The Hacienda

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.

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Published Sep 26, 2023

384 pages

Average rating: 7.1

300 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

thenextgoodbook
Sep 04, 2025
8/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com
What’s it about?

Beatriz and her mother have been taken in by relatives after her father is killed. Looking to bring safety and security to her family she quickly agrees to marry the wealthy and handsome Rodolfo soon after she meets him. She is thrilled to leave the city and head to his hacienda in the country- but what awaits her there?

What did it make me think about?

Who doesn’t love a good story?

Should I read it?

This book is for all fans of the gothic novel. I really enjoyed the characters Ms. Canas created and her story is so imaginative. I love a gothic novel and this one will not disappoint. For me it might have pushed the gothic/horror element of the story slightly over the top- but otherwise it is a great page turner.

Quote-

“The house hated this charade of normalcy. Its loathing seeped thought he walls, tangible and thick as mud. I waded through it as I followed the guests from dining room to parlor for nightcaps in a haze; everything moved too slowly, dragged but the thickness of the cold, the weight of the house’s watching.”
Shat
Oct 26, 2023
9/10 stars
Slow start and confusing in the beginning, but the beginning started to make more since the more I read. I honestly didnt think I could make it past the first few chapters but then it justbtook over and I finished this book in 3 days.
Gneiss_Rocks
Dec 31, 2024
8/10 stars
Fantastic. It was such a fun horror read with a love story that didn't feel contrived. This is for you if you like horror, southwest, and spooky houses.
Artie318
Dec 20, 2024
10/10 stars
WOW, just wow! I absolutely loved this book. I came for the horror and stayed for the love story! I almost flung my kindle when I got to the ending. Absolutely loved everything about this.
Jluvsbooks
Apr 04, 2024
The book gets good later in the chapters. It did not get my attention right away! Great ending!

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