The Coroner’s Lunch

The Dr. Siri Investigations, Book 1

By: Colin Cotterill

Narrated by: Clive Chafer

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Laos, 1975: The Communist Pathet Lao has taken over this former French colony. Dr. Siri Paiboun, a 72-year-old Paris-trained doctor, is appointed national coroner. Although he has no training for the job, there is no one else: the rest of the educated class have fled.

He is expected to come up with the answers the party wants, but crafty and charming Dr. Siri is immune to bureaucratic pressure. At his age, he reasons, what can they do to him? And he knows he cannot fail the dead who come into his care without risk of incurring their boundless displeasure. Eternity could be a long time to have the spirits mad at you.

©2004 Colin Cotterill (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A wonderfully fresh and exotic mystery…If Cotterill…had done nothing more than treat us to Siri’s views on the dramatic, even comic crises that mark periods of government upheaval, his debut mystery would still be fascinating. But the multiple cases spread out on Siri’s examining table…are not cozy entertainments but substantial crimes that take us into the thick of political intrigue.” ( New York Times Book Review)

A surprisingly good listen

I stumbled on this book and decided to listen just because I had never read a book set in Laos before. The Coroner's Lunch turned out to be a refreshingly different book. It's a relatively light mystery with an endearing protagonist who will appeal to anyone -- especially elderly readers or listeners who need a hero for the aged. It's a fine mixture of mystery, history, literature and Laotian culture. There's nothing like a reluctant hero and the good doctor who would really like to retire fits that bill. I gave performance 3 stars because the author's voice is a bit flat and expressionless at times. He does different characters well. Also I had to speed the book up immensely because he talks so slowly. Overall, this was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend the series.

Fascinating stories in a great series

An eclectic mix of SE Asian history, mysticism, and who-dunnit. Quirky and charming main characters, well developed dialogue.

I tried this series on a whim, so glad I did!

Very entertaining

Not only did the story keep me interested, the background in Laos was a learning experience. I really enjoyed this book.

Just Alright.

This story is interesting and a view into the culture of South East Asia is very refreshing (especially when most crime & Detective novels are Eurocentric). It has a nice blend of science and mysticism that keep the reader engaged, but not too skeptical. The character generally develop well as the story move along at a good medium pass. However, it is not an very relatable or too exciting book. One discovered along with the Coroner, not Detective, but has no real chance of figuring our who did it. So there is no real thrill seeking I this book. The main character is 72 years old, and so quite unrelatable to most readers. The book tries too aggressively to force humor at every possible situation, and does not allow for normal life to properly function, either that or it allows too much of normal life to function at times making the book rather boring in certain places. While it has an interesting theme and commentary on Communistic Los, it does so in the most useless way leaving one nor more understanding or disliking of communism than before. All in all it is an interesting historical Crime & Detective novel that is an okay read, but exists in a genre where there are other far more interesting reads before this one.

a little drawn out, but worth the wait

this book, and its telling, remind me of some of the best Sherlock Holmes novels, with q more modern, and eastern twist. it translates beautifully, and the reader didn't rush or mispronounce anything.

If you haven't heard of it, you should.

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Coroner to the Communist Stars

Last summer, I developed a short lived passion for Michael Connelly's "Lincoln Lawyer" series. Connelly's Mickey Haller (2005 - present) is an easy love for an old Los Angeles trial attorney like me. I listened to the entire series, one right after another, and was secretly relieved there were only four books in the series at the time. It's an expensive habit.

This summer, Audible hooked me on Colin Cotterill's "Dr. Siri Paiboun" series. Or maybe one of the ghosts that haunts Dr. Siri (pronounced SiLee, not like the iPhone 5 voice) is haunting me, too - sitting on a wooden chair in my living room, urging me in Hmong (which in my dreams I understand) to keep listening to more Paiboun mysteries.

Dr. Siri is canny, resourceful and accidentally a detective. He's an old insurgent who fought for Lao communist forces for 40 years. Siri is a colonial French-trained doctor, unexpectedly and unwantedly named as Laotian National Coroner, despite a complete lack of forensic training. Mystery ensues and supernatural forces visit, but Cotterill follows the good mystery writer's custom of not using 'deus ex somnium' as clues. Siri is aptly assisted by sturdy and bored Nurse Dtui and the capable and occasionally comedic Mr. Geung, both unforgettable characters in their own right.

Now, for the problem: Cotterill's series has 9 books so far, and this is going to get expensive. Audible, what about a 'buy one in a series, get a second one free' deal?

This book worked so much better listening than reading for me. I would have mentally stumbled over the correct Vietnamese, Lao and Hmong pronunciations, and that would have distracted me from the story.

[If this review helped, please press YES. Thanks!]

Where's book 2?

Being a John Burdett fan, I had to check this one out. It was really good! We want more! Get the whole series pleeeeeze!

Unexpectedly delightful

I don't often read mysteries, but took a chance on this in a daily deal sale. I really took a liking to Dr. Siri, enjoying his observations and perspective on life. The author is compassionate toward his characters, even the bad guys. This book does veer into fantasy, which I was not expecting, but I read a fair amount of fantasy, so just went with it. I don't like detailed violence and gore, and although this book has some, it didn't overwhelm the story or shock me. While there are some mysteries to be solved, I would say this is really a character driven novel. The setting is also a strong feature of the story, set in 70's Laos. I enjoyed learning about the social and political setting, which I had never read about before this book. Over-all I would characterize this as a fun read.

Wonderful in audio!

historical-research, historical-novel, history-and-culture, communism, Llaos, mystery, murder

Excellent mystery and characters! Grabbed my interest and just wouldn't let go! Siri has been a doctor for many years, but suddenly the regime demands that he become coroner for the whole country. With no proper advanced education. He is able to locate some old texts in a language he understands, and makes the best of things while ably assisted by the helper of the former coroner and a wise cracking young nurse, but little in the way of equipment. Despite party philosophy, the people maintain their religious beliefs in spirits, and this is very significant to the story. So, without spoilers, I heartily recommend this book!
I got the audiobook on sale, and Clive Chafer is remarkable as narrator.