This is a murder mystery in the poorest of neighborhoods of Quezon City. With officials stretched with limited resources and hamstrung by apathy and politics that surround a post-Marcos regime in the Philippines, there appears to be a serial killer preying on young boys. Two Jesuit priests, Father Gus Saenz, a forensic anthropologist and his colleague/friend Father Jerome Lucero, a psychologist, are brought in by the Director of the National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) to help solve the case.
Throughout the story the prominence of both the Catholic Church and the government are highlighted – in both positive and negative light. The Priests have been fighting the church to bring to light allegations of abuse for a Cardinal, who simply gets re-assigned, exposing others to his power. Additionally, they are working with people in the NBI that are more concerned with getting credit for solving a crime than for actually finding the real killer. In both ways, Fathers Gus and Jerome are working to protect the young and vulnerable that have no power or voice.
This theme – the need to protect those that are the most vulnerable – is evident in all they do. As the mystery of the murders becomes clearer, the pain of the truth they uncover is heartbreaking.
This is truly a study of the need to have transparency for those in power, and an indictment of what “society” deems as truly important. I want to read more of this crime solving duo.
The Source 4 Books 