Slash and Burn: A Dr Siri Murder Mystery (Dr Siri Paiboun Mystery Book 8)

A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery Series

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Siri manages to bring along the whole gang the fellow morgue workers, his wife, his best friend, his best police friend, also Commander Lit, and the ever horrible Judge Haeng who drags along an also horrible cousin of his on what was supposed to be a straightforward joint operation with American diplomats searching for remains of MIA pilots.

Having everyone there together all the time, no matter the pretenses, was enjoyable to read, especially as the characters got to brainstorm together, and as they got to share their individual splinters of clues and knowledge. Jun 05, LJ rated it liked it Shelves: Siri, the nearly 80 year old corner of Laos, wants to retire and spend some time with his wife before he dies; a death predicted by the local transvestite fortuneteller.

Yet it agrees to one last job. Ten years earlier, during the Vietnam War, a US fighter pilot went down in the jungle. A search party of Americans and Laotian scientists and high-level politicians set out to find the pilots remains. Even less, do they expect one of their party to die. But the wonderfully quirky cast of characters is only one thing that makes this book a delight to read.

However, one thing devotedly to be wished, would be a cast of characters at the beginning of the book, as it did become confusing at times.

The sun was still a fuzzy egg yolk behind a lace curtain. The sound of running stream water provided the soundtrack. The second hands on the watches on the wrists of the Americans began to crawl more slowly around the faces. The title is explained by a tradition of the farming people in this area.

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However, one also learns about the various ways in which marijuana can be used. Some may describe this series as being light and, granted, there is a lot of humor both in the characters and the events. However, there is a deeper layer that, when looked for, provides a real grounding to the story.

There is a surprising twist and motive, but one that makes perfect sense in the end. Be assured, however, that Dr. Jun 27, Tina rated it really liked it. In this latest adventure of the ever-entertaining Dr. Siri Paiboun, national coroner of Laos, the good doctor is "chosen" by the party leaders to accompany his nemesis Judge Haeng as members of a multi-national team going to a remote site in Thailand to find out what actually happened when the son of a US Senator crashed his helo in this unknown village.

There are varying versions of how the aviator came to be in the area where his helicopter crashed, and how the chopper wreckage was discovered. The task now is to find out if the pilot is dead no human remains have been found , locate the body, or determine what actually happened to him. To add to the mix, Cotterill gives us a stereotypical pompous US politician in white suit who wants to pop in for a photo op whenever they find the body he is convinced is at the site.

There are the usual and always entertaining contretemps between the Laos, the Vietnamese, the Chinese, the Americans, but I think this one is the best of the series. The mystery is much more developed and coherently unveiled, the characters by now have reached a maturity that enables the reader to concentrate on the person instead of the quirks, although there are several new players who definitely contribute to the story's charm as well as the plot's intricacy.

The young interpreter "Peach Short" is a definite addition and I hope if the series continues that Cotterill can find a way to include her in future adventures. As the story unfolds, and the clues are revealed, the mystery becomes more involved. The history of the US "non-involvment" in the area during the Vietnam Conflict is well handled and, as with all the previous stories in the series, quite educational.

The ending is well developed, thrilling and unexpected, once again leaving the reader wondering if Dr.

Siri will continue to offer his skills to his country, or if somehow, somewhere, he'll be allowed to retire and relax to sip whiskey with his friend Civilai by the side of the river before going home to Madame Deung and her wonderful noodles. Apr 11, Ching-Bing-Ping rated it it was amazing Shelves: He stands firm but knows how to bend in a strong wind.

Siri mysteries, starts off when an American delegation led by Major Potter visits Laos, starting a joint operation to search for an American helicopter pilot who was lost during the war. Siri is asked to join the expedition. Then as a member of the team dies under unnatural circumstances, Dr. Siri smells foul and starts to investigate his death. This was my first Colin Cotterill book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very few writers have the talent of combing crime writing with humor i. The only name that comes to mind is that of the late John Mortimer, who along with his legendary creation Horace Rumpole created the same potent mixture of crime and humor, just as Cotterill did with his Dr.

Siri is one of a kind. He is an old pathologist who is fighting for his retirement. Matching his wit for their own, is his wife Madam Geung, the noodle shop owner, and his friend Civlai, an ex-politburo member and Auntie Bpoo a transgender and a cross dresser, who also is an amateur poet. The plot without being anything extraordinary was twisted, and it also incorporated the events of the helicopter crash in a foolproof manner.

The amount of blood and gore was low, rather nil, and the pace was sedate. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to every crime fiction reader.

Slash and Burn a Dr Siri Murder Mystery by Colin Cotterill

Siri Paiboun mystery set in 's Laos. Siri really wants to retire from his post as the national coroner of Laos. He's only just recovered from near-death at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and since he's over seventy, he figures he deserves to spend a few years relaxing with his wife. But he gets roped into one last job on a junket to northern Laos looking for the remains of a missing American pilot. Accompanying Siri--at his insistence, via a little blackmail of Judge Haeng, his nemesis- Dr.

Accompanying Siri--at his insistence, via a little blackmail of Judge Haeng, his nemesis--will be his wife Madame Daeng, his nurse Dtui and her policeman husband Phosy, his morgue assistant Mr. Geung, his good friend Civiali, a few Lao officials and a bunch of American officials, including a delightful American girl who was raised in Laos by missionary parents who serves as their interpreter--since the Judge's nephew who is the 'official' interpreter doesn't actually speak English. When one of the American contingent ends up dead--a supposed accidental suicide--the niggling thought Siri's been having that the whole trip is a set-up comes to the fore as the pieces fall into place and he begins to sort things out.

Another wonderful adventure filled with wry humor, outstanding characters and a unique perspective on life. What a great way to end my reading year! Can't wait til the next one! Mar 19, Yeva rated it it was amazing. Slash and Burn was a total departure from the norm in this series.

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It reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel, but of course with Mr. Cotterill's own little twist. Siri and company were in full detective mode with this one, and the action happened at a little hotel high in the hills, the Friendship Hotel. Of course, it was shrouded in smoke and the helicopters couldn't leave which left our merry group stranded with a bunch of Americans and a murder. This book was great fun. I enjoyed the pol Slash and Burn was a total departure from the norm in this series. I enjoyed the political intrigue as much as hunting for clues.

When I thought it couldn't get any better, I realized that Mr. Cotterill had played fast and loose with some of the characters names--Harold Potter and Cousin Vinai -- really! Oh and I cannot forget a dog named Ugly. Of course, I recommend this book as a good read, and I can't wait to read the next installment. Jun 04, Georgiann Hennelly rated it it was amazing.

This is the first Dr Siri book i have read. Slash and Burn is set in and relations between Laos and the U. Siri is ordered to assist a group of Americans who are searching for the remains of a helicopter pilot whose helicopter went down during the war. Mishaps are numerous and things begin to go terribly wrong.

Cotterill uses quite a few Americanisms mixed in with Laotians dialogue in places it was laugh out loud funny. The question is will they find what they are looking This is the first Dr Siri book i have read. The question is will they find what they are looking for? I truly enjoyed this book it was a little like a mystery with in a mystery. I look forward to more books by Colin Cotterill Aug 07, Calzean rated it really liked it Shelves: The series just gets better and better.

The old Doc Siri his wife, colleagues and friends all find themselves assigned to a cushy job of joining a US delegation of looking for a dead US pilot who went missing in the CIA war on Vietnam. Unexploded bombs, an interpreter who can't speak English, spirits, a cross-dresser fortune teller, spies, bad guys and a scene where everyone gets high combine to make this book very humorous, a mystery and a reminder of the way the US fought it's war in Vietnam. I am mean with the stars - actually I really liked it. He tosses loads of characters in the air and mixes them around and I didn't get confused at all.

I read that an Australian company was closing down a Laos gold mine in and it sounds like it was spite because the Lao government had realised it was making virtually nothing from the mining concession and wanted a decent cut! So 30 years after the book is set the 'Western Powers' are still extracting wealth from the country In Slash and Burn, the septuagenarian coroner Dr.

Siri is pressured by his long-time rival Judge Heng to aid in the possible recovery of a long-missing US helicopter pilot, who happens to be the son of a wealthy US senator. The story becomes an Agatha Christie type story —everyone is a suspect and they all end up in a room together—but one set in the jungles of Laos and resolve with some local magic and herbalism. Siri and his team are a fine ensemble and Cotterill provides plenty of red her In Slash and Burn, the septuagenarian coroner Dr.

Siri and his team are a fine ensemble and Cotterill provides plenty of red herrings to keep us guessing. Nicely read by Clive Chafer. Jul 26, Heidi Burkhart rated it it was amazing. I love this series! Siri Paiboun is real to me! Immer wieder einmal habe ich mich gefragt: Siri eine us-amerikanische Diplomatin beschreibt: Das wird mir so schnell nicht aus dem Kopf gehen. Es ist ein Immer wieder einmal habe ich mich gefragt: Es ist eine misogynistische Welt.

Leider nimmt die "Geisterwelt" im Verlauf der Serie immer mehr Raum ein. Rowling ist das zu beobachten? May 18, John Lee rated it liked it. It looks as if Dr Siri is at last approaching his much delayed retirement but there is one last call of duty. He is chosen to join a multinational team set up to try to find any remains of an American helicopter pilot who disappeared without trace over a decade earlier. But why an expedition now and could it have anyything to do with the fact that the missing pilot's father is an American Senator? The strange humour of life in Laos under the control of of the Pathet Lao following the American defeat is particularly poignant as it is told by Dr Siri and his wife, both of whom used to be freeedom fighters for the PL.

As the story unravels and more details of the lost pilot and his cargo emerge the tale takes on a more sinister edge until the full story is uncovered and Dr Siri and his usual crowd of cronies are rescued by a most unexpected person. May be because my reading of this novel was interupted but I found it more difficult than usual to follow all of the charactors and to remember which of the many factions they were aligned with. It wont put me off continuing with the series however. Jan 19, Beth rated it really liked it Shelves: Although his escapade in Cambodia in the previous book should have sent Dr.

Siri Paiboun into retirement, he is asked to investigate the site of a helicopter crash, trying to find and identify the remains of an MIA pilot. Since the presence of US pilots and aircraft in Laos was controversial and denied in the States, the search has unusual political overtones.

A group of US investigators including a Senator, arrive on the scene.

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Then, one of these Americans is found dead in his hotel room from w Although his escapade in Cambodia in the previous book should have sent Dr. Then, one of these Americans is found dead in his hotel room from what appears to be autoeroticism gone wrong. Siri finds discrepancies and the mystery gets more confused. This book has another interesting plot and the same great group of characters as the first seven books. Aug 03, Vicki Kohl rated it really liked it.

Still loving these Dr. Little observations of the characters are priceless, such as the following from Civilai, Siri's good friend who spent years in the Politburo, about Americans from the Lao perspective: Yamaguchi stand out was volume. It was Civilai's theory that the Americans, like the Chinese, placed their elementary school teachers too far from the students' desks. As a result Still loving these Dr. As a result they were trained to shout at one another from an early age. Most Lao schools had no furniture so the pupils could sit around the teacher and communicate at a civilized volume.

Yamaguchi's meal banter had a decibel level above that of a foghorn. Jul 09, Jan rated it it was amazing Shelves: Dr Siri gets railroaded into a fools errand along with his nemesis and a collection of Laotians and Americans, but he tosses in a monkey wrench by insisting upon bringing his own team of professionals.

There are more red herrings and misdirection than usual, along with a non American perspective on the real reasons for interference in the wars in Indochina.

The fortune teller manages to appear and proves to be more useful than expected. Be ready for more twists than a bag full of pretzels and so Dr Siri gets railroaded into a fools errand along with his nemesis and a collection of Laotians and Americans, but he tosses in a monkey wrench by insisting upon bringing his own team of professionals. Be ready for more twists than a bag full of pretzels and some really snarky humor. Thanks again to Clive Chafer for his excellent narrative ability. Feb 01, Jeanie rated it really liked it Shelves: This series is such a treat.

Thus, at the urging of his wife and his motley crew of faithful friends, Dr. Siri contemplates who would hold such a strong grudge as to wish him dead, prompting him to recount three incidents over the years: There will be grave consequences in the present if Dr. Between getting into a tangle with a corrupt local judge, and discovering a disturbing black-market business, Dr. The Ministry of Culture must approve the script before they can get rolling. Meanwhile, the skeleton of a woman has appeared under the Anusawari Arch in the middle of the night.

Siri puts his directorial debut on hold and assists his friend Phosy, the newly promoted Senior Police Inspector, with the ensuing investigation. Though the death of the unknown woman seems to be recent, the flesh on her corpse has been picked off in places as if something—or someone—has been gnawing on the bones.

The plot Siri and his friends uncover involves much more than a single set of skeletal remains. The Olympic Games in Moscow is already rife with controversy, but when a Lao athlete is accused of murder, it escalates into a full blown international incident. In the twelfth entry to the series, Dr. Siri Paiboun and his quirky team of misfits are on the case in a city and country foreign to them, yet familiar in its corruption of justice. Ex-national coroner of Laos Dr.

Siri Paiboun may be retired, but he and his wife, Madame Daeng, would do just about anything to have a chance to visit Moscow, so Siri finagles them a trip by getting them hired as medical advisers to the Olympians. Most of the athletes are young and innocent village people who have never worn running shoes, much less imagined anything as marvelous as the Moscow Olympic Village.

As the competition heats up, however, Siri begins to suspect that one of the athletes is not who he says he is. Fearing a conspiracy, Siri and his friends investigate, liaising in secret with Inspector Phosy back home in Laos to see if the man might be an assassin. Now in the midst of a murky international incident, Dr.

Siri must navigate not one but two paranoid government machines to make sure justice is done. I Shot the Buddha. A fiendishly clever mystery in which Dr. Siri and his friends investigate three interlocking murders—and the ungodly motives behind them Laos, Retired coroner Siri Paiboun and his wife, Madame Daeng, have never been able to turn away a misfit. As a result, they share their small Vientiane house with an assortment of homeless people, mendicants, and oddballs.

A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery

One of these oddballs is Noo, a Buddhist monk, who rides out on his bicycle one day and never comes back, leaving only a cryptic note in the refrigerator: Buddhism is a powerful influence on both morals and politics in Southeast Asia. In order to exonerate an innocent man, they will have to figure out who is cloaking terrible misdeeds in religiosity.

Six and a Half Deadly Sins. Siri Paiboun, the twice retired ex-National Coroner of Laos, receives an unmarked package in the mail. Inside is a handwoven pha sin, a colorful traditional skirt worn in northern Laos. A lovely present, but who sent it to him, and why? He finagles a trip up north to the province where the sin was made, not realizing he is embarking on a deadly scavenger hunt. Meanwhile, the northern Lao border is about to erupt into violence—and Dr.

Siri and his entourage are walking right into the heart of the conflict. Siri In a small Lao village, a very strange thing has happened. A woman was shot and killed in her bed during a burglary; she was given a funeral and everyone in the village saw her body burned. Lao national coroner Dr. What is the group really digging for at the bottom of this remote river on the Thai border?

What war secrets are being covered up? Siri Paiboun mystery Dr. And now that he is in his mids, he longs to spend some time with his wife before the untimely death that is sure to befall him, according to the local transvestite fortune-teller. But retirement will have to wait again until he has completed one last job for the Lao government: And the stakes are high.

The presence of American soldiers in Laos is controversial, and the search party includes high-level politicians and scientists. So when a member of the party is found dead, Dr. Siri suspects it may not have been an accident. Love Songs from a Shallow Grave. Siri Paiboun mystery When a Lao female security officer is discovered stabbed through the heart with a fencing sword, Dr.

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