Reading right now:

            “Smaller and Smaller Circles” by F. H. Batacan. This mystery novel has been available for years, but I’ve never read it. Since it is considered the first Philippine crime novel and mandatory reading in some literature classes, it seems like a must read. The book won the Philippine National Book Award and been reprinted four times. After a serial killer strikes in Manila, the police are unable to deal with a crime that they have no training to handle. In order to protect their flock, two Catholic priests go on the hunt for the killer using Father Gus Saenz’s training as a forensic anthropologist and Father Jerome Lucero’s talents as a psychologist.  

           

On hold right now:

            “The Killing Lessons” by Saul Black. This is a debut novel and the start of a new detective series. San Francisco homicide detective Valerie Hart is determined to stop a series of abductions, torture, and murder of women across the country. Her obsession drives her to the edge of destruction both physically and psychologically.    

                       

Other mysterious things:

            “Come Hell or Highball” by Maia Chance. First in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series, this new book introduces Lola Woodby whose husband just died leaving her without a penny and in debt. What to do? Why not retrieve a missing reel of film that one of her husband’s ex-girlfriends needs found and is offering money for her to find it? Seems easy, but when the film disappears and a man ends up dead, she discovers that being an unofficial detective might be harder than she thought.