Books from Mexico — The Book Roads

Isabel Cañas

Set in Mexico in the aftermath of the War of Independence, The Hacienda follows Beatriz, a young woman whose father was executed and whose family home was destroyed during political upheaval. When wealthy landowner Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes marriage, she accepts, hoping to secure a safe home and a fresh start. However, after moving to his remote estate, Hacienda San Isidro, Beatriz begins experiencing terrifying visions and unexplained disturbances. As she investigates the property’s dark history, she seeks help from Padre Andrés, a young priest hiding secrets of his own. Blending Gothic horror, historical fiction, and forbidden romance, Isabel Cañas explores women’s vulnerability within patriarchal society, the lingering effects of colonialism, and the struggle for independence in a world shaped by power and superstition.

2022