First Line: The post office box was eighteen across, twelve down, and it had a loop of wool wound around the door so Dr. Buagaew wouldn't miss it.

By this fourth book in the series, I feel as though I'm visiting old friends who are glad to see me on their doorstep. Dr. Siri, the septuagenarian national coroner of Laos, has to identify the victim of a traffic accident who is carrying a message written in invisible ink and in code. Deciphering the note reveals that the corpse was a blind dentist who was involved in a plot to overthrow the government. Dr. Siri isn't the only one wondering why on earth someone would send coded messages written in invisible ink to a blind man.

This series is such a winner because there are so many layers to the books. Yes, there are interesting mysteries, but there's so much more! Cotterill's characters are marvelous. Dr. Siri is a former soldier who spent many years of his life fighting for the Communist overthrow of Laos. The Communists have now been in control for two years, and he's monumentally underwhelmed by the government's results. Instead of becoming a sour old man, he's learned to focus on the people around him and to enjoy one of the prerogatives of old age: being a bit eccentric. Siri's morgue assistant, Mr. Geung, has Down's Syndrome, yet he is a valuable member of the team. Siri's nurse, Dtui, may look like a very happy "standing refrigerator", but she's extremely intelligent and observant. Although Siri would miss her sorely, he knows that she deserves better and he's been helping her try to get on the fast track. These are just three of the characters that make this series so special.

Along the path to finding out who's trying to overthrow the government, there are many scenes that made me laugh and warmed my heart. Siri, Dtui and a police officer friend named Phosy attend a funeral and want to give the departed a good send-off. As a result, they imbibe a bit too much rice wine....

"I feel like bathroom mold," Phosy said, his voice like a plow dragged over rocks....

Dtui was squeezing her own wrist. "I'm afraid there may be some blood left in my alcohol stream. We're medical personnel; we should know better. Stimulate my brain, someone, before it pickles. Give me a job."

And when Siri and his friend, Civilai, leave Vientiane to investigate the planned rebellion, the only transportation they can find is an old Jeep that has no brake fluid. It has a top speed "somewhere between walking and running with a stone in your shoe," and the only way you can stop it is by finding something soft to crash into. A vehicle like that can lend zest to any investigation.

By far the most heartwarming scene in Anarchy and Old Dogs is when Madame Daeng tells Siri of the young girl she taught to read. Anyone who loves to read is guaranteed to get a lump in the throat when reading that.

Although I do enjoy the mysteries in this series, that is not why I love reading them so much. Once I've closed the book on the last page of a Colin Cotterill mystery, I feel as though I've traveled back in time to visit a culture almost completely alien to my own. I come away from my visit knowing that I'm connected to that other culture by the common bonds of humanity... and by one of the best cast of characters to be found anywhere in fiction.

If you aren't acquainted with Dr. Siri, what's stopping you? As with all character-rich books, I would advise anyone who wants to try this series to start at the beginning with The Coroner's Lunch. ( )

This is book 4 in the Dr. Siri Paiboun series. It is set in 1970s communist Laos. Siri is the 73 year old National Coroner and a reluctant untrained shaman. He hosts a 1,000 year old shaman Yeh Ming. Because of Ming's presence Siri can see the spirits of the dead, which helps him with his work. But Ming also has enemies and these evil spirits are attracted to Siri and try to harm him, to destroy Ming.

In this book Siri and his friends stumble upon a plot to overthrow the government. Although they are unhappy with the way the new communist regime treats people, and its worship of rules, they don't wish a return to the old days. Previous to the communists, there was no chance for anyone not born royal or rich.

Siri and his party-member friend travel south to try to find out who is involved and what is planned. Meanwhile Dtui and policeman Phosey pretend to be married and travel to a refugee camp in Thailand from where messages are being sent by the plotters. The camps hold the many Laotians who cross the river and escape into Thailand.

While investigating in the south Siri relives his earlier days when he and his wife worked with young people organizing and planning for the revolution. Siri finds old friends and memories.

Dtui and Phosey have exciting adventures in the camp. Their time together has future impact. Eventually they join Siri back in Laos. The plot is uncovered and foiled, but some bad news rocks Siri.

Another wonderful book in this series. Filled with great writing, humor, warmth and love. The setting is done so well. The characters are so finely drawn, and the recurring ones grow and blossom. The mix of the spirit world has a light touch that makes it easy to suspend belief. There is also such respect and humor from Siri regarding the different cultures and people that it permeates the whole book. ( )

Blind man run down with mysterious note, drowned boy with strange markings, old friend in a coup. Not as compelling as others in series. July '09 ( )

The fourth in the series of mysteries featuring the reluctant chief coroner Dr Siri Paiboun
Set in Laos in the seventies after the 'revolution' with the brave new world a disappointment tolots of the original rebels now in their sixties & seventies.
These books are often compared to Alexander McCall Smith's African detective series, I can see why, but for me they are a much better read. They evoke the strange mix of culture left by having been part of the French influenced area of the east - the Loatian taste for baguettes for example and the spirit life of the old Laotian culture.
The stories often have several strands, but progress to a resolution, which can, as in this case directly affect our main protaginists, Siri, Nurse D'tui and Siri's frien Civilai.
These novels were a discovery made in an airport book store - so it goes to show that there are often gems amongst the pile 'em high style which the chains employ for the latest 'hot' author

#4 Dr. Siri Paiboun mystery set in 1970’s Laos in which Siri gets involved with his good friend Civali in attempting to thwart a coup against the new Lao government, which also eventually involves Nurse Dtui and Phosy the policeman as well. Siri also ventures to the southern part of the country to Pakse, to investigate the death of a young boy fished out of the river and brings Civali with him to look into some political things on the sly, and while they are there, Siri encounters Daeng, a woman that he and his wife knew in their young revolutionary days. There are a couple of surprises at the end of the book, too.

All in all, another very satisfying visit with Dr. Siri and crew, though I have to admit that at times all the political nuances and plots were a bit over my head. The ghosts that Siri has visitations from were somewhat more quiescent in this book, perhaps because Siri was often under the influence, consuming mass quantities of Lao cocktails, which consists of one-half rice whiskey and the other half rice whiskey. LOL I love this author’s writing style and his magical way with words. Can’t wait til the next one! A. ( )