While You Wait for Mexican Gothic | Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

by Moreno-Garcia, Silvia

Book - 2020

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a deliciously terrifying take on the Gothic tradition, a fresh and exciting contribution to the horror genre tha...Show more Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a deliciously terrifying take on the Gothic tradition, a fresh and exciting contribution to the horror genre that reads like Rebecca meets H.P. Lovecraft. The story begins with a family mystery, and quickly transitions to a creepy, isolated house with its own misty family graveyard. Our fearless star is Noemi, a spunky, slightly bored heroine who is considering how to break away from her latest beau. It’s 1950s Mexico, and Noemi is a wealthy society girl who loves fun and parties. She also has a serious intellectual side, and she dreams of pursuing a master’s degree, though her family is not enthusiastic about the idea. When her father receives a rambling, seemingly psychotic letter from a newly married and isolated cousin, he sends Noemi to scope out the situation, in exchange for a promise to finally let her pursue higher education on her return. At first, readers might feel as though they are easing into a familiar haunted house story, with a dark atmosphere, a beautiful young female lead, and slowly building suspense. Mexican Gothic puts a twist in the typical tale, though, by weaving elements of colonialism and racism into the narrative. Noemi is a resourceful and resilient heroine, too, no meek mouse. You’ll never guess what is causing so many of the residents of High Place to go mad, and you’ll never forget the horrifying reveal. Show less

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The Year of the Witching

by Henderson, Alexis

Unknown - 2020

The Year of the Witching is a dark fantasy with stunning, cinematic horror scenes and an intersectional feminist focus. If you are drawn to the strong fem...Show more The Year of the Witching is a dark fantasy with stunning, cinematic horror scenes and an intersectional feminist focus. If you are drawn to the strong female lead and richly dark atmosphere of Mexican Gothic, you’ll find The Year of the Witching to be another irresistible addition to your to-be-read pile. The story takes place in Bethel, a theocracy ruled by a powerful prophet. Immanuelle ranks quite low on the hierarchy, even for a female. Before Immanuel’s mother died, she disgraced herself by falling in love with one of the dark-skinned residents who live at the fringes of society. Immanuelle’s birth was the result. To make matters worse, the Prophet had chosen Immanuelle’s mother as one of his many young brides, so her love affair became a matter of politics. Her beloved was executed, and her whole family lost status, relegated to a small house and a hardscrabble existence. Years later, teenaged Immanuelle works hard to do her part for her family, though she longs for books to read, often goes to bed hungry, and wishes for answers that no one is willing to give. The Darkwood that surrounds the community is forbidden territory, said to be plagued by evil witches that mean harm to all the good citizens of Bethel. Immanuelle feels as though she is being called to the shadows beneath the trees, but she tries her best to ignore the whispers in her mind. Chasing an escaped ram one day, she goes beyond the tree line. In the Darkwood, she uncovers long buried secrets and curses, foretelling a path of blood and carnage for the community. With the help of the Prophet’s rebellious son, Immanuelle will risk everything to save the innocents of Bethel from the curse, and Bethel’s broken system. Show less

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The Woman in White

by Collins, Wilkie

eBook - 2023

Check out a novel of suspense and mystery written in 1859. On a London street at midnight, Walter Hartright meets a mysterious woman dressed all in white....Show more Check out a novel of suspense and mystery written in 1859. On a London street at midnight, Walter Hartright meets a mysterious woman dressed all in white. He helps her return to her home, and then finds out later that she had escaped from an asylum for the insane. Later, Walter takes a job as an art tutor to two young women, one of whom bears a strong resemblance to the woman in white. The novel is told through first-person accounts, for an immersive, real-life feel. The book has inspired a number of film adaptations, including a fantastic production from PBS. Collins is considered a pioneer of the sensation novel, a genre that blended elements of Gothic romance and psychological realism. He is also often referred to as a father of detective fiction. His novels, especially The Woman in White and The Moonstone, have inspired generations of authors. Instantly available as an ebook or audiobook on Hoopla. Show less

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The Woman in Black

by Hill, Susan

Book - 2011

Another creepy page-turner that will keep you intrigued until the final, dark twist. The Woman in Black was published in 1983, but it reads like a classic...Show more Another creepy page-turner that will keep you intrigued until the final, dark twist. The Woman in Black was published in 1983, but it reads like a classic Victorian ghost story. The story begins with a family gathered around the fire to tell ghost stories. Sounds a bit strange to the modern reader, perhaps, but it was a tradition. (Think A Christmas Carol, for an example of another Christmas-time ghost story). The narrator of the story is the man of the house, enjoying the evening with his wife and stepchildren, until the tales of terror begin. He hints that he had an experience of such horror as a younger man that it completely changed him, and he is still so shaken that he is unable to share the story as part of the festivities. Afterward, though, he pledges to write the story down for posterity, and that tale is the one that we read as The Woman in Black. As a young man, early on in his work as a solicitor, Arthur Kipps is sent to a remote area in northern England to settle the estate of a woman who has just passed. As he gets closer to his destination, he finds that the name of the deceased woman strikes dread into those around him. It is not long before Kipps begins to see things that others do not seem to see, such as a woman in black looking into the grave of the deceased at the funeral. No one is willing to accompany him to the estate in the marsh, aside from a driver who will only drop him off and pick him up. Kipps chalks their behavior up to rural superstition, but as he begins to sort through papers at the house, he sees and hears much that he can't explain. In time, the house and the marsh will give up their secrets, but Kipps will never be the same. Show less

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