The Second Biggest Nothing

A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery, Book 14

De: Colin Cotterill

Narrado por: Clive Chafer

A death threat to Dr. Siri and all his friends sends the ex-coroner down memory lane. From Paris in the '30s to war-torn Vietnam in the '70s, Dr. Siri must mine his past to figure out who's trying to kill him now.

Vientiane, 1980: For a man of his age and in his corner of the world, Dr. Siri, the 76-year-old former national coroner of Laos, is doing remarkably well - especially considering the fact that he is possessed by a 1,000-year-old Hmong shaman. That is, until he finds a mysterious note tied to his dog's tail. The death threat is not just aimed at him, but at everyone he holds dear. And whoever wrote the note claims the job will be executed in two weeks.

Thus, at the urging of his wife and his motley crew of faithful friends, Dr. Siri must figure out who wants him dead, prompting him to recount three incidents over the years: an early meeting with his lifelong pal Civilai in Paris in the early '30s, a particularly disruptive visit to an art museum in Saigon in 1956, and a prisoner of war negotiation in Hanoi at the height of the Vietnam War in the '70s. There will be grave consequences in the present if Dr. Siri can't decipher the clues from his past.

©2019 Colin Cotterill (P)2019 Recorded Books

Great Story, But I Want Auntie Poo As She Was

The latest Dr. Siri Zpaiboun novel continues the series’ wonderful blend of history, fiction and whimsy. Only amazing characters could stand out as the driving force of a novel when set against such a vivid sense of place and time. It’s so refreshing to have vibrant older people as protagonists. My one disappointment in the novel concerns the explanation for the deceased medium Auntie Poo’s being a transvestite. I previously appreciated Colin Cotterill including such a colorful LGBTQ personality in the novels. Whether he meant it that way or not, Cotterill’s plot twist makes it seem as if transvestism is something unfortunate needing to be fixed. If indeed that were the intent I would have to forgo the series in future. For now, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, but removed a star from what was otherwise a five star novel

So good. As ever.

This whole series is such a joy to follow. Beautifully written and beautifully performed. I hope there are more to follow.

Another Winner

As usual, I love the characters, the story, the many paths that I have to travel to get to the solution,and the narrator. There are one or two points that I do not care for, but the story, as a whole has the usual greatness that I have come to expect. I can't say much more for fear of giving away too much.
I recommend this title and author to anyone who needs a good book.

One of the best in the series

Early on in this series I learned to let go and stick with the story no matter where it went and who/what I'd encounter along the way. That's a good strategy for this particular book, which moves back and forth in time and place. In the process, Laos' complicated and tragic political history unfolds with the plot. it's impressive and most engaging storytelling.

Insightful, intriguing

The description gave no clue as to what this book is really about. The insight into Laotian history and experience of events I knew of—and some I did not—was eye opening. Well told story with enoufh humor and light sarcasm to keep it flowing.