One year prior, Catalina married Virgil Doyle, a charismatic Englishman, and they moved to his family’s estate, High Place. Her cousin’s sudden decision to marry Virgil came as a shock to the family, and also her letter to Noemí begging her for rescue. Catalina describes the house as being ripe with the smell of decay, brimming with evil and cruel thoughts. Of course, Noemí’s father believes this to be yet another case of female hysteria and sends his daughter to investigate.

What Noemí finds is a gloomy house in a dreary locale burdened by rules and a creepy family. But is that all it is? The more I read, the more I felt an impending storm building up just off the page, begging me to keep reading to uncover the source of the family’s gloom. At the center of the tale is the family patriarch’s belief in eugenics, and his efforts to implement it to preserve his family’s gene pool. His efforts are woven into the very fabric of High Place, and its grip seeks to make Noemí a part of the family.

Luckily, she has an ally. Francis, Catalina’s brother-in-law, tries repeatedly to warn Noemí and encourage her to leave High Place before it’s too late. AWhen it seems she’s fully in the grips of the gloom, the family thrives on; readers are given another gasp of air and a bit of hope that she will make it out alive.

Like many Gothic tales, the subtle darkness becomes a bit more gory and horrific as the tale progresses. But, if you’re up for a spooky, magical tale tinged with social critiques of the role of women in marriage and society, the practice of eugenics, and colonialism, then be sure to add this one to your TBR list!