From “Mexican Gothic” to “Goddess of Filth” to “Sundown in San Ojuela,” Gothic literature by Latina authors is on the rise. Defined by dark, moody landscapes and eerie, macabre explorations of the human psyche, typically to a backdrop of decaying colonial grandiosity, the genre is ripe for a re-exploration.

“Mayra” (stylized in all-caps), the eerie, beguiling debut novel of Florida’s own Nicky Gonzalez, looks to be the next great entry to this list. Set in the Everglades, this mesmerizing tale follows the descent of Hialeah-born Ingrid into the hypnotic clutches of her recently-resurfaced childhood friend, Mayra. Old tensions arise, as the lines are blurred between friendship and identity.

In the world of the Gothic, the past creeps into the present, love sours to obsession, and even the buildings are supernatural, trapping you within their looming walls. This haunting allure is captured in the novel’s lurid, Lynchian cover art of a half-open door in a dark wood, created by surrealist Andreea Dumuta.

The call of the open door harkens to the core questions of every horror plot: why do we answer that call, step into that basement, go back to that haunted house? Because it’s beautiful, Gonzalez’ tale answers. Despite its danger, or perhaps because of it.

Gonzalez is in conversation with author Ryan Rivas, at Tombolo Books in St. Pete this month, to discuss more about the making and meaning of this moody tale of friendship, memory, and desire, set to the backdrop of Florida’s sultry swamplands.

RSVPs are requested when Nicky Gonzalez appears at Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Look below to check out some of the best book and literary events happening in Tampa Bay between Aug. 14-21.

Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Jason BiggersProfession: Director of Technology for Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Other boards/organizations: Lived in Hillsborough since: 1972 Notable references: Three friends Registered party: Republican Biggers’ application—the only one redacted—says they, “Strategically reduced FTE counts for the Information Technology Department each fiscal year while improving technical outcomes and employee morale.”
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Jason BiggersProfession: Director of Technology for Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Other boards/organizations: Lived in Hillsborough since: 1972 Notable references: Three friends Registered party: Republican Biggers’ application—the only one redacted—says they, “Strategically reduced FTE counts for the Information Technology Department each fiscal year while improving technical outcomes and employee morale.”
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Clifton C. Curry Profession: President/owner and attorney, Curry Law Group, P.A. Specializes in civil trials involving commercial, personal injury, family issues and general business litigation Other boards/organizations: Numerous Brandon-based charities and community organizations. Lived in Hillsborough since: 1957 Notable references: Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Attorney Susan Lopez, Chief Judge Christopher Sabella—all listed as “friend.” Registered party: Republican Curry’s application touts his work with foster kids and a three-decades long involvement in Republican politics, including work as regional counsel with the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004 and during 2000’s “hanging chad” debacle.
Nicky Gonzalez, who appears at Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Florida on Aug. 21, 2025. Credit: Photo by Sophie Adams

Maroon Stranger is the pen name of Yasmin Adams, a Tampa Bay-based reader, writer and maker.