Mother Maria Santa Hilda, Abess of the convent of Santa Isabella de los Santos Milagros in 17th-century Potosi, in its day the largest city in the Western Hemisphere, is at the center of this satisfying, suspenseful tale. Richly set in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, Alfieri's fully realized characters, web of politics and intrigue and unusual setting distinguish this excellent debut novel.  (BOL27, $14.95)