The Mariquina Manuscript - Guiomar Bruidegom - paperback on wooden table

A forbidden manuscript. A fading empire. A young exile caught between silence and truth.

A richly atmospheric literary mystery of faith, power, and history. From the humidity of Manila’s walled city to the forgotten archives of the religious orders, The Mariquina Manuscript is a journey into the last outpost of a fading empire.

Release Date: April 22, 2026

THE MARIQUINA MANUSCRIPT

April 1874. Exiled from Spain for his youthful idealism, Sadurní Enrich arrives in Manila seeking redemption through honest journalism. But in the Spanish colony, words are policed as fiercely as borders. Censorship is absolute, and whispers of rebellion linger after the execution of the priests known as Gomburza.

When Sadurní stumbles upon a legal dispute involving an obscure Jesuit manuscript and a forgotten hacienda in the valley of Mariquina, he believes he has found the subject for a harmless historical article. Instead, he uncovers the traces of a conspiracy centuries in the making—a secret that could rewrite the story of the islands and expose the moral rot at the heart of the empire.

Pursued by colonial authorities and aided only by an unassuming village woman, a skeptical English merchant, and an Augustinian scholar, Sadurní must decide what kind of truth he is willing to defend—and at what cost.

Meticulously researched and beautifully written, The Mariquina Manuscript combines the moral urgency of Louis de Bernières with the intricate intrigue of Arturo Pérez-Reverte.

Read the prequel to The Mariquina Manuscript

Explore the Real History

Pre-Order the Global Debut

Pre-orders for the digital and print editions open March 25, 2026. Join the Ximénez Dispatch to receive a direct notification the moment they go live.

While The Oran Ultimatum is an ebook-exclusive prequel, all full-length novels will be released in both print and digital formats. We encourage you to support your local community by requesting them through your neighbourhood bookstore or library.

What Readers are Saying

“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
“Guiomar Bruidegom’s writing immediately pulls you into the smoke, urgency, and uncertainty of a world collapsing in real time. For a short piece, it carries remarkable momentum, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down.”
Shishir Tripathi 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 Mariquina Manuscript paperback on bedside table

FAQ about The Mariquina Manuscript

Is The Mariquina Manuscript part of a series?
What is the historical setting of the story?
Who is the main character, Saturnino Ximénez?
Can I read this without having read the prequel?

Yes, it is a key installment in The Saturnino Ximénez Files. It follows the adventures of Ximénez as he navigates the complex social and political landscape of the 19th-century Philippines.

The novel is set in late 19th-century Manila (the Philippines) during the Spanish colonial era. It explores the tension between tradition and the burgeoning revolutionary spirit of the time.

The fictional Saturnino Ximénez is a meticulous investigator and scholar. Unlike typical detectives, his strengths lie in his deep historical knowledge and his ability to read between the lines of ancient documents.

Inspired by the real-life archival records of journalist and polymath Saturnino Ximénez Enrich (1853–1933), this series of international mysteries explores the perilous intersections of archaeology, intrigue, and empire.

Absolutely. While The Oran Ultimatum provides great backstory, The Mariquina Manuscript is written as a complete mystery that stands perfectly on its own.