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A review by justjoel
Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan
4.0
An award-winning book from The Philippines, Smaller and Smaller Circles features two priests who double as forensic pathologists who are on the trail of a brutal serial killer targeting young boys in Manila.
Despite the protagonists being priests, this really isn't a novel that deals much with religion (which I appreciated). It deals more with class and how the children living in abject poverty are considered disposable by many in power.
The mystery itself wasn't much of a mystery. I had the killer figured out within seconds of their introduction, and I kept waiting for a twist to come and prove me wrong. The "why" behind the killings was more the question.
This was kind of a sad, depressing book, knowing things like this happen all the time. I am happy I read it, though.
Not a great book—I would have liked more mystery behind the killer's identity and a more evenly paced novel—but I enjoyed it a great deal nonetheless.
4 out of 5 stars.
Despite the protagonists being priests, this really isn't a novel that deals much with religion (which I appreciated). It deals more with class and how the children living in abject poverty are considered disposable by many in power.
The mystery itself wasn't much of a mystery. I had the killer figured out within seconds of their introduction, and I kept waiting for a twist to come and prove me wrong. The "why" behind the killings was more the question.
This was kind of a sad, depressing book, knowing things like this happen all the time. I am happy I read it, though.
Not a great book—I would have liked more mystery behind the killer's identity and a more evenly paced novel—but I enjoyed it a great deal nonetheless.
4 out of 5 stars.