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Smaller and Smaller Circles
Smaller and Smaller Circles | F.H. Batacan
75 posts | 61 read | 70 to read
This harrowing mystery, winner of the Philippine National Book Award, follows two Catholic priests on the hunt through Manila for a brutal serial killer Payatas, a 50-acre dump northeast of Manilas Quezon City, is home to thousands of people who live off of what they can scavenge there. It is one of the poorest neighborhoods in a city whose law enforcement is already stretched thin, devoid of forensic resources and rife with corruption. So when the eviscerated bodies of preteen boys begin to appear in the dump heaps, there is no one to seek justice on their behalf. In the rainy summer of 1997, two Jesuit priests take the matter of protecting their flock into their own hands. Father Gus Saenz is a respected forensic anthropologist, one of the few in the Philippines, and has been tapped by the Director of the National Bureau of Investigations as a backup for police efforts. Together with his protg, Father Jerome Lucero, a psychologist, Saenz dedicates himself to tracking down the monster preying on these impoverished boys. Smaller and Smaller Circles, widely regarded as the first Filipino crime novel, is a poetic masterpiece of literary noir, a sensitive depiction of a time and place, and a fascinating story about the Catholic Church and its place in its devotees lives.
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blurb
LaraS
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In one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Manila, thousands of people live off what they can scavenge out of the dumps. When the bodies of mutilated preteen boys start appearing amongst the dump heaps, the underfunded, under resourced, and corrupt law enforcement turns a blind eye, leaving it up to two priests to find the serial killer. 👇

LaraS I know I'm a couple days late but this is such a perfect book for #scarathlondailyprompt of Victim. Hard to read at times, it seems like everyone in this book is a victim of circumstance, of corruption, of their childhood, and their own choices.
#TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious
#31by31 @Catsandbooks
#Spookoween2022 @TheSpineView
#Pointsathon @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
#readlikehellathon @readlikehellathon
(edited) 2y
DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 2y
14 likes2 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

This was a solid, if sad, mystery. Don‘t expect to come away cheering about justice being served, as there are some things for which there is no earthly justice. Beyond the horrific serial murders of young boys, there‘s the subplot of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. I may have enjoyed the mystery part better in print, but the audiobook narrator wasn‘t bad. #philippines #readingasia2021

eanderson I really likes this book! 3y
GingerAntics That sounds like a really good book. 3y
Librarybelle I have this on my to read list! 3y
vivastory I loved this one! 3y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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mhillis
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Pickpick

In this award winning mystery, the chapters focus on two priests working with the police to solve some murders. In between the chapters, there are short interludes written in the first person from the killer, adding a sense of urgency and suspense.
#ReadingAsia2021 #Philippines @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Cinfhen And I‘ll add this one too 😁😘 4y
Crazeedi Sounds like an interesting set up within the book 4y
Librarybelle I‘m so loving your posts! This one sounds fascinating too! 4y
mhillis @Cinfhen @Crazeedi @Librarybelle I think this was a kindle deal at some point so thanks to this challenge I finally read it! 4y
BarbaraBB I‘m loving your posts too. This one sounds perfect. I‘m stacking! 4y
50 likes3 stack adds5 comments
blurb
LaxaAliyah

Genre: Crime fiction
Date Started: November 28, 2019
Date Completed: -
How did you choose this book: Someone recommended it to me.
Summary: -

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Susan
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I think I am officially off my reading slump! Six in a row!

4 likes2 stack adds
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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

A fabulously literary mystery set in the Philippines. The investigation here is conducted by two priests, for a refreshing twist.

89 likes3 stack adds
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oneshinyapple

“[...] people like you and me — we win simply by surviving yet another day.”

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oneshinyapple
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”That‘s the nature of any kind of rot. If you don‘t stop it, it keeps going. It will keep going until it destroys the very organism that feeds it.”

RaimeyGallant Nice quote. :) 6y
2 likes1 comment
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TorieStorieS
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Pickpick

This is my #ReadAroundTheWorld for July- #Philippines - and a dark, but fast read set in the late 90s in Manila. It reveals a lot about the more grim side of the country and is downright depressing at times, though it ends on a somewhat uplifting note. I would read more from the author and can see why it‘s an award winner! @JenP

GatheringBooks glad that you picked this one! one of my faves too! 6y
TorieStorieS @GatheringBooks Yes!! This is a #BlameItOnLitsy purchase for sure- I hadn‘t heard of it until I started looking for books for the challenge!☺️ 6y
30 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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witbeyondmeasure
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Pickpick

I bought both versions in a fit of homesickness. Love the leads, especially: Saenz and Lucero are whip-smart and compassionate and still very human as they delve into the (tightly-written and gripping) murder mystery, as well as the issues that caused the whole mess in the first place. Waiting impatiently for the prequel — in the meantime, please come talk to me about it? It gets lonely fangirling on my own.

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rdkate
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Pickpick

In the 3 gorges as I write, words cannot describe how amazing it is! Finished Smaller and Smaller Circles last night and really enjoyed it. Murder mystery set in the Philippines with a Jesuit priest as the protagonist. Interesting social issues described and good story. Debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author!

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Susanita
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One day a year the international students where I work dress up in their traditional costumes and serve their country‘s cuisine for a big luncheon. I tried Filipino noodles, Georgian beets, Ugandan fruit salad, NZ wine, Italian pasta, and more. It was all yummy!

I was daring and tried some herring. It was nasty. BUT the salmon was much better. (Finland)

BookBabe That sign is too cute! 😂👌🏻 7y
Zelma That sign. 😆 7y
Susanita @BookBabe @Zelma I just had to take a picture! 7y
31 likes3 comments
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litznbooks
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Pickpick

Truly this book deserves all the awards under its name. Well written crime fiction.

16 likes1 stack add
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litznbooks
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First read of the year and I am def enjoying it. ❤ #currentlyreading #PhilippineLiterature

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bookworm.krizia
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Mehso-so

This was a great crime Pinoy novel. You don't get to read a lot of good Pinoy mystery novels but this is sooo good, gripping and exciting. It just doesn't show the crime solvers' side of the story but also of the killer, the victims and the ones that get left behind. Even if it's a mystery novel, it's also a very emotional story. I would love to read more of Ms. Batacan's stories. She's a wonderful writer.

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honeybuncheeze
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iamyellowchopstick
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Timely read if you know what's going on in the Philippines right now. Not EJK because it's another story. Crimes involving minors are quite rampant you'd want to turn the TV off and just sleep. #fhbatacan #crimefiction

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bookishkai
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Bailedbailed

I wanted so much to like this, and I don't know if I had read this at a different time, I might have. But reading it now, there were too many threads to follow, too many characters, and the writing felt stiff. So yeah, I dnf'ed it, even though I was more than half finished. I just couldn't keep reading.

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bookishkai
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I'm diving into these today. Trying to work my way through some print books because my print TBR is a tad out of control. At least my ebook TBR is contained on a device; my print books are in piles in the living room, bedroom, and computer room. My partner keeps asking when I'm going to read all of them. I'm like, I'm *trying* but there's so many!

rubyslippersreads I'm trying to do this too. Today I have to take a family member to a doctor's appointment, so I'm bringing a hardcover book I borrowed, so I can return it to its owner. A good chance to carry one of my pretty #booksleeves, too. 😊 7y
54 likes1 comment
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EllieDottie
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mikki
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So excited to finally get into this!!!

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Well-ReadNeck
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Looks like it's perfect weather to start a new book!⛈

Mindyrecycles Lucky! We are literally on fire here. Rain would be a huge blessing. 7y
Rachbb3 So jealous!! 7y
vivastory I really really liked this one 7y
149 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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My_novel_obsession
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Only one I could find on my shelves with #ashapeinthetitle. Sounds really good but haven't read it yet #junebookbugs @RealLifeReading

vivastory It's a good one 7y
JulAnna I liked this! 7y
Bookboss I loved it on audio! 7y
37 likes3 comments
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KarenUK
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#day6 #junebookbugs #ashapeinthetitle I've had this on my TBR for an age, but haven't got to it yet... I hear it's fantastic... anyone read it?

Cinfhen Never even heard of it!!!! That's the second book you stumped me with in the past 4 minutes 😬 7y
KarenUK @cinfhen it's said to be the first ever Filipino crime novel... I'm pretty sure I heard about it from @liberty on 'all the books' 🤔 (edited) 7y
Cinfhen Keep me posted!!! 7y
See All 6 Comments
JanuarieTimewalker13 Oooh, I wish WhatKamilReads were on Litsy!! I bet he would enjoy this right about now!! He's in the Philippines. I only know that from my buddy who is on Instagram. I can't handle anything but Booktube and Litsy. Thank you for posting this!! Just realized I can contact through GR. (Forgot about GR) I think a lot of people will find this interesting! (edited) 7y
bookwrm526 I thought it was great other than being a wee bit slow at first 7y
LizzyM I really enjoyed it, too. Great characters and the setting was so unique and fresh - very different from what I usually read. 7y
57 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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SarahSaysRead
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Pickpick

Dark stuff, but I really liked the priests (main characters) and I read this in about a day, so.

#mystery #serialkiller #readharder #Phillipines #jesuitpriestdetectives

32 likes1 stack add
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SarahSaysRead
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Smores ice cream and a mystery novel. 😎📿🔪

#currentlyreading #weekend #boutofbooks #Jesuitpriestdetectives

DocBrown Ah Wegmans -- wish we had those around here! 7y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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batsy
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Interesting piece on crime fiction set in Manila: http://lithub.com/crime-in-the-city-noir-at-high-noon-in-dutertes-manila/

Mentions a few titles I've been meaning to check out, including the tagged book. #crimefiction #noir

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JulAnna
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#GONEBABYGONE this is set in the Philippines. Well written! @Liberty

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EllieDottie
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Book from my tbr that is #setinsoutheastasia! I am super excited to read this! I've heard really great things! #aprilbookshowers

Chachic Yay, Filipino author! 🙌 8y
55 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
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#AprilBookShowers #SetinSoutheastAsia

I have this book, set in the Philippines on my Kindle TBR. Here's an excuse to bump it to the top!!!

Tamra Intriguing! 8y
LauraBrook Oooh, same here! I should pull it out of my stacks! 8y
JulAnna I thought this was very well-done, liked it a lot 😊 8y
102 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Brie
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#aprilbookshowers #setinsoutheastasia Still on my #TBR, but this sounds intriguing. I've heard it described as the first Filipino crime novel. Two priests investigate a series of murders in the Philippines.

bookwrm526 I really liked this one 8y
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
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EllieDottie
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My rainbow book stack for #loveislove #24in48

BookishBlonde12 So pretty! 😍 8y
51 likes2 comments
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eanderson
Pickpick

I was sucked into this book right away. I loved the storyline, I loved how it showed corruption and how things happened as a result, and I loved that it tried to explain how a past can ultimately ruin someone's life. Great book! I would give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 out of 5!❤️

BooksTeasAndBookishThings Currently reading! 😊 8y
eanderson @BooksTeasAndBookishThings yay! I hope you like it! Very good book! 👍😀 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings I am excited to finish, but I read around 5 at a time, and I am really trying to get at least 2 A to Z challenges done each month. But as soon as I finish my second one, I think I will devote complete time to this! 🙌 8y
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eanderson @BooksTeasAndBookishThings Wow! I envy you! I can only read 1 book at a time or else I really confuse myself. That's awesome! 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings I used to, but then I would read them SO quickly because of it! So, to make them last longer I started doing 3-5 at a time and I would make myself read, but stop at 5 chapters or 50 pages, whichever came first, and then pick up the next book and do the same. I can't go back to it until I do it with all current reads. That way the stories last longer. I am *usually* really great about sticking to it, but I do have personal exceptions like KMM 😊 8y
eanderson @BooksTeasAndBookishThings I'm going to have to try that! That is a great idea. I can multitask with about anything other than books. 👍 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings It really helps with stories you are really liking, and you won't finish it in one sitting so it stays with you longer. Every once in a while I get one I break my rule for, or certain authors I already allow myself to read solely that book, but once I got in the habit it was super easy to maintain it. And when's deciding what to read next, I pick my top 5 from different genres and just keep them in a stack. Makes that process easier, too lol 8y
11 likes1 stack add7 comments
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eanderson
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I love when the connection to the name of the book happens in a book!

JulAnna Just finished this one from BOTM! I really enjoyed it! 8y
LauraBeth I always ❤ this too 8y
eanderson @JulAnna I really enjoyed this book tour! @LauraBeth yes! 8y
11 likes1 stack add3 comments
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eanderson
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What I'm doing on this cold Sunday! :)

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JulAnna
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I enjoy quiet Friday nights 😊❤

Soubhiville Aw 🐶💖 8y
Joybishoptx Beautiful dog! 8y
23 likes2 comments
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EllieDottie
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Happy day! #botm came!!

TheBookStacker Smaller and smaller was botm? Did I miss that?! Darn it! 8y
EllieDottie @TheBookStacker it was last November actually. I got it with my free credit! There is still the option to add it if you wanted to add it to your next month!! 8y
eanderson Reading Smaller and Smaller Circles now! :) Enjoy! 8y
44 likes3 comments
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eanderson
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Working on knocking off some #tbr books! Excited to start this one! :)

JulAnna I just got this yesterday and started it last night--so far it is very promising 😊 8y
eanderson @JulAnna I'm enjoying it too! Pretty good so far. 8y
10 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Asktheletters
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Pickpick

First book of 2017, and it was fantastic. Woooot! 😀🎉

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booksbaconglitter
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Pickpick

Oh man, this was REALLY GOOD! If you like crime novels, do yourself a favor and pick up this book asap. It had so many great twists and turns, and felt like an episode of Law and Order: SVU set in the Philippines.

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booksbaconglitter
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Gotta love a priest who can make jokes. 😄

jessberk13 😂😂😂 8y
10 likes1 comment
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booksbaconglitter
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Really enjoying this so far. It's the first Filipino crime novel and it's got all the right elements of mystery and creepy murders. #readharderchallenge

EllieDottie Ah! This has been on my tbr for 6 months!! 8y
booksbaconglitter @EllieDottie mine too! I got it from BOTM forever ago and I finally started it the other day. 😬 8y
21 likes1 stack add2 comments
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HardcoverHearts
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Made my BOTMC selections and I am really happy they only let me add on two!! 😂

BooksTeasAndBookishThings Dang. I forgot I still want Smaller and Smaller Circles... 4 past books left! Then I will be all caught up! 8y
BookFreakOut Dark Matter ❤️❤️❤️ 11/10! 8y
Matilda Loved Smaller and Smaller Circles. 8y
26 likes3 comments
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SarahK
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Pickpick

I love reading mysteries that take place in other countries. This takes place in Manila and involves two Jesuit priests attempting to solve the murders of young boys. It was really frustrating to read about all the corruption and disorganization everywhere. But overall I enjoyed it.

24 likes3 stack adds
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MDodge
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Pickpick

So so so good! This is everything I want a mystery to be: non-professional detectives, corruption, multi-level story with great characters. So much fun. Aaand done with the read harder challenge 📚 #readharder

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prowlix
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Pickpick

This book was so much more than I expected in the best possible way! Yes it is a story about two priests trying to help find a serial child murderer (big TW) in the Philippines. But it also deals with political corruption, intense poverty, abuse of religious power, and the cycle of child abuse. If you like crime mysteries this is a must read!

#readingwithoutwalls #Filipino #mystery #WNDB

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MDodge
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Last read harder challenge book! Saved this one for last to motivate myself 📚 #readharder #southeastasianauthor

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prowlix
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Priest humor! And my reading corner since it is sleeting and cold outside 📖

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prowlix
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Yard work finish, time to start a new book! 2 Catholic priest try to track a serial killer in the Philippines 🇵🇭
Considered the first Filipino crime novel - yes please!

#WNDB #Filipino #crimemystery #readingwithoutwalls

kammartinez I hope you enjoy the longer version :D. I recently found the original version of this that was published locally, and I'm considering doing a reread of that one, then reading the longer international version and comparing the two :D. Also there's a movie in the works for this, so yay XD! 8y
prowlix @kammartinez I hadn't heard there was a movie in the works! I'm still not too far but I'm really enjoying the characters of the priests. There some humor there which is necessary with the dark subject matter 8y
43 likes2 stack adds2 comments