The Debut Novel
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The Mariquina Manuscript

Exiled from Spain, Sadurní Enrich arrives in Manila seeking redemption through honest journalism. But in the Spanish colony, words are policed as fiercely as borders. When he uncovers a legal dispute involving an obscure Jesuit manuscript, Sadurní believes he has found a harmless historical story. Instead, he steps into a conspiracy centuries in the making—a secret that could expose the moral rot at the heart of empire.

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The Saturnino Ximénez Files

A New Series of Historical Mysteries

Explore the Series

Guiomar Bruidegom is a historical mystery writer and the great-granddaughter of Saturnino Ximénez Enrich (1853-1933)—the eccentric 19th-century journalist, archaeologist, and adventurer once dubbed a “Catalan Indiana Jones.” The Saturnino Ximénez Files explores a simple premise: what if, in 1874, instead of reporting on the war in Spain, this remarkable man had embarked on a journey to the other side of the world?

The Oran Ultimatum book cover2

Unveiling The Saturnino Ximénez Files

New to the series?
Start with the free prequel.

Get The Oran Ultimatum, the FREE prequel short story to The Saturnino Ximénez Files.

Discover the story of a young idealist forged in the fires of a dying revolution. Meticulously researched and powerfully told, The Oran Ultimatum is a story of survival, disillusionment, and the impossible choice that forges a survivor.

Inspired by the globe-trotting life of the real Saturnino Ximénez Enrich, also known as Sadurní, the series follows the fictionalised adventures of a young journalist who uncovers secrets that could rewrite history, from the colonial shadows of 1874 Manila to the perilous frontiers of the Great Game.

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  • "I couldn't stop—I had to finish it. As soon as I read the story from Manuela, I had to find out what happened and if he succeeded. These kinds of books are my favorite."
    Tayler Frost - ARC Reader.
  • “...The setting is vivid, the atmosphere is strong, and there’s a real sense of intrigue and adventure throughout. The protagonist is bold, curious, and easy to root for, which makes the story even more fun to follow.

    If you like historical fiction with mystery and an adventurous edge, this is definitely worth picking up.”
    No Quiero on Goodreads
  • “Saturnino was certainly sailing very close to the wind in his search for the truth which is much more elusive and difficult to prove. A well written historical novel with an excellently researched background. Loved the historical twists and the continual buildup of tension.”
    Laurie Robertson on Goodreads
  • “Guiomar Bruidegom, great-granddaughter of Saturnino Ximénez Enrich, transforms a documentary trace into a story and weaves a precious bridge between archive,
    memory and literature."
    María José Vilar on Instagram
  • "The stories allow us to step into the shoes of a truly
    curious and persistent historical figure who is determined to unravel the truths around him. I love the writing, so immersive, so descriptive. Looking forward to the reading the rest of the stories!"
    Flora Nguyen on Facebook

The Facts Behind the Fiction

Explore the real history, people, and places that inspired The Saturnino Ximénez Files.

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The Story Behind the Stories

My name is Bárbara Guiomar Ximénez Bruidegom, and Saturnino Ximénez Enrich is my great-grandfather. I grew up immersed in the incredible lore of his life, and had long held a dream of reimagining his adventures within the historical mystery genre I adore.

For years, that dream remained just a flight of fancy—until I stumbled on a research paper by María José Vilar. It was a lightning strike moment. Her work suggested a plausible, if debated, turning point: that Saturnino had been sent into exile after the Cantonal Rebellion of 1873.

While my family believes this exile may be a romantic misinterpretation of his own writing, it provided the unmissable opportunity I had been searching for. It allowed me to divert the fictional Saturnino’s path from the real-life dossier, sending him into a world of colonial secrets and forgotten manuscripts that I can’t wait for you to discover.

Meet the Author
Guiomar Bruidegom Author Photo

Field Notes: Latest Writing & Research

  • The Sensory City: Rebuilding 1874 Manila in Prose

    ByGuiomar Bruidegom

    In 1874, Manila was a city defined by a profound friction: it was frantically rebuilding its physical structures while simultaneously crushing the spirits of its inhabitants under a regime of paranoia. Translating this specific historical moment into prose requires engaging all the senses. The Symphony of Stone and Steel (Sound and Sight) To walk into...

  • Banned Books: Why Robinson Crusoe was Dangerous

    ByGuiomar Bruidegom

    If you were to compile a list of the most dangerous threats to the Spanish Empire in 1870s Manila, you might think of armed rebellions, smuggled rifles, or fiery political pamphlets. You probably wouldn’t include a fictional Englishman stranded on a deserted island with a goatskin umbrella and a pet parrot. Yet, to the colonial...

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