Its the next novel from Moreno-Garcia, which EW can exclusively preview.
This story of romance, family secrets, and violent histories develops unpredictably from there.
For now, EW has your first look at what Moreno-Garcia has in store for readers.
Credit: Martin Dee
The novel publishes June 30, 2020, and isavailable for pre-order.
Their chauffeurs, rather than waiting outside the Tunons house in vain, had systematized the nights.
Some of the chauffeurs would cluster together, sharing cigarettes and stories.
Penguin Random House
A couple took naps.
So the couple stepping out of the party at 10pm therefore broke convention.
Whats worse, the mans driver had left to fetch himself dinner and could not be found.
The young man looked distressed, trying to determine how to proceed.
Noemi Taboada had promised shed rent a jockey outfit, complete with a riding crop.
In the end, Noemi changed her mind.
The jockey costume was ugly and scratched her skin.
Three blocks from here theres a big avenue.
We can find a taxi there, she told Hugo.
Say, do you have a cigarette.
I dont know even where I put my wallet, Hugo replied, palming his jacket with one hand.
Besides, dont you always carry cigarettes in your purse?
I would think youre cheap and cant buy your own if I didnt know any better.
Its so much more fun when a gentleman offers a lady a cigarette.
I cant even offer you a mint tonight.
Do you think I might have left my wallet back at the house?
She did not reply.
Hugo was having a difficult time carrying the horses head under his arm.
He almost dropped it when they reached the avenue.
Noemi raised a slender arm and hailed a taxi.
Once they were inside the car Hugo was able to put the horses head down on the seat.
You look adorable when youre irritated, she replied, opening her handbag and finding her cigarettes.
Hugo also looked like a younger Pedro Infante, which was a great deal of his appeal.
When they reached her home, Hugo reached out to her, grasping her hand.
Give me a kiss goodnight.
Noemis father had never been poor, but he had turned a small chemical dye business into a fortune.
He knew what he liked and he wasnt afraid to show it: bold colors and clean lines.
His chairs were upholstered in a vibrant red and luxuriant plants added splashes of green to every room.
She also knew what she liked and she did not like being summoned home early.
I cannot believe you telephoned me at the Tunons, she said, tugging at her white gloves.
Noemi frowned, she held one of the gloves in her right hand.
Father was concerned that Hugo might propose marriage and shed accept.
Therefore, to her father, any pleasant activity must also involve the acquisition of a spouse.
No, although well have a talk about that later, he said, leaving Noemi confused.
If that was not his intent, then what was all the fuss about?
Its nothing bad, is it?
she asked, her tone changing.
You cant repeat what Im about to tell you.
Not to your mother, not to your brother, not to any friends, understood?
her father said, staring at her until Noemi nodded.
He leaned back in his chair pressing his hands together in front of his face and nodded back.
A few weeks ago I received a letter from your cousin Catalina.
In it she made wild statements about her husband.
I wrote to Virgil in an attempt to get to the root of the matter.
He countered that it was not necessary.
Noemi took off her other glove and set it on her lap.
We were at an impasse.
I did not think he would budge, but tonight I received a telegram.
Here, you’re able to read it.
Her father grabbed the slip of paper on his desk and handed it to Noemi.
It was an invitation for her to visit Catalina.
I want you to go, Noemi.
Virgil says shes been asking for you.
Besides, I think this is a matter that may be best handled by a woman.
It might turn to be this is nothing but exaggerations and marital trouble.
Its not as if your cousin hasnt had a tendency toward the melodramatic.
It might be a ploy for attention.
In that case, why would Catalinas marital troubles or her melodrama concern us?
she asked, though she didnt think it was fair that her father label Catalina as melodramatic.
Shed lost both of her parents at a young age.
One could expect a certain amount of turmoil after that.
Catalinas letter was very odd.
She claimed her husband was poisoning her, she wrote that shed had visions.
Do you have the letter?
Yes, here it is.
Noemi had a hard time reading the words, much less making sense of the sentences.
The handwriting seemed unsteady, sloppy.
… he is trying to poison me.
This house is sick with rot, stinks of decay, brims with every single evil and cruel sentiment.
They are cruel and unkind and they will not let me go.
I am Catalina Catalina Taboada.
Cata, Cata come out to play.
I pray Ill see you again.
You must come for me, Noemi.
You have to save me.
When was the last time Noemi had spoken to Catalina?
It must have been months ago, maybe close to a year.
There must have also been a Christmas letter, because there had been Christmas presents.
Or was it Virgil who had written the Christmas letter?
It had, in any case, been a bland missive.
Theyd all assumed Catalina was enjoying her time as a newlywed and didnt have the inclination to write much.
The letter she was holding, was therefore uncharacteristic in every way she could think about.
It was handwritten, when Catalina preferred the typewriter, it was rambling when Catalina was succinct on paper.
It is very odd, Noemi admitted.
To say the least.
And why I was so taken aback when he immediately accused me of being a nuisance.
What exactly did you write to him?
she asked, fearing her father had seemed uncivil.
He was a serious man and could rub people the wrong way with his unintended brusqueness.
That youd take her to the asylum?
I mentioned it as a possibility, her father replied, holding out his hand.
Noemi returned the letter to him.
Its not the only place, but I know people there.
She might need professional care, care which she will not find in the countryside.
And I fear we are the ones capable of ensuring her best interests are served.
You dont trust Virgil.
Her father let out a dry chuckle.
Your cousin married quickly, Noemi, and one might say, thoughtlessly.
Now Ill be the first to admit Virgil Doyle seemed charming, but who knows if he is reliable.
He had a point.
Catalinas engagement had been almost scandalously short and theyd had scant chances to speak to the groom.
Up until that point Noemi hadnt even know her cousin had a sweetheart.
Such secrecy and haste did not go down well with Noemis father.
He had thrown a wedding breakfast for the couple, but Noemi knew he was offended by Catalinas behavior.
That was another reason why Noemi hadnt been concerned about Catalinas scant communication with the family.
Their relationship was, for the moment, chilly.
Time, it was merely a question of time.
Tell me, does that sound like a reliable account?
Her father stood up and went to the window, looking outside and crossing his arms.
She is not well, that is what I know.
I also know that if Virgil and Catalina were divorced, hed have no money.
It was pretty clear when they married his familys funds have run dry.
But as long as they are married, he has access to her bank account.
You think he is that mercenary?
That hed put his finances before the welfare of his wife?
I dont know him, Noemi.
None of us do.
That is the problem.
He is a stranger.
And you said she was the melodramatic one, Noemi said, looking at her orchid corsage and sighing.
I also know a family does not handle such matters well, at times.
What would you have me do, then?
she asked, daintily placing her hands on her lap.
How would I manage such a thing?
In the smirk and the clever dark eyes, child and parent greatly resembled each other.
Always changing your mind about everything and anything.
First you wanted to study history, then theater, now its anthropology.
Youve cycled through every sport imaginable and stuck to none.
You date a boy twice then at the third date do not phone him back.
That has nothing to do with my question.
Im getting to it.
You are flighty, but you are stubborn about all the wrong things.
Well, its time to use that stubbornness and energy to accomplish a useful task.
Theres nothing youve ever committed to except for the piano lessons.
But it isnt like you should have to make up your mind about everything at 22, she thought.
There was no point in telling her father that.
Hed taken over the family business at 19.
By his standards, she was on a slow course to nowhere.
Noemis father gave her a pointed look and she sighed.
Well, I would be happy to make a visit in a few weeks
Monday, Noemi.
That is why I cut your party short.
We need to make the arrangements so youre on the first train to El Triunfo Monday morning.
But theres that recital coming up, she replied.
It was a weak excuse and they both knew it.
Shed been taking piano lessons since she was seven and twice a year she performed in a small recital.
Besides, she liked the piano.
Too bad, this is more important.
Ill have you know I hadnt even bought a new dress.
Look, the truth is the recital is not my main concern.
I have to start classes in a few days.
I cant take off like that.
Theyll fail me, she added.
Then let them fail you, youll take the classes again.
She was about to protest such a blithe statement when her father turned around and stared at her.
Noemi, youve been going on and on about the National University.
If you do this, Ill give you permission to enrol.
She wanted to pursue a Masters degree in anthropology.
This would require her to enrol at the National.
Noemis mother was equally unimpressed by these modern notions of hers.
Girls were supposed to follow a simple life cycle, from debutante to wife.
To study further would mean to delay this cycle, to remain a chrysalis inside a cocoon.
Her fathers statement therefore shocked her and presented an unexpected opportunity.
Its a serious matter.
And this is Catalina we are talking about, her father said, softening his tone.
Shes had her share of misfortunes and might dearly need a friendly face.
That might be, in the end, all she needs.
Catalina had been struck by calamity on several occasions.
Despite the warm embrace of the Taboadas, these deaths had deeply affected her.
But Noemis father had chased him away, unimpressed by the fellow.
I suppose I could give notice that Ill be away for a few days, she said.
Well telegram Virgil back and let them know you are on your way.
Discretion and smarts, thats what I need.
I should make you put it in writing, the bit about the university.
Her father sat down behind his desk again.
As if Id break my word.
Who are you supposed to be, incidentally?
her father asked, clearly dissatisfied with the cut of her dress and her bare shoulders.
Im dressed as Spring, she replied.
Though normally she would have come up with a clever rejoinder, she remained unusually quiet.
This was no cruise or pleasure trip.
But she quickly assured herself father had picked her for this mission and accomplish it she would.
Shed show father the dedication he wanted from her.
Excerpted from MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Copyright 2020 by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Excerpted by permission of Del Rey, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
