The Possession of Alba Diaz

This chilling gothic horror novel from bestseller Cañas (Vampires of El Norte) transports readers to 18th-century Mexico, where a plague outbreak in Zacatecas forces Alba Diaz and her devout Catholic family to flee the city. They escape to Mina San Gabriel, an isolated mining village in the mountains, to stay with Alba’s fiancé, Carlos, and his family. But instead of finding a quiet, rustic life, Alba is troubled by sleepwalking and terrifying hallucinations. Carlos’s cousin Elías is newly arrived from Spain, hoping to make a quick fortune off the family’s silver mine. There’s immediate romantic tension between Alba and Elías, despite him knowing that she is off-limits. When Alba attempts to kill him during one of her mysterious episodes, Elías recognizes the signs of demonic possession and sets out to help her. The pair work together to rid Alba of the demon, while confronting the Catholic church’s stance on the supernatural and family secrets. Cañas creates a lush, detailed atmosphere thick with tension and dread. Despite a slow opening and somewhat uneven pacing throughout, the richly layered narrative offers much to hold readers’ interest as it probes themes of colonialism, patriarchy, and autonomy. Cañas’s fans will not be disappointed. Agent: Kari Sutherland, KT Literary. (Aug.)