A demonic presence. A forbidden love story. A haunted silver mine. An exorcism (or three). A conniving priest. And a mercury poisoning subplot inspired by an episode of "Grey's Anatomy."
Isabel Cañas' latest book, "The Possession of Alba Díaz" (out now, pp. 384, Berkely), is the amalgamation of all the parts of her as a reader and writer. She says it's "part 'Grey's Anatomy,' part inspired by an intense Catholic upbringing, part all the gothics I read as a kid, especially 'Wuthering Heights,' and part what I really wished I could find on shelves.
"Because how incredible would it have been if 'Wuthering Heights,' instead of taking place in the Yorkshire moors, took place somewhere in Mexico?
Cañas − who has cemented her place in the speculative fiction genre with her debut novel, "The Hacienda" (2022) and follow-up "Vampires of El Norte" (2023) – transports us to the north-central state of Zacatecas, Mexico, in 1765 when a plague sweeps through the city as our protagonist, Alba, flees with her wealthy merchant parents and fiancé, Carlos, to his family's mine for refuge. But Alba, who until now has played it safe in life and love, meets Elías, a haunted Heathcliff-esque outcast in his family, and the two slowly realize they're the only ones they can trust.
