In the 1990s a series of murders took place along a stretch of highway. The bodies of hitchhikers and backpackers were found in the Barrow State forest. By the end of the decade, Joe Biga, a taxi driver is arrested and charged with the crimes, sentenced to consecutive life terms of imprisonment. These horrific events reverberate back and forth in history - impacting people all over the world.
In 'Hunter on the Highway', set in 1996, a young woman wonders if her boyfriend might be the murder as he drives a landscaping truck similar to the vehicle police have reported may be involved in the disappearances of backpackers.
Two decades after these crimes, in 'Abroad', British man Simon is worried about a solo trick-or-treater on Halloween. He remembers his own sister Angie who disappeared in Australia and has never been found. Could she be one of Biga's victims?
In 'Demolition' in 2003 neighbours watch as the house where the killer lived is demolished, fondly remembering the family who resided there before. 'Fat Suit' tells of the 2024 filming of a television miniseries about the crimes from the perspective of the actor hoping to turn his career around.
None of these stories are graphically violent or really talk about the murderer. In fact, reading some of them you forget that there might be a link to the crimes until there is a passing reference. Some stories have close connections, but others are far removed. While Joe Biga and his crimes are fictional, Australians will immediately be reminded of serial killer Ivan Milat.
I really enjoyed the ways in which McFarlane plays with form. 'Democracy Sausage' is written in a single sentence stream-of-conciousness spanning ten pages, as a politician burns sausages wondering what his chances given he shares the same surname as the killer. 'Podcast' is styled as dialogue between the two hosts of a popular true crime podcast, complete with asides and bits to edit out.
I usually find short story collections to contain a handful of tales that don't resonate for me. But in Highway 13, each story was brilliant in its own right. This is an incredible collection that deserves a wide readership. I am now keen to seek out Fiona McFarlane's earlier short story collection The High Places (2016) and her novel The Night Guest (2013).
Fiona McFarlane has been showered with prizes for Highway 13. It won the 2025 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Fiction, the 2025 NSW Literary Award Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, the 2025 ALS Gold Medal and the 2025 Story Prize. It was also shortlisted for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award, Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction, and the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction, among other accolades.