No title (2004)

Yet another first in the series, this one of Dr. Siri Paiboun, state coroner in Communist Laos in 1976. This was promising, although I must admit that after reading The Headmaster’s Wager, the tongue-in-cheek treatment of the communist state was a little jarring at first.

So here’s the thing about Siri: not only do his dead patients appear to him in dreams, he channels a thousand year old native warrior. If that doesn’t bother you – go for it: you’ll find this a refreshing addition to your other mystery reading. As for me, that’s the end of my reading in this series.

Read this if: you want an exotic locale and don’t mind a spiritistic approach to your mysteries. 3 stars ( )

This novel is set in Laos in 1976, shortly after the communist group Pathet Lao took political power, abolished the monarchy and established the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The narrative centres on Dr Siri Paiboun, who joined the communists because of his love for a woman rather than because of political conviction, worked with the group during its long insurgency and, at the age of 72 and longing for a quite retirement, is given the job of being Laos’ chief - and only - coroner. Through his work in this role, Dr Siri investigates deaths which aren’t what they seem to be and comes to understand his own disturbing “gift”: Dr Siri sees the spirits of the dead.

In Dr Siri Paiboun, Cotterill has created a memorable character. He is described as one of the “founding fathers of cynicism” and that cynicism, a self-deprecating sense of humour and a lively appreciation of the ridiculous bring much humour to the narrative. The supporting characters are also well-drawn and the setting is both exotic and interesting. Indeed, it would be almost worth reading the novel just for the information Cotterill imparts about the political and social situation in Laos in the mid-1970s. This is done with a very light touch; there is nothing awkward about the way in which the narrative is located in its place and time.

The plot is interesting enough without being compelling, although it’s fair to say that the plot is not the real reason to read the book. The supernatural element – that is, Dr Siri’s ability to see the spirits of the dead – is quite well done. I was not entirely persuaded by it, but given that it has its roots in Lao folk religion it’s not an unreasonable device for Cotterill to use. This was a 3-1/2 star read, rounded up to 4 stars because of my love for the person who gave me the book.

I own an edition of the novel which was published and printed in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic.* It was given to me about three years ago, a gift from a dear colleague and friend who bought it in Laos, while she was there on holidays. While my friend and I shared a love of crime fiction and often gave or lent each other books, I didn’t get around to reading the novel immediately. Almost a year ago my friend died very suddenly. Since then I’ve seen her gift on my bookshelf and haven’t been able to pick it up for fear that reading it would make me miss her too much. Well, it has made me miss her, but I’m so glad that I have this book, a physical memento of our friendship and our shared love of crime fiction. Vale, Agnes!

*The industry in Laos could do with some quality control. My copy of the book is missing three pages. I initially thought that either I had missed something or that there was a continuity error in the writing. It took me a few minutes to realise that the book went from page 142 to page 145. My ability to understand the plot did not seem to be adversely affected by the missing pages.
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This was a fun read, to squeeze in on the weekend between the regular chores and Christmas planning activities. This is the first of a mystery series, set in 1970s Laos, starring an elderly wanna-be-retired-surgeon who is coerced into becoming the only coroner after the revolution. Siri might be extremely reluctant, but he is still a conscientious and honest professional, who does his job too well. This of course, is going to get him into trouble, as he clashes with the bureacrats and the bad guys. He is quite likeable and funny. When his obnoxious boss-judge orders him to start wearing proper shoes instead of sandals, because "Civilized people wear shoes. Our comrades expect it of us.", Siri replies, "...I think if the proletariat are going to kiss my feet, the least I can do is give them a few toes to wrap their lips around."
A bit of a paranormal element was slipped in, which was a bit too much -- I think it could have been left in the arena of dreams/intuition/gut feeling/ rather than being elevated to the significance it was given in the later parts of the book. But overall, it was a fun little jaunt with some snappy funny dialogue, a bit of a mystery, and some likeable characters. ( )

The book opens Laos in 1976. A fledgling Communist regime is in power for the first time and Dr Siri Paiboun, a 72-year-old doctor and former warrior, has been appointed the country’s sole Coroner. He has no training for the role, most of the available books on the subject are in a language he doesn’t speak and he has little of the necessary equipment. Despite all this he’s required to investigate an assortment of peculiar deaths, including the wife of a Party Leader and what appear to be tortured Vietnamese soldiers. Helping Dr Siri are nurse (and wannabe trainee Coroner) Dtui, morgue assistant Mr Geung and the spirits of dead people who inhabit Dr Siri's dreams.

The highlight of the book for me was the humour which has the same witty, haphazardly surreal quality as Douglas Adams’ writing. In the past I have lamented the lack of books with this kind of sensibility but I now realise it’s a terribly difficult thing to achieve and am simply grateful whenever I stumble across an example. I don’t re-read books very often but books like this, that offer something wonderful quite independent of their narrative, tend to make it to the shelf of books I re-acquaint myself with from time to time.

The characters are delightful too. Dr Siri is reluctant in his roles as communist and coroner though he performs the latter with increasing diligence. He treats the people he meets with the amount of respect and compassion each deserves and his struggle to cope with the supernatural aspect to his life is handled well (it's a theme normally guaranteed to turn me off). There are a myriad of other players, major and minor, alive and not, good and evil, who are all equally well depicted and credible.

The book also offers a marvellous sense of time and place although I’m so woefully ignorant of this particular part of the world and its history that I’ve no clue if it’s a realistic depiction. For all I know it could be as much a production of Cotterill’s imagination as his protagonist’s corpse-inhabited dreams but, realistic or not, it’s a glimpse into a fascinating world.

For once the prominent blurb on my copy of The Coroner’s Lunch, which likens it to Alexander McCall Smith’s African series, isn't wildly inaccurate. Dr Siri certainly shares characteristics with Mme Ramotswe of Smith’s series although I think the plot of this book is far more intricate and it tackles weightier social issues, albeit with a delicate touch and wry humour. I found myself wanting more of this writing and these people almost before I'd even finished and, happily for me, there are already five more books in the series. What joy I have to look forward to. ( )

Set during 1976 just after the Pathet Lao seized power in Laos, The Coroner’s Lunch is an excellent beginning to a most promising series. Chock full of interesting characters, the author, Colin Cotterill delivers a top notch story and plenty of information about a country I know very little about.

After 46 years of loyal service to the Communist Party, 72 year old Dr. Siri Paiboun thought he was about to be retired and spend his days in gentle pursuits. Instead he finds himself appointed as chief (and only) coroner. Working in almost barbaric conditions, with little equipment or materials, he finds himself assigned a couple of highly charged, political cases. Urged to report one way, Dr Siri goes out on a limb and decides to get to the bottom of these cases. Of course, he does not work alone, Dr Siri has two most capable assistants who work alongside him in the morgue, as well as a great and well connected friend and a new aid in a police liaison. He also is assisted by the fact that he appears to be the incarnation of a centuries old Shaman, Yeh Ming and is regularly visited by the recently departed.

It’s been awhile since I have started a new series and been so totally taken with the main character. Dr Siri is a gentle soul, courteous, charming, insightful and terribly humorous. He and his friends find a way of getting things done in a country that questions the motives of everyone, and finds suspicion in every action. I am really looking forward to reading more about Dr. Siri and learning more about this intriguing country. ( )