Laos,1976. The monarchy has been deposed, the Communist Pathet Lao have taken over. Most of the educated class has fled, but Dr Siri Paiboun, a Paris-trained doctor remains. And so this 72-year-old physician is appointed state coroner, despite having no training, equipment, experience or even inclination for the job. But the job's not that bad and Siri quickly settles into a routine of studying outdated medical texts, scrounging scarce supplies, and circumnavigating bureaucratic red tape to arrive at justice. The fact that the recently departed are prone to pay Siri the odd, unwanted nocturnal visit turns out to be an added bonus in his new line of work. But when the wife of a party leader turns up dead and the bodies of tortured Vietnamese soldiers start bobbing to the surface of a Laotian lake, all eyes turn to Siri. Faced with official cover-ups and an emerging international crisis, the doctor enlists old friends, village shamans, forest spirits, dream visits from the dead - and even the occasional bit of medical deduction - to solve the crimes
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This series kickoff is an embarrassment of riches: Holmesian sleuthing, political satire and droll comic study of a prickly late bloomer - Kirkus Reviews
Cotterill has a wonderful sense of farce...a delightful book - Sydney Morning Herald
Cotterill's depiction of this exotic, troubled country is fascinating, and his light touch makes Siri, with his humanity and strange dreams, very appealing - The Guardian
The story is good, the characters interesting, the hero delightful and the setting fascinating: a find - The Literary Review
…witty novel sharply captures the confusion after the revolution, and the hero, at turns cynical and humane, is an absolute diamond - Daily Telegraph
From the Inside Flap
Despite a total lack of training, an utter dearth of experience and a complete absence of inclination, Dr Siri Paiboun has just been appointed state coroner for the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It's 1976, the royal family has been deposed, the professional classes have fled and the communists have taken over. And 72-year-old Siri - a communist for convenience (he embraced the Red Flag only as a prerequisite to embracing his dear but departed wife), and a wry old reprobate by nature - has got the coroner's job because he's the only doctor left in Laos. But when the wife of a Party leader is wheeled into the morgue and the bodies of tortured Vietnamese soldiers start bobbing to the surface of a Laotian lake, all eyes turn to the new coroner. Faced with official cover-ups and an emerging international crisis, Siri will be forced to enlist old friends, tribal shamans, forensic deduction, spiritual acumen and some good old-fashioned sleuthing before he can discover quite what's going on… Colin Cotterill's sparkling debut introduces the most engaging detective to grace the genre in years. Few - if any - characters in modern crime fiction can match the benign humour, the gentle wisdom and the sheer bloody-mindedness of Dr Siri Paiboun.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Coroner's lunch is an elegant thriller, packed with eccentric characters and colourful descriptions of the newly formed People's Democratic Republic of Laos. The country's sole surviving doctor is forced, at the age of seventy-two, to become the nation's Chief Coroner. Things start to become interesting for Dr Siri when somebody tampers with one of his bodies. There then ensues a intricate and involving mystery, as Dr Siri and his unlikely bunch of assistants try to determine what's been going on.
The strength of the novel lies in its central character's whimsical sense of humour. There are some genuine laugh out loud moments in the book. Vientiane (Laos' Capital) is lovingly recreated, as are the people of this sleepy country.
Cotterill's description of Sr Siri's amateurish autopsies were delightful and very cleverly worked out. There is some dabbling in the spirit world, which may deter hardcore fans of crime fiction, as these sections are somewhat less than plausible. For me though, this mystical touch worked, adding an entertaining extra dimension to what can be a derivative genre.
There will inevitably be comparisons with the 'Ladies Detective Agency' novels but I think this does Dr Siri and Colin Cotterill a disservice. In my opinion this novel is significantly better. The crime solving aspects of the Coroner's Lunch are far stronger and Cotterill's characters are more vivid and better rounded. People who enjoy reading McCall Smith, will undoubted find much to love about these books, as will anybody who has a passing interest in Sherlock Holmes style sleuthing. Dr Siri Paiboun is a welcome addition to the genre and I look forward to reading more of his exploits.
The strength of the novel lies in its central character's whimsical sense of humour. There are some genuine laugh out loud moments in the book. Vientiane (Laos' Capital) is lovingly recreated, as are the people of this sleepy country.
Cotterill's description of Sr Siri's amateurish autopsies were delightful and very cleverly worked out. There is some dabbling in the spirit world, which may deter hardcore fans of crime fiction, as these sections are somewhat less than plausible. For me though, this mystical touch worked, adding an entertaining extra dimension to what can be a derivative genre.
There will inevitably be comparisons with the 'Ladies Detective Agency' novels but I think this does Dr Siri and Colin Cotterill a disservice. In my opinion this novel is significantly better. The crime solving aspects of the Coroner's Lunch are far stronger and Cotterill's characters are more vivid and better rounded. People who enjoy reading McCall Smith, will undoubted find much to love about these books, as will anybody who has a passing interest in Sherlock Holmes style sleuthing. Dr Siri Paiboun is a welcome addition to the genre and I look forward to reading more of his exploits.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 72 year old communist whose dream is to retire once capitalism is overthrown, is forced into a new career instead.
1 Mar 2008
Format:Paperback
Dr Siri is a 72 year old communist & doctor whose dream is to retire once capitalism is overthrown, is instead forced into a new career as the National Coroner.
This book is set in 1976 Laos where all the rich, middle classes, proffessionals and just about anyone whose capable of it have sailed or swam across the mekong river to Thailand to get away from the communist regime who've taken over the country.
Dr Siri with his wonder nurse Dtui, Mr Geung the Morgue assistant, Comrade Civilai and various other fanastic characters have to solve the murder of a Comrades' wife, three bodies found in a resevoir, the unusual deaths of some soldiers. All the while Dr. Siri is finding that the ghosts of dead who he sees in his morgue each day are visiting him in his dreams at night; usually with some vague message.
This is as other reviewers have already stated a truely charming, witty, delightful book. It's extremely well written with all the characters being well developed and totally believable.
One of the best books I've read in years and as such I immediatley bought 33 teeth (highly recommended).
This book is set in 1976 Laos where all the rich, middle classes, proffessionals and just about anyone whose capable of it have sailed or swam across the mekong river to Thailand to get away from the communist regime who've taken over the country.
Dr Siri with his wonder nurse Dtui, Mr Geung the Morgue assistant, Comrade Civilai and various other fanastic characters have to solve the murder of a Comrades' wife, three bodies found in a resevoir, the unusual deaths of some soldiers. All the while Dr. Siri is finding that the ghosts of dead who he sees in his morgue each day are visiting him in his dreams at night; usually with some vague message.
This is as other reviewers have already stated a truely charming, witty, delightful book. It's extremely well written with all the characters being well developed and totally believable.
One of the best books I've read in years and as such I immediatley bought 33 teeth (highly recommended).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the first of a wonderful little series. They've been compared to the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency: they are much, much better! The author clearly knows Laos very well and loves it without being blind to its faults. He ventures into the byways of Lao life - belief in spirits, hill tribe life for example - that a casual visitor would not experience. The characters are quirky but ring true; the satire is gentle but telling.You don't have to know Laos to enjoy these books - he brings it alive very well. Read this one and you will be hooked.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By S. E. Webb
Format:Paperback
What a lovely story, beautifully told. The No. 1 Ladies of the far east. I was delight to make the acquaintance of Siri, and hope to become firm friends in the future.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Louiseog
Format:Paperback
Other people have compared this to Alexander McCall Smith and Precious Mckenzie and they are right, it has that whimsy and wit observing a society and culture which is alien but making it understood.
This is better though, Agatha Raisin in Laos with a touch of the supernatural which never becomes unbelieveable
This is better though, Agatha Raisin in Laos with a touch of the supernatural which never becomes unbelieveable
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Chloe Trait
Format:Hardcover
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this - it was just fabulous! Immediately I was swept away to Laos and had fallen in love with not only Dr Siri, the reluctant Coroner, but the whole cast of characters. If you enjoy Alexander McCall Smith you will love this. Charming, funny, touching and completely absorbing, I can't wait for 33 Teeth. Don't get left behind in this new series, read this debut now!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Debbie
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Set in the 1970's in Laos a little known country in South East Asia.
Dr Siri is the wonderfully sarcastic and witty aging coroner. A job that was thrust upon him at a time when he was looking forward to his retirement.
Dr Siri always find time for his lunch by the river and as our doctor turns detective he uncovers murder and corruption along the way with the help of a very unusual source.
A short book packed with humour and definately an author to look out for
Dr Siri is the wonderfully sarcastic and witty aging coroner. A job that was thrust upon him at a time when he was looking forward to his retirement.
Dr Siri always find time for his lunch by the river and as our doctor turns detective he uncovers murder and corruption along the way with the help of a very unusual source.
A short book packed with humour and definately an author to look out for
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By maureen n
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Detective stories with a difference: set in late 1970's Laos shortly after the communist takeover, Dr Siri - would-be retired surgeon aged 72 -finds himself the country's main pathologist simply because all other qualified persons have left the country. In a very low-tech environment with no computers or modern forensic aids he finds himself investigating some of the deaths which come his way - aided by the fact that the dead people appear in visions and give him hints. These hints come at the start of the investigations, so throughout the book the reader knows as much as the hero. He also discovers some surprising things about himself in the process.
The book is written in a dryly humorous style, cocking a slight snook at authority in general, and with excellent characterisation - furthermore the the characters develop through the succeeding books.
Despite, or maybe because of the 'spiritual' overtones, the book is light in every respect: no darkness, and a light and gently humerous read.
The book is written in a dryly humorous style, cocking a slight snook at authority in general, and with excellent characterisation - furthermore the the characters develop through the succeeding books.
Despite, or maybe because of the 'spiritual' overtones, the book is light in every respect: no darkness, and a light and gently humerous read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A kind of witty, political cozy (if that's possible)
It's quite difficult to pigeonhole The Coroner's Lunch, other than to say it's a crime novel set in Laos in 1976. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Rob Kitchin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I bought this to introduce a friend to the Dr Siri series of books. They are now hooked on them too. The book is a strange mix of fictitious characters set in real places. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Louise
4.0 out of 5 stars
Grumpy pathologist with a connection to the other side
Dr. Siri is Laos' only coroner, not through choice, but being the only doctor around, his "promotion" was unchallenged. Read more
Published 22 months ago by soffitta1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
The book was recommended to me and at first the title didn't interest me. But how wrong I was -it's a very good read. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2011 by Book Worm
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful writing
nice to read such a well written and different take on the old mystery novel, the author knows his stuff, detailing Laos and Asia at that time beautifully, the books are funny,... Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2010 by Fantong
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Coroner's Lunch
A great Novel- both for the lover of a detective story or for those who like things a little more esoteric - unputdownable!
Published on 18 Jun 2010 by Mr. J. E. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fab books
I realy enjoyed this and the 2nd book. So much so that I immediately ordered 3 and 4 in the series. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2010 by lisa arutura
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent Series
One of the best things about these books is the real sense of place and the insight into Lao life and culture. Read more
Published on 13 May 2010 by rollerskate
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique in style and talent
I've read the entire Dr. Siri Paiboun series to date (May 2010). I read the Coroner's Lunch three years ago sitting in the UCLA Oncology department waiting for my first... Read more
Published on 9 May 2010 by JC
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cotterill is a wonderful discovery
First Sentence: Tran, Tran, and Hok broke through the heavy end-of-west-season clouds.
It is 1976 and one year after the Communist takeover of Laos. Dr. Read more
It is 1976 and one year after the Communist takeover of Laos. Dr. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2010 by L. J. Roberts
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