Hostel is diluted by the multiple cul-de-sacs, any number of which could have been removed to produce a more vital story.
The murder, for you, is ineffective, when it's revealed. However, McFarlane draws directly on the real "backpacker murders", a notorious serial killing case. For any Australian reader, the point of the story lands with a greater punch.
I read her other story as well, linked in the NYer, and can see how the concept likely works well across the collection.
Hostel is diluted by the multiple cul-de-sacs, any number of which could have been removed to produce a more vital story. The murder, for you, is ineffective, when it's revealed. However, McFarlane draws directly on the real "backpacker murders", a notorious serial killing case. For any Australian reader, the point of the story lands with a greater punch. I read her other story as well, linked in the NYer, and can see how the concept likely works well across the collection.