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The Coroner’s Lunch Audiobook
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(3.56) - 18 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Laos, 1975. The Communist Pathet Lao has taken over this former French colony. Dr. Siri Paiboun, a seventy-two-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 have 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.
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"A series based on a 70-some National Coroner in 1970s Laos who sees ghosts of his clients sounds pretty far-fetched, but it has taken the place as one of my must read mysteries. Exotic locations, worlds I know nothing about, and characters who delight. Cotterill has me hooked. "
— David (4 out of 5 stars)
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“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.”
— 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.”
— 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.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer -
“In Siri, Cotterill has created a detective as distinctive as Maigret or Poirot.”
— Orlando Sentinel -
“Engaging…This debut mystery, with its convincing and highly interesting portrayal of an exotic locale, marks the author as someone to watch.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“If Siri lives long enough, he’ll make a wry, eccentric addition to the genre.”
— Booklist(starred review) -
“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) -
“This is a winner.”
— Mystery Scene
Awards
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Finalist for the 2005 Barry Award for Best First Novel
The Coroner’s Lunch Listener Reviews
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" This is the first in a great and unconventional mystery series about a coroner in communist Laos. It's lovely and quirky, filled with the crazy irrationality of Laotian politics and bureaucracy and glimpses of the supernatural. It's grand, as is the entire series. "
— Judy, 7/21/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this. It was a very quick and easy read, and despite the body count fairly light hearted. I look forward to reading more of Colin Cotterill's books. "
— Karen, 6/30/2011 -
" Not much of a mystery, but fantastic setting and characters. Can't wait for more! "
— Kirsten, 6/12/2011 -
" This is a fun series I just started. I love detective series that take place in foreign countries, and this one is in Laos. The characters are great and at about 3/4 through, I'm really glad there are several more in the series to look forward to! "
— Stacy, 6/5/2011 -
" I liked it and would recommend to mystery buffs. Set in Laos in the 1970s, our hero is a 72 year old coroner with a twinkle in his eye. A quick read. "
— Dhartridge, 5/18/2011 -
" A fun read, but an odd read. The main character is in his seventies and his dialogue just didn't ring true to me. But again, still fun... i'm reading Book #2. "
— RunRachelRun, 5/10/2011 -
" I'm glad a friend recommended this book. The coroner is a great character. I'm glad I got to know him a bit through this book. "
— Michele, 5/2/2011 -
" + easy reading.<br/>+ paralell information input about Lao life in early Communist Laos. "
— martine, 5/2/2011
About Colin Cotterill
Colin Cotterill has won the Dilys Award and a Crime Writers of America Dagger and has been a finalist for several other awards. Born in London, he has worked as teacher in Israel, Australia, the United States, and Japan before he started training teachers in Thailand. He lives with his wife in a small fishing village on the Gulf of Siam in Southern Thailand.
About Clive Chafer
Clive Chafer is a professional actor, director, producer, and theater instructor. Originally from England and educated at Leeds and Exeter universities, he has performed and directed at many theaters in the San Francisco area, where he makes his home, and elsewhere in the US. In 1993 he founded TheatreFIRST, Oakland’s professional theater company, where he served as artistic director until 2008.