The Hacienda

by Isabel Cañas

Isabel Canas (Secondary Author)

Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches...

During the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz’s father was executed and her home destroyed. When handsome Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, Beatriz ignores the rumors surrounding his first wife’s sudden demise, choosing instead to seize the security that his estate in the countryside provides. She will have her own home again, no matter the cost.
 
But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.

When Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, visions and voices invade Beatriz’s sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Rodolfo’s sister, Juana, scoffs at Beatriz’s fears—but why does she refuse to enter the house at night? Why does the cook burn copal incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark the doorway with strange symbols? What really happened to the first Doña Solórzano?

Beatriz only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will save her.

Desperate for help, she clings to the young priest, Padre Andrés, as an ally. No ordinary priest, Andrés will have to rely on his skills as a witch to fight off the malevolent presence haunting the hacienda and protect the woman for whom he feels a powerful, forbidden attraction. But even he might not be enough to battle the darkness.

Far from a refuge, San Isidro may be Beatriz’s doom.

• ISBN10: 0593436695
• ISBN13: 9780593436691
• Publish Date: 3 May 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593436691

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

If you love Mexican Gothic, then you'll love The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. At least that's the marketing that sucked me in – and I am so happy for that fact. This is absolutely a book worth reading.

Beatriz has not had the happiest of lives. She lost her father during the overthrow of the Mexican government. Her remaining family members treated her and her mother horribly. It was then that Isabel promised herself that if she could change her fate, she would.

When a wealthy politician offers marriage and a stunning house to her, you better believe that Isabel didn't hesitate even if he stood for everything she detested. Perhaps she should have known that things were too good to be true.

“When a man makes a promise, he makes it on his honor. When a witch makes a promise, they feel it in their bones.”

If you love that whole gothic and haunted house vibe, then you'll probably love The Hacienda. This story is dark and unafraid to dive into very real and disturbing plot points in hopes of terrifying its readers. Naturally, it's quite successful at that!

I think what makes this book so good is the subtlety in which Isabel Cañas writes. There's so much detail, all of which steadily pushes readers to the point of panic. It's very well done.

Beatriz's backstory added a surprising amount to the plot, explaining why she felt trapped long before she ever set foot in the house; what surprised me further, though, was the romantic subplot. I don't know why I didn't see that coming! Though I'll admit that it added to the story, thank you for that.

The Hacienda is told from two main perspectives. The first is Beatriz (obviously). The second is a bit more of a surprise, though his presence helps to show the other side of events. Likewise, his backstory brings a lot to the table.

Long story short, The Hacienda was another chilling addition to my bookshelf, and I am delighted to have read it.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[bearley]

Such an atmospheric and captivating read. I was expecting the typical Jane Eyre type read but it was so much better. Made you feel like you were expecting the haunting yourself. Also loved getting a glimpse into to the author’s culture and experience her deep love for it.