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Book Review of The Coroner's Lunch (Dr. Siri Paiboun, Bk 1)

The Coroner's Lunch (Dr. Siri Paiboun, Bk 1)
eadieburke avatar reviewed on + 1621 more book reviews


Book Description:
Laos, 1975. The Communist Pathet Lao has taken over this former French colony. Dr. Siri Paiboun, a 72-year-old Paris-trained doctor, is appointed national coroner. Although he has no training for the job, there is no one else; the rest of the educated class has fled.

He is expected to come up with the answers the party wants. But crafty and charming Dr.Siri is immune to bureaucratic pressure. At his age, he reasons, what can they do to him? And he knows he cannot fail the dead who come into his care without risk of incurring their boundless displeasure. Eternity could be a long time to have the spirits mad at you.

My Review:
This is the first in a new series and I found the main character of Siri Paiboun to be quite charmingly unusual. He is a 72 year old doctor/detective acting as a coroner in Communist Laos where there are quite a few murders happening. The book was full of humor, intrigue and had a great sense of place. I look forward to reading more of the series and would recommend this series to those who like Alexander McCall Smith.