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Dr. Siri Paiboun #8
Slash and Burn
Dr Siri's bagged himself a holiday with his friends - an all-expenses-paid trip to the mountains of Laos. He is to assist a US-funded search for a lost CIA pilot - Boyd Bowry - missing since 1968, though Siri strongly suspects that when the helicopter exploded, the pilot followed suit.
But, just hours into the trip, it becomes apparent that ulterior motives are at work within the group and those associated with the airman start dropping like the insects that frequent the surrounding landscape.
Siri and co are caught up in something big. Something that goes way back and is way over their heads. And, if this wasn't bad enough, a psychic of unquestionable repute then informs Siri that he's about to die - in ‘a day or two', to be precise.
But, just hours into the trip, it becomes apparent that ulterior motives are at work within the group and those associated with the airman start dropping like the insects that frequent the surrounding landscape.
Siri and co are caught up in something big. Something that goes way back and is way over their heads. And, if this wasn't bad enough, a psychic of unquestionable repute then informs Siri that he's about to die - in ‘a day or two', to be precise.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
72 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Colin Cotterill
71 books1,017 followersColin Cotterill was born in London and trained as a teacher and set off on a world tour that didn't ever come to an end. He worked as a Physical Education instructor in Israel, a primary school teacher in Australia, a counselor for educationally handicapped adults in the US, and a university lecturer in Japan. But the greater part of his latter years has been spent in Southeast Asia. Colin has taught and trained teachers in Thailand and on the Burmese border. He spent several years in Laos, initially with UNESCO and wrote and produced a forty-programme language teaching series; English By Accident, for Thai national television.
Ten years ago, Colin became involved in child protection in the region and set up an NGO in Phuket which he ran for the first two years. After two more years of study in child abuse issues, and one more stint in Phuket, he moved on to ECPAT, an international organization combating child prostitution and pornography. He established their training program for caregivers.
All the while, Colin continued with his two other passions; cartooning and writing. He contributed regular columns for the Bangkok Post but had little time to write. It wasn't until his work with trafficked children that he found himself sufficiently stimulated to put together his first novel, The Night Bastard (Suk's Editions. 2000).
The reaction to that first attempt was so positive that Colin decided to take time off and write full-time. Since October 2001 he has written nine more novels. Two of these are child-protection based: Evil in the Land Without (Asia Books December 03), and Pool and Its Role in Asian Communism (Asia Books, Dec 05). These were followed by The Coroner’s Lunch (Soho Press. Dec 04), Thirty Three Teeth (Aug 05), Disco for the Departed (Aug 06), Anarchy and Old Dogs (Aug 07), and Curse of the Pogo Stick (Aug 08), The Merry Misogynist (Aug 09), Love Songs from a Shallow Grave (Aug 10) these last seven are set in Laos in the 1970’s.
On June 15, 2009 Colin Cotterill received the Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library award for being "the author of crime fiction whose work is currently giving the greatest enjoyment to library users".
When the Lao books gained in popularity, Cotterill set up a project to send books to Lao children and sponsor trainee teachers. The Books for Laos programme elicits support from fans of the books and is administered purely on a voluntary basis.
Since 1990, Colin has been a regular cartoonist for national publications. A Thai language translation of his cartoon scrapbook, Ethel and Joan Go to Phuket (Matichon May 04) and weekly social cartoons in the Nation newspaper, set him back onto the cartoon trail in 2004. On 4 April 2004, an illustrated bilingual column ‘cycle logical’ was launched in Matichon’s popular weekly news magazine. These have been published in book form.
Colin is married and lives in a fishing community on the Gulf of Siam with his wife, Kyoko, and ever-expanding pack of very annoying dogs.
Ten years ago, Colin became involved in child protection in the region and set up an NGO in Phuket which he ran for the first two years. After two more years of study in child abuse issues, and one more stint in Phuket, he moved on to ECPAT, an international organization combating child prostitution and pornography. He established their training program for caregivers.
All the while, Colin continued with his two other passions; cartooning and writing. He contributed regular columns for the Bangkok Post but had little time to write. It wasn't until his work with trafficked children that he found himself sufficiently stimulated to put together his first novel, The Night Bastard (Suk's Editions. 2000).
The reaction to that first attempt was so positive that Colin decided to take time off and write full-time. Since October 2001 he has written nine more novels. Two of these are child-protection based: Evil in the Land Without (Asia Books December 03), and Pool and Its Role in Asian Communism (Asia Books, Dec 05). These were followed by The Coroner’s Lunch (Soho Press. Dec 04), Thirty Three Teeth (Aug 05), Disco for the Departed (Aug 06), Anarchy and Old Dogs (Aug 07), and Curse of the Pogo Stick (Aug 08), The Merry Misogynist (Aug 09), Love Songs from a Shallow Grave (Aug 10) these last seven are set in Laos in the 1970’s.
On June 15, 2009 Colin Cotterill received the Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library award for being "the author of crime fiction whose work is currently giving the greatest enjoyment to library users".
When the Lao books gained in popularity, Cotterill set up a project to send books to Lao children and sponsor trainee teachers. The Books for Laos programme elicits support from fans of the books and is administered purely on a voluntary basis.
Since 1990, Colin has been a regular cartoonist for national publications. A Thai language translation of his cartoon scrapbook, Ethel and Joan Go to Phuket (Matichon May 04) and weekly social cartoons in the Nation newspaper, set him back onto the cartoon trail in 2004. On 4 April 2004, an illustrated bilingual column ‘cycle logical’ was launched in Matichon’s popular weekly news magazine. These have been published in book form.
Colin is married and lives in a fishing community on the Gulf of Siam with his wife, Kyoko, and ever-expanding pack of very annoying dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
August 11, 2021
I don’t write reviews.
Another humdinger of a Siri Paiboun story!! All of the characters stayed together throughout the novel so we got a lot of everyone. This made for a very happy Lizzy.
The ending was quite cartoonish, but it was very fun and the deus ex machina didn’t spoil it for me. Madame Daeng may or may not get everyone high… not a spoiler no worries.
Another humdinger of a Siri Paiboun story!! All of the characters stayed together throughout the novel so we got a lot of everyone. This made for a very happy Lizzy.
The ending was quite cartoonish, but it was very fun and the deus ex machina didn’t spoil it for me. Madame Daeng may or may not get everyone high… not a spoiler no worries.
June 24, 2012
Readers meeting Dr. Siri and his cohorts for the first time in this eighth in the Siri series might very well wonder what they had stumbled into. Farce, cross-dressing, and the supernatural are not characteristics we instinctively think of when reviewing our knowledge of communist Laos, but Cotterill shows us that Laos has it all. A world more remote from everyday American life would be hard to find, but Cotterill manages to make a seventy-plus-year-old government coroner the best guide to Lao life.
Usually Lao communist government policies are the target of Cotterill’s acerbic wit, but this book introduces a group of Americans searching for the body of a downed pilot. The target thus shifts, and Cotterill uses history against the Americans. Carpet bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War era left scars on the country, killed or displaced hundreds of thousands of villagers, and led to the discovery of gold in the mountainous bombed areas of eastern Laos. (It‘s true, according to the New York Times in 2002.)
We are also given an outsiders’ view of the American election cycle in which senators buy their seats and fathers murder their own sons to further their personal fortunes or political ambitions. One could argue it looks like that to outsiders, particularly to outsiders who do not subscribe to American reliance on self as opposed to family, community, or larger social groups. But it is all done with a sense of parody and the absurd foremost.
This may be the first time Americans make an appearance in the Siri series, and it is with an understanding of our legacy there and current perceptions of Americans that we must proceed. But one has to wonder how much the Lao characters are Lao in name only and how much a western mindset is overlaid their thoughts and actions. I have always wondered this and can’t help but suspect these folks are too cosmopolitan and worldly-wise, despite their ages, for a country as closed and psychically distant as Laos. It’s all in Cotterill’s mind, and what a mind it is! Great fiction here, folks: Take the trip.
Usually Lao communist government policies are the target of Cotterill’s acerbic wit, but this book introduces a group of Americans searching for the body of a downed pilot. The target thus shifts, and Cotterill uses history against the Americans. Carpet bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War era left scars on the country, killed or displaced hundreds of thousands of villagers, and led to the discovery of gold in the mountainous bombed areas of eastern Laos. (It‘s true, according to the New York Times in 2002.)
We are also given an outsiders’ view of the American election cycle in which senators buy their seats and fathers murder their own sons to further their personal fortunes or political ambitions. One could argue it looks like that to outsiders, particularly to outsiders who do not subscribe to American reliance on self as opposed to family, community, or larger social groups. But it is all done with a sense of parody and the absurd foremost.
This may be the first time Americans make an appearance in the Siri series, and it is with an understanding of our legacy there and current perceptions of Americans that we must proceed. But one has to wonder how much the Lao characters are Lao in name only and how much a western mindset is overlaid their thoughts and actions. I have always wondered this and can’t help but suspect these folks are too cosmopolitan and worldly-wise, despite their ages, for a country as closed and psychically distant as Laos. It’s all in Cotterill’s mind, and what a mind it is! Great fiction here, folks: Take the trip.
April 5, 2014
This is another funny and informative Dr. Siri mystery from Colin Cotterill. It is not the latest (published 2011). But it fits seamlessly in the series, albeit with references to prior episodes, but these in no way hinder your understanding of the story at hand.
Laos, 1978, the ongoing aftermath of the Viet Nam war. The victorious Communist regime continues to struggle with a workable civic and social structure. Forget about “prosperity” or even basic amenities for most citizens beyond the elite cadre neighborhoods in the capital of Vientiane, on the shores of the Mekhong river.
At 78, Dr. Siri, pathologist and former war hero, is close to retirement, looking forward to spending time eating noodles with his extraordinary wife Daeng. But he is enlisted by arch-nemesis Judge Haeng to be part of an expedition up-country in search of an American MIA (missing-in-action) pilot. His professional skills might come in handy, if they find a body instead of a man in a cage. They will be working with a visiting American team.
The mission is mainly about American politics: i.e., a photo-op for Patriotism. Or so it appears.
Seeing that business at his morgue is slow, Dr. Siri consents to take part, but he insists that some key colleagues, friends and his wife also be included. The usual cast of characters heads out to a remote village by the Thai border in search of a downed Sikorsky and maybe a captive pilot.
The comedy, artfully interwoven with tragic political commentary, is built around interaction between Dr. Siri’s team and the Americans. The mystery is built around the gradual revelation that the purpose is not really to save a pilot, but to kill him. If he is indeed still out there.
Most of the story unfolds within the confines of a small inn, in a valley socked-in by lung-clogging smoke, the result of fleeing Hmong rebels resorting to “slash and burn” strategies as they retreat from the area. Although again, that is not exactly the case… Luckily one of the Americans has brought along a case of good scotch. And Siri’s wife has a recipe for the most sublime marijuana tea. It’s a lot of fun. There is also much anger simmering in the satire viz. cruelly wasteful American wars.
Dr. Siri’s ongoing relationship with the spirit world continues along its delightfully crazy thread.
5 stars. I continue to admire this series. It is hard to keep comedic writing fresh. Cotterill is writer who can do it by mixing trenchant commentary into fun dialogue, all within a quietly enticing mystery.
Laos, 1978, the ongoing aftermath of the Viet Nam war. The victorious Communist regime continues to struggle with a workable civic and social structure. Forget about “prosperity” or even basic amenities for most citizens beyond the elite cadre neighborhoods in the capital of Vientiane, on the shores of the Mekhong river.
At 78, Dr. Siri, pathologist and former war hero, is close to retirement, looking forward to spending time eating noodles with his extraordinary wife Daeng. But he is enlisted by arch-nemesis Judge Haeng to be part of an expedition up-country in search of an American MIA (missing-in-action) pilot. His professional skills might come in handy, if they find a body instead of a man in a cage. They will be working with a visiting American team.
The mission is mainly about American politics: i.e., a photo-op for Patriotism. Or so it appears.
Seeing that business at his morgue is slow, Dr. Siri consents to take part, but he insists that some key colleagues, friends and his wife also be included. The usual cast of characters heads out to a remote village by the Thai border in search of a downed Sikorsky and maybe a captive pilot.
The comedy, artfully interwoven with tragic political commentary, is built around interaction between Dr. Siri’s team and the Americans. The mystery is built around the gradual revelation that the purpose is not really to save a pilot, but to kill him. If he is indeed still out there.
Most of the story unfolds within the confines of a small inn, in a valley socked-in by lung-clogging smoke, the result of fleeing Hmong rebels resorting to “slash and burn” strategies as they retreat from the area. Although again, that is not exactly the case… Luckily one of the Americans has brought along a case of good scotch. And Siri’s wife has a recipe for the most sublime marijuana tea. It’s a lot of fun. There is also much anger simmering in the satire viz. cruelly wasteful American wars.
Dr. Siri’s ongoing relationship with the spirit world continues along its delightfully crazy thread.
5 stars. I continue to admire this series. It is hard to keep comedic writing fresh. Cotterill is writer who can do it by mixing trenchant commentary into fun dialogue, all within a quietly enticing mystery.
April 19, 2020
I enjoyed this installment a lot more than the previous one. Cotterill manages to come up with a new theme for every book, while preserving the cast and setting. This time the whole team goes on a mission to find an American soldier missing in action - and gets embroiled in a tale of American greed, politics and murder, solidly set in Laos and among its poor but ingenious people. Auntie goes along for a ride, and judge Hueng gets his commeuppance, as usual. This was very entertaining, non-stop action and creative twists, with Dr Siri and Civilai at their sarcastic finest.
July 7, 2021
Some people compare the Dr. Siri books to The No. 1 Ladies Detective agency. I agree these two have a similar voice, and I also see a few things in common with the Montalbano series. Dr. Siri is unique, though.
I bought Slash and Burn in Luang Prabang, and got a special imprint that didn't have the more attractive cover shown in the thumbnail here. On the other hand, the proceeds of the Lao book sales stay in Lao and go to charity at the author's wish.
Dr. Siri, we are reminded a couple of times, is inspired by Inspector Maigret, which makes sense. One does wonder what inspired the author to create Dr. Siri, one of the outstanding detective characters of all time. He's so outstanding and lovable that one doesn't care much that his stories are beyond outlandish.
We know by now that there will be shamans and other-worldly stuff going on. As a bonus, in this adventure, there are a bunch of Americans. A dog named Ugly makes an entry. A cross-dresser plays an important role, and also serves notice to Dr. Siri that she has plans for her future that surprise him.
In a climactic scene, which might have resonated with me because of the many Bollywood movies I have watched, a bunch of good guys are saved from certain death by an act performed by the unlikeliest character, and for reasons that will become obvious to the reader, that act later has to be euphemistically described as one man charging five armed enemies with a stick.
Most people have hearts of gold, and the ones who don't get their desserts.
This was enjoyable, I finished too quickly, and I'm looking forward to the next time.
I bought Slash and Burn in Luang Prabang, and got a special imprint that didn't have the more attractive cover shown in the thumbnail here. On the other hand, the proceeds of the Lao book sales stay in Lao and go to charity at the author's wish.
Dr. Siri, we are reminded a couple of times, is inspired by Inspector Maigret, which makes sense. One does wonder what inspired the author to create Dr. Siri, one of the outstanding detective characters of all time. He's so outstanding and lovable that one doesn't care much that his stories are beyond outlandish.
We know by now that there will be shamans and other-worldly stuff going on. As a bonus, in this adventure, there are a bunch of Americans. A dog named Ugly makes an entry. A cross-dresser plays an important role, and also serves notice to Dr. Siri that she has plans for her future that surprise him.
In a climactic scene, which might have resonated with me because of the many Bollywood movies I have watched, a bunch of good guys are saved from certain death by an act performed by the unlikeliest character, and for reasons that will become obvious to the reader, that act later has to be euphemistically described as one man charging five armed enemies with a stick.
Most people have hearts of gold, and the ones who don't get their desserts.
This was enjoyable, I finished too quickly, and I'm looking forward to the next time.
November 29, 2019
Setting: Laos. Didn't realise until I checked my records that it has been four years since I read the previous instalment in the series featuring aged coroner Dr Siri Paiboun yet within a few pages the characters came vividly back to life for me and I was able to wallow once again in Dr Siri's world. The reluctant sole coroner to the Communist regime in Laos, Dr Siri is anticipating his retirement and counting down the days - yet circumstances always combine to thwart his ambition and keep him in post. Sadly for him, he is not only the only coroner in Laos but also a clever detective who, with his sundry team of helpers, manages to solve baffling mysteries, this being yet another one as he and his team are dispatched 'up country' with some American officials to investigate the possibility that a missing American helicopter pilot is in fact still alive. Another entertaining read populated by excellent characters and wonderful setting - reminds me a lot of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency in its appeal when you just want a nice easy read! - 8.5/10.
May 27, 2018
I love this series for its colorful, and sometime eccentric characters, cultural interest, and historical facts, not to mention the wry tongue-in-cheek humor. The wonderfully descriptive language sets my imagination going also. Here is a sample of my favorite phrases: "long canine yawn," "blurry cheeseball of a sun," "pocket of gloom closing in on them," and "sudden giggly sound of water tickling the rocks."
September 19, 2023
Another fun adventure with Dr. Siri and his gang of misfits who go on a field trip with an American delegation on the search for a soldier who was MIA in the war. Political follies ensue. Dr. Siri's sharp wit carries the day again. This series set in 1970s Laos is an underrated gem which I greatly enjoy.
April 17, 2019
Another fun adventure with Dr. Siri and his friends, this time looking into an American mystery. Supposedly, an American helicopter pilot survived a crash in the north of Laos and has been held captive for the past ten years. His wealthy father, a US Senator, is putting together a team to look for him.
Siri has submitted his notice of retirement, again. When a government minister “requests” Siri’s presence on the search team, he agrees, provided that all his “gang” is also put on the team. Since Siri is the only coroner in Laos, the minister agrees. Judge Haeng is fit to be tied when he finds out his carefully selected team members have been replaced by Dtui and Mr. Geung and Daeng and Civilai and Phosy! (Auntie Bpoo stows away because she foresees Siri’s death, and wants to try to prevent it.)
Siri and company don’t engage in the typical murder mystery solving here; instead, they try to determine who is telling the truth - who are the good guys and who are the baddies among the Americans. Only Dtui knows any English, limited to medical terminology, and of course none of the Americans know any Lao, but surprisingly, Auntie Bpoo is fluent in English. Who knew!
I love that Mr. Geung gets to be a hero in this one. There are some nice Americans as well as not so nice ones.
Siri has submitted his notice of retirement, again. When a government minister “requests” Siri’s presence on the search team, he agrees, provided that all his “gang” is also put on the team. Since Siri is the only coroner in Laos, the minister agrees. Judge Haeng is fit to be tied when he finds out his carefully selected team members have been replaced by Dtui and Mr. Geung and Daeng and Civilai and Phosy! (Auntie Bpoo stows away because she foresees Siri’s death, and wants to try to prevent it.)
Siri and company don’t engage in the typical murder mystery solving here; instead, they try to determine who is telling the truth - who are the good guys and who are the baddies among the Americans. Only Dtui knows any English, limited to medical terminology, and of course none of the Americans know any Lao, but surprisingly, Auntie Bpoo is fluent in English. Who knew!
I love that Mr. Geung gets to be a hero in this one. There are some nice Americans as well as not so nice ones.
May 21, 2019
A worthwhile addition to the Dr Siri Paiboun series. Will Dr Siri ever be able to retire...? Seemingly not! The scene is a mountainous region in Laos, and Dr Siri’s whole cast of friends is along for the ride. There is intrigue around a missing helicopter pilot who may have been spotted, and a Senator from the US is on a MIA mission to find him, along with CIA operatives, translators, photo-journalists, and many more characters. The convoluted plot takes away from Cotterill’s usual sense of very funny humor. The character driven plot is still fun to follow, though. Recommended for those who enjoy this series, best to start at the beginning!
March 24, 2017
The prose, the humor, the characters and the narration are just as good as ever. What kept this one from being a 5, in my opinion, was that nothing much other than a visit with some of my favorite characters in fiction happened until about halfway through the book. Not part of my rating, this book also ventures deeply into politics and history, presenting viewpoints of the conflicts in IndoChina which may be new to US citizens. Time spent with Dr Siri and his friends is always time well spent.
February 17, 2012
The last?! Dr. Siri paiboun book about the lone state coroner of laos, and his crew of competent cutups investigating a possible MIA in the tribal NE part of the country in 1978. the usual mayhem ensues and dr. siri’s ghosts and spirits help him out of a bad bad jam. Fun mysteries, good plots, sardonic and funny characters, and lots of good info about SE asia and laos in particular during the 1970’s (just after usa dropped millions and millions of bombs on them in a “secret” campaign, [thanks tricky dick et. al.]). I like my fiction to inform as much as possible and this series delivers well on that, like dibdin’s , Burdett , rees, one can learn a great deal of history, geopoli, culture from these entertaining mystery series.
I think author is starting a new series about a thai investigative reporter exiled to her tribal mountain area, set when? 1970’s maybe?
End Games Vulture Peak The Fourth Assassin: An Omar Yussef Mystery
yes, cotterill has new series with jimm juree set in thailand Killed at the Whim of a Hat
I think author is starting a new series about a thai investigative reporter exiled to her tribal mountain area, set when? 1970’s maybe?
End Games Vulture Peak The Fourth Assassin: An Omar Yussef Mystery
yes, cotterill has new series with jimm juree set in thailand Killed at the Whim of a Hat
March 25, 2014
Slash and Burn was a total departure from the norm in this series. It reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel, but of course with Mr. Cotterill's own little twist. Dr. Siri and company were in full detective mode with this one, and the action happened at a little hotel high in the hills, the Friendship Hotel. Of course, it was shrouded in smoke and the helicopters couldn't leave which left our merry group stranded with a bunch of Americans and a murder. This book was great fun. I enjoyed the political intrigue as much as hunting for clues. When I thought it couldn't get any better, I realized that Mr. Cotterill had played fast and loose with some of the characters names--Harold Potter and Cousin Vinai -- really! Oh and I cannot forget a dog named Ugly. Wow. Of course, I recommend this book as a good read, and I can't wait to read the next installment.
September 20, 2017
Hoping to wind his way down to his elusive retirement, Dr Siri is instead whisked across the country as part of an investigation into MIA American servicemen. The investigation is a joint initiative with the Americans, and throws an interesting group of characters together. Of course, the plot is secondary when experiencing a Dr. Siri Paiboun novel. Listening to Clive Chafer perfectly narrate Colin Cotterill's clever, informative, witty and charming prose is such a delight that all I want to do is spend time with the characters, not really caring what they do. As usual, the plot is a bit meandering and confusing, but does it really matter? No, it doesn't.
January 28, 2022
Another solid Dr. Siri tale, with continuing development of the wonderful cast of characters. This time Auntie Bpoo gets a turn in the spotlight, and enjoys every second of it. Siri is better than ever at arranging things, guessing what's going on, and so on. The humour is relaxed, and often inserted deftly by no more than a word or phrase or description. We never get to forget that nasty things are happening, but these inextiguishable people do what it takes to get by.
The crisis is resolved by an iffy means that we have to allow, because we were given a hint, but I admit I was wondering how they'd get out of this one, so fair enough.
On to the next!
The crisis is resolved by an iffy means that we have to allow, because we were given a hint, but I admit I was wondering how they'd get out of this one, so fair enough.
On to the next!
Read
November 7, 2018A solid installment in the series. While not quite a breather after the visit to Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge in the previous book, it's still about serious historical (but ongoing) wrongs and rightings, about people connecting across fault lines in their own cultures. The latter really appeals to me. As usual, Cotterill somehow manages a tone that's irreverent and silly at times, but works even with the subject matter. There are human horrors, supernatural gifts, and the joy of these characters investigating and puzzling together. There is also a dog named Ugly .
The primary delight in this book is that Dr. Siri manages to bring along the whole gang (the fellow morgue workers, his wife, his best friend, his best police friend, also Commander Lit, and the ever horrible Judge Haeng who drags along an also horrible cousin of his) on what was supposed to be a straightforward joint operation with American diplomats searching for remains of MIA pilots. Having everyone there together all the time, no matter the pretenses, was enjoyable to read, especially as the characters got to brainstorm together, and as they got to share their individual splinters of clues and knowledge.
The primary delight in this book is that Dr. Siri manages to bring along the whole gang (the fellow morgue workers, his wife, his best friend, his best police friend, also Commander Lit, and the ever horrible Judge Haeng who drags along an also horrible cousin of his) on what was supposed to be a straightforward joint operation with American diplomats searching for remains of MIA pilots. Having everyone there together all the time, no matter the pretenses, was enjoyable to read, especially as the characters got to brainstorm together, and as they got to share their individual splinters of clues and knowledge.
June 2, 2021
Dr. Siri and his team travel with a contingent of Americans in search of evidence of a MIA contract pilot who crashed in a remote area of Laos during the Vietnam War. Funny and serious at the same time. Love this series.
July 22, 2022
Siri and friends continue to be good company to spend time with, with that time happening in mid-1970s Laos. In this eighth book, Siri and a joint Lao-American team are searching for a missing American pilot. Isolated in a remote jungle location, the group finds themselves cut off from help as murder and intrigue interrupt their assigned mission.
In finishing this book I realize I'm now more than halfway through this series and will appreciate the remaining stories. I recommend it for people who enjoy a light mystery, enjoyable characters, and a lush tropical setting.
In finishing this book I realize I'm now more than halfway through this series and will appreciate the remaining stories. I recommend it for people who enjoy a light mystery, enjoyable characters, and a lush tropical setting.
June 4, 2021
Is Dr Siri really retiring?
I would like to read this book again in the future to get the plot and characters all sorted in my mind.
I would like to read this book again in the future to get the plot and characters all sorted in my mind.
June 5, 2014
First Sentence: You know?
Dr. Siri, the nearly 80 year old corner of Laos, wants to retire and spend some time with his wife before he dies; a death predicted by the local transvestite fortuneteller. Yet it agrees to one last job. Ten years earlier, during the Vietnam War, a US fighter pilot went down in the jungle. A search party of Americans and Laotian scientists and high-level politicians set out to find the pilots remains. They don’t expect to be trapped in a remote cabin due to smoke. Even less, do they expect one of their party to die.
From the very beginning, it’s clear that this isn’t your usual mystery, unless you read a lot of books where the protagonist embodies a centuries-old shaman and a transvestite fortune teller are among the charters. But the wonderfully quirky cast of characters is only one thing that makes this book a delight to read. However, one thing devotedly to be wished, would be a cast of characters at the beginning of the book, as it did become confusing at times.
Excellent descriptions; “But the setting was idyllic. It wasn’t yet 10:00 A.M. and not all the mist had burned away from the surrounding mountains. The sun was still a fuzzy egg yolk behind a lace curtain. The air was fresh and tingled the back of Siri’s throat. The sound of running stream water provided the soundtrack. The second hands on the watches on the wrists of the Americans began to crawl more slowly around the faces. Time had altered.”
The book is filled with humor, but there’s pathos as well. We’re presented with a country subjected to war, and a description of a village which has lost an “entire generation of able-bodied young men.” Tucked into this story is the remarkable story of what happened to the people of this area. The title is explained by a tradition of the farming people in this area. However, one also learns about the various ways in which marijuana can be used.
Some may describe this series as being light and, granted, there is a lot of humor both in the characters and the events. However, there is a deeper layer that, when looked for, provides a real grounding to the story.
“Slash and Burn” is not my favorite of the series, but it’s still a really good read. There is a surprising twist and motive, but one that makes perfect sense in the end. Be assured, however, that Dr. Siri and his crew remain firmly on my “must read” list.
SLASH AND BURN (Lic Invest-Dr. Siri Paiboun-Laos-Contemp) – G+
Cotterill, Colin – 8th in series
Soho Crime, 2011
Dr. Siri, the nearly 80 year old corner of Laos, wants to retire and spend some time with his wife before he dies; a death predicted by the local transvestite fortuneteller. Yet it agrees to one last job. Ten years earlier, during the Vietnam War, a US fighter pilot went down in the jungle. A search party of Americans and Laotian scientists and high-level politicians set out to find the pilots remains. They don’t expect to be trapped in a remote cabin due to smoke. Even less, do they expect one of their party to die.
From the very beginning, it’s clear that this isn’t your usual mystery, unless you read a lot of books where the protagonist embodies a centuries-old shaman and a transvestite fortune teller are among the charters. But the wonderfully quirky cast of characters is only one thing that makes this book a delight to read. However, one thing devotedly to be wished, would be a cast of characters at the beginning of the book, as it did become confusing at times.
Excellent descriptions; “But the setting was idyllic. It wasn’t yet 10:00 A.M. and not all the mist had burned away from the surrounding mountains. The sun was still a fuzzy egg yolk behind a lace curtain. The air was fresh and tingled the back of Siri’s throat. The sound of running stream water provided the soundtrack. The second hands on the watches on the wrists of the Americans began to crawl more slowly around the faces. Time had altered.”
The book is filled with humor, but there’s pathos as well. We’re presented with a country subjected to war, and a description of a village which has lost an “entire generation of able-bodied young men.” Tucked into this story is the remarkable story of what happened to the people of this area. The title is explained by a tradition of the farming people in this area. However, one also learns about the various ways in which marijuana can be used.
Some may describe this series as being light and, granted, there is a lot of humor both in the characters and the events. However, there is a deeper layer that, when looked for, provides a real grounding to the story.
“Slash and Burn” is not my favorite of the series, but it’s still a really good read. There is a surprising twist and motive, but one that makes perfect sense in the end. Be assured, however, that Dr. Siri and his crew remain firmly on my “must read” list.
SLASH AND BURN (Lic Invest-Dr. Siri Paiboun-Laos-Contemp) – G+
Cotterill, Colin – 8th in series
Soho Crime, 2011
June 28, 2012
In this latest adventure of the ever-entertaining Dr. Siri Paiboun, national coroner of Laos, the good doctor is "chosen" by the party leaders to accompany his nemesis Judge Haeng as members of a multi-national team going to a remote site in Thailand to find out what actually happened when the son of a US Senator crashed his helo in this unknown village. There are varying versions of how the aviator came to be in the area where his helicopter crashed, and how the chopper wreckage was discovered. The task now is to find out if the pilot is dead (no human remains have been found), locate the body, or determine what actually happened to him. To add to the mix, Cotterill gives us a stereotypical pompous US politician in white suit who wants to pop in for a photo op whenever they find the body he is convinced is at the site.
There are the usual and always entertaining contretemps between the Laos, the Vietnamese, the Chinese, the Americans, but I think this one is the best of the series. The mystery is much more developed and coherently unveiled, the characters by now have reached a maturity that enables the reader to concentrate on the person instead of the quirks, although there are several new players who definitely contribute to the story's charm as well as the plot's intricacy. The young interpreter "Peach Short" is a definite addition and I hope if the series continues that Cotterill can find a way to include her in future adventures.
As the story unfolds, and the clues are revealed, the mystery becomes more involved. The history of the US "non-involvment" in the area during the Vietnam Conflict is well handled and, as with all the previous stories in the series, quite educational. The ending is well developed, thrilling and unexpected, once again leaving the reader wondering if Dr. Siri will continue to offer his skills to his country, or if somehow, somewhere, he'll be allowed to retire and relax to sip whiskey with his friend Civilai by the side of the river before going home to Madame Deung and her wonderful noodles.
There are the usual and always entertaining contretemps between the Laos, the Vietnamese, the Chinese, the Americans, but I think this one is the best of the series. The mystery is much more developed and coherently unveiled, the characters by now have reached a maturity that enables the reader to concentrate on the person instead of the quirks, although there are several new players who definitely contribute to the story's charm as well as the plot's intricacy. The young interpreter "Peach Short" is a definite addition and I hope if the series continues that Cotterill can find a way to include her in future adventures.
As the story unfolds, and the clues are revealed, the mystery becomes more involved. The history of the US "non-involvment" in the area during the Vietnam Conflict is well handled and, as with all the previous stories in the series, quite educational. The ending is well developed, thrilling and unexpected, once again leaving the reader wondering if Dr. Siri will continue to offer his skills to his country, or if somehow, somewhere, he'll be allowed to retire and relax to sip whiskey with his friend Civilai by the side of the river before going home to Madame Deung and her wonderful noodles.
December 13, 2014
“A good communist is like a tree. He stands firm but knows how to bend in a strong wind. He is fertile but gladly gives up his nuts to less fortunate creatures”
Slash and Burn, the eighth installment of the Dr.Siri mysteries, starts off when an American delegation led by Major Potter visits Laos, starting a joint operation to search for an American helicopter pilot who was lost during the war. Although presumed dead, a photograph delivered to the pilot’s dad, an American senator showed that he was still alive. Dr.Siri is asked to join the expedition. Then as a member of the team dies under unnatural circumstances, Dr.Siri smells foul and starts to investigate his death.
This was my first Colin Cotterill book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very few writers have the talent of combing crime writing with humor i.e. write a crime novel which would not only be a page turner but would also make the reader laugh. The only name that comes to mind is that of the late John Mortimer, who along with his legendary creation Horace Rumpole created the same potent mixture of crime and humor, just as Cotterill did with his Dr.Siri mysteries.
Dr.Siri is one of a kind. He is an old pathologist who is fighting for his retirement. He is also an amateur sleuth in a Communist country, who doesn’t gives a damn about what the politburo might think about his comments towards Communism. Matching his wit for their own, is his wife Madam Geung, the noodle shop owner, and his friend Civlai, an ex-politburo member and Auntie Bpoo a transgender and a cross dresser, who also is an amateur poet. The plot without being anything extraordinary was twisted, and it also incorporated the events of the helicopter crash in a foolproof manner. The amount of blood and gore was low, rather nil, and the pace was sedate.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to every crime fiction reader. Because I realized after finishing, that if you haven’t encountered Dr.Siri, your Crime Fiction experience isn’t complete.
Slash and Burn, the eighth installment of the Dr.Siri mysteries, starts off when an American delegation led by Major Potter visits Laos, starting a joint operation to search for an American helicopter pilot who was lost during the war. Although presumed dead, a photograph delivered to the pilot’s dad, an American senator showed that he was still alive. Dr.Siri is asked to join the expedition. Then as a member of the team dies under unnatural circumstances, Dr.Siri smells foul and starts to investigate his death.
This was my first Colin Cotterill book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very few writers have the talent of combing crime writing with humor i.e. write a crime novel which would not only be a page turner but would also make the reader laugh. The only name that comes to mind is that of the late John Mortimer, who along with his legendary creation Horace Rumpole created the same potent mixture of crime and humor, just as Cotterill did with his Dr.Siri mysteries.
Dr.Siri is one of a kind. He is an old pathologist who is fighting for his retirement. He is also an amateur sleuth in a Communist country, who doesn’t gives a damn about what the politburo might think about his comments towards Communism. Matching his wit for their own, is his wife Madam Geung, the noodle shop owner, and his friend Civlai, an ex-politburo member and Auntie Bpoo a transgender and a cross dresser, who also is an amateur poet. The plot without being anything extraordinary was twisted, and it also incorporated the events of the helicopter crash in a foolproof manner. The amount of blood and gore was low, rather nil, and the pace was sedate.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to every crime fiction reader. Because I realized after finishing, that if you haven’t encountered Dr.Siri, your Crime Fiction experience isn’t complete.
January 28, 2012
Dr. Siri Paiboun, the reluctant coroner, is attempting once more to retire when he’s recruited for a national mission in the summer of 1978.
A joint Laotian-American delegation is headed into a remote jungle area to search for signs of a U.S. Marine helicopter pilot who had gone missing in 1968 in an unauthorized flight (officially designated a humanitarian aid mission). The pilot happens to be the son of a prominent American senator and Siri subsequently learns several witnesses claimed the Marine was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol when he took off.
Though Siri would prefer to spend his time in his wife’s noodle shop, talking politics with his friends or reading his secret horde of forbidden foreign books, he adeptly uses a little leverage to have the Laotian delegation staff include his wife, his nurse and her husband, his morgue assistant and his best friend. The American delegation is headed by a retired, alcoholic military officer and also includes a forensic pathologist, a Marine sergeant, a consular officer, a journalist and the 17-year-old daughter of missionaries, who will serve as interpreter.
Soon after their arrival in the jungle outpost, mysteries begin to pile one upon another and they are joined by another senator and his aide. They learn key witnesses to the pilot’s ill-fated flight have died in odd circumstances. The major succumbs to a suspicious death and before long Siri and his friends are faced with a similar fate as they unravel long hidden secrets.
Though he’s new to me, Colin Cotterill’s Dr. Siri series earns a place on my recommended Asian mystery series list, along with John Burdett’s Sonchai Jitpleecheep and Tim Hallinan’s Poke Rafferty titles. The series is rich with culture, history, whimsical humor and an excellent supporting cast.
A joint Laotian-American delegation is headed into a remote jungle area to search for signs of a U.S. Marine helicopter pilot who had gone missing in 1968 in an unauthorized flight (officially designated a humanitarian aid mission). The pilot happens to be the son of a prominent American senator and Siri subsequently learns several witnesses claimed the Marine was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol when he took off.
Though Siri would prefer to spend his time in his wife’s noodle shop, talking politics with his friends or reading his secret horde of forbidden foreign books, he adeptly uses a little leverage to have the Laotian delegation staff include his wife, his nurse and her husband, his morgue assistant and his best friend. The American delegation is headed by a retired, alcoholic military officer and also includes a forensic pathologist, a Marine sergeant, a consular officer, a journalist and the 17-year-old daughter of missionaries, who will serve as interpreter.
Soon after their arrival in the jungle outpost, mysteries begin to pile one upon another and they are joined by another senator and his aide. They learn key witnesses to the pilot’s ill-fated flight have died in odd circumstances. The major succumbs to a suspicious death and before long Siri and his friends are faced with a similar fate as they unravel long hidden secrets.
Though he’s new to me, Colin Cotterill’s Dr. Siri series earns a place on my recommended Asian mystery series list, along with John Burdett’s Sonchai Jitpleecheep and Tim Hallinan’s Poke Rafferty titles. The series is rich with culture, history, whimsical humor and an excellent supporting cast.
October 6, 2015
This series gets better and better with each book. Colin Cotterill has found his muse in 72 year old Dr. Siri Paiboun and the 1000 year old shaman whose spirit resides within him! Once I started reading, I couldn't stop! Not much else has happened around my house in the last ten days as every waking moment has been dedicated to these books. I knew I should slow down because otherwise I would get to the last one and feel that sense of loss, waiting for the next one to be published, but I couldn't help myself. In my estimation, this is an absolutely perfect mystery series. It has wonderfully complex and colorful characters, intricate and unusual plots, a beautifully written sense of place, and is woven so tightly against historical fact that you walk away not just with the rosy glow of a new set of literary friends, but also with a more intimate sense of 20th century Indochinese history. Cotterrill writes of the Lao and hilltribe peoples with knowledge, respect, and affection and has such a humane and wise approach to all the characters all along the spectrum from hero to villain. These novels are more than entertaining - they're parables or puranas - literary paths to enlightenment. These now are firmly enshrined alongside my favorite novels and characters of all time. Thank you, Mr. Cotterrill, for a wonderful excursion into Laos, and I cannot wait to continue the journey with the next book!
January 1, 2012
Dr. Siri Paiboun mystery set in 1970's Laos. Dr. Siri really wants to retire from his post as the national coroner of Laos. He's only just recovered from near-death at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and since he's over seventy, he figures he deserves to spend a few years relaxing with his wife. But he gets roped into one last job on a junket to northern Laos looking for the remains of a missing American pilot.
Accompanying Siri--at his insistence, via a little blackmail of Judge Haeng, his nemesis--will be his wife Madame Daeng, his nurse Dtui and her policeman husband Phosy, his morgue assistant Mr. Geung, his good friend Civiali, a few Lao officials and a bunch of American officials, including a delightful American girl who was raised in Laos by missionary parents who serves as their interpreter--since the Judge's nephew who is the 'official' interpreter doesn't actually speak English. When one of the American contingent ends up dead--a supposed accidental suicide--the niggling thought Siri's been having that the whole trip is a set-up comes to the fore as the pieces fall into place and he begins to sort things out.
Another wonderful adventure filled with wry humor, outstanding characters and a unique perspective on life. What a great way to end my reading year! Can't wait til the next one!
Accompanying Siri--at his insistence, via a little blackmail of Judge Haeng, his nemesis--will be his wife Madame Daeng, his nurse Dtui and her policeman husband Phosy, his morgue assistant Mr. Geung, his good friend Civiali, a few Lao officials and a bunch of American officials, including a delightful American girl who was raised in Laos by missionary parents who serves as their interpreter--since the Judge's nephew who is the 'official' interpreter doesn't actually speak English. When one of the American contingent ends up dead--a supposed accidental suicide--the niggling thought Siri's been having that the whole trip is a set-up comes to the fore as the pieces fall into place and he begins to sort things out.
Another wonderful adventure filled with wry humor, outstanding characters and a unique perspective on life. What a great way to end my reading year! Can't wait til the next one!
August 4, 2018
Still loving these Dr. Siri books & mysteries along with the information about Laos in the 1970s.
Little observations of the characters are priceless, such as the following from Civilai, Siri's good friend who spent years in the Politburo, about Americans from the Lao perspective: "...the feature that made him (Dr. Yamaguchi) stand out was volume. It was Civilai's theory that the Americans, like the Chinese, placed their elementary school teachers too far from the students' desks. As a result they were trained to shout at one another from an early age. Most Lao schools had no furniture so the pupils could sit around the teacher and communicate at a civilized volume. Yamaguchi's meal banter had a decibel level above that of a foghorn."
Little observations of the characters are priceless, such as the following from Civilai, Siri's good friend who spent years in the Politburo, about Americans from the Lao perspective: "...the feature that made him (Dr. Yamaguchi) stand out was volume. It was Civilai's theory that the Americans, like the Chinese, placed their elementary school teachers too far from the students' desks. As a result they were trained to shout at one another from an early age. Most Lao schools had no furniture so the pupils could sit around the teacher and communicate at a civilized volume. Yamaguchi's meal banter had a decibel level above that of a foghorn."
September 24, 2012
This is the first Dr Siri book i have read. Slash and Burn is set in 1978 and relations between Laos and the U.S. are still tense. Siri is ordered to assist a group of Americans who are searching for the remains of a helicopter pilot whose helicopter went down during the war. Mishaps are numerous and things begin to go terribly wrong. Cotterill uses quite a few Americanisms mixed in with Laotians dialogue in places it was laugh out loud funny. The question is will they find what they are looking for ? I truly enjoyed this book it was a little like a mystery with in a mystery. Missing pilot, drugs. I look forward to more books by Colin Cotterill
July 20, 2014
In Slash and Burn, the septuagenarian coroner Dr. Siri is pressured by his long-time rival Judge Heng to aid in the possible recovery of a long-missing US helicopter pilot, who happens to be the son of a wealthy US senator. The story becomes an Agatha Christie type story –everyone is a suspect and they all end up in a room together—but one set in the jungles of Laos and resolve with some local magic and herbalism. Dr. Siri and his team are a fine ensemble and Cotterill provides plenty of red herrings to keep us guessing. Nicely read by Clive Chafer.
March 22, 2016
The series just gets better and better.
The old Doc Siri his wife, colleagues and friends all find themselves assigned to a cushy job of joining a US delegation of looking for a dead US pilot who went missing in the CIA war on Vietnam. Unexploded bombs, an interpreter who can't speak English, spirits, a cross-dresser fortune teller, spies, bad guys and a scene where everyone gets high combine to make this book very humorous, a mystery and a reminder of the way the US fought it's war in Vietnam.
The old Doc Siri his wife, colleagues and friends all find themselves assigned to a cushy job of joining a US delegation of looking for a dead US pilot who went missing in the CIA war on Vietnam. Unexploded bombs, an interpreter who can't speak English, spirits, a cross-dresser fortune teller, spies, bad guys and a scene where everyone gets high combine to make this book very humorous, a mystery and a reminder of the way the US fought it's war in Vietnam.
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