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quixoposto's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
dhasenkampf's review against another edition
4.0
A great entry in the series. Can't wait to see what happens next.
deltron's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.5
mellomorissa's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
newson66's review against another edition
4.0
Perhaps one of the more original crime series and woefully under-appreicated.
Set in 1970's post-revolution Laos the Dr.Paiboun is well worth a few hours of anyone's time.
Set in 1970's post-revolution Laos the Dr.Paiboun is well worth a few hours of anyone's time.
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
3.0
The fourth installment of Colin Cotterill's Dr. Siri series was an enjoyable read. It contained the wry wit that I've come to enjoy so much with this series--I love the way the characters use humor to deal with the absurdity of life in 1970s Communist Laos. In this story, Dr. Siri uncovers a potential coup d'etat while investigating the death of a blind man. He enlists the help of Dtui and Phosy to track down the potential coup planners, including someone they never would've expected. A unique series, I'm looking forward to reading number five in the series.
katzreads's review against another edition
4.0
Very entertaining. Great characters, but sometimes difficult to follow because of the unfamiliar names of people and places. Good story.
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
4.0
Fun story. Seeing Laos, its infant communist state, and its different components through this series is very interesting.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars for a pleasant mystery in the Dr. Siri Paiboun series, set in 1977 Laos. The Royalist government has been overthrown by the Pathet Lao Communist rebels. Siri Paiboun was a member of the rebel forces, serving as a doctor. He is now 74 years old and wanted to retire. But the new government forces him to become the National coroner for Laos, and actually the only coroner in Laos. This is book 4 in the series, but it would work as a standalone.
He is tasked with identifying a man run over by a truck in the capital, Vientiane. There is a letter on the dead man's body. It looks blank, but Siri realizes that it has invisible ink. He is able to make the writing appear and finds an indecipherable code.
He also solves more two mysteries while solving this mystery. It is full of commentary of the new government and humorous asides.
One quote: "The Pathet Lao had come to power in 1975 and even the prime minister admitted they hadn't achieved too much since then. But the jungle-trained administration adopted a policy of disguising its lack of ability by baffling the populace with red tape. No fewer than six signatures were needed for permission to ride a bicycle from one prefecture to another."
Siri is in contact with the spirit world. Sometimes the spirits help him, other times they threaten him. This was a library eBook that I read in 3 days.
He is tasked with identifying a man run over by a truck in the capital, Vientiane. There is a letter on the dead man's body. It looks blank, but Siri realizes that it has invisible ink. He is able to make the writing appear and finds an indecipherable code.
He also solves more two mysteries while solving this mystery. It is full of commentary of the new government and humorous asides.
One quote: "The Pathet Lao had come to power in 1975 and even the prime minister admitted they hadn't achieved too much since then. But the jungle-trained administration adopted a policy of disguising its lack of ability by baffling the populace with red tape. No fewer than six signatures were needed for permission to ride a bicycle from one prefecture to another."
Siri is in contact with the spirit world. Sometimes the spirits help him, other times they threaten him. This was a library eBook that I read in 3 days.