Mexican Gothic
- Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- Narrator Frankie Corzo
- Publisher Quercus
- Publish Date 10 September 2020
- Run Time 10 hours and 40 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Historical fantasy, Historical fiction, Horror and supernatural fiction.
Already purchased
Click to open directly in the xigxag app.
Standard price shown. Sign in for personalised pricing.
Send as a gift Get in the xigxag appFlexible Pricing & Rewards For Listening
At xigxag, the more you read, the less you pay* on select audiobook and x-book® titles, as in the table below. Pricing updates automatically in the app and resets one year after your first purchase. And you can always find a selection of brilliant titles available for only £3.99.
Titles Purchased
- 1-5
- 6-10
- 11-15
- 16-20
- Over 20
Price per title
- £7.99
- £6.99
- £5.99
- £4.99
- £3.99
*Only the full price titles you buy count toward your personal pricing tier. Full price titles don’t include Listen for Less or other books bought with a voucher or discount code.
Listen to a sample
What to expect
The acclaimed author of Gods of Jade and Shadow returns with a mesmerising feminist re-imagining of Gothic fantasy, in which a young socialite discovers the haunting secrets of a beautiful old mansion in 1950s Mexico.
He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me.
When glamorous socialite Noemí 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.
Noemí'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 Noemí; 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 Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerised by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to leave this enigmatic house behind . . .
(P)2020 Random House Audio
He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me.
When glamorous socialite Noemí 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.
Noemí'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 Noemí; 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 Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerised by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to leave this enigmatic house behind . . .
(P)2020 Random House Audio
Critics Review
Brilliant, beautiful, gripping, a necessary read
Mexican Gothic is the subversive, seductive, satisfying haunted house story I didn't know I needed. I genuinely couldn't put it down
Mexican Gothic is an intense, beautiful monster of a novel. Moreno-Garcia's gothic plot is as sharp as a razor and twice as dangerous. Like any good terror, I couldn't look away. Lush and lyrical writing makes this a vivid, seductive read
This was lovely. Reminded me of the old Mary Stewart romance mysteries mixed with a healthy dose of Lovecraftian horror--in other words, a classic Gothic horror romance, told with perfect skill and elan. Can't say I'm surprised though: Moreno-Garcia is a master who writes with a deft hand and a flare for beautifully evocative details. Seriously loved everything about it, which was so engaging I read the whole thing last night
To use the author's own phrase, there's a 'velvet black decadence' to Mexican Gothic - it is a luscious, sensuous take on a haunted house novel that will effortlessly wrap you in its spell. I loved it
Clever, wicked and winning. Moreno-Garcia well and truly hits the mark with Mexican Gothic
Blends chilling scenes of all-out horror with elements of traditional gothic . . . It's Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America
With peculiar characters, a family curse and enough suspense to hold the reader's attention, it is the perfect summer read
This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight
Masterful . . . a gloriously moody adventure. Spooky, smart, and wry. Chic, no-nonsense Noemí Taboada is one hell of a tour guide through this world of mystery, scandal and spirits
Darkly brilliant and captivating. Readers who love old houses and family secrets will devour this book (as I did!). The setting itself - High Place, with its reputation for devouring the dreams of young women - is a character in this marvelously fantastical novel. From 1950s glamorous Mexican high society to the crumbling pride of an abandoned silver mine, Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal
Tense, atmospheric and beautifully written, Mexican Gothic will carry readers back in time to 1950s Mexico where a dark secret looms large, insidiously winding its way through the pages. A spellbinding, suspenseful, immersive read!
A gorgeous piece of work . . . absolutely terrifying, and it has stayed with me in a powerful way
So powerful I sometimes had to look away . . . plays all the classic Gothic tropes with deft confidence while weaving in a much more modern and visceral strain of horror
Stylish and sinister . . . a gothic masterpiece
A fitting example of a new American Gothic novel, as Moreno-Garcia re-imagines this classic genre. You'll certainly find yourself caught between gasps of horror as you start to unravel this mysterious story, just remember to leave the light on as you sit down for a good read
When it comes to the horror, though, Moreno-Garcia gets it absolutely right... it's enormously fun
Moreno-Garcia is having a blast playing with the conventions of Gothic literature
Moreno-Garcia writes with heated abandon . . . Mexican Gothic's fearsome storytelling can't be contained
Moreno-Garcia weaves elements of Mexican folklore with themes of decay, sacrifice, and rebirth, casting a dark spell all the way to the visceral and heart-pounding finalé. Fans of gothic classics like Rebecca will be enthralled
Mexican Gothic terrified and fascinated me. Silvia Moreno-Garcia proves once again that she's a genre-jumping wizard, one of the most exciting and necessary authors writing today
A shiver-inducing tale combining touches of Northanger Abbey with bits of the Gormenghast trilogy thrown in for good measure . . . a fascinating atmosphere of dark dreams and intrigue
Moreno-Garcia's energetic romp through the gothic genre is delightfully bonkers . . . [getting] wilder and stranger with every chapter
[An] original, well-paced novel . . . great gothic elements with a little VanderMeer creativity thrown in
An inspiring and totally original homage to Gothic stories of yore, Moreno-Garcia introduces readers to an awesomely creepy place and extremely evil family whose grip on power relies upon their ability to trap others in their venomous web . . . this is not your mother's Gothic tale
Heart-thumping thriller-chiller
This twisty horror fantasy is engrossing and wonderfully repulsive
A gothic chiller, set in 1950s Mexico, that will clamp you in its icy embrace and linger like a nightmare
A gripping read and, despite the horror and violence of the story, it's a strangely beautiful one. This is an impressive chiller-thriller; the writing is steeped in the spirit of the Victorian gothic tale and it's as well done as any recent homage
Immersive and suspenseful, Mexican Gothic is up there with this year's best novels
Intriguing and disturbing, what starts as a slow burn ends up an unsettling edge-of-the-seat page-turner
There are echoes of Mary Stewart and Daphne du Maurier, but Moreno-Garcia has plenty of satisfying twists of her own
A superb fireside evening read
A pitch-perfect Gothic novel . . . You will be left unsettled, unsteady, and uncertain. You will also be left satisfied
The genre's palette is typically limited, but it doesn't necessarily have to be-as Mexican Gothic amply, deliriously, and gloriously demonstrates. No lazy afternoon spent reading it will ever feel wasted
It's as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic
A period thriller as rich in suspense as it is in lush '50s atmosphere
The books starts off with a mystery and slowly descends into horror that grips you to the page
I love a good gothic horror novel and Mexican Gothic didn't disappoint
Gripping, terrifying, atmospheric and suspenseful
A deeply, creepy read...builds to a strange, pulsing, psychedelic ending
This novel gives classic tropes a fresh and thrilling take
Stylish and edgy . . . While the book draws inspiration from Gothic classics like Rebecca and Jane Eyre - there is a spunky female protagonist and an ancient house filled with disturbing secrets - its archly intelligent tone and insightful writing make Mexican Gothic an original escape to an eerie world
An inspired mash-up of Jane Eyre, Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho, Dracula, Rebecca and that 1958 classic sci-fi movie, The Blob . . . Inventive and smart, [Mexican Gothic is] injecting the Gothic formula with some fresh blood
[An] irresistibly dark feminist reimagining of the Gothic fantasy novel . . . It's all wonderfully creepy, blending chilling scenes of horror with classic Gothic tropes for a seductive and subversive tale. A book to devour in a few - very thrilling - sittings
The author's postcolonial spin on the gothic tradition evokes the usual suspects: Daphne du Maurier, Emily Brontë, Mary Shelley, even Anne Radcliffe. Like those authors, Moreno-Garcia works in a tradition in which chills and thrills tap into elemental cultural fears-runaway science, carnal passion. But to these she adds a more politically inflected horror, both ancient and timely
A new classic of the genre . . . alluring and foreboding, ambiguous and beautiful. And like its heroine Noemí, it's ambitious, determined, and well worth getting to know
This twisty horror fantasy is engrossing and wonderfully repulsive. . . . This is a must-read for fans of gothic writers like the Brontës, Daphne du Maurier, and Shirley Jackson, and also for those who enjoy the feminist, surreal fiction of Carmen Maria Machado
Deliciously creepy . . . Read it with your lights on - and know that strange dreams might begin to haunt you, as they haunted Noemí
More from the same
About xigxag
Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.
Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.
Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.