Seattle-based author Isabel Cañas is set to release her third novel, The Possession of Alba Díaz, on August 19 from Berkley. Known for blending Gothic suspense with historical intrigue, Cañas’ latest work dives into colonial Mexico, weaving together supernatural terror with deeply personal and politically charged questions about bodily autonomy.
A Story Rooted in Personal Experience
“This is the first novel I’ve written beginning to end since having children,” Cañas says.
She pauses before adding, “And since experiencing, honestly, what it’s like to have your body not completely be in your control.”
This intimate perspective informs the story of Alba Díaz, a young woman who begins to suspect she is possessed. While the novel contains all the trappings of Gothic horror, Cañas emphasizes that the terror is not purely supernatural. “Yes, it’s about demonic possession. But it’s also about who gets to own Alba’s body, her life, her future,” she explains.
Writing in a Post-Roe Era
Cañas admits that current events shaped her approach. “It’s also the first book I’ve written since we lost Roe v. Wade,” she says.
She continues, “I came at it with questions of bodily autonomy and what that means, not only from a societal perspective, but from personal experience as someone whose body has hosted other human beings.”
These reflections deepen the narrative, making the novel both a Gothic horror story and a meditation on personal and political agency.
From Catholic Roots to Gothic Inspirations
Raised in a conservative Catholic environment and influenced by the Opus Dei movement, Cañas’ early life exposed her to strict gender roles.
“From a really young age, the expectation was: You are a woman, you will take care of children. That is your purpose,” she recalls.
Her upbringing, she says, gave her a window into historical realities that continue to resonate in her fiction. “In a way, I grew up living a historical reality,” Cañas adds.
This background informs her fascination with women challenging societal expectations. Each of her heroines grapples with patriarchal systems and seeks independence.
Horror With Heart
“My siblings and I were drawn to speculative fiction because we lived in a speculative reality,” Cañas says.
“The battle between good and evil wasn’t abstract. Angels and demons were real. So when I write horror, I’m drawing on something I know.”
But she is quick to note that her work is not about jump scares. “Good horror is all about heart, period,” she explains.
“The spooky parts are fun, but the emotional core, the character, that’s what matters. If readers aren’t emotionally invested, the horror doesn’t land.”
In Alba Díaz, the emotional stakes are high. The story explores grief, spiritual doubt, and the reclamation of agency. A tender romance adds another layer, creating tension that goes beyond the supernatural elements.
Historical Depth Through Research
Cañas’ academic background in medieval studies shapes the novel’s historical texture.
“Silver was a huge part of the economy, and I wanted to follow that, follow the money, follow the boom and bust,” she explains.
While The Hacienda and Vampires of El Norte were set in 19th-century Mexico, Alba Díaz ventures further back into the Spanish colonial era.
“My research training absolutely shapes how I build a story,” she says. “But the story always comes first.”
Seattle’s Gloom Inspires Creativity
Now based in Seattle, Cañas finds inspiration in the city’s overcast skies.
“This might be an unpopular opinion, but I love the gloom in Seattle,” she admits.
She credits her years abroad in Scotland, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, and New York City with shaping her worldview and her creative sensibilities.
“As a creative person, I thrive when it’s gloomy out,” she says.
Author Event
Cañas will discuss The Possession of Alba Díaz at the Seattle Central Library on Tuesday, August 19, at 7 p.m., alongside Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann. Registration is free.
With The Possession of Alba Díaz, Isabel Cañas delivers more than a Gothic horror story. It is a meditation on personal agency, societal expectations, and the complex relationship between body and identity. By blending historical depth, emotional resonance, and supernatural suspense, Cañas creates a novel that challenges, haunts, and ultimately leaves readers reflecting on the forces that shape a woman’s life.
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