I really was conflicted with this novel. I liked a lot about it! I liked the way the author told the story, it was really creepy and I LOVED that. However, there was a lot of language that I had to look up to better understand what the author was needing to get across. I thought the twists were great. But in the end I didn't love it overall, It was like "okay". I wasn't running off and telling everyone and their mom that they needed to read it. But this was also my first "gothic" genre book, so many I just need to read the genre more to truly appreciate it! Do I regret reading it? Not at all!

Very interesting on how the story was developed and how the author thought through ideas. 100% makes me want to read Mexican Gothic.

I love Moreno-Garcia’s style. That’s a statement that doesn’t need an explanation. I only read another book of hers before this one, so I was super hyped to read more.

This book, as all of hers, is set in Mexico around mid 1900. We follow Noemì traveling to High Place, a weird manor said to be cursed, to tend to her cousin who has fallen hill. But nothing is as it seems. I was sucked into this world, I was surrounded by Mexican culture and myths, I loved everything Mexican related. This book starts as a mystery and thriller, but as soon as we know the Doyle family, we gather there has to be more. This more being paranormal. So, if you wanted a normal and clear thriller, this is not for you, even though you could even appreciate it.

The world building is perfect, it takes you directly there and you live with those characters. The characters were all really good, well developed. I particularly liked the protagonist, I found her to be sweet and strong, smart for certain things, but also too innocent sometimes. The atmosphere is what really made me read this book in a day: it’s dark, gothic, I would also say grey and with no color.

If you love thriller and mystery, if you love big plot twists with a side of paranormal, If you love less romance and more psychological sides, then this book is perfect for you.

Final vote: 4/5

I thought this was going to be the actual book. Yes, I know it says that it isn't in the description, but apparently I can't read. Still a nice set of questions though, one that I plan on using and consulting once I actually read the book.

It was good to know the historical context, and a little more about why the location was chosen. The author explained preconceptions of Mexico in terms of geography and climate, and that the landscape and location were such a huge factor in the novel's construction.

This guide will be awesome to have for a book club discussion! In addition to discussion questions, it includes some great extras, like a letter from the author, a playlist to go along with the book, some history about gothic romances, and a paper doll with some outfits!

What a great companion to Mexican Gothic! I am participating in a reader discussion group about this book at the end of the month, and this provided so many things to consider before my meeting. I will be able to bring some great questions to the group, and I can't wait to share the author's playlist. My favorite section though was, How Gothic Romances Became Domestic Noirs...fascinating. I can't say that I will ever use them, but there was even a paper doll and clothing if you were so inclined to 'dress' Noemi. This is a very cool idea and I hope to see more of these types of book club kits.

Such a lovely resource for Bookclubs! I plan to share this with my Bookclub who is reading this in May. Thanks to Moreno-Garcia and partners for putting this together.

This is the first time I see a book club kit, so I was intrigued. This really is merchandising for people who love books, so obviously people interested in the title will like it while people who don’t care about the beauty of book will have no interest for it. Having not read the book mexicain gothic, it’s a bit hard for me to see how useful this is. I can only say that the paper doll is very pretty. But then again I have absolutely no use for something like that.

This is the perfect accompaniment to Mexican Gothic. My favorite part is the paper doll clothing to give context to the costuming. Moreno-Garcia does an excellent job exploring the correlation between Gothic romance and domestic noir. Learning more about the background of colonialism in Mexico adds another layer of understanding to the novel. I recommend this book club kit.

I decided to try this book club kit because it was for a book I have already read. This is great (and succinct) supplemental material. It gave great context to what I already knew from the work. I love that these get added into books for their paperback releases!

This Book Club Kit is everything I did not know I needed. Thank you for providing resources to better our reading habits.

This is a great companion/discussion guide to read along the book. As a reviewer, I love that the discussion questions helped me shape my insight and perspective while taking the time to explore the pages. Not to mention I have the Spotify playlist saved for future listening! The paper doll is just too adorable!

Overall, my reception of this book kit is positive and will be sharing this with my book club friends.

This Book Club Kit for Mexican Gothic is outstanding! Absolutely what a resource like this should be.

I haven't yet read the novel, but after reviewing the BCK I want to more than ever. The lush guide for book clubs includes:

- A letter from author Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
- 9 (very basic) discussion questions.
- A Spotify playlist of 22 songs curated by the author.
- "The Real del Monte" history written by Moreno-Garcia.
- A Doyle Family Seal illustration.
- 2-page history on "How gothic romances became domestic noirs."
- Dress Up Noemi paper dolls (one cut-out Noemi + 4 cut-out outfits). I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! The icing on the cake.

Just perfect.

The "Mexican Gothic" Book Club Kit is a fun addition to any book club meeting. Questions to spark conversation, a playlist to set the mood for the novel, an adorable fashion doll print-out (that could be fun for older members of the book club, or, perhaps, a fun distraction for little ones), and several other intrigues to keep everyone engaged with the text.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I personally have not read this book yet. I did not realize that this was a Book Club Kit/Guide, not the actual book until I requested it; therefore, I will not be leaving a full review.

A fantastic horror/suspense novel set during 1950's Mexico in the remote El Triunfo town. Although fictitious, El Triunfo is based on Real del Monte, a mining town whose silver mines were at one time managed by English administrators, bringing Cornwall's cuisine and customs to central Mexico.

Noemi, the young heiress of a chemical factory, is sent by her father to visit her cousin at El Triunfo. The cousin, Catalina, in turn married the heir of the Doyles, an old English family settled in the remote mountains, but cut all ties with the family until she sent a mysterious letter.

Arriving to the perennially foggy town, Noemi finds herself lodged in High Place, the decrepit and decaying Doyle manor, kept in the dark and in total silence in deference to the patriarch's well being. But Noemi begins experiencing hallucinations and sleepwalks, and begins to uncover a long history of plagues, curses and bad luck that follows the Doyles and the townsfolk.

With the help of a local healer and a young doctor, she will peel away the layers that surround the mystery of the house, the haunted cemetery and the flooded mines.

Written in a fantastic tone, it starts quietly but begins to build the pace and the last third of the book is just a blast. This is a very enjoyable read and I hope to read more from the author.

Extremely recommended!

I found the author's discussion of how the Gothic genre developed into Domestic Noir very thought-provoking, as it is a topic that I had never seen discussed prior to this. Additionally, I thought her discussion of the impact of colonialism in Mexico, and how the country and its resources have always been exploited by other powers to be very insightful.

Overall, a very informative read that provided useful context and background information to the novel, and would surely provoke interesting discussions at book clubs.

Book Club Kit: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Publisher: Penguin Random House Library Resources
Genre: Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy
Release Date: February 11, 2021

I have not yet read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. It is on my “to be read” pile and I'm looking forward to diving into soon.

This book club kit is the perfect companion to the book. It asks thought provoking questions that let you take a deeper dive into the book. I loved the letter from the author and the Spotify playlist! I loved the added information the author provides into about the town that inspired the location for her book. There’s also a fun surprise at the end of the book.

I think this will definitely enhance the reader's experience with reading Mexican Gothic!

I'm so grateful to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Penguin Random House Library Resources, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the book Mexican Gothic, and this Book Club Kit is the perfect companion for book clubs and teachers.