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A review by sunzreads
Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan
4.0
It was exciting to follow the fast-paced story as the two main characters gather pieces of information and lead. Father Gus Saenz is likable and his expertise as a forensic anthropologist makes his character more believable. His character works well with Father Jerome Lucero, Saenz's colleague and protege who is a clinical psychologist. As the story advances, the author throws morsels of the killer's thoughts, revealing his state of mind that piqued my curiosity about the reasons why he murders young boys.
The social issues touched in this novel adds another dimension to the story. F H Batacan worked in the Philippine intelligence community for ten years witnessed the inept system of the Philippine government in providing security and justice to Filipino citizens especially the poor ones living in slum areas. This angers her that's why she wrote the book. But then, she didn’t show the reaction of the community where the victims live. She factored out the gossip culture. In the prologue, the body of a victim was found in the landfill by a boy and he told the other priest who oversees the parish in the community. A throng of people gathered around the site. For sure, the news about the murder would spread like fire, parents would be scared for their kids, schools would be alarmed, and the local politicians would know right away. I want to know how these factors affect the serial killer’s plan and the priests’ investigation. In spite of this, it's still a good read.
The social issues touched in this novel adds another dimension to the story. F H Batacan worked in the Philippine intelligence community for ten years witnessed the inept system of the Philippine government in providing security and justice to Filipino citizens especially the poor ones living in slum areas. This angers her that's why she wrote the book. But then, she didn’t show the reaction of the community where the victims live. She factored out the gossip culture. In the prologue, the body of a victim was found in the landfill by a boy and he told the other priest who oversees the parish in the community. A throng of people gathered around the site. For sure, the news about the murder would spread like fire, parents would be scared for their kids, schools would be alarmed, and the local politicians would know right away. I want to know how these factors affect the serial killer’s plan and the priests’ investigation. In spite of this, it's still a good read.