dhasenkampf's review against another edition
4.0
The series continues to be fun and intriguing. Great palate cleanser between more serious books.
vvijayanti's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
hannigrace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
taylorlanxon's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
This book wraps up like a Scooby Doo episode where the last 40 pages explain how they caught the person. There wasn’t much depth to the lead character, but this could be because its the third in a murder mystery series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Colonisation, Genocide, Terminal illness, War, Medical content, and Body horror
sheilaokeefe's review against another edition
4.0
The Dr. Siri series seems to get better with each installment. Good mysteries, interesting insight into the mid-twentieth century history of Laos and Vietnam, really likeable characters.
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy this this gentle mystery series set in Laos where the coroner solves crime with the help of his Shaman skills
elusivesue's review against another edition
5.0
Really cracking read. I couldn't go to bed until I finished because I was drawn in to what was happening to the characters. I was alittle upset about what happens to Geung (no spoilers to come), but I liked that the author gave his backstory for one of my favorite characters. I felt like there was more backstory/fleshing out of the other two people in the morgue - Geung and Dtui - in this book, and I appreciated that. Looking forward to the next book.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
In this book, the third of four so far published to feature the septuagenarian national coroner of Laos, Dr Siri is called on to explain the mystery of a mummified arm inconveniently protruding from a concrete path in Huaphan Province. The mystery must be solved: the President is due back in a week and everything needs to be tidied up. Dr Siri is confident: ‘It doesn’t take me that long to concede defeat.’ It is 1977 and Dr Siri and Nurse Dtui are staying at Party Guesthouse Number One where food is scarce but bureaucratic process is rich.
In the meantime, back in Vientiane, Judge Haeng continues in his quest to have Mr Geung removed from his position in the morgue: ‘What image would foreign visitors take home if they came and saw a moron working for the State?’ Mr Geung is removed, but Judge Haeng is sadly mistaken if he thinks he’s won this particular skirmish with Dr Siri.
As is usual in these delightful stories, Dr Siri and his team have a number of problems to solve and questions to answer: what is Cuban black magic doing in the mountains of Laos? Will Nurse Dtui succumb to the attractions of the handsome officer? Why do the spirits talk to Dr Siri, and what will happen to Mr Geung?
Now that I’ve read all four of the Dr Siri books published so far, I can sit back to wait (until next month) for the fifth instalment. Dr Siri’s dry humour, his ability to get the best outcomes from the creaking bureaucratic processes all make him an enjoyable albeit an unlikely hero.
In the meantime, back in Vientiane, Judge Haeng continues in his quest to have Mr Geung removed from his position in the morgue: ‘What image would foreign visitors take home if they came and saw a moron working for the State?’ Mr Geung is removed, but Judge Haeng is sadly mistaken if he thinks he’s won this particular skirmish with Dr Siri.
As is usual in these delightful stories, Dr Siri and his team have a number of problems to solve and questions to answer: what is Cuban black magic doing in the mountains of Laos? Will Nurse Dtui succumb to the attractions of the handsome officer? Why do the spirits talk to Dr Siri, and what will happen to Mr Geung?
Now that I’ve read all four of the Dr Siri books published so far, I can sit back to wait (until next month) for the fifth instalment. Dr Siri’s dry humour, his ability to get the best outcomes from the creaking bureaucratic processes all make him an enjoyable albeit an unlikely hero.
amygraham's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5