Book: The Hacienda

Author: Isabel Cañas

I barely knew this man. yet I was placing my reputation, and possibly my life, into his hands.

The Hacienda ~ Isabel Cañas

BLURB

During the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz’s father was executed and her home destroyed. When handsome Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, Beatriz ignores the rumors surrounding his first wife’s sudden demise, choosing instead to seize the security that his estate in the countryside provides. She will have her own home again, no matter the cost.

But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.

When Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, visions and voices invade Beatriz’s sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Rodolfo’s sister, Juana, scoffs at Beatriz’s fears—but why does she refuse to enter the house at night? Why does the cook burn copal incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark the doorway with strange symbols? What really happened to the first Doña Solórzano?

Beatriz only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will save her.

Desperate for help, she clings to the young priest, Padre Andrés, as an ally. No ordinary priest, Andrés will have to rely on his skills as a witch to fight off the malevolent presence haunting the hacienda and protect the woman for whom he feels a powerful, forbidden attraction. But even he might not be enough to battle the darkness.

Far from a refuge, San Isidro may be Beatriz’s doom.

San Isidro was supposed to be my victory. My future. My home.

Now all I could do was hope that it wouldn’t be my tomb.

The Hacienda ~ Isabel Cañas

REVIEW

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas was a marvelously spooky and nail biting read. I enjoyed the paranormal elements. They were varied (the way the spirit in the house was haunting it) and the powers that Andres had were perfect for this tale. The friendship that Andres and Beatriz strike up was honest and fun to watch blossom. The reason behind the haunting wasn’t hard to figure out, but the way the troubles around the house was resolved was surprising. I do wish more about the secondary characters had been developed. Overall, I enjoyed this story and it makes a great autumn read.

Book Club 2022