The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas (Review by Caitlin Winkler)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I believe thrillers, horrors, ghost stories, and the like are year-round enjoyable reads, and not just during the cold and dark winter months. Why would we limit ourselves to only reading certain genres at certain times of the year? The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas is the perfect read for any time! While full of thrills and scares, there is also a large portion that discusses the history of haciendas in Mexico and the Mexican Revolution. I found this combination of fright and education to be so interesting. Plus the story as a whole is fantastic and pulls you right in!

Beatriz is desperate to change her situation in life and flee her current living environment. After the government is overthrown and her father is executed, she is forced to live with distant relatives who are cruel. When Don Rodolfo proposes marriage, it seems perfect. She will become head of the house to Hacienda San Isidro and be able to run her own home. So what if there are some lingering rumors of the untimely death of his first wife? This will be a positive change for Beatriz; it must be. On arrival, it becomes quite clear that the hacienda is not the oasis she was led to believe and hoped for. When her new husband returns to the city, Beatriz feels more alone than ever. Led to Padre Andrés for guidance, she finds an unlikely friend who believes her and is willing to help rid the hacienda of its evils, but also one who carries his own secrets and burdens. Will they be able to save themselves? What if it is not enough? What if it is too late?

I hesitate to admit, but I feel that I can be honest with this group-I have never actually read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Oh, I have read retellings galore-but never the actual work itself. This novel just further solidifies the need to go back and read the classic. I highly recommend this novel and will tell the reader-you may want to read this with a light on! Enjoy!