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The Coroner's Lunch (A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery) Paperback – April 7, 2015

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 3,057 ratings

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Laos, 1978: Dr. Siri Paiboun, a 72-year-old medical doctor, has unwillingly been appointed the national coroner of the new socialist Laos. His lab is underfunded, his boss is incompetent, and his support staff is quirky, to say the least. But Siri’s sense of humor gets him through his often frustrating days. When the body of the wife of a prominent politician comes through his morgue, Siri has reason to suspect the woman has been murdered. To get to the truth, Siri and his team face government secrets, spying neighbors, victim hauntings, Hmong shamans, botched romances, and other deadly dangers. Somehow, Siri must figure out a way to balance the will of the party and the will of the dead.
"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Coroner's Lunch

A Booklist Book of the Year
An Independent Mystery Booksellers Association Killer Book of the Year
A Book Sense Selection

“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.”
The New York Times Book Review

“The sights, smells, and colors of Laos practically jump of the pages of this inspired, often wryly witty first novel.”
The Denver Post

“The Soho Press crime series . . . has done mystery connoisseurs everywhere a favor by adding Colin Cotterill to its publishing list. The author gives us exotic locations; a world that few of us know well; crisp, intelligent, and often-witty writing; and, most of all, a hero unlike any other.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer

“This series kickoff is an embarrassment of riches: Holmesian sleuthing, political satire, and [a] droll comic study of a prickly late bloomer.”
Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“In Siri, Cotterill has created a detective as distinctive as Maigret or Poirot.”
Orlando Sentinel

“This debut mystery, with its convincing and highly interesting portrayal of an exotic locale, marks the author as someone to watch.”
Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Colin Cotterill is the Dilys Award–winning author of nine other books in the Dr. Siri Paiboun series: Thirty-Three Teeth, Disco for the Departed, Anarchy and Old Dogs, Curse of the Pogo Stick, The Merry Misogynist, Love Songs from a Shallow Grave, Slash and Burn, and The Woman Who Wouldn’t Die, and Six and a Half Deadly Sins. He lives in Chumphon, Thailand, with his wife and five deranged dogs.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Soho Crime; Reissue edition (April 7, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1616956496
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1616956493
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.97 x 0.76 x 7.48 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 3,057 ratings

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Colin Cotterill
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Colin Cotterill is the author of the Dr. Siri series of novels. Born in London, he has taught in Australia, the USA and Japan and lived for many years in Laos where he worked for non-governmental social service organizations. He now writes full-time and lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
3,057 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the mystery content clever and intricate with many twists and turns. They enjoy the humor and satire, which pokes fun at conceits and foibles of humorless politicos. The book is described as delightful, fun to read, and wonderful. Readers praise the compelling characters and witty repartee among them. They appreciate the rich background narrative set in Laos that brings the country alive. The pacing is described as nice and well-written.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

176 customers mention "Mystery content"156 positive20 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging mystery content. They find the writing clever and the plot intricate with many twists and turns. The book is described as an intelligent, complex read that interweaves political, religious, and unique settings. Readers appreciate the well-dosed supernatural elements that augment the tale and add atmosphere.

"...you like mysteries in foreign countries with great characters, very good plotting and humor, you should like this book." Read more

"...The mysteries are wonderfully varied, and take place in Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, etc., with references to early years in Paris....it's all there!..." Read more

"...The list of books included in their crime series is rather extensive and there appear to be a lot of interesting picks to be discovered." Read more

"...There are many interesting characters in this book as well as many twists and turns...." Read more

138 customers mention "Enjoyment"138 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor and satire. They find the dialogue sharp and entertaining, with laughter in many places. The humor pokes fun at the conceits and foibles of humorless politicians and normal people. Readers appreciate the witty leading man with a keen mind. They also love the irreverent writing style and find Dr. Siri an unexpected delight.

"...The humor is sly, the characters are memorable and particularly Dr. Siri, who cannot, even after all this time, allow himself to give lip service..." Read more

"...in foreign countries with great characters, very good plotting and humor, you should like this book." Read more

"...With all the serious plots, there is marvelous humor and lots of satire - brilliant! I recommend this book (the whole series) most strongly...." Read more

"...His struggle accepting this responsibility is human and humorous...." Read more

134 customers mention "Readability"134 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's engaging characters and storyline. They find it fun to read from start to finish, moving through the timeline as they learn more about the characters and the series. The book has a mix of feel-good mystery and supernatural elements, with a cozy feel like the Flavia de Luce books and humor and heart like No. 1 Ladies. It's described as a gentle yet intriguing read with many interesting twists.

"...I laughed out loud several times. It is a gentle book yet it is not. Dr. Suri makes it seem that way. I have the next book to read...." Read more

"...The characters are so varied, their personalities so delightful and interesting, that I ended up reading all the sequels as well - I am hooked..." Read more

"...With that said, I actually enjoyed the book a great deal. The setting is really unique...." Read more

"...It is a well written and wonderful novel which has really been brought to life by the author. I highly recommend it." Read more

126 customers mention "Character development"124 positive2 negative

Customers find the book's characters compelling and witty. They appreciate that the main characters are old, disabled, and unattractive. The leading man is charming with a droll wit and a keen mind.

"...The humor is sly, the characters are memorable and particularly Dr. Siri, who cannot, even after all this time, allow himself to give lip service..." Read more

"...The characters are special in the book. Dr. Siri is humorous and speaks his mind in an atmosphere that does not encourage this at all...." Read more

"...The characters are so varied, their personalities so delightful and interesting, that I ended up reading all the sequels as well - I am hooked..." Read more

"...Siri is a wonderful character. He is so colorful and I enjoyed him so much...." Read more

85 customers mention "Cultural insight"85 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the cultural insights in the book. They find the setting in Laos interesting and the narrative rich, bringing the country alive. The book is described as descriptive and an immersive experience into a time and place they aren't familiar with.

"...The book is well written, descriptive of the country but mainly I found the details of life in a country undergoing such severe changes to be..." Read more

"...With that said, I actually enjoyed the book a great deal. The setting is really unique...." Read more

"...I love to read about other people, places, and cultures. All of the characters in this book are either Laotian or Vietnamese and I like that too...." Read more

"...Not only are they great stories, they have taught me so much about Laos, it's culture and its history, something I knew absolutely nothing about...." Read more

77 customers mention "Pacing"66 positive11 negative

Customers find the book has a nice pace. They describe it as a quick read with an imaginative plot and sharp dialogue. The narrative flows smoothly, and the characters are well-developed. Overall, readers enjoy the book and find it helps them get through it faster.

"...The book is well written, descriptive of the country but mainly I found the details of life in a country undergoing such severe changes to be..." Read more

"...The protagonist of this book, Dr. Siri, is a very humble and likable character. He's a doctor, but admits he was never a very good one...." Read more

"...It is a well written and wonderful novel which has really been brought to life by the author. I highly recommend it." Read more

"The entire Dr. Siri series is quite well written. Almost every book has a very good story line...." Read more

23 customers mention "Color palette"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's color palette and characters. They find the characters attractive, well-seasoned, and colorful. The author skillfully paints a vivid picture of life in Laos. Siri is engaging and endearing. Readers appreciate the author's crisp and jaunty writing style.

"...Can't remember the last time I was so in love with such a charming, clever character...." Read more

"...Siri is a wonderful character. He is so colorful and I enjoyed him so much...." Read more

"Hats off for a range of attractive and well-seasoned characters about whom I only wanted to learn more and more...." Read more

"...travelers, the atmosphere of a distant world, time, and culture are beautifully drawn." Read more

20 customers mention "Education"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and educational. They appreciate the author's wit, perspective, and lighthearted writing style. The book provides an insight into another world and is treasured by readers.

"...This book puts a whole new, different and valid perspective on that whole era...." Read more

"...book that interweaves political, religious, otherworldly, and practical considerations for a most interesting read...." Read more

"...Dr. Siri, is an unexpected delight, a 72 year old with a sharp and cunning mind, not to mention he's a shaman in a conflicted culture...." Read more

"...has given birth to a charming leading man with a droll wit and a keen mind. For most readers, this will probably be their first glimpse of Laos...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2018
    Dr. Siri Paiborn, a 76 yr. old, looking to retire is appointed the country of Laos' only coroner, despite the fact that he has no experience, little in the way of equipment and only some old reference books to teach him his new craft. Laos is still undergoing the change from a country led by a royal family to a communist regime supported by the old USSR. The book is well written, descriptive of the country but mainly I found the details of life in a country undergoing such severe changes to be fascinating. The humor is sly, the characters are memorable and particularly Dr. Siri, who cannot, even after all this time, allow himself to give lip service to the nonsense that passes for patriotism such as the 'burden sharing tutorials' in which his superior critiques his work under the guise of showing the way to properly serve the new government. Well done. I look forward to the next one.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2017
    I enjoyed this book very much. I knew I would probably like this series but I liked it even better than I thought I would.

    Dr. Siri Palbourn is 72 years old and was ready for retirement. He is living in Laos and it is 1976. He studied medicine in France when he was a young man. He fell in love with a young revolutionary and followed her back to fight for the cause. Now he is 72 and and Laos has a new communist government. The doctor who had experience in doing autopsies swam across the river to Thailand so now Siri is made the National Coroner of Laos. The problem is that he has not trained in this area.

    The department is underfunded and has few supplies. He has a boss who doesn't understand his own job. Suri does his first autopsy by following a 30 year old French book. The characters are special in the book. Dr. Siri is humorous and speaks his mind in an atmosphere that does not encourage this at all. He has two not typical assistants who he likes very much. One is a nurse Drui who wants to train for his job. She likes to read entertainment magazines. Mr. Geung has Downs Syndrome and has become skilled in autopsy skills. He and Dr. Siri greet each other every day "Do we have any customers today. No customers today, Dr. Comrade."

    The first page of the book is quite dramatic. It starts the mystery of three men who are dropped from a helicopter into a lake with weights attached to their legs. Two countries, Vietnam and Laos become involved with investigation of the murders. Dr. Suri investigates.

    Also, a prominent wife of a leader dies at a banquet and her husband is very eager to take the body away from Dr. Suri. Dr. Suri finds he has investigative skills and doesn't take the word of those above him for what has caused the deaths. Dr. Suri also has communications with his "customers". At first they come to him in dreams but later it occurs in his waking life.

    I laughed out loud several times. It is a gentle book yet it is not. Dr. Suri makes it seem that way. I have the next book to read. It is a special series. I think if you like mysteries in foreign countries with great characters, very good plotting and humor, you should like this book.
    16 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2016
    Two people told me about this book, and since I respect their taste, I bought it. I LOVE IT!! I'm a real mystery buff, and haven't read anything quite like this. I thought the Inspector Shan books by Eliot Pattison were unusual (and wonderful), but this is a whole new (to me) concept. I was so taken with the primary character, Dr. Siri, that I bought all, but the most recent (2016) sequels. The story takes place, mostly in Laos, during the 1970's. The characters are so varied, their personalities so delightful and interesting, that I ended up reading all the sequels as well - I am hooked completely. The mysteries are wonderfully varied, and take place in Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, etc., with references to early years in Paris....it's all there! This series is classic, one of a kind in every way. I was very much alive during the Viet Nam war, so I have enough memories of that time. This book puts a whole new, different and valid perspective on that whole era. You understand what the people had to endure, and how they survived...and you're also seeing a side not seen before. With all the serious plots, there is marvelous humor and lots of satire - brilliant! I recommend this book (the whole series) most strongly. Can't remember the last time I was so in love with such a charming, clever character. Do yourself a real favor and read the book - you'll want the rest of them too.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • George Frederick Barber
    5.0 out of 5 stars An unusual tale of times past
    Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2023
    But well worth reading, and a number of twists and plot turns with an entertaining diversity of characters. Good quality tale, well structured, gives little away.
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars muy interesante por el protagonista y el lugar Laos
    Reviewed in Spain on April 14, 2022
    Lo que más me ha gustado es la descripción del país ,el sentido del humor del protagonista y que fuera un hombre mayor.
    Me ha gustado tanto que me he comprado todos los libros de la serie.
  • felina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb writing
    Reviewed in India on September 2, 2019
    Such a wonderful story. Beautifully written and so evocative of the place. Some great humour too! Plan to buy more of his work
  • Snapdragon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable
    Reviewed in Australia on June 27, 2024
    We’re in the newly communist Laos of the 1970s. Dr Siri has long fought on the winning side and at 72, is looking forward to retirement. Alas, he is made coroner, a field in which he has no training. But with admirable aplomb and philosophical acceptance he does his best in the poorest of countries with the minimum of equipment. It’s not long before he finds himself having to autopsy the wife of a senior cadre and things don’t add up. Then along comes a case involving three Vietnamese corpses found in a reservoir attached to weights. This one leads to very murky depths indeed and has a relationship with the Hmong people who grow opium. Things get a little woo-woo down in Hmong territory.
    While the story has echoes of Brave New World and 1984 and corruption, daft political correctness etc are everywhere, this book is a fun and interesting read because of the charm of its characters who regularly engage in witty banter. There are enough good guys to warm the cockles of your heart and they are by no means simplistic - these are fully rounded, clever people who are making the best of things in very difficult circumstances. So it’s a warm book set in a country we hear little about. Now to download the rest of the series.
  • Nidda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Siri Mysteries - tolle Geschichten!
    Reviewed in Germany on January 11, 2016
    Nachdem ich das erste Buch der Reihe gelesen hatte, war ich ganz im Bann von Dr. Siri und seinen Kompagnons. Eine bunte Mischung unterschiedlichster Typen mit sehr eigenen Stärken und Schwächen die alle treu zueinander stehen und für jeden Spass zu haben sind.
    Mir gefällt auch das etwas "Überirdische" an den Büchern, was aber wahrscheinlich Geschmacksache ist und eventuell nicht jedem gefällt.
    Ich finde, es gibt dem Ganzen etwas Aussergewöhnliches.
    Insgesamt nimmt sich jedoch keiner der Charaktere in den Büchern selbst zu ernst was auch für den ausserordentlichen Humor des Autors spricht!