elysahenegar's review against another edition
4.0
This 5th book in Cotterill's Dr. Siri Paiboun series felt oddly reminiscent, at least in one of its two major plot threads, of Marvel's Iron Fist. As a villan, "the Lizard" looks just like the evil foe "the Hand" in Marvel's series. Cotterill's strategy with regard to the plot gives us room to explore the relationships between and personalities among his secondary characters, who are a vivid delight in all the books, as well as the chance to consider the plight of the Hmong in Laos. As has been consistent in the series, the book delivers significance with humor. Start at the beginning and read them all!
avid_reader_sf_and_f's review against another edition
4.0
Seriously, this series keeps getting better. This was a lovely two-part story with loads of action, twists, and humor.
mazza57's review against another edition
2.0
the blurb suggests this is the best book so far, I have to disagree. More shaman than corner more witchcraft than medicine it was for me a real disappointment. I have read books in the series that both predate and follow this one all of them are better than this is
carrie562's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
avid_reader_sf_and_f's review against another edition
4.0
Seriously, this series keeps getting better. This was a lovely two-part story with loads of action, twists, and humor.
lolajoan's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting little read, part thriller and part mystery. Some interesting background about life in Laos in the 70s and about the Hmong people. The characters are cute and interesting. Not sure I need to read more of the series but it was enjoyable.
elusivesue's review against another edition
5.0
These books are another wonderful series that focus on people and cultures very different than my own -- and that's what makes them great. Cotterill does his homework and puts in descriptions and details that solidify the 1970's Laos and peoples of that time, this book bringing in a lot of attention to the Hmong people and their culture.
The prose is witty and the plot well-thought out -- I finished in two days, and got to a point where I couldn't go to bed until I had finished the book.
The prose is witty and the plot well-thought out -- I finished in two days, and got to a point where I couldn't go to bed until I had finished the book.
diannamorganti's review against another edition
5.0
Best installment yet! The author took the first couple of books to introduce you to the characters using a more formulaic mystery format so you could focus on what's different about this world. Then he started to experiment with his storytelling. This one was so enjoyable. It felt a bit pieced together, but the final scenes brought it together well, and boy was I guffawing!
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘A good socialist must be ambidextrous: able to chop down a might oak tree with his left hand and darn a shirt with his right.’
I enjoyed this novel. This is the fifth Dr Siri novel, and I suggest that intending readers read them in order as the last two (in particular) rely on character development realised in the earlier stories.
This book is different from the earlier ones. Yes, we have the same collection of colourful characters (where would Dr Siri be without Nurse Dtui, Mr Geung, Auntie Bpoo and Madame Daeng?) Dr Siri is still sharing a body with Yeh Ming, and the government is still as tragically farcical as ever. There are a number of separate but interrelated tales in this novel. Dr Siri himself is kidnapped by a group of Hmong who are seeking access to Yeh Ming. The mixture of the supernatural with the application of logic works well for Dr Siri in this circumstance because it builds on foundations laid in the earlier novels.
Meanwhile, while Dr Siri is conducting an exorcism and exploring the history of the Hmong, there is plenty happening in Vientiane. A booby trapped corpse (who, how and why?) engage Nurse Dtui and the rest of the team.
The separate stories are drawn together at the end of the novel in a way which may not satisfy all. For myself though, I was so caught up in the details of Dr Siri’s wedding that such relatively small details did not matter. Yes, the five Dr Siri novels are mystery novels but not in any conventional sense. To read this series is to be caught up in Laotian history and culture, and to enjoy Mr Cotterill’s wit.
I’m feeling a little sorry for Dr Siri: he cannot remain 73 for ever and at some stage he may well wish to retire. After all, he now has a family to enjoy.
‘Fortune-telling had become a science. Soon there’d be nothing but politics left to dismiss as bunkum.’
I enjoyed this novel. This is the fifth Dr Siri novel, and I suggest that intending readers read them in order as the last two (in particular) rely on character development realised in the earlier stories.
This book is different from the earlier ones. Yes, we have the same collection of colourful characters (where would Dr Siri be without Nurse Dtui, Mr Geung, Auntie Bpoo and Madame Daeng?) Dr Siri is still sharing a body with Yeh Ming, and the government is still as tragically farcical as ever. There are a number of separate but interrelated tales in this novel. Dr Siri himself is kidnapped by a group of Hmong who are seeking access to Yeh Ming. The mixture of the supernatural with the application of logic works well for Dr Siri in this circumstance because it builds on foundations laid in the earlier novels.
Meanwhile, while Dr Siri is conducting an exorcism and exploring the history of the Hmong, there is plenty happening in Vientiane. A booby trapped corpse (who, how and why?) engage Nurse Dtui and the rest of the team.
The separate stories are drawn together at the end of the novel in a way which may not satisfy all. For myself though, I was so caught up in the details of Dr Siri’s wedding that such relatively small details did not matter. Yes, the five Dr Siri novels are mystery novels but not in any conventional sense. To read this series is to be caught up in Laotian history and culture, and to enjoy Mr Cotterill’s wit.
I’m feeling a little sorry for Dr Siri: he cannot remain 73 for ever and at some stage he may well wish to retire. After all, he now has a family to enjoy.
‘Fortune-telling had become a science. Soon there’d be nothing but politics left to dismiss as bunkum.’