What do you think?
Rate this book
Jimm Juree #2
Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach
What do you do when you find a severed head on the beach?
With her former cop grandfather as back up, crime reporter Jimm Juree sets out to discover how it got there. On their journey they uncover gruesome tales of piracy, slavery, violence and murder, yet the authorities show no interest at all. Is it because the victims aren’t Thai? It’s clear Jimm and her team are going it alone.
Airport hostages and hand grenades, monkeys and naked policemen – once more the sublime and the ridiculous clash in the Gulf of Thailand.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
61 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
About the author
Colin Cotterill
73 books1,021 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
June 14, 2021
4 stars for an easy fun read. Jimm Juree is an ex journalist living with her family at the southern end of Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand coast. Her mother sold their family home in Chang Mai and purchased a run down 5 cabin bungalow guest hotel. Jimm is out walking their 2 dogs on the beach when one of them discovers a head. She tells her grandad. The police are notified. But they turn the head over to the SRM(Southern Rescue Mission Foundation) a scam charity.
Jimm thinks that something is strange and begins to investigate. She also has to deal with 2 mysterious guests, who pay in cash, give false names, and have removed license plates from their car.
There are some laugh out loud lines in this book of quirky characters. Grandad is a retired traffic policeman. Jimm has a transgender sister who is a tech whiz. She also has fearsome looking brother, Arny, who is actually a gentle shy man, in love with a body builder woman older than his mother.
How this group of characters solve the case of the head makes for a pleasnt story as they navigate the complicated issues of police/government corruption and incompetence.
The author bio states that he was born in London, and has worked as a teacher in Israel, Australia, U.S. and Japan, before moving to Thailand. He dedicated this book to the lounge singers and karaoke singers of Thailand who bravely attack English songs phonetically without suffering the inconvenience of meaning.
One quote: "It's been a Hard Day's Night, I should be Sleeping on Kellogg's"
This was a library book.
Jimm thinks that something is strange and begins to investigate. She also has to deal with 2 mysterious guests, who pay in cash, give false names, and have removed license plates from their car.
There are some laugh out loud lines in this book of quirky characters. Grandad is a retired traffic policeman. Jimm has a transgender sister who is a tech whiz. She also has fearsome looking brother, Arny, who is actually a gentle shy man, in love with a body builder woman older than his mother.
How this group of characters solve the case of the head makes for a pleasnt story as they navigate the complicated issues of police/government corruption and incompetence.
The author bio states that he was born in London, and has worked as a teacher in Israel, Australia, U.S. and Japan, before moving to Thailand. He dedicated this book to the lounge singers and karaoke singers of Thailand who bravely attack English songs phonetically without suffering the inconvenience of meaning.
One quote: "It's been a Hard Day's Night, I should be Sleeping on Kellogg's"
This was a library book.
July 30, 2025
There was enough to enjoy in the first book of the Jimm series, Killed at the Whim of a Hat that I felt the second book would be worth a shot. And it was. The plotting was unexpected but the humor flowed so much better for me that I actually laughed out loud once or twice. Cotterill is good at setting up situations, and Jimm's sarcastic, opinionated voice has just enough uniqueness that it works.
“I only have a small nose, barely a squirrel snout. But it can sniff. Oh yes can it sniff. And my nose sensed a story. A big one. I’m not sure what it was Mair sensed, but she said, “You’ll have to excuse my father. He’s a little senile.” Grandad’s eyebrows almost took off. “Sometimes he thinks he’s a detective. Like on the television. He can be impolite at times.”
Jimm and her family have been dealing with a pair of mysterious guests, a mother and daughter, who have an outrageously naive story of why they are willing to pay much money to stay in Jimm’s ramshackle family resort.
“We doubted the names were real. They certainly lacked imagination. They insisted we call them Noy, the mother, high-tone, and Noy, the daughter, low tone. Thai is a wonderful language that leaves many a foreigner ripping out chunks of hair… for a Thai, when speaking, Noy and Noy were two completely different words.”
It takes a sideways turn when Jimm is walking her mother’s dogs, and Sticky Rice finds a stinky head (okay, I don’t think it was described as ‘stinky,’ but there was an alliteration going there).
“Head of man,” I said, as calmly as I could under the very annoying circumstances. It’s always a bother to decide who to tell when you find a head on the beach. I mean, there is no protocol.”
Jimm, as a former big-city crime reporter, can’t keep her nose out of either mystery, and the story involves the unwinding of both. It veers into a very different direction than I expected, but was definitely worth it, proving both educational and narratively satisfying. I won’t say any more, because I feel it works best as a build and gestalt, much like origami. You think it is one thing and then suddenly, it is much more.
Side characters shine as usual. Mother Mair has her usual trippy non-sequitur commentary that frequently baffles everyone. Grandad the former traffic cop, places a larger role, despite advancing age:
“Grandad undressing was like a skeleton shedding its ectoplasm. I hurried to the cupboard for a spare blanket and wrapped it around him before I had to witness any more of him.”
I feel like this story gave me many more small insights into Thai culture, along with side notes into Burmese and Laotian, one of the things I enjoy about Cotterill’s choice of setting.
“It was all so humiliating I wanted to apply for Lao citizenship. At least the Lao had a nice oligarchy where everyone knew where the lines were drawn.”
My biggest quibble is that near the end, format switches to an direct on-the-scene broadcast style narrative. The justification for this is Jimm’s efforts to write a script worthy of Mr. Eastwood’s attention, but does work within the narrative and plotting. I just found it less fluid and more choppy, failing to bring the intensity one might have of watching one of those broadcasts.
Though it is the second book in the series, it is very much its own story. Jimm does sketch the brief backstory of how they ended up in this remote town and the familial relationships, so anyone picking it up here wouldn’t be lost. However, like the Siri series, the characters’ relationships evolve, so that is a nice aspect to reading in sequence.
Three and a half heads, rounding up.
“I only have a small nose, barely a squirrel snout. But it can sniff. Oh yes can it sniff. And my nose sensed a story. A big one. I’m not sure what it was Mair sensed, but she said, “You’ll have to excuse my father. He’s a little senile.” Grandad’s eyebrows almost took off. “Sometimes he thinks he’s a detective. Like on the television. He can be impolite at times.”
Jimm and her family have been dealing with a pair of mysterious guests, a mother and daughter, who have an outrageously naive story of why they are willing to pay much money to stay in Jimm’s ramshackle family resort.
“We doubted the names were real. They certainly lacked imagination. They insisted we call them Noy, the mother, high-tone, and Noy, the daughter, low tone. Thai is a wonderful language that leaves many a foreigner ripping out chunks of hair… for a Thai, when speaking, Noy and Noy were two completely different words.”
It takes a sideways turn when Jimm is walking her mother’s dogs, and Sticky Rice finds a stinky head (okay, I don’t think it was described as ‘stinky,’ but there was an alliteration going there).
“Head of man,” I said, as calmly as I could under the very annoying circumstances. It’s always a bother to decide who to tell when you find a head on the beach. I mean, there is no protocol.”
Jimm, as a former big-city crime reporter, can’t keep her nose out of either mystery, and the story involves the unwinding of both. It veers into a very different direction than I expected, but was definitely worth it, proving both educational and narratively satisfying. I won’t say any more, because I feel it works best as a build and gestalt, much like origami. You think it is one thing and then suddenly, it is much more.
Side characters shine as usual. Mother Mair has her usual trippy non-sequitur commentary that frequently baffles everyone. Grandad the former traffic cop, places a larger role, despite advancing age:
“Grandad undressing was like a skeleton shedding its ectoplasm. I hurried to the cupboard for a spare blanket and wrapped it around him before I had to witness any more of him.”
I feel like this story gave me many more small insights into Thai culture, along with side notes into Burmese and Laotian, one of the things I enjoy about Cotterill’s choice of setting.
“It was all so humiliating I wanted to apply for Lao citizenship. At least the Lao had a nice oligarchy where everyone knew where the lines were drawn.”
My biggest quibble is that near the end, format switches to an direct on-the-scene broadcast style narrative. The justification for this is Jimm’s efforts to write a script worthy of Mr. Eastwood’s attention, but does work within the narrative and plotting. I just found it less fluid and more choppy, failing to bring the intensity one might have of watching one of those broadcasts.
Though it is the second book in the series, it is very much its own story. Jimm does sketch the brief backstory of how they ended up in this remote town and the familial relationships, so anyone picking it up here wouldn’t be lost. However, like the Siri series, the characters’ relationships evolve, so that is a nice aspect to reading in sequence.
Three and a half heads, rounding up.
March 5, 2020
"Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach" gives you the clue that this story is not about fluffy kittens. . .
Grandad...
Grandad gave the evil eye to every passing truck and motorcycle sidecar. There weren’t that many, but every one of them flouted the highway code in one way or another. Grandad knew every regulation. He'd been a traffic policeman for forty years. He was a living compendium of petty legislation: probably the most knowledgeable man on the subject in Chumphon province, if not the whole country.
He would probably have been a great detective if only he’d allowed himself to accept the odd bribe every now and then. Corruption was a necessary stepping stone along the pathway to promotion in the Thai police force. How could anybody have faith in an honest policeman?
The head's appearance...
It’s always a bother to decide who to tell when you find a head on the beach. I mean, there is no protocol. And when I say “always” here, I may be exaggerating somewhat because I can’t say I’ve stumbled over too many heads on my morning dog walks. I’d seen body parts in morgues, of course, and accident scenes, but that Wednesday was my first detached head. It upset me that it hadn’t upset me enough.
The Honest Mother...
“Good day. Do you have rooms available?”
I laughed deep in my throat. Even when all the stables in Bethlehem were jam-packed, we’d still have rooms free.
“I’ll check the register,” I said, getting to my feet.
“Of course we do,” said Mair. “We’re completely empty.”
I sat down again. For all the training I’d invested in my mother on the subject of business management, she still had that annoying habit of telling the truth.
Family life with a monkey...
Grandad Jah stood, cracked a few bones, and walked over to get a closer look at the monkey, who bared her teeth at him. Mair monkey-whispered and the animal melted back onto her lap. I imagined her doing the same to me when I was a snarling two-year-old.
British history...
Serves ’em right,” said Grandad Jah.
“For what?” I asked.
“Turning against the British,” he said.
I was surprised the old man knew the first thing about regional history.
“Stick with the Brits,” he went on, “and you’ve got a royal family at your back. Can’t beat royalty for political stability.”
“The Malays stuck with the Brits,” he said. “The Indians. The Australians. And look at all them. Democracy is government by the people. These countries aren’t run by halfwits in tin hats bleeding their countries of all their natural resources and treating their citizens like unpaid coolies. If they’d just stuck with the Brits, we wouldn’t have any Burmese on Thai soil. Not a one. We’d be sending our laborers over there to build high-rises and roads.”
And for those of you who are looking for an actual review - Thai fishing ships use Burmese slaves. When the slaves can not work anymore they are killed. To find out how Jimm Juree stops this you could read the book, which is based on true stories.
Enjoy!
Grandad...
Grandad gave the evil eye to every passing truck and motorcycle sidecar. There weren’t that many, but every one of them flouted the highway code in one way or another. Grandad knew every regulation. He'd been a traffic policeman for forty years. He was a living compendium of petty legislation: probably the most knowledgeable man on the subject in Chumphon province, if not the whole country.
He would probably have been a great detective if only he’d allowed himself to accept the odd bribe every now and then. Corruption was a necessary stepping stone along the pathway to promotion in the Thai police force. How could anybody have faith in an honest policeman?
The head's appearance...
It’s always a bother to decide who to tell when you find a head on the beach. I mean, there is no protocol. And when I say “always” here, I may be exaggerating somewhat because I can’t say I’ve stumbled over too many heads on my morning dog walks. I’d seen body parts in morgues, of course, and accident scenes, but that Wednesday was my first detached head. It upset me that it hadn’t upset me enough.
The Honest Mother...
“Good day. Do you have rooms available?”
I laughed deep in my throat. Even when all the stables in Bethlehem were jam-packed, we’d still have rooms free.
“I’ll check the register,” I said, getting to my feet.
“Of course we do,” said Mair. “We’re completely empty.”
I sat down again. For all the training I’d invested in my mother on the subject of business management, she still had that annoying habit of telling the truth.
Family life with a monkey...
Grandad Jah stood, cracked a few bones, and walked over to get a closer look at the monkey, who bared her teeth at him. Mair monkey-whispered and the animal melted back onto her lap. I imagined her doing the same to me when I was a snarling two-year-old.
British history...
Serves ’em right,” said Grandad Jah.
“For what?” I asked.
“Turning against the British,” he said.
I was surprised the old man knew the first thing about regional history.
“Stick with the Brits,” he went on, “and you’ve got a royal family at your back. Can’t beat royalty for political stability.”
“The Malays stuck with the Brits,” he said. “The Indians. The Australians. And look at all them. Democracy is government by the people. These countries aren’t run by halfwits in tin hats bleeding their countries of all their natural resources and treating their citizens like unpaid coolies. If they’d just stuck with the Brits, we wouldn’t have any Burmese on Thai soil. Not a one. We’d be sending our laborers over there to build high-rises and roads.”
And for those of you who are looking for an actual review - Thai fishing ships use Burmese slaves. When the slaves can not work anymore they are killed. To find out how Jimm Juree stops this you could read the book, which is based on true stories.
Enjoy!
September 30, 2019
2019 bk 310. The title is dark humor, the book has lighter moments, but overall is about a much darker subject - the enslavement of minor ethnic groups and wanton killing of members of said group with the silent / tacit agreement of those in charge. Set in south China where litter comes to the beach from both the sea and the human visitors, the said head is a floater. As Jimm Juree investigates the head she stumbles on a mystery that will involve her entire family and most of the community in which she lives in a desperate act of rescue. Along the way her family becomes entwined with women involved in a college scandal that tops what is currently going on in California. An excellent and well written mystery.
March 20, 2024
Like other reviewers have noted, enjoyable read but with serious issues and deeper meaning. Quirky, interesting characters.
July 22, 2019
I was in the mystery isle of my local library and I admit the pretty ocean scene on the cover of this book attracted me - I thought it would be a good summer read. This is the first book I have read that is set in Thailand. The main character is a strong female who used to be a reporter but now works at her family's ocean side small resort - while sticking her nose into dangerous mysteries. While she is nosey, she also cares alot about others and is very willing to risk her life to save them or help them. The book was interesting enough that I read it in less than a day and I plan to start on the next book in the series.
The plot never bored me. It moves at a good pace and there are lots of unusual characters in it. There are two main mysteries she has to solve and no, they do not connect to each other. One is about the human head that she finds on the beach (oddly enough the cops were not interested in the head, can you believe that?) And the other was about the mother and daughter that rented a cabin at their resort.
The book taught me a lot about Thailand and what it's like to live there. It's very different than here. And the one plot tackles a big subject too. I don't want to say what it is as it will ruin the plot, but kudos to the author for tackling it.
This is not the type of mystery where you can guess stuff. Still it was a fun story and a good way to spend Sunday reading. Oh I really was not able to guess anything in here.
The plot never bored me. It moves at a good pace and there are lots of unusual characters in it. There are two main mysteries she has to solve and no, they do not connect to each other. One is about the human head that she finds on the beach (oddly enough the cops were not interested in the head, can you believe that?) And the other was about the mother and daughter that rented a cabin at their resort.
The book taught me a lot about Thailand and what it's like to live there. It's very different than here. And the one plot tackles a big subject too. I don't want to say what it is as it will ruin the plot, but kudos to the author for tackling it.
This is not the type of mystery where you can guess stuff. Still it was a fun story and a good way to spend Sunday reading. Oh I really was not able to guess anything in here.
December 29, 2018
This is a mystery. I liked the way it started.....a head is found on the beach. That sounded like a great set-up for a wonderful story. But soon after that, it started feeling a little on the long side. The story went from being an intriguing mystery to long and wordy looks into the MC's soul. It felt like a fictional autobiography mixed with a mystery. I clearly liked one side more than the other.
I did like some of the descriptive strokes used by the author. He had a flair for the creative. So 2 stars.
I did like some of the descriptive strokes used by the author. He had a flair for the creative. So 2 stars.
August 14, 2022
Die beschriebenen Zustände sind zwar eher haarsträubend, aber wie Colin Cotterill das Ganze beschreibt ist einfach köstlich.
August 20, 2012
I love Colin Cotterill's books. This is the second in his Jimm Juree series. Jimm is a tenacious crime reporter who, for family reasons is stuck in the south of Thailand where (one would think) nothing exciting ever happens. but of course - in crime fiction fashion she not only finds crimes to write about, she also solves them.
I've read both books in the Jimm Juree series and a number in his other series, which is about a reluctant coroner in communist Laos. All of Cotterill's characters are just delightful. They could easily slide into cartoon character status, but the warmth and humanity with which Cotterill writes saves them. Among the regular cast we have: a best friend who is a gay policeman (also in exile to the south), a big sister who used to be a big brother, a younger brother who is a body builder with an almost comically soft heart, a mother who is maybe/maybe not suffering from Alzheimer (hard to tell - seems like she has always been a little crazy)and Grandad - also a retired police officer who never made it past traffic cop because he refused to be corrupt.
Cotterill's books are light fiction, but seem to me to have a little bit more weight than the typical beach book. The humor has a cutting edge, or at least a bit of "attitude". Cotterill is a Londoner who has spent a large part of his life working and living in southeast Asia. This combination of outsider/insider may provide a perspective that someone who is just one or the other couldn't.
I am looking forward to the next adventure for Jimm and her cast of characters.
I've read both books in the Jimm Juree series and a number in his other series, which is about a reluctant coroner in communist Laos. All of Cotterill's characters are just delightful. They could easily slide into cartoon character status, but the warmth and humanity with which Cotterill writes saves them. Among the regular cast we have: a best friend who is a gay policeman (also in exile to the south), a big sister who used to be a big brother, a younger brother who is a body builder with an almost comically soft heart, a mother who is maybe/maybe not suffering from Alzheimer (hard to tell - seems like she has always been a little crazy)and Grandad - also a retired police officer who never made it past traffic cop because he refused to be corrupt.
Cotterill's books are light fiction, but seem to me to have a little bit more weight than the typical beach book. The humor has a cutting edge, or at least a bit of "attitude". Cotterill is a Londoner who has spent a large part of his life working and living in southeast Asia. This combination of outsider/insider may provide a perspective that someone who is just one or the other couldn't.
I am looking forward to the next adventure for Jimm and her cast of characters.
August 11, 2012
Get ready to spit out your milk. Cotterill has done it again with a laugh-out loud mystery featuring former crime reporter, Jimm Juree. And her former traffic cop grandfather, her slightly crazy mother, her transsexual computer hacker sister/brother and a host of zany locals in southern Thailand.
Oh. And a head washed up on the beach by the last monsoon. Yes. A real head.
Juree and her posse take on slavery, kidnapping, corrupt charities and police as they hunt down the fiends and bring them to justice.
It's hysterical and touching and a grand reminder of our capacity to love.
Oh. And a head washed up on the beach by the last monsoon. Yes. A real head.
Juree and her posse take on slavery, kidnapping, corrupt charities and police as they hunt down the fiends and bring them to justice.
It's hysterical and touching and a grand reminder of our capacity to love.
July 18, 2012
I haven't laughed so hard at murder and mayhem in some time.
Jimm finds herself enbroiled in a mystery on the very first page. Cotterill's descriptions are hilarious and had me laughing out loud frequently.
Honestly, I don't know how Cotterill does it. He manages to take violent death and make it screamingly funny. Still, the mystery pulled me in and kept me turning pages until all was revealed.
I wait with bated breath for more from Jimm.
Jimm finds herself enbroiled in a mystery on the very first page. Cotterill's descriptions are hilarious and had me laughing out loud frequently.
Honestly, I don't know how Cotterill does it. He manages to take violent death and make it screamingly funny. Still, the mystery pulled me in and kept me turning pages until all was revealed.
I wait with bated breath for more from Jimm.
July 27, 2013
Colin Cotterill’s first crime series was set in Laos. The six stories featured Dr. Siri, an ageing coroner and savvy survivor of political war, making do in a resource-starved environment run by corrupt Communist officials. The stories are quietly funny, gently dark. We learn much about an ancient culture in a formerly beautiful part of the world devastated by war which remains largely unknown to western readers. I have read and enjoyed three of the Dr. Siri books.
Cotterill’s second crime series is set in and around the Gulf of Siam in southern Thailand – another place most readers won’t know much about and will never get to. This new series is built around Jimm Juree, an aspiring crime reporter far from the action in Bangkok. Jimm is a single woman in her thirties. She pines for journalistic excitement (and a boyfriend) while helping her spaced-out mother, naïve body-building younger brother and mule-stubborn ex-traffic cop grandfather run a very low-end beach-side “resort”. Her older brother in Bangkok has just had sex-change. Her father has long since disappeared.
The humor in Cotterill’s writing always plays against some very brutal realities. As the title indicates, this 2nd book (the first I’ve read) in the Jimm Juree series begins with the discovery of a human head on the beach. The mystery involves corrupt police, dishonest ‘charitable organizations’ and the Burmese immigrants who have come seeking work, thereby putting themselves at the mercy of almost anyone needing cheap labor. It revolves around the sad but real issue of slave labor on fishing boats working the lawless reaches of the Gulf of Siam. Jimm Juree rallies her family, locals, the reluctant Burmese, one honest cop, and a brother who knows how to use the internet to shine an international spotlight on a tiny but vicious incident that would otherwise go unnoticed by the media, and certainly uninvestigated by the authorities.
Cotterill adds a second, minor-key mystery when a mother and daughter arrive at the resort, clearly on the run, and clearly lying as to why. It has to do with Thai royalty’s need for “face saving” vengeance. Again, deftly using info technology, Jimm discovers the context and machinates a solution.
In the process of both story threads we learn much about both the good and evil aspects of Thai society. The action, such as it is, resembles a “whacky” police film comedy. It’s mostly fun. But there is credible tension as we move toward a resolution with the slavers.
In this book Cotterill’s story telling comes in the first-person voice of Jimm Juree - a wry, verging on dark, perspective on an unjust world. I enjoyed it to a point. I laughed often. But I also often felt this voice was pushing a too hard. I have to say I enjoyed Dr. Siri’s wiser, more subtle dark humor more.
Thus 4 stars. But I will read another Jimm Juree book, and perhaps she will grow on me.
Colin Cotterill has spent a good part of his working life in southeast Asia. He deserves a prize for bringing these far-flung locales to life with humor, sympathy and an acute eye for the culture. Read Cotterill’s books for the fun of the characters acting against desperate odds and dark, futile politics; and to learn about hidden corners on the far side of the world.
Cotterill’s second crime series is set in and around the Gulf of Siam in southern Thailand – another place most readers won’t know much about and will never get to. This new series is built around Jimm Juree, an aspiring crime reporter far from the action in Bangkok. Jimm is a single woman in her thirties. She pines for journalistic excitement (and a boyfriend) while helping her spaced-out mother, naïve body-building younger brother and mule-stubborn ex-traffic cop grandfather run a very low-end beach-side “resort”. Her older brother in Bangkok has just had sex-change. Her father has long since disappeared.
The humor in Cotterill’s writing always plays against some very brutal realities. As the title indicates, this 2nd book (the first I’ve read) in the Jimm Juree series begins with the discovery of a human head on the beach. The mystery involves corrupt police, dishonest ‘charitable organizations’ and the Burmese immigrants who have come seeking work, thereby putting themselves at the mercy of almost anyone needing cheap labor. It revolves around the sad but real issue of slave labor on fishing boats working the lawless reaches of the Gulf of Siam. Jimm Juree rallies her family, locals, the reluctant Burmese, one honest cop, and a brother who knows how to use the internet to shine an international spotlight on a tiny but vicious incident that would otherwise go unnoticed by the media, and certainly uninvestigated by the authorities.
Cotterill adds a second, minor-key mystery when a mother and daughter arrive at the resort, clearly on the run, and clearly lying as to why. It has to do with Thai royalty’s need for “face saving” vengeance. Again, deftly using info technology, Jimm discovers the context and machinates a solution.
In the process of both story threads we learn much about both the good and evil aspects of Thai society. The action, such as it is, resembles a “whacky” police film comedy. It’s mostly fun. But there is credible tension as we move toward a resolution with the slavers.
In this book Cotterill’s story telling comes in the first-person voice of Jimm Juree - a wry, verging on dark, perspective on an unjust world. I enjoyed it to a point. I laughed often. But I also often felt this voice was pushing a too hard. I have to say I enjoyed Dr. Siri’s wiser, more subtle dark humor more.
Thus 4 stars. But I will read another Jimm Juree book, and perhaps she will grow on me.
Colin Cotterill has spent a good part of his working life in southeast Asia. He deserves a prize for bringing these far-flung locales to life with humor, sympathy and an acute eye for the culture. Read Cotterill’s books for the fun of the characters acting against desperate odds and dark, futile politics; and to learn about hidden corners on the far side of the world.
February 8, 2014
I read the reviews of this book, before I read it. Some folks really liked it, but those who didn't gave it somewhat scathing reviews. Still, I must say this book was much like the first, and I liked it well enough. I think the problem some people have with this series, is that they are comparing the Jimm Juree books with Mr. Cotterill's stories about Dr. Siri. They're nothing alike. That's not a bad thing.
The characters in the series are unique, and the tone and story of both series are quite different. I think both make for good reading. In this series, Jimm's family is a mess, but I love them all. Easily, I've assimilated this menagerie of folks into my home for assorted characters to think about. Truly, I like to wonder what her grandfather would do in certain situations, and her mother is somewhat I don't think I'd mind emulating - she kooky and forgets things, but she wants the best for her children and the people living around her resort.
The resort is more of a respite for castoffs and criminals than a holiday treat. It's slowly washing away with the tide, yet the latrine keeps bobbing to the surface. Still, the family hangs on, and in this last book keeps growing. I expect to keep reading Mr. Cotterill's for some time.
The characters in the series are unique, and the tone and story of both series are quite different. I think both make for good reading. In this series, Jimm's family is a mess, but I love them all. Easily, I've assimilated this menagerie of folks into my home for assorted characters to think about. Truly, I like to wonder what her grandfather would do in certain situations, and her mother is somewhat I don't think I'd mind emulating - she kooky and forgets things, but she wants the best for her children and the people living around her resort.
The resort is more of a respite for castoffs and criminals than a holiday treat. It's slowly washing away with the tide, yet the latrine keeps bobbing to the surface. Still, the family hangs on, and in this last book keeps growing. I expect to keep reading Mr. Cotterill's for some time.
April 8, 2012
Ridiculous, fun but still manage to learn about the plight of the Burmese in Thailand.
January 19, 2020
Als ich das Buch gekauft habe, wusste ich nicht, dass es bereits einen Vorgängerband der Kriminalreporterin Jimm Juree gibt. Zwar ist jedes Buch abgeschlossen, aber trotzdem hat mir beim Lesen von "Ein Kopf macht noch keine Leiche" etwas gefehlt. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass ich gar nicht richtig in die Geschichte einsteigen kann, weil ich die Entwicklungen, die zu der derzeitigen Situation der Protagonistin geführt haben, nicht mitbekommen habe. Zwar wird hier immer mal wieder etwas erwähnt, das war mir aber zu wenig. Ich denke, hier empfiehlt sich wirklich, mit dem ersten Teil anzufangen.
Aber das war nicht das einzige, was mich gestört hat. Wenn ich ehrlich bin, dann fällt es mir auch wirklich schwer, positive Dinge an der Geschichte zu finden. Ich wurde mit Jimm und den anderen Figuren in diesem Buch einfach nicht warm. Sie sind mir zu albern, sie machen Dinge, die einfach nicht nachzuvollziehen sind und irgendwie ist alles an ihnen übertrieben. Leider einfach nicht mein Geschmack.
Auch vom Ort der Handlung war ich enttäuscht. Ich hatte eine spannende Geschichte in Thailand erwartet - und ja, vielleicht wird hier eher das echte Leben geschildert - aber irgendwie kamen von dem Land nur negative Dinge vor. Alles scheint vermüllt zu sein und das Wetter ist immer schlecht. Na ja, einen positiven Eindruck bekommt man durch das Buch auf jeden Fall nicht.
Dann hat mich gestört, dass der Fall eigentlich gar nicht wirklich im Vordergrund stand. Hier wird sehr viel vermischt, eigentlich zwei Fälle, der Leichenkopf und ein anderer, auf den ich hier aber nicht eingehe. Außerdem geht es viel um das Privatleben von Jimm und deren Familie. Das macht vielleicht dann Sinn, wenn man die Hintergründe aus dem ersten Band kennt, für mich war es aber eher langweilig und unnötig.
Das einzige, was ich positiv in Erinnerung behalten werde, ist das Grundthema, nämlich die Ausbeutung und Diskriminierung der meist illegalen Einwanderer aus Birma. Das hat mich richtig erschüttert, denn durch die Medien bekommt man hier nicht viel davon mit.
Ansonsten war das Buch aber nichts für mich, ich werde die Reihe auch nicht weiterverfolgen. Es ist einfach nicht mein Humor. Von mir gibt es deshalb nur 1,5 Sterne.
Aber das war nicht das einzige, was mich gestört hat. Wenn ich ehrlich bin, dann fällt es mir auch wirklich schwer, positive Dinge an der Geschichte zu finden. Ich wurde mit Jimm und den anderen Figuren in diesem Buch einfach nicht warm. Sie sind mir zu albern, sie machen Dinge, die einfach nicht nachzuvollziehen sind und irgendwie ist alles an ihnen übertrieben. Leider einfach nicht mein Geschmack.
Auch vom Ort der Handlung war ich enttäuscht. Ich hatte eine spannende Geschichte in Thailand erwartet - und ja, vielleicht wird hier eher das echte Leben geschildert - aber irgendwie kamen von dem Land nur negative Dinge vor. Alles scheint vermüllt zu sein und das Wetter ist immer schlecht. Na ja, einen positiven Eindruck bekommt man durch das Buch auf jeden Fall nicht.
Dann hat mich gestört, dass der Fall eigentlich gar nicht wirklich im Vordergrund stand. Hier wird sehr viel vermischt, eigentlich zwei Fälle, der Leichenkopf und ein anderer, auf den ich hier aber nicht eingehe. Außerdem geht es viel um das Privatleben von Jimm und deren Familie. Das macht vielleicht dann Sinn, wenn man die Hintergründe aus dem ersten Band kennt, für mich war es aber eher langweilig und unnötig.
Das einzige, was ich positiv in Erinnerung behalten werde, ist das Grundthema, nämlich die Ausbeutung und Diskriminierung der meist illegalen Einwanderer aus Birma. Das hat mich richtig erschüttert, denn durch die Medien bekommt man hier nicht viel davon mit.
Ansonsten war das Buch aber nichts für mich, ich werde die Reihe auch nicht weiterverfolgen. Es ist einfach nicht mein Humor. Von mir gibt es deshalb nur 1,5 Sterne.
January 24, 2020
I think that I have only the latest release left in the authors Dr.Siri series and so I started to look around for a replacement. This is my second book in the Jimm Juree set but I think it will be my last.
Somehow, for me, the series doesnt quite catch the 'atmosphere' of the other, even though both are set on the same SE Asian peninsula and in much the same desparate circumstances.
Some humour is conjured out of the situation here but again it misses the standard of Dr Siri.
Some might say that the latter has stories that are a bit far-fetched but the adventure out at sea in this one stretched bounds a little too far.
If you havent read the aforementioned series then you could enjoy this. It is an easy enough read but you have better to look forward to.
Somehow, for me, the series doesnt quite catch the 'atmosphere' of the other, even though both are set on the same SE Asian peninsula and in much the same desparate circumstances.
Some humour is conjured out of the situation here but again it misses the standard of Dr Siri.
Some might say that the latter has stories that are a bit far-fetched but the adventure out at sea in this one stretched bounds a little too far.
If you havent read the aforementioned series then you could enjoy this. It is an easy enough read but you have better to look forward to.
August 16, 2017
This author is consistently awesome. It was a funny mystery, and yet now I know a fair amount about the plight of Burmese slaves in Thailand.
September 5, 2019
Not as good as the first book. It was more a political essay on the Burmese people which is fine. But when I read a mystery, I don’t need the expressing of political views. Dr. Siri books are much better.
December 29, 2021
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought that the storyline was interesting and something different. I liked the fact that there were two storylines unfolding within the same book. It is set in Thailand and it follows the life of Jimm Juree and her family as they try and work out how a severed head appeared on the beach and who the two strange guests at their hotel are and why they are there. It is a bit slow at the strat, however once you get into it, it becomes extremely gripping especially towards the end as they uncovered some unexpected twists.
January 7, 2013
It should be no surprise to anyone that Colin Cotterill's way with words has translated easily from the Laos of the 1970s in his Dr. Siri Paiboun mysteries to modern-day Thailand. From the mind of a wily and rebellious old Communist, we now get to enjoy following Jimm Juree, a Westernized Thai woman who has a talent for rooting out stories and surviving one family calamity after another.
Although I love Cotterill's humor-- and there is plenty to be found here-- he also deals with serious topics such as corrupt policemen and the plight of poor Burmese citizens coming to Thailand in hopes of work. Even that mysterious mother and daughter staying at the Gulf Bay Lovely Resort and Restaurant have important things to teach us. Each of these topics blend into the story seamlessly and add their own elements of suspense and danger.
The first book in the series, Killed at the Whim of a Hat, angered some American readers by using flubbed lines from speeches made by former President George Bush as chapter headings. Even though those quotes tied into the story, the perceived insult to a president was not appreciated. This time, Cotterill heads each chapter with a line from a song that has been phonetically translated by Thai karaoke and lounge singers. Several are absolutely hilarious, and the author does provide the correct lyrics at the back of the book. Once again, these lyrics do tie into the story, and this time in a very exciting way. Clint Eastwood also plays a part, but you'll have to read Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach to find out what it is.
Colin Cotterill has long been a favorite of mine for teaching me how other cultures perceive the world, for his sense of humor, and for his storytelling ability. It's my hope that you'll read his books and come to a similar appreciation.
Although I love Cotterill's humor-- and there is plenty to be found here-- he also deals with serious topics such as corrupt policemen and the plight of poor Burmese citizens coming to Thailand in hopes of work. Even that mysterious mother and daughter staying at the Gulf Bay Lovely Resort and Restaurant have important things to teach us. Each of these topics blend into the story seamlessly and add their own elements of suspense and danger.
The first book in the series, Killed at the Whim of a Hat, angered some American readers by using flubbed lines from speeches made by former President George Bush as chapter headings. Even though those quotes tied into the story, the perceived insult to a president was not appreciated. This time, Cotterill heads each chapter with a line from a song that has been phonetically translated by Thai karaoke and lounge singers. Several are absolutely hilarious, and the author does provide the correct lyrics at the back of the book. Once again, these lyrics do tie into the story, and this time in a very exciting way. Clint Eastwood also plays a part, but you'll have to read Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach to find out what it is.
Colin Cotterill has long been a favorite of mine for teaching me how other cultures perceive the world, for his sense of humor, and for his storytelling ability. It's my hope that you'll read his books and come to a similar appreciation.
May 18, 2014
The murder mystery genre is more or less a century old and I imagine it is a challenge for a writer to write a story that hasn’t been told. The author takes on this challenge with a collection of extremely marginal characters such as ex crime reporter Jimm Juree and her sister who used to be her brother. The setting is literally on the margins. A rundown resort in southern Thailand that is on its way to slipping into the sea. The plot also incorporates elements from contemporary culture such as karaoke and social media. The result is sometimes inspired; a couple of chapters at the end alone make the book worth reading. The situation brought on by the discovery of the head on the beach is eventually resolved through the incredible courage of very ordinary characters – not exactly credible, but nevertheless an encouraging thing to believe in. However, I felt there were too many quirky characters, too much dissonance between the ridiculous and the tragic, and definitely too many cutesy quotes from mispronounced karaoke lyrics. Nevertheless, I will probably continue reading the series because it seems to be leading the way in bringing a postmodern sensibility to the genre.
November 25, 2012
This sequel provides an entertaining continuation to the tale of Jimm Jurree, the Thai crime reporter who, in Killed at the Whim of a Hat, reluctantly followed her cognitively declining mother to the sleepy coastal region of South Thailand. Readers are likely to enjoy this seriocomic tale, and find Jimm’s nuclear family and neighbors fun to sojourn with, as I did. Yet I was disappointed with the book, which didn’t, in my view, present anything deepening or striking, in terms of character development.
It’s true that readers will learn about the Burmese refugee problem, and the history of animosity between the Burmese and Thai people. In addition, the book provides a perspective on recent political events in Thailand. Jimm experiences longing for a romantic partner but her quest kind of fizzles out. I guess that the story, which is heavy on plot, situation, and attitude, is light on character. No one reading this book will mistake Colin Cotterill for Jane Austen, or Ruth Rendell, for that matter!
It’s true that readers will learn about the Burmese refugee problem, and the history of animosity between the Burmese and Thai people. In addition, the book provides a perspective on recent political events in Thailand. Jimm experiences longing for a romantic partner but her quest kind of fizzles out. I guess that the story, which is heavy on plot, situation, and attitude, is light on character. No one reading this book will mistake Colin Cotterill for Jane Austen, or Ruth Rendell, for that matter!
August 7, 2017
another fine book by a talented author
Well I know this is only book two of the series but I am familiar enough with the authors previous works to think this is going to be just as good.
This was a great story based on a bit of truth. From what others have said I know some find this kind of . . . I do not know what to call it . . . fiction based sermonizing? very off putting. I am fine with it I see no problem using fiction to be aware of the plight of others in the world. Based on the reviews I read this bothers a few people well so be it they have a right to dislike it as much as I have a right to have no problem with it! But enough about that.
This being the second book in the series the characters are becoming more and more developed and I find myself caring about all of them. I think that the majority of readers who enjoyed the Siri Paiboun series by the same author will find this series equally as enjoyable!
Well I know this is only book two of the series but I am familiar enough with the authors previous works to think this is going to be just as good.
This was a great story based on a bit of truth. From what others have said I know some find this kind of . . . I do not know what to call it . . . fiction based sermonizing? very off putting. I am fine with it I see no problem using fiction to be aware of the plight of others in the world. Based on the reviews I read this bothers a few people well so be it they have a right to dislike it as much as I have a right to have no problem with it! But enough about that.
This being the second book in the series the characters are becoming more and more developed and I find myself caring about all of them. I think that the majority of readers who enjoyed the Siri Paiboun series by the same author will find this series equally as enjoyable!
August 17, 2014
I love Colin Cotterill ! He never fails to mystify, entertain, and educate me, but most of all make me laugh! I have read all 9 books in the Dr. Siri series so far, and this is the 2nd book in the Jimm Juree series. I don't think I have ever read a book with such wacky characters, or laughed so hard at murder, mayhem and music! A karaoke task force saves the day!! Unfortunately, reality is what gave Cotterill the idea for this book.....Burmese workers in Thailand are being kidnapped, enslaved, and murdered......something I never knew about. Like I said, Cotterill educates me with every one of his books. I have learned so much about the people, the culture, the politics and the geography of Laos and Thailand thru his books. Hope he never stops writing!
October 3, 2012
As a huge fan of Colin Cotterill's books I was shocked at how bad this one was. I don't know what went wrong, but it seems as though he just wasn't interested in the plot or the characters and just spent his time making silly jokes. I loved the first Jimm Juree book and I hope Colin returns to form in the next one. In my opinion, the Dr Siri series was absolutely superb, apart from "Love Songs from a Shallow Grave" which was to be the last of that series. He seemed to have lost interest with that one too - but came back strongly with Slash and Burn. Here's hoping the same for the Jimm Juree series.
June 29, 2012
I think this book is much better than the first in the series. The breezy banter, light humor and quirky characters are still there but they all have developed more substance and are well on their way to becoming real. This chapter in the saga centers around on a real social condition and while it is all played out in a humorous style, the reality and the futility of total resolution are realistically defined. Extra marks for evolving into more than just a "tea-cozy" mystery and moving out in the real world.
February 28, 2016
I received this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers in exchange for a review.
Not sure about this one. The second in a series set in modern rural Thailand featuring former crime reporter Jimm Juree. There were a lot of funny parts in here, but it was pretty over the top as well. The quirky parts didn't really mix well with the serious theme of the problem of Burmese immigrants. I did enjoy the reader for this one. I think she did a great job. But overall, I guess this one just wasn't for me.
Not sure about this one. The second in a series set in modern rural Thailand featuring former crime reporter Jimm Juree. There were a lot of funny parts in here, but it was pretty over the top as well. The quirky parts didn't really mix well with the serious theme of the problem of Burmese immigrants. I did enjoy the reader for this one. I think she did a great job. But overall, I guess this one just wasn't for me.
August 21, 2012
If you read a plot summary of this book,you might think "Ah..cozy mystery. After all it's an amateur sleuth, small town, quirky charactors..But add in the enforced slavery and the plight of the Burmese people in Thailand..not so much.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author. It does contain plot elements of a cozy read, funny and great charactors, but a little more "heft", I need to read the 1st in this series, (Jimm Juree) "Killed at the Whim of a Hat" and I'd like to check out his Dr. Siri series as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author. It does contain plot elements of a cozy read, funny and great charactors, but a little more "heft", I need to read the 1st in this series, (Jimm Juree) "Killed at the Whim of a Hat" and I'd like to check out his Dr. Siri series as well.
October 2, 2012
I really enjoy how the author uses analogies that don't quite fit, creates off-beat and sometimes bizarre characters, builds tension and mystery while maintaining a tongue in cheek sense of humor, and makes up ridiculous stories. This book had all of this as well as real life issues of how discrimination in Thailand of the Burmese immigrants includes slavery and murder.
As much as I have enjoyed the first two books in the Jimm Juree series, I really miss the stories from the Dr. Siri books--I wish the author would write some more of these.
As much as I have enjoyed the first two books in the Jimm Juree series, I really miss the stories from the Dr. Siri books--I wish the author would write some more of these.
January 8, 2015
Poorly narrated by the german audiobook narrator. The story is trying to be quite educating about Burman people in Thailand - often too obvious, so the story has to stand back behind the "and this is how Burma's are treated in Thailand", or "this is how much influence the Thai aristrocacy has on poor other Thai people", and "look, how many transsexual beautiful people there are in Thailand (I must admit that is very true)" - just always a bit too . Well, after the Dr. Siri series are the stories about Jimm Juree a real drop down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews