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 completely different murder mystery

What made the experience of listening to The Coroner’s Lunch the most enjoyable?

The main character, the coroner, is very engaging. The setting in Laos in the 1970s and the inclusion of a bit of mysticism are both very unusual for what is essentially a "cozy". If you love mysteries but are tired of usual settings and characters, this might be the book for you.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Coroner’s Lunch?

The scenes set in a Hmong village are pretty unforgettable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

On a long drive, I could have listened straight though. This isn't something I can say about most books.

Any additional comments?

This book revolves around the political and social upheavals in Sourh East Asia after the Vietnam War. It does this is in a very matter of fact way that is woven into the story. As this is a subject I know little to nothing about, I felt like I learned something listening to this book. Altogether a worthwhile and entertaining listen.

Distinctive setting for a mystery

The setting in Laos of the 1970's is very unusual. The relative lack of technology and communications means that detective work needs to be done the old-fashioned way. The official atmosphere is stridently Communist but many of the characters are working around the system in different ways to get what they want and to help each other out. Oddly, this reminded me of the Walt Longmire series set in Wyoming, which is one of my favorites. In both series, there is an office with some unusual characters, there is an older protagonist, and there is some magical realism relating to the surrounding culture.

I am amazed at how much I enjoy this book

What did you love best about The Coroner’s Lunch?

I keep coming back and listening to this book over and over. The main character is so different from me, but I love spending time in his world, in his head. He's so smart and decent in a crazy world. He never quits.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character, the place, the plot.

What about Clive Chafer’s performance did you like?

I love listening to his voice. He's a great storyteller.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

fab book fab reader

first of the series, they get better atound book 4 esp Laos background etc. reader makes this a great listen.

Unique Setting and Interesting Concept

I really enjoyed this book. The setting of Laos was unique and I enjoyed the cultural aspect of the story. I loved the main character. A 72 year old doctor who isn't afraid of speaking his mind. The mystery aspect was good as well.

I listened to this on audio and the narrator was very flat and monotone when he wasn't doing a character's voice. That being said, it wasn't to the point where I didn't want to finish the book.

well

interesting story, very strange to hear English accent for Asian people. kind of off-putting. too much comedy for a very shy group.

truth in personal freedom

I don't care for socialism or communism. But this story is so human, so beautiful and so prosaic. Long live the individual!

Delightfully different "who done it!"

I'm just beginning my second listen to this series, so that tells you something...

In my retirement, without job responsibilities, I've become a voracious consumer of audiobooks; I have well over 1,000 titles, a high percentage of which are mystery/detective stories, in my audio library. I like them all, from the cozys to the high tension thrillers. I always give a star rating, but I'm embarrassed to say that I rarely do a written review. The good Dr. Siri Paiboun deserves one. This is a delightful series!

They're not "thrillers," so if you're looking for an adrenaline rush, this won't satisfy. But if you appreciate intelligent, well-drawn characters, a mystery that's meticulously unraveled by a charmingly odd protagonist in an Asian culture that most of us know little about - and will learn a bit more - give Dr. Siri and his friends a try!
The series only gets better as it goes along.

Clive Chafer's narration was excellent. As the best narrators do, he not only gives clear voices to the different characters, he paints the scene with his pacing and intonation in a way I never experience reading the written page. Thanks to Messrs. Cotterill and Chafer for the many hours of pleasure this series gives.

Enjoy!

excellent character and setting driven mystery

*fresh writing (Cotterill is master of the grusome but original simile)
*setting details make Laos come alive
*mystery is engaging (though secondary to quirky characters)
*humorous without belittling the situation of 1970s Laos
and well-priced!
I plan on listening to the entire series

The Laotians Answer to Her Royal Spyness Mysteries

Colin Cotterill's Dr. Siri mystery is smart, clever, funny and charming. And that's why I compare it to Rhys Bowen's wonderful "Royal Spyness " series. Like Lady Georgianna, Dr. Siri is so charismatic the story becomes secondary.

The mystery revolves around the culture, political landscape, and poverty of Laos in the 1970s. My memory of Laos in that period is dominated by war, genocide and communism. The genius of Cotterill is his bringing to life extraordinary people who not only survived the devastation but rose above it.

This is truly a gem!