nichola's review
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think I need to read to this again because this was wild.
Very complex and challenging. Loved it though and the chatacters.
Also the setting. I don't know how authentic it is but it opened my eyes.
Very complex and challenging. Loved it though and the chatacters.
Also the setting. I don't know how authentic it is but it opened my eyes.
novel_nomad's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
A curious crime read that was at once refreshingly original and next outrageously odd. The character of Siri kept me greatly entertained, with his wit and sharp observations. However the plot became a little shaky in the middle, with the addition of a new set of murders unrelated to the initial investigation and rather fantastical in nature. Regardless, I still recommend this as a curious cozy for anyone wanting to escape the traditional settings.
A curious crime read that was at once refreshingly original and next outrageously odd. The character of Siri kept me greatly entertained, with his wit and sharp observations. However the plot became a little shaky in the middle, with the addition of a new set of murders unrelated to the initial investigation and rather fantastical in nature. Regardless, I still recommend this as a curious cozy for anyone wanting to escape the traditional settings.
appalonia's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really good mystery story set in 1970’s Laos. I enjoy reading about places I’m unfamiliar with, because I learn just a little bit about the place and its history. The primary character Siri is an older doctor in his early 70’s who was hoping to retire once the revolution was won and communism was in control of Laos. Instead they made him Coroner, a job he knew nothing about. Once involved in an actual investigation however, he is fascinated and is invigorated at the new challenge.
There is also a bit of the supernatural with this story, as Siri finds out he is a Shaman. He dreams of dead people who are able to communicate to him. Throughout this book he learns to accept and believe in his gift. His two assistants are interesting; one is a female nurse who becomes Siri’s protégé, the other a man with Downs Syndrome who greets visitors, keeps the lab clean and passes messages along. Both of these assistants and their unique gifts are treated with respect by Siri. Overall Siri was a very likeable and amusing protagonist, and I look forward to continuing this series. 4.5 stars
There is also a bit of the supernatural with this story, as Siri finds out he is a Shaman. He dreams of dead people who are able to communicate to him. Throughout this book he learns to accept and believe in his gift. His two assistants are interesting; one is a female nurse who becomes Siri’s protégé, the other a man with Downs Syndrome who greets visitors, keeps the lab clean and passes messages along. Both of these assistants and their unique gifts are treated with respect by Siri. Overall Siri was a very likeable and amusing protagonist, and I look forward to continuing this series. 4.5 stars
kimgabriel's review against another edition
4.0
I can recommend this one for its interesting setting: Laos just after the Communist takeover. The protagonist is loveable. He is an elderly doctor who is roped in to being the Chief Coroner. Good supporting cast. I hesitated to give four stars (am keeping five for the ones that knocked it out of the park) because it does have a deep streak of mysticism running through it and I am most definitely not a fan. But it actually worked and I was able to choke it down.
nheer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vanessakm's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first in British author Colin Cotterill's series of mysteries starring Siri Paiboun.
Siri is a coroner but he is worlds away from the likes of Kathy Reichs or Patricia Cornwell. He's the state coroner for Laos, circa 1976-around one year after the Pathet Lao Communist Party takeover of the state. Siri is an upbeat, endearing guy despite a major bad luck streak in life. He went to medical school in France, where he was offered a job. Instead, he returned to Laos and joined the Communist Party because of a girl. Whom he married. Who ended up hating him. After spending years as a medic for the insurgency, he expected to retire in his 70's after the Pathet Lao gained control of the country in 1975. Instead, he was drafted as the state coroner despite having no training in pathology and only a French textbook from the 1940's as a guide.
Nevertheless, Siri makes a surprisingly good coroner. Here he investigates, among other things, the suspicious death of the wife of a Party higher-up (and an old nemesis of Siri's) and three Vietnamese bodies who were dumped in a reservoir. The first is a personal political minefield for Siri and the second is a potential international incident.
Siri also has dreams and visions where he communicates with the dead. Normally I'm not one to tolerate a deus ex machina but Cotterill makes it work and makes it funny. When in Laos, as the saying goes. Or should go.
I got a good feel for the culture of Laos from this book which is a big reason I read international mysteries. I really liked this book with its unusual hero and his sidekicks (a nurse who reads celebrity magazines and a mentally challenged morgue assistant.) I want to read more although I did have a few logical quibbles (how was the villain able to recall a conversation he wasn't present at? How could Siri possibly affect decisions made in Taiwan?)
Siri is a coroner but he is worlds away from the likes of Kathy Reichs or Patricia Cornwell. He's the state coroner for Laos, circa 1976-around one year after the Pathet Lao Communist Party takeover of the state. Siri is an upbeat, endearing guy despite a major bad luck streak in life. He went to medical school in France, where he was offered a job. Instead, he returned to Laos and joined the Communist Party because of a girl. Whom he married. Who ended up hating him. After spending years as a medic for the insurgency, he expected to retire in his 70's after the Pathet Lao gained control of the country in 1975. Instead, he was drafted as the state coroner despite having no training in pathology and only a French textbook from the 1940's as a guide.
Nevertheless, Siri makes a surprisingly good coroner. Here he investigates, among other things, the suspicious death of the wife of a Party higher-up (and an old nemesis of Siri's) and three Vietnamese bodies who were dumped in a reservoir. The first is a personal political minefield for Siri and the second is a potential international incident.
Siri also has dreams and visions where he communicates with the dead. Normally I'm not one to tolerate a deus ex machina but Cotterill makes it work and makes it funny. When in Laos, as the saying goes. Or should go.
I got a good feel for the culture of Laos from this book which is a big reason I read international mysteries. I really liked this book with its unusual hero and his sidekicks (a nurse who reads celebrity magazines and a mentally challenged morgue assistant.) I want to read more although I did have a few logical quibbles (how was the villain able to recall a conversation he wasn't present at? How could Siri possibly affect decisions made in Taiwan?)
stricker's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Murder mystery set in Vientianne, Laos
malvord27's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. It explores a world I don't know much about, and a time period I also don't know much about, and on top of that there's a mystery to be solved. The book is full of wry, dark humor which I really enjoyed. The Doctor is quick on his feet, and his descriptions of bureaucracy gave me a good laugh.
This book isn't quite in the same vein as the Father Anselm or Inspector Gamache series, but if you enjoy those series you may also enjoy this book. Will definitely be checking out subsequent books in this series.
This book isn't quite in the same vein as the Father Anselm or Inspector Gamache series, but if you enjoy those series you may also enjoy this book. Will definitely be checking out subsequent books in this series.
shert's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
becks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25