Accidents Happen and Other Stories
F. H. Batacan

NetGalley and the publisher, Soho Press, provided the digital ARC for this review.

Coming ten years after her debut, Smaller and Smaller Circles, F.H. Batacan returns with a collection of ten short stories set in the Philippines, ranging from true crime to magical realism, to a reunion with Fr. Augusto Saenz, the Jesuit forensic anthropologist, the protagonist in Batacan’s debut novel. It deals with issues of politics, societal class and poverty in the author’s homeland.

Infused with dark humor and foreboding sense of doom, masterfully built up in each of these unique tales, the author’s latest offering is sure to entertain fans of Fr. Saenz, and new readers alike. Hopefully, it will not be another ten years before we see a Fr. Saenz sequel. Publishes March 11, 2025.

3.5 stars rounded up

An exceptional collection of eerie, dark, yet somehow also wholesome stories set primarily in the Philippines. I tend to have trouble connecting with short story collections and getting through them, but I picked this up and finished it within 2 days. I loved the straightforward writing style and the way that every story starts off so intriguing that I was propelled deeper into them almost immediately.

I also really enjoyed how these stories all carry a similar foreboding vibe, yet the range of topics and genres felt really well-balanced. They were anywhere from true(ish) crime, to magical realism, to apocalyptic scifi, to whodunit mystery.

My favourite stories were "Door 59", "Keeping Time", and "The Gyutou".

4.25 stars! Would recommend for spooky season!

Thank you to Netgalley and Soho Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!