The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

In this stunning debut, Isabel Cañas masterfully blends supernatural suspense with historical richness, perfect for readers who adore the atmospheric dread of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and the culturally infused horror of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic. Set in the turbulent aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz’s world has been shattered: her father executed, her home destroyed. When the handsome Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, offering the security of his remote country estate, Hacienda San Isidro, Beatriz accepts, desperate for a sanctuary of her own, despite unsettling rumors about his first wife’s sudden death. But the hacienda is no refuge. As Rodolfo departs for the capital, Beatriz is plagued by terrifying visions, spectral voices, and the oppressive weight of an unseen presence. Rodolfo’s enigmatic sister, Juana, dismisses her fears, yet shuns the house after dark, while the cook desperately burns copal incense against the encroaching shadows. Beatriz’s only ally is the young village priest, Padre Andrés, who is no ordinary clergyman. He must draw upon his hidden knowledge of ancient witchcraft to battle the malevolent forces clinging to San Isidro and protect Beatriz from a doom far more sinister than she could have imagined.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Prepare for a "deliciously haunting" (Buzzfeed) and "impossible to put down" (Cosmopolitan) gothic horror debut, nominated for the Bram Stoker Award. You'll be captivated by this tale that evokes the rich, folkloric horror of Mexican Gothic and the classic, suspenseful dread of an isolated estate reminiscent of Rebecca. If you love lushly detailed historical fiction with a terrifying haunted house, forbidden romance, and a powerful exploration of colonialism's ghosts, The Hacienda is your next obsession.