“Thunder claps from above with a violence that could rupture the very heavens. It is like the booming strokes of an immense teponaxtle drum resounding in an endless funerary procession. People say the ancient gods are trampling and crashing against the new celestial firmament above, trying to smash their way back into the world.”

Piñata
By Leopoldo Gout
Source: Advance review copy
Published: March 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Carmen is tasked with a renovation of a church in Mexico and decides this will be the perfect opportunity to take her daughters so they can experience the culture and learn about their roots. For Carmen this is a great career opportunity even if it means she’s confronting attitudes of machismo and insubordination on the job.

Her two daughters are polar opposites. Izel is only concerned about having internet access to stay in touch with her friends back home and lamenting the fact that she’s missing out on summer theater camp. Luna on the other hand is thriving. She’s eating new foods, practicing her Spanish and learning about the Aztecs and the history of Mexico.

As time passes, Carmen forms allies with Father Verón and Quauhtli who are also on hand overseeing the renovation project. She’s grateful for their help because as time passes, there are setbacks due to sabotaging by employees and government bureaucracy. So when Yoltzi, a friend of Quauhtli, appears to her with a warning and tells her that Luna is in danger, Carmen thinks that it could be cartel doings or perhaps intimidation by the government. Little does she expect that Yoltzi is there to warn her about supernatural forces.

Then disaster at the worksite strikes and Carmen’s office recalls her back to New York. As the family returns to the States little ] do they know that they aren’t alone when they return. Evil is threatening to overtake Luna.

There are some horrifying and descriptive scenes but I think this novel rises above just gore and thrills by bringing a story filled with history and commentary on colonialism. I also found the way the author wove in current societal concerns such as the continued disappearance of women to really help ground the story in time and place. If horror isn’t quite your thing I would still highly recommend this one. I throughly enjoyed it.

I missed going to my mystery book group this month but I wanted to talk a bit about some mysteries that I’m planning to read and just other news in mystery genre.

Some mysteries to look forward to in the coming months with my book group are:

Detective Inspector Huss by Helen Tursten, translated by Steven T. Murray
May God Forgive by Alan Parks
Welcome to Cooper by Tariq Ashkanani

I have read a book by Helen Tursten but not from this series so I’m excited to start with the first book in this series. The other two authors I have not read.

Speaking of series did you hear that Jacqueline Winspear has a new novel, The White Lady, and it’s not a Maisie Dobbs book. I’ve read some reviews and I wonder if it will be a new series.

Another new book coming out at the end of the month is The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths which is the 15th book in the Ruth Galloway series. I’ve read some mystery blogs that mention this is the last book in the series but I’ve read some posts by the author that make me think it’s not? I’ve fallen a bit behind on the series so at least I have quite a few books to look forward to not to mention the authors other series.

Now if all of this talk of mysteries has you thinking about picking one up but you aren’t sure which one, check out this list of the 13 Best New Mystery and Thriller Books out this month. Let me know if you’ve been reading a good mystery and/or have discovered a new series to follow!