The Hacienda

By: Isabel Cañas

Narrated by: Victoria Villarreal, Lee Osorio

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.

Latine Gothic Horror

It's been a long time since I loved a book this much! The Hacienda was written in a voice so classically gothic, it could have been written by Shirley Jackson, and yet it was so authentically Latin American. The way the characters reacted to the supernatural, the symbiosis of Catholicism & brujeria, reminded me of the stories my Cuban mother would tell me. I could not stop listening! More of a discomforting story that will give you goosebumps, than a modern jump scare gore-fest, The Hacienda is my favorite kind of horror novel. It's clear Isabel Canas has a deep respect for the classics, but is not afraid to add her own spin. I cannot wait for her next book.

Really well written and narrated

This novel hooks you right away and the creepy haunting is very well done. Love this heroine and her conflict. Excellent narration.

Brilliantly crafted

The Hacienda is chilling, and much to my shock oddly romantic.
Thé duel narration was preformed well, and if I had to guess, made up for the fact that the writing style is not my preference. But that is neither here nor there.
The story is great. I expected it to be darker, but I am not sorry to have read it. I look forward to more from the author.

A savory story, rich in culture-

I have so many feelings about this book that I want to give spoilers and dissect them. Alas, I will not. If this story were a meal, it would be a serving that was not too spicy, too much, or too well done. This story leaves the reader satisfied, yet anxious to try the next dish created by this talented chef.

Thrilling!

I loved it. It's exactly what you look for in a Gothic novel. Dark, suspenseful, captivating...it had my heart yearning one minute and pounding the next. The narrators were wonderful. I highly recommend!