Anarchy and Old Dogs

By: Colin Cotterill

Narrated by: Nigel Anthony

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

When a blind, retired dentist is run down by a logging truck as he crosses the road to post a letter, Dr Siri Paiboun, official and only coroner of Laos, finds him faced with his most explosive case yet. The dentist’s mortal remains aren’t nearly as intriguing as the letter in his pocket. Written in invisible ink and encrypted, the letter presents Dr Siri with an irresistible challenge. Enlisting the help of his old friend, Civilai, now a senior member of the Laos politburo; Nurse Dtui (‘Fatty’); Phosy, a police officer; and Aunt Bpoo, a transvestite fortune-teller, Dr Siri soon finds himself on the trail of an international plot to overthrow the government of Laos.

©2011 Quercus Editions Ltd (P)2011 Quercus Editions Ltd

One of the best of Dr Siri

Where does Anarchy and Old Dogs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Cotterill's imaginative idea to place his crime/mystery series in Communist Laos of the 1970s shines a spotlight on a time and a regime little known to us in the West. Dr Siri, the 70 year old coroner is his hero, and a very vivid one too, but as so often with this series the plot is supported by fascinating detail (shown from the point of view of those who fought for freedom from colonial yoke) about the situation. Don't think it is a polemic - humour is engagingly balanced by humanity as plot and counter-plot is exposed - but we do learn a lot about Laos and its 20th century struggles. I will definitely visit this year. In the hands (er- the voice) of Nigel Anthony, this book springs off the page. What a delight.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent plot and characters

Would you consider the audio edition of Anarchy and Old Dogs to be better than the print version?

I have read one in the series and listened to two in the car. Each has its merits - in reading you build your own character in your mind. By listening whilst in the car you have the opertunity to expirance more literature than time normaly permits.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The lead - the doctor come detective. He brings a sense of history and depth, how he fought for his beliefs in making the world better, his kindness and self sacrifice.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I have heard two different narrators in the series , my personal choice was not this one, the other had better vocal range.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many significant moments in the book, finding a long lost compatrart, the sadness of the murdered boy's friend, the last days of the murdered boy.

Any additional comments?

Set in the 1970s post Vietnam war the story portrayed the bitter sweet ' victory ' of the Lao people, and how day to day people lived and the ' routine crime' as side by side with power struggles. The character's came across believable - each with their own issues to contented with.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A disappointed listener

I bought this book because it was billed as a thriller and it had a very high listener rating. I was disappointed for the following reasons. The story is not much of a thriller or a mystery. It does have a story line based on a coded letter, but the story that unravells lacks pace and has a rather ambiguous style. It has humourous protagonist dealing with murder and conspiracy, but it is not clear whether the narrative is meant to be toungue in cheek or not. The aspect that worked least for me was the dreams/references to super-natural and the frequent musings over the Laos war of independence from the French. It might reasonably be called a political thriller , but it is one whose characters did not come to life for me. Several times I thought " I wonder what was going through the author's head when he wrote this crass rubbish"! My comment is rather harsh, as the book is quite well written, it has a plot and many reasonably defined characters... it just did not work for me. Do not expect a Michael Connolly kind of book, think more of Alexander McCall Smith ( but not as good).

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Pure joy

Another wonderful listen. Colin Cotterill's characters and plotting are top class and his light touch is charming. Nigel Anthony delivers the perfect voice of Dr Siri, and his narration is a joy to listen to.

Charming

Yes I know there are many books featuring detective characters from other countries, probably following on from the No. 1 Ladies ...., but this series stands out a little.

This is the 4th book in what was quite a long series, although several of the books have recently disappeared from Audible - hopefully to return. The main character is a 73 year old doctor/pathologist who comes across curious cases, often with big connections, but I won't bother repeating the publishers blurb about the book. Suffice to say that a large part of the charm of this novel is Dr Siri's age and the political and administrative context in which the novel is set. It would serve you better to read them in order as the characters, relationships and events all follow-on and develop.

More than previous books this one covers the political situation and the relationships between the characters rather than the initial mysteries occasioned by the two deaths that he is ostensibly investigating.

Nice, nice books. Not without their moments of sadness, but gently amusing and very compassionate. If you don't like your crime stories too gritty and ghastly this series is well worth a listen. Nigel Anthony does a fine job of narration.

old dogs tackle old and new tricks

I love this series of books by Colin Cotterill and this one is no exception. The story moves along like a ripping yarn containing moments of laughter and joy mingled with sadness in a way that is entirely believable.

dr siri visits a fortune teller

Any additional comments?

and is amazed by his/her prediction.
another well written story by colin cotteril and performed by nigel Anthony.
I have really enjoyed this series so far.
eagerly awaiting the next one - curse of the pogo stick..