The Gold of San Xavier

Rating:
Summary: Gripping, page-turning murder mystery in a desert paradise
Review: When I moved to Arizona last summer, one of the first sights I was taken to see was San Xavier del Bac, the White Dove of the Desert. This beautiful mission, set so graciously against the mountains near Tucson, is an inspiration in its beauty and simple spirituality, which pervades.
Itule's novel walks the line between respectful description and consumerist exploitation with care and grace. His journalism work serves him well with strong narrative skills and a well-honed sense of pacing. His characters are strong; the women particularly so, and well drawn.
The descriptive passages dealing with the mission are apt and inviting, not only to those who've never been to del Bac, but to those of us who long to return.
As with so many contemporary novels, there is a bit of sexuality between a couple of the characters and indeed, sex plays an important role in the actual mystery. While this reviewer could do without any overt sex scenes, author Itule handles them well and without prurience.