The Confessions of Father Xavier

The year is 1869 and Peruvian Cavalry Officer, Captain Xavier Aguirre del Rio is ordered to the village of Huancan to support the wealthy landowners against his grandmother's people who have rebelled against their brutal treatment. Appalled at the bloodshed, he resigns his commission and flees to Ecuador, where, after many adventures, he becomes a Jesuit priest - and government agent. This is a prequel to LETTERS from SAN RAFAEL and RETURN to SAN RAFAEL where Father Xavier is first encountered as a shadowy figure.

This work of historical fiction sensitively investigates the history and culture of the Incan and pre-Incan people, and the Quechua of the altiplano. There are colourful descriptions of the plants, animals and climate of various areas of Peru and Ecuador. The book series shows the breadth of research into the cultures and belief systems of the South American people with emphasis on their lore, myths and legends.

In this first book the reasons are given for the intrigues of Father Xavier, who appears in subsequent books.