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Dr. Siri Paiboun #2
Thirty-Three Teeth
Dr. Siri Paiboun, one of the last doctors left in Laos after the Communist takeover, has been drafted to be national coroner. He is untrained for the job, but this independent seventy-two-year-old has an outstanding qualification for the role: curiosity. And he does not mind incurring the wrath of the party's hierarchy as he unravels mysterious murders, because the spirits of the dead are on his side—and a little too close for comfort. Dr. Siri performs autopsies and begins to solve the mysteries relating to a series of deaths by what seem to be bear bites, to explain why a government official ran at full speed through a seventh-story window and fell to his death, and to discover the origins of the two charred bodies from the crashed helicopter in the temple at Luang Prabang. As it turns out, not surprisingly, not all is peaceful and calm in the new Communist paradise of Laos.
238 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
192 people are currently reading
1594 people want to read
About the author
Colin Cotterill
72 books1,022 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 662 reviews
April 12, 2012
The second installment in the mystery series featuring Dr. Siri, my favorite coroner and host of an ancient Hmong shaman's spirit. While it contains the ingredients that make the series great, there are several stumbles that make this book more of a leftover noodle soup--a nice accompaniment to a meal but not enough for a feast.
In the beginning, several sidewinding storylines provided a great deal of pleasure. In Vientiane, two disparate bodies found with a badly damaged bicycle send the team of Siri, Dtui and Phosy to the Ministry of Sport, Information and Culture, initiating one of the spirit mysteries of the book and providing opportunity to comment on bureaucracy under communism. Before they are able to investigate fully, they are challenged by another death which appears to be an animal mauling. Unfortunately, shortly after the cases are begun, Siri is sent away on business by Judge H. The royal capital has two badly burned corpses and needs to discover their nationality.
Siri's trip to the royal capital was delightful on many levels. We glimpse into Siri's upbringing, watch as he investigates the two burn victims and applaud as he attends a political meeting for shamans that is truly guffaw-worthy. There's also a lovely piece involving a special orchard, some terrible wine, a gardener and a cricket.
At the instigation of Siri's friend Civilai, Dtui takes matters into her own hands and visits a Russian animal trainer for more information on animal attacks. While I welcomed the opportunity to see Dtui in action, it did strike me that she was a strangely modern feminist for a 1970s Laotian who hasn't ever left the country. I found myself distracted from the storyline, wondering how real she could be as a character, and if she was supposed to instead serve as an identifier for the modern reader.
For me, a significant part of the shortcomings were structural: it seemed a little more disjointed and a little less tightly woven than the first in the series. There's narrative jumping, both with dream/vision sequences and changes in narrative voice, as well as time jumping. For the first time, narration from some of the victims is provided at their death scene, and not by spiritual visitation. It's a technique that doesn't work as well with the general tone of the book, lending itself more to horror than the wistful spiritual sadness we've seen before. While it was likely intended to build suspense, the result was more puzzlement than anticipation. In one section, Siri secretly buries a blanket-wrapped bundle in the backyard. It's a seemingly insignificant moment, without explanation or context, that it starts when he and the bundle suddenly appear on his bike and ends shortly after with the burial. Some chapters later, Siri thinks of the bundle in the midst of a conversation and makes a mental note that explains the bundle. There's a number of similar scenes, and I found the style more puzzling than insightful.
As always, I thoroughly loved the touches of humor threading through the book. Supporting characters have their moments to shine as well, particularly when Dtui fends off an animal trainer. Phosy as well: "They sat together on the lip of the fountain, Phosy binding the wound, Rajid going through his impressive repertoire of amphibian impersonations."
The crimes are a little more brutal in this book, and the political commentary more judgemental. "So there it was in a nutshell. Poverty lead him to religion, religion to education, education to lust, lust to communism. And communism had brought him back full circle to poverty." At a gathering of shamans, "it was all most sociable, but terribly un-socialist." Ultimately, I was very disappointed in the reveal at the end. Nonetheless, I consider this book an exception to a generally enjoyable series. Four stars for the beginning, three for the end.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
In the beginning, several sidewinding storylines provided a great deal of pleasure. In Vientiane, two disparate bodies found with a badly damaged bicycle send the team of Siri, Dtui and Phosy to the Ministry of Sport, Information and Culture, initiating one of the spirit mysteries of the book and providing opportunity to comment on bureaucracy under communism. Before they are able to investigate fully, they are challenged by another death which appears to be an animal mauling. Unfortunately, shortly after the cases are begun, Siri is sent away on business by Judge H. The royal capital has two badly burned corpses and needs to discover their nationality.
Siri's trip to the royal capital was delightful on many levels. We glimpse into Siri's upbringing, watch as he investigates the two burn victims and applaud as he attends a political meeting for shamans that is truly guffaw-worthy. There's also a lovely piece involving a special orchard, some terrible wine, a gardener and a cricket.
At the instigation of Siri's friend Civilai, Dtui takes matters into her own hands and visits a Russian animal trainer for more information on animal attacks. While I welcomed the opportunity to see Dtui in action, it did strike me that she was a strangely modern feminist for a 1970s Laotian who hasn't ever left the country. I found myself distracted from the storyline, wondering how real she could be as a character, and if she was supposed to instead serve as an identifier for the modern reader.
For me, a significant part of the shortcomings were structural: it seemed a little more disjointed and a little less tightly woven than the first in the series. There's narrative jumping, both with dream/vision sequences and changes in narrative voice, as well as time jumping. For the first time, narration from some of the victims is provided at their death scene, and not by spiritual visitation. It's a technique that doesn't work as well with the general tone of the book, lending itself more to horror than the wistful spiritual sadness we've seen before. While it was likely intended to build suspense, the result was more puzzlement than anticipation. In one section, Siri secretly buries a blanket-wrapped bundle in the backyard. It's a seemingly insignificant moment, without explanation or context, that it starts when he and the bundle suddenly appear on his bike and ends shortly after with the burial. Some chapters later, Siri thinks of the bundle in the midst of a conversation and makes a mental note that explains the bundle. There's a number of similar scenes, and I found the style more puzzling than insightful.
As always, I thoroughly loved the touches of humor threading through the book. Supporting characters have their moments to shine as well, particularly when Dtui fends off an animal trainer. Phosy as well: "They sat together on the lip of the fountain, Phosy binding the wound, Rajid going through his impressive repertoire of amphibian impersonations."
The crimes are a little more brutal in this book, and the political commentary more judgemental. "So there it was in a nutshell. Poverty lead him to religion, religion to education, education to lust, lust to communism. And communism had brought him back full circle to poverty." At a gathering of shamans, "it was all most sociable, but terribly un-socialist." Ultimately, I was very disappointed in the reveal at the end. Nonetheless, I consider this book an exception to a generally enjoyable series. Four stars for the beginning, three for the end.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
July 22, 2020
4 stars for book 2 in the Dr. Siri Paiboun series. Siri is one of the few doctors left in Laos after the Pathet Lao takeover. He is drafted to become Laos national Coroner, even though he is 72 years old and doesn't want the job. He was not trained to be a coroner, but does a conscientious job, often angering powerful people.
In this book, he is called upon to do autopsies on 3 people murdered by what appears to be an animal with large teeth. He does solve the murders, with help from some unlikely people, including those with connections to the spirit world.
One quote on a friend who helps him solve the murders: "He held out a sprig of finger bones that Siri shook carefully. The sound of the man coming to sit down beside him was like a wind charm lowered to the ground.."
It was an easy read--3 days. This was a library book.
In this book, he is called upon to do autopsies on 3 people murdered by what appears to be an animal with large teeth. He does solve the murders, with help from some unlikely people, including those with connections to the spirit world.
One quote on a friend who helps him solve the murders: "He held out a sprig of finger bones that Siri shook carefully. The sound of the man coming to sit down beside him was like a wind charm lowered to the ground.."
It was an easy read--3 days. This was a library book.
March 23, 2016
Thirty-Three Teeth, the second book in the Dr. Siri series set in '70s Laos, is as fascinating as the first. The mystery is dessert. The main course is our protagonist, Dr. Siri (the reluctant coroner), the residents of Vientiane and elsewhere in Laos, the culture, the ease with which Cotterill blends the spiritual with the physical -- without turning this novel into fantasy/magic realism. The challenge of investigation and solving crimes in a world where the authorities may not care if or why a crime occurred, and/or may have a preferred explanation for events that one is wise not to defy, makes for quite a different set of obstacles than those faced by the lead investigator in a typical British or American cozy mystery (not that there's anything wrong with that, as they say). As a result, the government in this book is almost a character of its own. Good luck figuring out which government, too. Consider this a complex, circuitous cozy mystery, laden with southeast asian culture and values. If you haven't read the initial book, you could start here with ease, but put the first one on your list to read, too.
July 13, 2021
I have a sweet, childhood, Lao connection I have always remembered. My review of the first novel shares that and why this is a unique, beloved series. I love actual mysteries without crimes but in the overly prolific crime branch, I seek civilian heroes: like 72 year-old Dr. Siri Paiboun. That this series goes into the paranormal and Asian mysticism as well, delights me to the core. Siri is old enough to cautiously speak up amid 1970s communism. Readers feel the crackle of temperaments and nonsensical regulations, hanging by a thread. An asinine shortage of supplies and conveniences in offices and homes, hollowly echoes Laos’s empty political promise of plenty. Siri has made a family of his indispensible coroner staff: trainee nurse Dtui and sweet young orderly with Down Syndrome, Mr. Geung.
I can sketch the main elements that make this series shine but you must immerse yourself, to feel the infinite detailing and emotional spectrum of hardship, intrigue, and hilarity that Colin’s brilliant writing achieves. You learn so much about the vibe of the country and its people as if a film were played, yet no information is dumped. Mysticism connected with Siri colours in an already exceptional premise, giving readers that delicious feeling that there is no roof and anything is possible on these pages. No plot is superfluous. Everything weaves together seamlessly and series lovers will appreciate sequential growth of characters. With Siri away from the city, Vientiane to solve mysteries in Luang Prabang and witness the downfall of the royal family there; Dtui & Mr. Geung investigate local deaths.
The 2005 title, “Thirty-Three Teeth”, contains poignant animal rights storylines and leads our endearing family of sleuths on a subterranean chase, to literally unearth a complex cause of killings. I need Colin’s follow-up paperbacks to become affordable!
I can sketch the main elements that make this series shine but you must immerse yourself, to feel the infinite detailing and emotional spectrum of hardship, intrigue, and hilarity that Colin’s brilliant writing achieves. You learn so much about the vibe of the country and its people as if a film were played, yet no information is dumped. Mysticism connected with Siri colours in an already exceptional premise, giving readers that delicious feeling that there is no roof and anything is possible on these pages. No plot is superfluous. Everything weaves together seamlessly and series lovers will appreciate sequential growth of characters. With Siri away from the city, Vientiane to solve mysteries in Luang Prabang and witness the downfall of the royal family there; Dtui & Mr. Geung investigate local deaths.
The 2005 title, “Thirty-Three Teeth”, contains poignant animal rights storylines and leads our endearing family of sleuths on a subterranean chase, to literally unearth a complex cause of killings. I need Colin’s follow-up paperbacks to become affordable!
April 14, 2013
This review has been revised and can now be found at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud.
September 9, 2017
Dr. Siri Paiboun is now 72 years old. Through no fault of his own, he is one of the last real medical doctors within Laos. The socialist/communist government (after the Pathet Lao takeover) has not been a welcoming place for those with such skills. Yet, people still die under suspicious circumstances and the country needs at least one forensic medical examiner. When the previous one passed on, they came to Siri and he had little choice.
In this second book in the series, he has settled into his job with his two assistants who also get little respect. The other “regulars” are also around including Phosy and Civlai. They are confronted by several intriguing challenges including the future of the royal family (in a Communist regime) and a bear on the loose in Vientiane.
Three characters are introduced who have major impacts on the plot: Mr. Soth, Mr. Intharnet, and Tiki. Are they crazy? Are they a threat? I will say no more to avoid spoiling the plot.
This is both a mystical mystery and thriller. Cotterill handles all of this very well, but what has engaged me most in these stories is the mystical aspect. Thirty Three Teeth provides a heaping plate of that. Is Siri the reincarnation of Yeh Ming? If so, what does that mean? How do thirty-three teeth make a difference? What is the role of a very old elephant? And what lies within a trunk bearing the royal seal? All is revealed in an engaging and entertaining second book in Cotterill’s growing casebook of Dr. Siri Paiboun.
In this second book in the series, he has settled into his job with his two assistants who also get little respect. The other “regulars” are also around including Phosy and Civlai. They are confronted by several intriguing challenges including the future of the royal family (in a Communist regime) and a bear on the loose in Vientiane.
Three characters are introduced who have major impacts on the plot: Mr. Soth, Mr. Intharnet, and Tiki. Are they crazy? Are they a threat? I will say no more to avoid spoiling the plot.
This is both a mystical mystery and thriller. Cotterill handles all of this very well, but what has engaged me most in these stories is the mystical aspect. Thirty Three Teeth provides a heaping plate of that. Is Siri the reincarnation of Yeh Ming? If so, what does that mean? How do thirty-three teeth make a difference? What is the role of a very old elephant? And what lies within a trunk bearing the royal seal? All is revealed in an engaging and entertaining second book in Cotterill’s growing casebook of Dr. Siri Paiboun.
April 18, 2021
I don’t write reviews.
I liked this even more than the first. The series is still getting its sea legs and finding its balance, but I wouldn’t call it an awkward start. Dr. Siri and Dtui are instantly likable and have great banter. I’m glad that Cotterill took his time developing the characters, not trying to shove it all in the first book.
Sometimes I’m not 100% on the shaman parts, but overall it’s a nice touch to the stories, keeping them from becoming too procedural. The humour is quite effective and I’ve chuckled out loud more than once.
I liked this even more than the first. The series is still getting its sea legs and finding its balance, but I wouldn’t call it an awkward start. Dr. Siri and Dtui are instantly likable and have great banter. I’m glad that Cotterill took his time developing the characters, not trying to shove it all in the first book.
Sometimes I’m not 100% on the shaman parts, but overall it’s a nice touch to the stories, keeping them from becoming too procedural. The humour is quite effective and I’ve chuckled out loud more than once.
June 2, 2020
3.5 stars
Just as enjoyable as part 1.
Just as enjoyable as part 1.
September 26, 2013
I continue to enjoy Dr. Siri's "cynical optimism" -- which just about sums up my view on life. His delightful, if slightly twisted, sense of humour and eastern spirituality carries the plot along at a brisk pace, and I am always disappointed it is over so soon. One would be very hard-pressed to find a more engaging, self-contradicting, paradoxical fictional detective. The plots are not "deep" or particularly devious -- but the exploration of character makes it all worthwhile. At the same time, I am learning more about Laotian history and culture through the pages of a detective novel than I ever imagined possible. Always a fun read if you're looking for comfort, and a damned good chuckle throughout. "Damned Hot." (Literally, and figuratively.)
May 24, 2020
After reading the Coroner’s Lunch, I had to get the next in the series. What I wrote about the first still applies (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), but of course the mystery is different. I very much enjoyed the banter, and especially the character development of Dtui. However, the mystery is not nearly as well thought out or interesting as in the first book, and there is no political element to it. However, the communist regime’s ultimatum to the spirits was absolutely hilarious, as well as Dr Siri’s loudspeaker rage incident. So while the mystery is lacking here a bit, there is still plenty of fun to be had.
Since I am shut in but these are available in my library’s online section, I am set for a while with entertainment...
Since I am shut in but these are available in my library’s online section, I am set for a while with entertainment...
November 27, 2020
I like these mysteries about Laotian coroner Dr. Siri Paiboun. He has a good sense of humor that helps him manage the ineptly corrupt, or is it,corruption inept communist regime in his country. He plods along, finding a way to get his work done despite interference from officious clerks and self important party nobodies. He also has to contend with advice and noodling from the spirit world, something he is loathe to believe in in the first place.
Cracking good fun.
Cracking good fun.
June 13, 2025
So, what if I told you I would like to highly recommend a series of detective type novels ?
What if I said the main character is a septuagenarian coroner forced out of retirement
and into the service of a manipulative and corrupt government ?
And what of his support staff which includes an edgy nurse with an attitude toward
chauvanists and communists . And a young autistic boy with a photographic memory
and child-like sense of humor.
How about that state of the art morgue ? Just like on NCIS …only in a rundown building
with freezer capacity for two bodies, no technical equipment and no forensics lab or
chemicals. Or air conditioning. In the tropics…..
Did I mention that the series is set in communist Laos in the mid 1970’s ?
And I might not have noted that the coroner himself is the unwitting home
of an ancient warrior spirit who’s being pursued by malevolent spirits, spirits
that will mislead and even kill the coroner if needed to destroy the warrior.
A few months ago I read THE CORONER’S LUNCH by Colin Cotterril and was taken by
the gentle humor, the intricate plot and the truly likable main cast. Add the obnoxious
bureaucrats, nosey neighbors and a stray dog - a Lassie wannabe - and you have a crew
to remember.
THIRTY-THREE TEETH is number two in the series and an expansion on the characters’
backstories as well as all new mayhem.
OH ! OH! OH! Check out the author bio on Goodreads or Amazon !
The man behind the stories is as exceptional as his story lines.
On my TBR shelf I have just added DISCO FOR THE DEPARTED (#3)
as well as #1 of another Cotterill series about a lady journalist named
Jim Juree entitled KILLED AT THE WHIM OF A HAT.
What if I said the main character is a septuagenarian coroner forced out of retirement
and into the service of a manipulative and corrupt government ?
And what of his support staff which includes an edgy nurse with an attitude toward
chauvanists and communists . And a young autistic boy with a photographic memory
and child-like sense of humor.
How about that state of the art morgue ? Just like on NCIS …only in a rundown building
with freezer capacity for two bodies, no technical equipment and no forensics lab or
chemicals. Or air conditioning. In the tropics…..
Did I mention that the series is set in communist Laos in the mid 1970’s ?
And I might not have noted that the coroner himself is the unwitting home
of an ancient warrior spirit who’s being pursued by malevolent spirits, spirits
that will mislead and even kill the coroner if needed to destroy the warrior.
A few months ago I read THE CORONER’S LUNCH by Colin Cotterril and was taken by
the gentle humor, the intricate plot and the truly likable main cast. Add the obnoxious
bureaucrats, nosey neighbors and a stray dog - a Lassie wannabe - and you have a crew
to remember.
THIRTY-THREE TEETH is number two in the series and an expansion on the characters’
backstories as well as all new mayhem.
OH ! OH! OH! Check out the author bio on Goodreads or Amazon !
The man behind the stories is as exceptional as his story lines.
On my TBR shelf I have just added DISCO FOR THE DEPARTED (#3)
as well as #1 of another Cotterill series about a lady journalist named
Jim Juree entitled KILLED AT THE WHIM OF A HAT.
September 13, 2013
After The Coroner's Lunch, I was really looking forward to this book, but it didn't hold up as well. Sure, most of the best characters were back, but this time I found it too heavy on the supernatural, with extended sections that really challenged my sense of plausibility. The plot also lacked the strong forward movement of the first book, perhaps because it didn't have as much sleuthing. There were even times well into the book when I found myself only somewhat interested and it was easy to put the story aside from the night.
I might read one more from this series to see if this book was an aberration; if Lunch was Cotterill's first book, he probably went through the repeated revisions one does when a book might be your only shot at publication. If that were the case, I could easily understand different expectations -- and a very different writing process -- for this one. I hope he later returned to the form that made Lunch such a delight to read.
I might read one more from this series to see if this book was an aberration; if Lunch was Cotterill's first book, he probably went through the repeated revisions one does when a book might be your only shot at publication. If that were the case, I could easily understand different expectations -- and a very different writing process -- for this one. I hope he later returned to the form that made Lunch such a delight to read.
January 4, 2018
Thirty-Three Teeth is the second book in the Dr. Siri Paiboun about a 72 year old coroner in the 70's era in Laos. The last coroner swam across the river in Thailand when the new government came in so Dr. Siri was chosen for the position. He had hoped to be retired.
I really was taken with the first book The Coroner's Lunch so I was eager to continue the series. I enjoyed this book but not as much as the first book. One reason is there is more mystical or supernatural element in this book. A powerful shaman from 1070 has chosen Dr. Siri's body to dwell in. It seemed a little disjointed to me too.
However, I am looking forward to reading the third book. I like Dr. Siri very much with his sly gentle humor. He can quietly be subversive to obtain what he wants. The characters are wonderful and as a reader I want to continue with them. In this book, I learned more about Nurse Dtui his assistant. She is smart, a self starter and clever. I like Dr. Siri lunches and conversations with Civilai. There is humor in the book. It was quite a scene when the Communist party called together spirit leaders to have them forbade spirits to coming forward in the future. There was a bear, a Russian animal trainer, a deposed king, two dead bodies on top of a bicycle and new characters introduced. It is an unique enjoyable series.
I really was taken with the first book The Coroner's Lunch so I was eager to continue the series. I enjoyed this book but not as much as the first book. One reason is there is more mystical or supernatural element in this book. A powerful shaman from 1070 has chosen Dr. Siri's body to dwell in. It seemed a little disjointed to me too.
However, I am looking forward to reading the third book. I like Dr. Siri very much with his sly gentle humor. He can quietly be subversive to obtain what he wants. The characters are wonderful and as a reader I want to continue with them. In this book, I learned more about Nurse Dtui his assistant. She is smart, a self starter and clever. I like Dr. Siri lunches and conversations with Civilai. There is humor in the book. It was quite a scene when the Communist party called together spirit leaders to have them forbade spirits to coming forward in the future. There was a bear, a Russian animal trainer, a deposed king, two dead bodies on top of a bicycle and new characters introduced. It is an unique enjoyable series.
October 30, 2020
Dr. Siri Paiboun, who just months ago would have described himself as a man of science, remains such but with new-found knowledge and experience, he is also a mystic. Both as a man of science and as a mystic, Dr. Siri is a healer.
Laos in 1977 is 18 months into the new Communist regime. Many of the country's elite and professional people left their homeland during the regime change. Those who've remained behind are trying to make the most of what is a difficult situation -- changes in centuries-old traditions, rules and laws and forms that boggle the mind, the new socialism where everyone is expected to participate in ditch digging and other forms of labor necessary for the good of the country.
Dr. Siri, who can be curmudgeonly at times, also brings his own brand of positivity and hope to those around him. His intelligence, common sense and sense of humor bring joy to the reader, too.
Laos in 1977 is 18 months into the new Communist regime. Many of the country's elite and professional people left their homeland during the regime change. Those who've remained behind are trying to make the most of what is a difficult situation -- changes in centuries-old traditions, rules and laws and forms that boggle the mind, the new socialism where everyone is expected to participate in ditch digging and other forms of labor necessary for the good of the country.
Dr. Siri, who can be curmudgeonly at times, also brings his own brand of positivity and hope to those around him. His intelligence, common sense and sense of humor bring joy to the reader, too.
October 15, 2021
Audio + ebook
Sometimes the skills to win a revolution are devoid of good governing skills.
"Today's rebel leader is tomorrow's dictator". paraphrased from Harold Robbins
Sometimes the skills to win a revolution are devoid of good governing skills.
"Today's rebel leader is tomorrow's dictator". paraphrased from Harold Robbins
June 8, 2023
Always an interesting plot (usually several cases in each book). A pleasant and clear narrator. And a lot of Asian religions .. the story revolves around Asians. Usually clean this one’s no exception.
July 7, 2010
First Sentence: The neon hammer and sickle buzzed and flickered into life over the night club of the Lan Xang Hotel.
Dr. Siri Paiboun, the 72-year-old coroner for Laos, is being kept busy by both the spirit and human world. An old black mountain bear has escaped its cage but is it responsible for the bodies who’ve been mauled? The burned bodies of two men have been found. Siri is summoned to the area of his birth in an effort to identify them.
A man working in the Department of archives jumped to his death from a room containing a chest bearing the Royal Seal. Siri, the re-embodiment of the 1050 shaman, Yeh Ming, recognizes the box is inhabited by powerful spirits and he must find the proper way of dealing with it.
It is 107 degrees in Vietiane, Laos where the standard greeting and response has become, “Hot, isn’t it.” “Damned hot.” Employing excellent dialogue, wonderful humor and a unique voice, Cotterill has given me one of my new, favorite series.
In additional to being a very visual writer, he balances information about Laos in 1997, the paranormal, wonderful mystery and suspense; logic and humor.
His characters are delightful. I particularly appreciate that we learn more about the characters with this book. Siri reflects that “Poverty lead him to religion, religion to education, education to lust, lust to communism. And communism had brought him back full circle to poverty. There was a Ph.D. dissertation waiting to be written about such a cycle.” He is a very spry 72, who is trying to deal with his inner shaman and finds out more about his childhood. He is smart, logical and very loyal to his friends. He, and we, also finds out more about Nurse Dtui. There is more to her than is originally known and she goes off on her own investigation.
What I love about reading Cotterill is that they are wonderful stories. His writing is so visual and the individual scenes are memorable in themselves. Put together, I find myself captivated by the combination of the characters and the plot. I never know where the story is going next but thoroughly enjoy every step of the journey.
THIRTY-THREE TEETH (Lic Inv/Para-Dr. Siri Paiboun, Laos-Cont/1977) – VG+
Cotterill, Colin – 2nd in series
Soho Crime, ©2005, US Paperback – ISBN: 156947429X
[image error]
Dr. Siri Paiboun, the 72-year-old coroner for Laos, is being kept busy by both the spirit and human world. An old black mountain bear has escaped its cage but is it responsible for the bodies who’ve been mauled? The burned bodies of two men have been found. Siri is summoned to the area of his birth in an effort to identify them.
A man working in the Department of archives jumped to his death from a room containing a chest bearing the Royal Seal. Siri, the re-embodiment of the 1050 shaman, Yeh Ming, recognizes the box is inhabited by powerful spirits and he must find the proper way of dealing with it.
It is 107 degrees in Vietiane, Laos where the standard greeting and response has become, “Hot, isn’t it.” “Damned hot.” Employing excellent dialogue, wonderful humor and a unique voice, Cotterill has given me one of my new, favorite series.
In additional to being a very visual writer, he balances information about Laos in 1997, the paranormal, wonderful mystery and suspense; logic and humor.
His characters are delightful. I particularly appreciate that we learn more about the characters with this book. Siri reflects that “Poverty lead him to religion, religion to education, education to lust, lust to communism. And communism had brought him back full circle to poverty. There was a Ph.D. dissertation waiting to be written about such a cycle.” He is a very spry 72, who is trying to deal with his inner shaman and finds out more about his childhood. He is smart, logical and very loyal to his friends. He, and we, also finds out more about Nurse Dtui. There is more to her than is originally known and she goes off on her own investigation.
What I love about reading Cotterill is that they are wonderful stories. His writing is so visual and the individual scenes are memorable in themselves. Put together, I find myself captivated by the combination of the characters and the plot. I never know where the story is going next but thoroughly enjoy every step of the journey.
THIRTY-THREE TEETH (Lic Inv/Para-Dr. Siri Paiboun, Laos-Cont/1977) – VG+
Cotterill, Colin – 2nd in series
Soho Crime, ©2005, US Paperback – ISBN: 156947429X
[image error]
April 16, 2021
Dr. Siri and the Weretiger
Review of the Vintage Canada paperback edition (2006) of the Soho Crime hardcover original (2005)
I was late to the party and started my reading of Colin Cotterill's quirky Laos chief coroner Dr. Siri Paiboun mysteries with the 15th and supposed (I never rule out the possibility of continuations) final book "The Delightful Life of a Suicide Pilot" (2020). Luckily, my friend Karan had several of the earliest books to lend me and I was fortunately able to start the series from the beginning.
Thirty-Three Teeth is the 2nd book of the series and is titled after the number of teeth that Dr. Siri has, a further sign of his spiritual connections and powers. Average humans have 32 teeth as you probably know.
The pattern for the series is adhered to with several cases running concurrently. There are a series of murders in the Vientiane capital which are suspected to have been caused by an escaped wild animal, Siri meets the former King of Laos when called to autopsy the corpses of some royalists who had planned an escape for the King, a mysterious haunted box stored in the government archives appears to be causing deaths and Siri has conflicts with his neighbour. Nurse Dtui takes a very dramatic investigative role and Dr. Siri brings a shaman back from the countryside to help unravel the box mystery.
Review of the Vintage Canada paperback edition (2006) of the Soho Crime hardcover original (2005)
I was late to the party and started my reading of Colin Cotterill's quirky Laos chief coroner Dr. Siri Paiboun mysteries with the 15th and supposed (I never rule out the possibility of continuations) final book "The Delightful Life of a Suicide Pilot" (2020). Luckily, my friend Karan had several of the earliest books to lend me and I was fortunately able to start the series from the beginning.
Thirty-Three Teeth is the 2nd book of the series and is titled after the number of teeth that Dr. Siri has, a further sign of his spiritual connections and powers. Average humans have 32 teeth as you probably know.
The pattern for the series is adhered to with several cases running concurrently. There are a series of murders in the Vientiane capital which are suspected to have been caused by an escaped wild animal, Siri meets the former King of Laos when called to autopsy the corpses of some royalists who had planned an escape for the King, a mysterious haunted box stored in the government archives appears to be causing deaths and Siri has conflicts with his neighbour. Nurse Dtui takes a very dramatic investigative role and Dr. Siri brings a shaman back from the countryside to help unravel the box mystery.
September 22, 2008
Thirty-Three Teeth is the second installment in the Siri Paiboun series. Dr. Paiboun and his coterie remain as engaging as ever, and while there's a savage, serial murderer loose in Vientiane, the bulk of the novel is more concerned with Siri's efforts to cope with the fact that he's the reincarnated soul of a thousand-year-old shaman, Yeh Ming.
Even though the spirits of the dead continue to help Dr. Paiboun solve his cases, those who wish can still rationalize it away as Siri's subconscious working below the surface (God knows, Siri does it half the time). Even so, they are not a gimmick that allows the author to wrap up the mystery. They're obscure and not talkative and Paiboun has to gather the physical evidence to track down his criminals.
The only thing I wasn't happy with was the murder of Siri's dog Saloop in a (to me) gratuitous subplot about a thuggish neighbor. I hope Cotterill incorporates it in a later novel so that it takes on a bit more meaning -- we'll see.
I look forward to continuing the series.
Even though the spirits of the dead continue to help Dr. Paiboun solve his cases, those who wish can still rationalize it away as Siri's subconscious working below the surface (God knows, Siri does it half the time). Even so, they are not a gimmick that allows the author to wrap up the mystery. They're obscure and not talkative and Paiboun has to gather the physical evidence to track down his criminals.
The only thing I wasn't happy with was the murder of Siri's dog Saloop in a (to me) gratuitous subplot about a thuggish neighbor. I hope Cotterill incorporates it in a later novel so that it takes on a bit more meaning -- we'll see.
I look forward to continuing the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2008
‘I’m a coroner, not a corpse.’
This is the second novel of the series featuring Dr Siri Paiboun, the septuagenarian national coroner of Laos. In this engaging mystery, Dr Siri has a number of puzzles to solve with the assistance of his unlikely team of colleagues and friends. Oh, and some help from the spirit world as well.
The communist regime of Laos brings its own flavour to proceedings. From the ingenuity of making casts of teeth marks when plaster is not available and the identification of government workers through the existence of ‘triplicate syndrome’, this story engages and amuses.
Dr Siri is called upon to travel to Luang Prabang on a national security matter so top secret that the Judge who has despatched him is unable to tell him anything about it. His motivations for accepting the task are not quite consistent with the Judge’s renowned maxim:
‘That’s the spirit, Siri. It’s moments like these that make the socialist system so great. When the call to arms comes the committed cadre even on his honeymoon would gladly climb off his young wife at the crucial moment sooner than let down the party.’
‘If that were so, Siri thought to himself, it might explain the frustrated look he’d often seen on the faces of so many Party members.’
Great fun.
This is the second novel of the series featuring Dr Siri Paiboun, the septuagenarian national coroner of Laos. In this engaging mystery, Dr Siri has a number of puzzles to solve with the assistance of his unlikely team of colleagues and friends. Oh, and some help from the spirit world as well.
The communist regime of Laos brings its own flavour to proceedings. From the ingenuity of making casts of teeth marks when plaster is not available and the identification of government workers through the existence of ‘triplicate syndrome’, this story engages and amuses.
Dr Siri is called upon to travel to Luang Prabang on a national security matter so top secret that the Judge who has despatched him is unable to tell him anything about it. His motivations for accepting the task are not quite consistent with the Judge’s renowned maxim:
‘That’s the spirit, Siri. It’s moments like these that make the socialist system so great. When the call to arms comes the committed cadre even on his honeymoon would gladly climb off his young wife at the crucial moment sooner than let down the party.’
‘If that were so, Siri thought to himself, it might explain the frustrated look he’d often seen on the faces of so many Party members.’
Great fun.
June 3, 2014
I really enjoy the humor and irony of this mystery series. The characters are engaging and it is fascinating to read about Laos in the 70's and the challenges that the national (ie only) coroner faces on a daily basis. Everything from oppressive bureaucracy, lack of chemicals, limited resources (for example, the lab has one camera and is allowed 4 photos per "guest"---they save the last few for weddings, etc. and try not to get the photos mixed up), the fact that all autopsies must take place quickly as the cadavers are literally on ice, and the overwhelming influence of the communist government that frowns on any determination that a death is from anything other than natural causes. Most of his cases have political overtones and this one is no exception. All of that was enough to get me to 3 1/2 stars.
It didn't get any farther with me because the main mystery (there are usually several in these stories) is so far fetched that I just found it to be rather silly. Others may disagree, and I fully intend on continuing with the series because I am still enjoying these characters and their strange world.
3 1/2 stars
It didn't get any farther with me because the main mystery (there are usually several in these stories) is so far fetched that I just found it to be rather silly. Others may disagree, and I fully intend on continuing with the series because I am still enjoying these characters and their strange world.
3 1/2 stars
June 25, 2020
Dr. Siri's back, and is kept busy with multiple cases, even while something, or some creature, is ripping people apart. Dtui is fantastic (of course) at digging into the second case, even while Siri gets dragged into multiple odd situations, including meeting the last king of Laos, and finds out a little bit about his past and the spirit hanging out with him.
I love the gentle humour and irony in this series, and the genuine kindness Dr. Siri Paiboun has for so many others, and his tweaking of authority and their inane rules.
I love the gentle humour and irony in this series, and the genuine kindness Dr. Siri Paiboun has for so many others, and his tweaking of authority and their inane rules.
November 27, 2011
Exceptional writing. Clearly defined characters. Interesting details of another culture. A book to be savored.
January 29, 2012
“Hot, isn’t it?”
“Damned hot!”
Lao greeting
Dr. Siri Paiboun , the National coroner of Laos, returns for his second adventure. He is a widower, in his early 70s, still quite sharp-minded but looking to retire. He is also a shaman, so he has vivid and prophetic dreams and can see spirits lurking in the shadows.
Our setting once again, is the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos, mid-70s. A country in transition.
The story begins with Siri investigating several mysterious deaths, but the one that truly baffles him, is multiple bodies being found, mangled by a large carnivorous animal, which are not common in this South-Asian country.
Cotterill writes masterfully. His prose is quick, smart and occasionally very funny. All of his characters are richly textured and he also evokes Laos with amazing clarity. Highly recommended and I can’t wait to get to book 3.
“Damned hot!”
Lao greeting
Dr. Siri Paiboun , the National coroner of Laos, returns for his second adventure. He is a widower, in his early 70s, still quite sharp-minded but looking to retire. He is also a shaman, so he has vivid and prophetic dreams and can see spirits lurking in the shadows.
Our setting once again, is the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos, mid-70s. A country in transition.
The story begins with Siri investigating several mysterious deaths, but the one that truly baffles him, is multiple bodies being found, mangled by a large carnivorous animal, which are not common in this South-Asian country.
Cotterill writes masterfully. His prose is quick, smart and occasionally very funny. All of his characters are richly textured and he also evokes Laos with amazing clarity. Highly recommended and I can’t wait to get to book 3.
June 29, 2013
Dr. Siri Paiboun is a 73 year old doctor living in Laos in 1977 after the Communist revolution. He has been appointed as national coroner but spends much of his time solving the mystery of the deaths of his clients. Added to this is that he is the host for an ancient spirit shaman and the fun begins.
Mr. Cotterill has written an intriguing mystery with characters that are realistic and entertaining. This is the second in the series and it was at the same level of excellence as the first. As well as a good mystery plot, the includes much information as to the day to day life of the people of this time in Laotian history.
Mr. Cotterill has written an intriguing mystery with characters that are realistic and entertaining. This is the second in the series and it was at the same level of excellence as the first. As well as a good mystery plot, the includes much information as to the day to day life of the people of this time in Laotian history.
February 23, 2021
This was not a book for me. I'm just confused! There was no main story and if it were I did not follow. It's weird following the doctor's contact with spirits when it's mixed in with his life in communist Laos. It doesn't make any sense. At least I can cross off Laos on my challenge to read books from around the world.
August 16, 2021
Enjoyed this one even more than the first one. Looking forward to #3
September 4, 2018
Mr. A and Mr. B are guests at Dr. Siri Paiboun’s morgue and he is puzzled about their causes of death. The investigation leads him to the nearby Ministry building, and a mysterious chest on the top floor from which he senses a great deal of energy.
Meanwhile, bodies, very mangled bodies with teeth and claw marks, have been coming to. The marks are too big to have been made by any of the natural predators that inhabit the area around Vientiane. At first, he speculates the culprit may be a bear, a poor creature that had been kept in a cage on the grounds of a temple. Further investigation suggests a recently released prisoner who suffers from delusions that he is — a weretiger?
And then Siri’s assistant, Dtui, disappears and he is very much afraid that she may be the weretiger’s latest victim, unless he finds her in time.
This is such a charming series. I am really enjoying the camaraderie between the recurring characters: Siri, Mr. Geung, Dtui, her mother, and especially Civilai.
Meanwhile, bodies, very mangled bodies with teeth and claw marks, have been coming to. The marks are too big to have been made by any of the natural predators that inhabit the area around Vientiane. At first, he speculates the culprit may be a bear, a poor creature that had been kept in a cage on the grounds of a temple. Further investigation suggests a recently released prisoner who suffers from delusions that he is — a weretiger?
And then Siri’s assistant, Dtui, disappears and he is very much afraid that she may be the weretiger’s latest victim, unless he finds her in time.
This is such a charming series. I am really enjoying the camaraderie between the recurring characters: Siri, Mr. Geung, Dtui, her mother, and especially Civilai.
July 1, 2019
I was excited to return to the world of Dr. Siri so quickly. In this installment, we find out that having 33 teeth qualifies you to have a bridge to the afterlife. No surprise then that Dr. Siri has 33 teeth. The writing of this author is so good on all levels: setting, characters, plot and wording. Here is a terrific description that shows exactly what I mean: "The Sport, Information and Culture people rattled around inside its large rooms like a destitute woman's beads in a once-full jewelry box."Or this one: "Siri shook a hand that clicked like knitting needles." I just love it! In this book, Siri discovers that he is housing an ancient spirit within his body. This is both a hindrance and a help. Siri is finding out more about his own supernatural nature and thus is able to think more broadly about the mysteries that are set before him.
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