The Villa, Once Beloved

Manibo (Escape Velocity) suffuses family drama with gothic menace in this messy supernatural thriller. Sophie, who was born in the Philippines, grew up with adoptive parents in a tiny Nebraska town. When her boyfriend Adrian Sepulveda’s grandfather dies, she flies with him to her home country for the first time since childhood. The Villa Sepulveda, a Spanish colonial manor in the middle of a remote coconut plantation, has been in Adrian’s family for decades—during which his wealthy ancestors rubbed elbows with dictators and exploited farmers. From the moment Sophie and Adrian land in the Philippines, things start to go wrong. A typhoon nearly prevents them from making it to the villa, and a landslide ruins the family’s hopes of a grand funeral. As the misfortunes stack up, Sophie learns of a supposed curse placed on the clan as punishment for their dark history. She tries to dismiss it as superstitious nonsense, but further catastrophes make her doubt herself, and she soon finds that the family’s sins are greater than she imagined. Manibo has ambition to spare, but wonky pacing and an excessive focus on dry family lore weigh the narrative down. By the time this reaches the finish line, most readers will have lost interest. Agent: Eddie Schneider, JABberwocky. (Nov.)