The Merry Misogynist

The Dr. Siri Investigations, Book 6

By: Colin Cotterill

Narrated by: Clive Chafer

In 1978 in poverty-stricken Laos, a man from the city with a truck was somebody—a catch for even the prettiest village virgin. The corpse of one of these bucolic beauties turns up in Dr. Siri’s morgue, and his curiosity is piqued. The victim was tied to a tree and strangled, but she had not, as the doctor had expected, been raped. And though the victim had smooth, pale skin over most of her body, her hands and feet were gnarled, callused, and blistered.

On a trip to the hinterlands, Siri discovers that many women have been killed in this way. He sets out to investigate this unprecedented phenomenon—a serial killer in peaceful Buddhist Laos—only to discover, when he has identified the murderer, that not only pretty maidens are at risk: 73-year-old coroners can be victims too.

Crack another case with Dr. Siri.©2009 Colin Cotterill (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“It is part of Colin Cotterill’s skill that he grips the reader by intercutting between the cerebral deductions of Siri and the determined planning of the killer…Tight plotting and a background full of the sounds and color of the Orient make this a fascinating read.” ( Independent (London))

Great fun with a sad topic

serial-killer, series, murder-investigation, Laos, historical-fiction, historical-places-events, history-and-culture, sly-humor

Despite my aversion to books that delve into the mind of a serial killer, I still had to give this whodunit 5 stars because it was so diabolically done. I really don't deal in spoilers, so I'm not sure what else I can say, except that it is certainly worth the read.
Clive Chafer continues to be excellent as narrator.

Merry, but not in a Socially Acceptable Way

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to a friend but I would caution the friend to make time to listen to it. This is not a book that can be listened to while doing something else

What other book might you compare The Merry Misogynist to and why?

I refer to the same author, the book "Thirty-three Teeth." It has the same style as far as sharp, challenging, sarcastic, dry, droll wit.

Have you listened to any of Clive Chafer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have only listened to his performances in this series. I don't think I will be able to imagine him as anyone other than Dr. Siri Phaibuon

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

Dr. Siri's conversation with Deng in which Deng compared her and Dr. Diri's earlier lives to an undeveloped peanut. Very moving.

Any additional comments?

I liked it enough that I have now purchased five books in the series. I will purchase the other five.

Another wonderfully composed masterpiece.

My favorites in every Cotterall book are his precise, acute, comparative descriptions of people, places and circumstances. His characters have all the flaws and quirks that bring each to life so vividly. His stories weave all the mismatched details together with humor and loving care. I can't wait for the next installment.

great read and humor

This is a very good series. The characters are really interesting and have a wonderful sense of humor. I suppose you would have to have a sense of humor to live through all they've suffered.

A series to enjoy!

I love learning about other cultures, countries and time periods. Audible listening is the BEST!